VACMA 2023-2024: Thibault Gras

My award was used to purchase an 85mm f/1.8 lens, a flash, transmitter, and a reflector.

I then spent a few days in April learning the theory of on and off camera lighting, meaning the use of flash on the camera or remotely triggered. After a few trials I had several opportunities to put the skills in practice in various context including:

• The first Drag Show in Orkney at the Albert Hotel
• A jewellery modelling shoot with Zoe Davidson and a modelling shoot for Aurora jewellery
• Various weddings in 2023 and 2024
• Headshots and corporate photos for Lows Orkney
• Action shots for Leigh Gould (Loki Chef) and the Stromness Yule log pull

These examples can be consulted in the link below: https://www.grass-shoots.com/vacma

I am now much more confident in taking on projects in challenging lighting, and will aim to test out different techniques in the future. The funding allowed me to take a risk at an early stage in my career by spending my budget on equipment I was not sure how to use and helped me to decide if it would be a useful addition to my practice.