Artist Feature: iDJ Photography

Through our Artist Features section, we've covered MCs, DJs, producers, models, designers...and now photographers. Darren Johnson, a young photographer from London, caught our eye and he was good enough to answer some questions while on vacation in Jamaica.

Cee: Hey Darren, what's good man? I know you're out in Jamaica right now, so peace for chatting to us on your vacay.

Darren: No problem at all!

Cee: First up, break down your journey in photography for the people.

Darren: I was at a crossroads in my life around 2007, wondering what to do career-wise (which I'm sure most people have the same dilemma once in a while). It then hit me that since I was little I have studied photos either from family, friends or even complete strangers personal collections.

I then nervously enrolled into a course, which luckily was very close by, in film photography, which taught me the basics in the darkroom.

Once I finished the course, I decided to purchase a camera and ever since then a camera never leaves my sight. I'm always looking out for potential photographic opportunities, at the same time building a reputation, brand and business.

Cee: What's the meaning behind the name iDJ Photography?

Darren: The meaning behind the name iDJ is: i: Eye (being the obvious tool I use in my line of work), D: Darren and J: Johnson.

Cee: Do you have a mentor? Did you take a course? Or are you self-taught? Or a combination?

Darren: I don't really have a mentor other than the my teacher from the course I took in 2007. Ever since then I have been learning as I go along, reasearching etc.

Cee: You're based outta London (England, not Ontario for those in Canada). How's the market out there? Is there a lot of competition? What makes you different from the thousands of other photographers?

Darren: London is very saturated with photographers. Being a photographer in London is a challenge but at the same time London is quite possibly the best place to photograph. In terms of what makes me different from the rest? I'm not sure, I don't really focus on other photographers with their marketing, etc. I just aim to produce my best work, good value for money and a quick turn around for my clients. This has worked for me so far which has reflected on the glowing references I recieve.

Cee: Out of all the various styles and subjects that you do, what's your favourite to work with?

Darren: My favourite 'shots' are the ones where I could be watching TV or walking to the store and an idea pops in my head and I run with it. I call this my "misc" album, which you can see on my website or Facebook. I do genuinely enjoy all styles of photography, I still get that buzz no matter what/who I photograph.

Cee: What would be your main inspiration as a photographer?

Darren: My inspiration was my trip to Jamaica in 2008! I just bought my first SLR before flying out to Jamaica and fell in love with photography, which was aided with being in such a beautiful country.

Cee: What made you pick up a camera to express your creative side, as opposed to say a paintbrush or a guitar?

Darren: I honestly don't know the answer that one. I believe life gives you opportunities, and I just simply took this one.

Cee: If you could have any other talent, what would it be?

Darren: It would 100% be a professional football (soccer) player. Football is a big passion for me, I try and watch as much as I can no matter where I am.

Cee: What's next once you get back from JA?

Darren: Same as before I left, keep pushing the business a much as I can. Working hard on images, ideas, marketing, networking, delivery, etc.

Cee: Let the people know where they can find you!

Darren: Website: www.idjphotography.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/idjphotos

Cee: Thanks for your time cuz!

Darren: Thank you!

Asking Alexandria - A Prophecy (video)

Asking Alexandria are one of my favourite hardcore bands, and here's their latest video for 'A Prophecy' which is from their debut 'Stand Up And Scream'. Love the rain effect, looks sick on the cymbals.

Marsha Ambrosius - Far Away (video)

Marsha is incredible. This is the second single from her upcoming solo album 'Late Nights & Early Mornings', and one that is really personal. The video tells the story of her friend who committed suicide due to bullying for his sexual orientation. It's an extremely powerful song and the video is nothing short of moving. Can't wait for this album.

Poetree feat Headkrack - Musik Power (video)

Poetree is a talented producer out of the UK, and this cut, 'Musik Power' features the homie out of Atlanta, Headkrack, on vocals. Really dope joint, grab the album free from Poetree's site.

What Cee be on... Ellie Goulding

I love British music. So the homegirl put me onto Miss Goulding last weekend, and goddamn, I've been obsessed ever since. I guess you could describe her style as indie-pop, but it's just freakin' dope music. I've selected a bunch of her songs that pretty much summarise what she does, from her singles to live acoustic numbers and the incredible Jakwob remixes. Peep game.

What Cee be on... James Morrison

I cannot believe I only just got put onto this dude (pause), even though he featured on one of my favourite songs off Jason Mraz's last album, 'Details In The Fabric'. James Morrison is an incredibly soulful white dude from the UK, and his music is nothing short of sublime.

Check the below two joints, the first off his debut 'Undiscovered' and the second from his latest album 'Songs For You, Truths For Me'.

Hugo 1

On Sunday in Brunswick St, I had the pleasure of running into and hanging with Hugo 1, a very talented and humble MC from the UK, who now resides in Melbourne. We seem to have a few mutual friends and we got talking, great guy. Checked out his MySpace, which has some of his recorded material (Hugo is a predominantly freestyle MC). Peep the videos below - these are all piss takers but they're hilarious, definitely worth a look. Big ups, Hugo!

Atheist Bus Campaign in the UK

Aight, this one will probably ruffle a few feathers out there but fuck it - freedom of speech is a beautiful thing.

In the UK, a (damn hot) journalist by the name of Ariane Sherine (pictured above, with Richard Dawkins (scientist and author of 'The God Delusion') and Polly Toynbee (Guardian columnist)) has created a tongue in cheek campaign as part of the Atheist movement, as a response to the crazy religious advertising seen on buses in the UK. Some of the ads would spout stuff like 'Jesus died for your sins' and then quoting a URL. Folks would head over to their website and it would have (literally) quotes such as 'All non-Christians would burn in hell for all eternity in a lake of hell fire'. Ooooookay. Check the video for the full story, and click the image to visit the Atheist Bus Campaign's website.

As you would expect, religious groups around the world have kicked up a stink, but it's awesome. About fucking time someone did this. I actually, conveniently, finished reading 'The God Delusion' this week, just as I saw this campaign, and it's hit home just how fucked up this world is due to religion. It's not like I didn't know already, but damn, the leeway that is afforded to religion is astounding. I'm not even gonna get into it now, but check it out and hopefully it'll open a few minds.

Adele in 1988?

1988 was the realest year in history. So where were you?

We all know where Mick Boogie was. Conceptualizing this remix album, that's where.

UK soulstress Adele, whose album '19' was definitely one of my favourite albums this year hands down, has been gratuitously remixed by Mick Boogie and friends, utilising Hip Hop classics from 1988 - and it works.

Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton even enjoyed it.

As opposed to just a mashup, it's a full remix LP that even includes dope guest spots from cats like Nalege (of Kidz In The Hall) and Big Pooh (Little Brother). Here's the tracklisting:

1) Chasing 1988: The Intro (f/ 6th Sense)
2) Day Dreams (nVMe Remix)
3) Tired (6th Sense Remix)
4) First Love (Remot Remix f/ Naledge)
5) My Same (Garbs Infinite Remix)
6) Melt My Heart To Stone (Kickdrums Remix f/ Big Pooh)
7) Cold Shoulder (Garbs Infinite Remix)
8) Right As Rain (nVMe Remix)
9) Make You Feel My Love (Remot Remix)

Download Mick Boogie and Friends' remix LP Adele - 1988

Shouts to my man Remot for landing two remixes on here, and of course, much love to his manager Sean Deez, the homie for real. Look out for Remot's work on upcoming The Movement Fam projects.