[4][5] He spent the next few years working in engineering for the British Steel Corporation,[10][8] first making conveyors and later manufacturing and installing pipework in nuclear power stations.
At the recommendation of Lester Bookbinder he instead took a job as a corporate photographer for the London-based business magazine Management Today,[6][15][16][17] and later other publications, including Accountancy Age, Computing, and Marketing.
[10] His 1974 photograph "Rush Hour, London Bridge" brought him national recognition;[9] a print is now in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
[6] His work shooting businessmen translated well to many of the groups of the time who also dressed in suits and ties, such as the Jam and Elvis Costello and the Attractions.
[10] Over the next few years, he photographed such acts as Siouxsie Sioux, Kate Bush, Depeche Mode, Ultravox, Toyah Willcox, R.E.M., Billy Idol, Iggy Pop, Ringo Starr, Queen and Peter Gabriel.
[10] Griffin, whose father died from lung cancer related to his factory job, drew upon the backgrounds of his photographic subjects, many of whom were workers and tradesmen.