…And new zoom
XF10-24mm WR is 36th X-Series lens
This update of the XF10-24mm F4 R OIS optic uses the same optical design as its predecessor (14 elements in 10 groups; seven aperture blades) but adds an f-stop scale on its barrel, plus an auto-position lock. With its weather-resistant build, the XF10-24mm WR should appeal to X-Series shooters looking to add a rugged ultra wide-angle for landscapes and nature. www.fujifilm.co.uk; £899/$999
Skylum has released more information about the forthcoming release of LuminarAI. The new AI-centric software (arriving later this year) features template-based editing workflows; after opening and analysing images, LuminarAI will make editing suggestions. These can be effected in ‘Template’ workflows, or via the AI tools. Skylum says this clever tech will save up to 90% of editing time. Also coming to LuminarAI in a 2021 update is Sky AI, the second-generation of the sky replacement tool found in Luminar 4. Sky AI enables any replacement skies to be reflected on water automatically – see it in action yourself at https://youtu.be/etkDITU39Zs skylum.com; £TBC/$TBC
Who had the idea for ICON, the new Sky Arts series on music photography? For 20 years I’ve been concerned that my genre, music photography, needs to be increasingly respected as a proper genre of creative work. Every opportunity I got, I’d talk to filmmakers or producers I met and say, “Do you know, there’s never been a proper film made about music photography?” Everybody would say it was ridiculous [that there hadn’t been].
Then, 10 years ago at a music event, I ran into Andy Saunders, who was the press guy at Creation Records. He was having breakfast with Dick Carruthers, a music film-maker well-known for his extraordinary live video work. The three of us teamed up and we tried to sell it.
It took years of being rejected, of nobody taking it seriously. About three years ago, a company called Eagle Rock fell in love with the idea, and we got the ‘green light’ at the end of 2018.
Tell us more about the series...
It’s a really exciting visual exploration of music photography. Each programme takes a particular theme. The first episode, ‘On Camera’, is an overview of the series. Episode two is ‘On the Road’ – onstage and offstage, etc.
Episode three is ‘On the Record’ – that’s album covers. Episode four is ‘Editorial’, on magazine covers. Episode five is ‘On the Wall’, the evolution from selling records and concert tickets to adorning the galleries and lounges of the world. Number six is ‘On the Web’, the future… Image capture is everywhere, but is it photography and who is in control now?
Who was interviewed for the series?
Denis O’Regan, Jill Furmanovsky, Dean Chalkley, Martyn Goddard, Michael Zagaris, Neal Preston and Terry O’Neill – we probably got the last interview with Terry before he passed. Terry, being Terry, was fantastically dry, self-effacing and delightful.
Also, Mick Rock, Jerry Schatzberg, Baron Wolman, Amelia Davis, who was the great Jim Marshall’s associate and now runs his estate. I can go on…
Do you cover hip-hop and black photographers in America?
Yeah, we did it sort of indirectly. We interviewed a man called Bruce Talamon, a wonderful photographer and a marvellous chap. He was one of the pathfinding black photographers in the 1970s with his material covering Earth Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson Five, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and many others.
We got deeply into hip-hop through the photographer Janette Beckmann, who we did an interview with, and also with an academic writer called Vikki Tobak, who produced a wonderful book that explores hip-hop in great depth. We tried incredibly hard to cover off every genre of music photography in great depth.
How would you sum up the series to potential viewers?
I think it’s the people and the stories behind the greatest music images ever made, told by the photographers, the artists, the picture editors, experts and fans… That sums it up. It’s the story of music photography – the 20th century’s most striking artform.
And it must help that Sky Arts is now on Freeview?
Yeah. What a bonus that is, and they’re very excited about it. They seem to love it. Now that they’re on Freeview, their viewing figures have shot up, I believe, so we’re very excited about that.
• ICON: Music Through The Lens is broadcast on Sky Arts from 6 November 2020. Find out more atwww.sky.com