Profile

CHPV have been photographing and filming impressive feats of engineering and industry for over 50 years. Their work has taken them all over the world, from the North Sea to Dubai, shooting subjects on land, sea and air.

Charles Hodge Photography and Video Production, now trading as CHPV Media, specialises in shooting offshore projects. A number of years ago this meant oil and gas installations, in the present day the bulk of work sees the team snapping offshore renewable energy projects. 

CHPV was founded in the 1960s in Suffolk by Charles Hodge. Charles was not only an accomplished photographer but was also a keen aviator, his flying skills allowed him to obtain dramatic shots of offshore installations giving his company a niche in the North Seas emerging gas industry. Alan O’Neill joined CHPV and took over the company in 1984. He continued to expand the business and added film production to the companies services.

Working in the offshore environment involves a number of particular challenges, CHPV has to work around the fast paced installation teams “Things don’t stop so we can photograph them, we have to be prepared at any moment to get the right shot”.

It is crucial that CHPV team members understand the safety issues of offshore photography and filming. “We have all the necessary insurance and survival certification for safely working in this challenging environment as wind farms grow around our coastline.”

CHPV recently won an East of England Energy Group Innovation award for their film work. The award recognised the development of an innovative camera technique. Miniature High-Definition cameras are used to capture images and footage from previously inaccessible sites resulting in striking close-up views of offshore installations. For example, as part of a recent shoot a camera was placed inside a turbine blade and filmed as the blade was fitted to the nacelle. “The inclusion of a live, wireless video feed and remote control improves safety, keeps coats to the client down and produces more exciting, in-depth movies than ever before.”

CHPV will go to extremes in pursuit of a great photo, hanging out of helicopters for over five decades, since the first stirrings of activity on the North Sea. “CHPV is constantly diversifying and investing in new and exciting technology that extends the boundries of offshore video and photography, enhancing our unrivaled reputation in the field.”