Photographer, David James

Yesterday, I was lucky to sit down with the great David James in a cafe in Thousand Oaks for over two hours. He is a renowned unit still photographer in Hollywood who has shot numerous studio films like Schindler’s List, Minority Report, The Last Samurai, Mission: Impossible - Fallout, Nine, and most recently, the sequel to Top Gun. He’s 78 years old and photographed throughout his entire life. An Englishman, you would never think he’s 78. He looks like he’s 55. He stands up straight, without a belly, brown hair, and doesn’t need glasses. Sharp, articulate, and passionate. He told some incredible on-set stories that were riveting to listen and soak in. Mostly about Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg. I first contacted him on Instagram months ago, asked him some photography questions, and then we finally met. All the waiting and patience paid off. I packed my iPad with my online portfolio the night before. I was nervous. I kept telling myself not to ask him for a job or an easy entry to work on a studio film. I didn’t. He criticized my unit stills honestly and effectively. I was very pleased. I wanted to listen to every word he said. That was the main focus more than fearing of my feelings getting stung. He planted me with fresh eyes behind mine. He offered a perspective I never thought of and that discovery was thrilling. It’s like a magic trick you see. When you frame a shot, the angle, the action, and most importantly, where you want the viewers’ eyes to see, is the key. I was able to see what he saw. Distractions I never noticed. Ugly empty space you don’t need. Many more. He is retiring this year. Deservedly so. But he won’t stop shooting.