"Documentaries showed me how to work with available light and how to light naturalistically. It also taught me how real people behave in a variety of situations. Drama provided an opportunity on how to develop the story succintly using lighting appropriate to the mood and camera moves to best reveal the emotions behind the story. "

"MTV taught innovation, and along with commercials, showed the value of arresting and memorable imagery. Commercials also taught the most effective communication of a message in a short time, and an awareness for the creative opportunities offered in post-production."

The 21st century audience has been completely swamped with imagery. A director or DOP can never become blase about technique and technical developments, however Oggy is correct in his belief that "the never ending search for the next new thing should not get in the way of a story well told."

OGDEN was one of the early cinematographers to see the value of shooting with the RED camera. Although his first love remains film, he enjoys the similarities of shooting RED and digital stills.

He first employed a Red in 2008 when invited to shoot the short film CONSCIENCE by new director Camille Chen.  Conscience screened at Cannes in 2009 and the producer received requests from filmmakers to use the film as a textbook for how to shoot with the Red. In 2010 he chose the Red MX to film House of Sticks, Ogden's debut work as a drama writer and director.

OGGY'S projects span many countries, including Japan, Korea, China, India, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, The Philippines, New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Europe, South America and the USA.

STYLES + GENRE'S
Experienced in comedy + action; both car and motorbike TVC’s; hair and make-up; food and beverage; animals + livestock; stop motion & motion control; underwater photography (including TVC’s for QLD Tourism and Coca Cola (Japan) with Ian Thorpe).

TVC'S
Clients include Mercedes, Peugot, Citroen, Toyota, Mitsubishi, GMH, Daewoo, Hyundai, Ford, Coca Cola, McDonalds, KFC, EPA, Telstra, Optus, Korea Telecom, Hewlett Packard, Westpac, ANZ, Asahi, CUB, Lion Nathan and Unilever.

DRAMA
Bad Boy Bubby (1993) Invited DOP for selected scenes;
A Lamb of Our Own Flock (1993) B/W Winner Best Film 1994 St Kilda Film Festival;
Mission Impossible (1988 - 89) DOP 2nd unit special effects: miniatures, glass and chroma mattes, stunts, pyrotechnics, aerials, motion control and multi-camera drama
As Time Goes By (1987) DOP Feature length science fiction comedy with Max Gillies, Bruno Lawrence and Ray Barrett.

DOCUMENTARY
A wide variety of documentary experience in diverse locations including Burma, Thailand, The Himalayas, Greece, Turkey, London, New York, Indonesia, Hawaii and the Northern Territory. Most recent documentary Sea of Darkness (2009) directed by Michael Oblowitz took out the New York Surf film Festival and was winner of best documentary at X-Dance, as part of the Sundance Film Festival.

MUSIC VIDEO
DOP on over 50 music vidoes including Prince, Michael Huchence, The Sunny Boys, Tina Arena, John Farnham, Kate Ceberano, Jenny Morris, Jimmy Barnes and Split Enz.

UNDERWATER
Certified Open Water Diver (PADI); NSW Boat Driver's Licence, Bronze Medallion (Swimming and Lifesaving); experience in underwater photography with documentaries, drama and commercials, surfing, sailing and windsurfing water camera experience in Australia, Hawaii and Indonesia.

OTHER WORK

OGDEN’S visual skills are not limited to cinematography. He is a well known photographer and has dabbled in painting. Although his 2007 portrait of Madam Lash dipped out on the Archibalds it did win the Refusé exhibition that year. His stills work has been published and exhibited around the world and in 2008 he was honoured with a major show at the Kluge-Ruhe gallery in Virginia, USA.

Through his publishing company CYCLOPS PRESS, John Ogden has published 2 art photography books: AUSTRALIENATION (2000) and PORTRAITS FROM A LAND WITHOUT PEOPLE (2009). Further titles are planned for painter Adam Cullen, and war photographer Sean Flynn.

PUBLISHED BOOKS

PORTRAITS FROM A LAND WITHOUT PEOPLE

Compilation of Indigenous Australian Portraits from 1847 to 2008 - John Ogden spent over 4 years researching and compiling this unique collection. Stunning Limited Edition versions also available. All proceeds to Jimmy Little Foundation. Released: 13/02/2009.

VISIT "PORTRAITS FROM A LAND WITHOUT PEOPLE" WEBSITE

AUSTRALIENATION

AUSTRALIENATION is a 103 page black & white book featuring portraits of a bi-cultural country. Everyday life rather than grand events inpires Ogden's work. The Australian landscape, people in that landscape, and the experience of Aboriginal people.

READ MORE ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION