Craig Fleming: Making a Connection - An ILFORD Inspires Film

Making a Connection is the latest video in our ILFORD Inspires series and features Sheffield born fashion and portrait photographer Craig Fleming.
Armed with his Mamiya RZ67, his go-to medium format camera, we joined Craig to shoot some black and white film studio portraits in Manchester's Northern Quarter.
Known for his quirky portraits and up close style, this video takes us behind the scenes of a film photography portrait shoot gives us an insight into how Craig chooses which film to shoot and how he goes about 'making a connection' with models and actors to capture the shot.
Filmed and Edited by Ben Piper - Furl.
End Credits photos on ILFORD and Kentmere 35mm and 120 films by Matt Parry, Michelle Parr and Hannah Gross.
Special Thanks to NQ Studios, Charlotte Tyree, Jack Francis Johnson, Bunny Bunovskyi and Abdimalig Ibrahim.

[@Ilfordphoto]

It was fascinating to watch Craig Fleming work and to spend a few days in the studio with him watching him making a connection with the actors and models that he shoots to capture the shot. (All on ILFORD black and white medium format film of course!).

[@fstopclick37]

Wow. I just decided to open up my KZbin subscriptions tab and right near the top I see this one and say to myself... "Hey, I know that guy from all our conversations on twitter!" What a coincidence.... Great and unique work as always from both Ilford & Craig. 😃📷 Years ago, I used to have a black & white Ilford coffee mug that I found at a local thrift store, but I don't know what happened to it... 😕 Cheers.... J.R. 📸

[@Ilfordphoto]

@@fstopclick37 It was obviously fate! Great to hear that you enjoyed it. Thank you for watching.

[@treyahu7096]

He’s more of an artist than a photographer. That’s what makes his images so unique and beautiful.

[@gorakphoto]

This video could've been 10 times as long and I would've still been bewitched

[@Ilfordphoto]

Love this comment. Thank you so much for watching. Have you shot much medium format black and white film?

[@gorakphoto]

@@Ilfordphoto Absolutely. I've a fridge full of Ilford FP4+ & HP5+ and have made portraits on two rolls of FP4+ already in August. That brings me up to 40 rolls just this year. And now I'm printing in the darkroom on Ilford Multigrade paper too. That's been incredible.

[@Ilfordphoto]

@@gorakphotoThat's pretty good going! If you are Instagram then please tag us in any shots on our film and tell us which film you used

[@liveinaweorg]

I shoot with a Mamiya C3 in Manchester and saw Craig shooting outside. I watched from a distance. Didn't realise it was him until this video came out. Great insight. Thanks Craig and Ilford. Oh and I'll say hello next time I see him (when he takes a break 😉)

[@Ilfordphoto]

No way, was he taking a portrait of someone with his Mamiya RZ67 by any chance?

[@liveinaweorg]

@@Ilfordphoto There was a model and someone else with him. I was watching the interactions and not actually paying attention to what he was shooting with so I can't be sure. I think I was just in awe of seeing what looked like (and turned out to be) a professional at work 🤩

[@MrCervuselaphus]

what a great video. and the model Charlotte has a beautiful smile. I am 74 and just starting over to 'fire-up' my dark room. Onya Craig. (aussie slang; good on you)

[@Ilfordphoto]

Love hearing that you're getting a darkroom set up. Do you shoot 35mm or medium format? (both?)

[@jasonblake5576]

What wonderful insight. I really loved this!

[@Will_i_art]

Such a privilege to see this Artist at work. Thank you for sharing❤

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thank you for watching. We agree, we felt very privileged to be able to watch Craig at work.

[@lancekeef]

Always enjoy watching these, thanks Ilford

[@Ilfordphoto]

We are so glad you enjoyed it, we had so much fun working with Craig Fleming in the Northern Quarter, Manchester 🥰

[@GAROBERBERIAN]

Great video, love Craig's work

[@Ilfordphoto]

So do we. It was such an interesting opportunity to see how he works with his models and chooses which black and white film to shoot.

[@nelmur]

Beautiful. The structure of the edit is so nice - giving the viewer substantive time to hear Craig talk about approaching different kinds of shoots and parts of his process.

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thanks so much for taking the time to watch and to comment. We were lucky to be on set for all three days. It was fascinating watching Craig work and chat to the models and just as interesting watching the videographer Ben at Wearefurl capturing the footage.

[@marcusineson]

Really enjoyed this. Great to see someone shooting Film professionally and making it their main way of working

[@user-th6bw1dl6e]

Oh yes. Happy to watch him here 👌🏼

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thank you. Do you follow Craig's work on Instagram?

[@mike1140]

Absolutely gorgeous photos.

[@lucyridges921]

Wonderful Craig! Absolutely brilliant xxx

[@Ilfordphoto]

We are so glad you enjoyed it!

[@lindakuo88]

Wonderful video. So simple, honest, and informative. Thank you

[@Ilfordphoto]

We are so glad you enjoyed watching Making a Connection with Craig Fleming shooting his beautiful Mamiya RZ67, with our ILFORD film loaded. He is so talented and we have been so lucky to have worked with him.

[@davesaunders59]

Ah what a wonderful video. Top notch work by a really talented photographer. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

[@Ilfordphoto]

This comment makes us so happy, Craig Fleming is so talented and hope it has inspired to shoot some more ILFORD film :)

[@claudiotaras1289]

Complimenti Ilford e bravissimo fotografo

[@0191Marko]

As others have said, interesting, brilliant, immersive, educational, I could go on, just more of this stuff please 👍👍

[@Ilfordphoto]

Keep an eye out! Subscribe for more! But in the mean time, go and check out our TikTok. We upload weekly with new educational and fun content 🙂

[@0191Marko]

@@Ilfordphoto haha, I have subscribed but i think I’ll give TikTok a miss 😁, don’t think they allow us oldies on there 😁

[@roxx0n]

These need way more views. I’m not that much of a portrait photographer myself, but I loved the insight and the way this was edited. Great job!

[@Ilfordphoto]

We agree. We loved working with Craig and seeing his process and how he interacts with his models. It was also really interesting to see how the video was put together by Ben @wearefurl from all of the raw footage that he caputured.

[@ZconN69]

More of this please!

[@janvanderwalt]

This will be an episode that I will watch over an over. Fantastic!

[@Ilfordphoto]

What a kind comment. So glad that you enjoyed it. Which shots are your favourite?

[@janvanderwalt]

@@Ilfordphoto I really liked the set with Charlotte Tyree.

[@Ilfordphoto]

@@janvanderwalt I love the relationship they have. It comes across beautifully in this video.

[@lensman5762]

Nice to see a Manchester photographer featured. Being a Mancunian, this makes me happy. Photography is a strange animal. It is a concoction of craft, science, skill and talent, and when all is used and mixed up correctly it can produce sublime art. Unfotunately digital photography and now AI assisted image making, have seriously dumbed down this ' art ' form. Film photography, has the power of sorting out the serious and the talented from the trigger happy, ' machine gun ' digtal shooter. I am in my 45 th year of photography, and although I use digital quite a bit, but I have kept in touch with the roots of film photography, just to save my soul, sort of speak. Thanks to Ilford I still have access to film in all the formats that I use from 35mm all the way to 5X7. Yes, there is a cost element but nothing is cheap these days. I have not bought any Kodak B&W film in the last 3 years, due to what I see as their grab the money now policy. Thank you Ilford and Craig.

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment. I's imagine that you spotted quite a few familiar spots then:) We see a high number of photographers like yourself who shoot both digital and film, often it's digital for work and film for personal projects like Craig.

[@tedsmith_photography]

A great insight into a photographer I have followed for a long time. Very interesting to hear some info on his journey especially.

[@RobOfficial_SA]

I'm a street photographer from South Africa,recently moved to the UK,I've been checking out Craig's work, It was worth the wait..🔥.Thank you Ilford

[@Ilfordphoto]

Do you shoot street on film? What if your favourite ILFORD stock?

[@RobOfficial_SA]

@@Ilfordphoto yes I do shoot street on film with my Canter beauty camera and my favorite ilford stock has to be the ILFORD HP5 PLUS because of its versatility.🔥

[@BraeHunziker]

Really enjoyed this! Lovely portrait work.

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thanks Brae.We agree Craig's portraits are awesome.

[@jonathanraven5939]

Fantastic

[@user-ci3mj9ro4t]

That‘s amazing!!!!!🤩

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. Do you shoot much black and white film?

[@gallerybygeve3217]

I have been following and adoring Craig's work for a while now. I was so excited to see this pop up. Incredible episode, will be rewatching this on a loop and every time before a shoot lol

[@Ilfordphoto]

Brilliant, that's what we like to hear! What are you go-to ILFORD films?

[@gallerybygeve3217]

@@Ilfordphoto oh I go for ALL of them haha but I'm quite in love with HP5 recently! Especially on 35mm. Such a clean look, a timeless feeling. Right now though I have XP2 in my medium format cameras

[@Ilfordphoto]

@@gallerybygeve3217 Nice. I live XP2, I think it's one of our most underrated films.

[@gallerybygeve3217]

@@Ilfordphoto that was the very first black and white film stock I ever used! Really helped that it's C-41 (my local lab back then took WEEKS developing black and white). I truly adore that film.

[@rdandelionart]

Craig followed me on Instagram today and then this popped up! Haha. Small world. Much love Ilford!

[@colindahoward9145]

Craig is so freaking talented. I'm a paid subscriber on Craig's IG page. The tips he offers are so simple yet impactful. Booked two shoots in the last 24 hours based on his insights. This was useful info!

[@Photosbytw]

This, I really like. Listening to someone who loves photography and is willing to talk about it surpasses any how-to videos. Kudos from across the pond....8^-)

[@Ilfordphoto]

He is so talented and just so good at what he does. Are you a film shooter yourself?

[@Photosbytw]

@@Ilfordphoto Yes I do. I just can't get past the enjoyment of grabbing my Hasselblad 500c/m or Canon EOS 1-n when I need a break from shooting with a DSLR. I guess I will always enjoy listening and talking with those who share that enjoyment.

[@Ilfordphoto]

@@Photosbytw Dream camera's. Nothing beats talking to fellow film shooters, the passion that we all have brings so much joy and creates an incredible film community.

[@mattd59]

This was interesting. I've been an avid follower of Craig’s work on Instagram for a while now and I love his style, so it was great to watch him work and listen to him talk so passionately. He's also a great source of inspiration for my own work.

[@Ilfordphoto]

That;s great to hear. It was really interesting to watch him work and listen to the conversations between him and the actors and models that he works with. He doesn't just give directions, he chats away constantly dropping directions into the conversation. Do you shoot medium format? Have you shot many of our films?

[@mattd59]

@@Ilfordphoto I do shoot medium format, as well as a lot of 35. I shoot pretty exclusively on b&w and mostly always on ilford stocks. I love FP4 and HP5 and have just got some ortho to try out.

[@tedayre]

Great to see how Craig works - he makes fantastic work, and it's fascinating to see the process. Thanks for sharing!

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thank you for watching.We agree Craig's work is fantastic. We're lucky that he let us follow him for a few days to capture what he does.

[@kimm4531]

Fantastic video! Beautifully shot and so interesting to see how Craig works.

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thanks for taking the time out to watch and to leave a comment. It's great to hear that you enjoyed the content and the video style. We're lucky that we get chance to work with so many talented people.

[@BenEdwards984]

"You have to immerse yourself in it, you have to be obsessed by it and you have to live it and think about it all the time. Because that's the only time when I've noticed with my work [...] where I've really immersed myself in it that it's been successful." An insightful video ended with a wonderfully inspirational quote to boot. Amazing stuff!

[@Ilfordphoto]

I love that quote and it's so true. If you do what you live then it shows. Do you shoot a lot of black and white film?

[@BenEdwards984]

@@Ilfordphoto While I've been interested in film photography (and photography in general) for a few years, I've discovered I lean more towards black and white but have only just started to feel brave enough to go and shoot with it. I currently have a camera loaded with HP5+, so this video - hence the quote - has encouraged me to let go and make it happen. More videos like this please!

[@jaihadgraft757]

I love craigs work so much

[@Ilfordphoto]

Us too! Do you shoot much black and white film yourself?

[@CalumetVideo]

Thank you for sharing, I love these videos. Ilford is my go to stock in my Hasselblad 500 CM and RB67.

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thanks for watching. You obviously have great taste in film as well as cameras. (We may have medium format camera envy!)

[@linnalin9703]

Really enjoyed this😍😍😍

[@Ilfordphoto]

That;s great to hear. Did you have a favourite set of images?

[@FilmNeedsTime]

His photography is amazing, his black and white images are incredible. Also, he uses Ilford PanF a lot, my favourite film...

[@PeteEdmunds]

Had just made a cuppa and this popped up in my feed. What a treat to watch Craig at work. I’ve been following and chatting with him on instagram so it was nice to see a live studio shoot. I’ve had my eye on the RZ67 / 110mm so it was wonderful to see what it can produce in concert with Ilford 120 films. Look forward to more of these !

[@Ilfordphoto]

What a fantastic comment. Thank you so much. We love hearing that you enjoyed the video. Make sure you load that RZ67 with some ILFORD film when you get it :)

[@jessearmstrong8067]

Craig, your right about proper light metering. I use my Rolle flex cameras and having a exterior light meter is key and essential for great photos.

[@JMIMEDIALLC]

Amazing segment 👏🏼

[@AndySnap]

What an excellent video profile on a great photographer. By coincidence, I came across Craig just the other week when he was the guest on the Photowalk podcast. A very sound guy.

[@Ilfordphoto]

Perfect timing! Glad you enjoyed the video Andy. Do you shoot a lot of black and film?

[@paularellano2962]

Yes Sir !!!!!!

[@JTroker]

The last model has interesting colorful clothes. It would be beautiful portrait to take on color film.

[@Ilfordphoto]

Perhaps but it works beautifully in black and white film too. Check out Craig;s Instagram for more pictures of Bunny.

[@magnusa.5599]

love his work, love this video, and love fp4, ortho80 and panf50.

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thanks Magnus

[@drewh79]

An amazing photographer

[@virgilplays]

Absolutely loved this

[@Ilfordphoto]

We are so glad you enjoyed watching Craig Fleming shooting quirky portraits as much as we do!

[@KevinRusso]

Thanks, I really enjoyed this. More Please.

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thanks for watching Kevin. Had you seen any of Craig's work before this video?

[@KevinRusso]

@@Ilfordphoto No, I hadn't. It was nice to be introduced to a new photographer. I really his images, but also just as importantly, his philosophy on photography and the process.

[@Ilfordphoto]

@@KevinRusso Check out his Instagram if you haven't already he's @craigflemingphoto

[@olaflehmann1882]

..nothing more than impressive..👏

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment. Have you watched the rest of the ILFORD Inspires videos in the series?

[@garethjones5068]

Love Craig’s work since I first saw it a couple of years ago, I especially love the images he produces with Bunny 12:33

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thanks Gareth. Craig has a great relationship with Bunny and I think that this comes through in the photos.

[@breesephoto]

Stellar.

[@Ilfordphoto]

Glad you enjoyed it. Have you watched the other ILFORD Inspires videos?

[@breesephoto]

@@Ilfordphoto Absolutely! I've seen them all and never disappointed.

[@Popa_Bogdan_Light_Drawing]

wow very nice video!!! thank you!!!

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thank you for taking the time to watch. Are you a film photographer?

[@Popa_Bogdan_Light_Drawing]

@@Ilfordphoto yes, shooting on digital-like work, BUT shooting on film with my FED 5C camera for my SOUL, for me, to feel how is to be a real photographer. At the moment I am seeking a medium-format film camera, mechanical where I can control all, just to freeze in time the moment! After the medium format camera....next project to make a dark room :)

[@Ilfordphoto]

@@Popa_Bogdan_Light_Drawing Nice goals! Make sure you check out our videos on setting up a darkoom and making your first prints:)

[@norbertsteinkamp9380]

A very inspiring video! My own passion is locations, both urban and rural, for which I mostly use FP4+ (sometimes HP5+) in my Linhof Technika. It is a meditative process, intentional and intuitive at the same time. I guess that's how I am.

[@Ilfordphoto]

It's interesting that you shoot both cities and rural locations. Do you choose the full depending on the available light on the day or stock with what's in your camera and push/pull if needed?

[@norbertsteinkamp9380]

@@Ilfordphoto Hello, recently I have shifted toward the latter. Mostly, I have FP4+ loaded in my film holders. My standard procedure in the Linhof is to neither pull nor push for intensity of light even in case exposure times extend to 15 minutes and beyond, just for contrast control if considered reasonable. I currently develop in Spur Acurol-N 1+100 at 24°C (sorry about that ;-) ). For HP5+ I like Perceptol 1+3 btw, not least because of the longer development times, which help compensate for deviations.

[@jmphoto5662]

The sooo strong light source he needs

[@Ilfordphoto]

It works well for his style throwing part of the face into shadows. His natural light portraits are just as striking though.

[@simek_art]

Nice video. Thanks

[@Ilfordphoto]

Which part was your favourite?

[@simek_art]

@@Ilfordphoto I also do medium format film photography with Ilford. Your Ilford inspires fil old are the wool I love. It's my blood type. It's a weight, 16 kg of photo and video equipment to drag on your back in a backpack through the forest in nature. But it's a good feeling that satisfies.

[@aantonic]

great video. I shoot mostly FP 4 or HP 5plus pushed to 1600. But i must admit i like Fomapan 100 alot too, its very simmilar to Fp4. All films developed by great Microphen developer.

[@Ilfordphoto]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Not sure about all of your full choices though! If you're looking for a more 'pocket friendly' film stock, have you tried our Kentmere range? They're still made here at our factory alongside the ILFORD films so undergo all of the same quality checks but after generally a little lower priced.

[@rondinelli78]

F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thank you:)

[@crappfoto]

👍👍

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thank you:)

[@joseelement7695]

Love Craig’s work and I really enjoyed this! Would be great to know if he always shoots at box speed? And if not, when/why?

[@Ilfordphoto]

Great question. I don't know the answer so will ask Craig and come back to you.

[@FlemingCraig]

Hi there and thank you. Rarely if ever push or pull film, it's always box speed, I'm pretty good at hand holding the RZ so never a need to push.

[@joseelement7695]

@@FlemingCraig Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my question Craig! I really enjoy your work!

[@joseelement7695]

@@Ilfordphoto Thank you! I think I speak for everyone when I say I'd be very interested in seeing an "extended cut" version of this video ; )

[@mrca2004]

Why do you take 6 images of a negative and stitch them? To get more resolution from fp4? Is it a significant improvement?

[@mrca2004]

I love FP4 in my RB67. Has the "film look" and nice grain but has plenty of detail for portraits. My personal 6 light selfie headshot... Delta 3200 with a 645 back and 250 mm lens.

[@danem2215]

I found Craig's work starting with Bill Nighy. I'm not good at portraiture but he's an influence nonetheless

[@Ilfordphoto]

That's cool. Is portraiture your preferred type of shoot or do you like to do a bit of everything?

[@danem2215]

@@Ilfordphoto Bit of everything - I prefer shooting architecture and urban/street scenes the most. I'm very much a beginner at studio setups and posing, but still learning!

[@TheLefse]

What kind of scanning setup constitutes ‘The fleming digitizerator’? 😊❤

[@Ilfordphoto]

One that produces a very big file!

[@inovartesmedialdainovartes2041]

Immaculate…

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thanks for watching

[@raybeaumont7670]

You should hand print your negs instead of scanning 'em. The results would be epic. But you need to dev the film differently to get the tonal range right for paper.

[@ElecBrane]

Not everyone can open the cam or shoot analog? For me that’s not the diff btw shooters and photographers. It’s the composition, exposure and view

[@amorylazlo9579]

Does everyone in Manchester move in slow motion or were you going for a hackneyed look

[@Ilfordphoto]

Actually the footage is sped up, we all just walk really slowly.

[@sudosden3567]

Production : Michelle Parr. Related to Martin ?

[@Ilfordphoto]

No Michelle has no relation to Martin Parr.

[@bechtelarfloyd6764]

[@user-kj5en4hz6c]

BUT WHAT DEVELOPER DOES HE USE!? WHAT ILLFORD DEVELOPER?

[@RickMahoney2013]

If I could do a very small percentage of what you do I would be very happy.

[@Ilfordphoto]

Us too! Do you shoot much black and white film?

[@RickMahoney2013]

@@Ilfordphoto I have just started a few months ago. I have XP2 Super in one camera and Ortho 80 in another one and e shot a roll FP4 a few months ago.