If we were only allowed to use one word to characterize Brian Cummings’s body of work, that term would be “colorful.” Pop art is a significant inspiration for most of his body of work, as can be seen plainly in some of his most incredible results, such as “Breakfast of Champions” and “Little Pink Elephants.” It was only natural for us to question him about the project Dog Daze, which stood out among others due to its vivid colors and engaging storyline.
THE PHOBLOGRAPHER: HOW DID YOU GET INTO PHOTOGRAPHY?
Brian Cummings: I attended college to major in graphic design. I was required to take two photography classes as part of the BFA program. Dark rooms, single-lens reflex cameras, and black-and-white photography were used. I was really into it, but I decided not to pursue it further.
I spent the first half of my professional life working in advertising as a creative director. While working on a set with photographers, I realized that I wanted to be the one taking the pictures myself. In 2007, I decided to transition into photography as a career option.
THE PHOBLOGRAPHER: HOW MUCH POST-PRODUCTION DO YOU USUALLY DO IN YOUR WORK?
Brian Cummings: I make it a goal to catch as much as I can with the camera. My goal is to keep the amount of retouching to a minimum. Instead of using it to produce new content, I more often use it as a tool to clean up and enhance what I already have. The post-production work needed for this series was really little. To get started, I applied a look in Capture One that I had already generated. After that, I play about with the color, as well as the contrast.
ABOUT BRIAN CUMMINGS
Candlestick making, photography, directing creative content, and commercial directing are all areas of expertise for Brian, who specializes in narrative lifestyle storytelling. He has spent his professional life working in many capacities within the advertising industry, including those of designer, creative director, photographer, and director.
“I have over 25 years of experience working in, for, and with many types of agencies. I bring my vision of the world into existence by working closely with both customers and teams. I narrate stories that run the gamut from funny to dramatic to fantastical and everything in between. I am drawn to innovative, conceptual thoughts. I am a storyteller.”
My hometown is in North Carolina, but for the past two decades, St. Louis has been my permanent residence. After graduating from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design, I devoted the first half of my professional life to working in the advertising industry. In 2007, I decided to leave the world of advertising agencies and begin a career as a photographer and director.
