Bristol, UK
You're originally from
Australia. How was it when you first moved to England?
Yes -
I was born in Australia, Queensland. But have been living in England for the
last 15 years. Moving was good.
Did the move change your
interest or vision as a photographer?
Unfortunately
I was too young for the move to make a real impact on me, though at the moment
it’s my friends, who push my vision. I live in a small village and though it is
only a quick train ride to the next town I find it easier to concentrate on how
my friends and I find things to do in a reasonably quiet place.
What do you search for most
of the times when you go out to shoot photographs?
Normally
I just search for something that makes me look twice. But trying to be a
snapshot photographer and still use this method of observation doesn’t really
work out a lot of the time. If I have missed taking the moment, I will usually
note down what I have seen and at some point try and subtly re-create that
moment with my friends or family.
What do you like most about
photographing your friends?
When I
take pictures of my friends, I feel at ease. I will usually take pictures of
the friend who looks the most natural in that moment. Though a lot of the time
I might tell them what kind of expression or glance I’m looking for. So many
people are used to having cameras pushed in their faces, too. That means that
often any notion of surprise or spontaneity from having your picture taken is
gone and therefore sadly needs to be created in a different way.
Are you as comfortable in
photographing people on the streets?
I
don't think I have any problems taking pictures of "People on the
streets", I just find taking pictures of my friends more personal and
valuable to me.
Which artists have inspired
you lately?
Well I
just bought Jonnie Craig and Tim Barber’s new book, so that’s a month worth of
inspiration I guess. I can be a bit of a garbage bin a lot of the time ... I
like to absorb other peoples’ work and always check out what’s fresh on the
scene.
Are you
interested in other forms of visual art as well?
Yes – My house is filled with so much art and sculpture I feel like I
have a balanced interest in all kind of art forms.
What led
you to found BAD BANANAS?
I founded BAD BANANAS on my couch, I had been thinking that it would be great
to start something that connected local photographers and created a way for
them to showcase their work to each other.
In my head it was well though out, but when the blog got up and running
and the initial hype had long gone, there were some obvious flaws … there were
only four photographers in my village. Which maybe is an exaggeration, but
there didn’t seem to be as many as I thought. Knowing that the submission count
would vary in size, I set up an "inspiration page" so that people
didn’t necessarily have to submit all the time, they could come and look at
some work from top or upcoming photographers that might give them some inspiration
for their own work.
BAD BANANAS is still going, bit quiet sometimes, but still
pressing on. We are holding a small exhibition at my house soon which should be
fun. I’m just looking forward to gathering all the photographers and looking at
big prints together.
What do you enjoy most about
curating yourself?
I'm
not sure I would call my self a curator, as I think I am still developing as a
photographer. I just enjoy receiving submissions and thinking “wow, that’s a
great picture, everyone needs to see that.”
Will you be traveling this
year? If so, whereto?
Yes -
Last summer I went back home to Australia, it was good to go somewhere new for
a change and take photos. I am looking forward to getting out of the village
and going to a few places this summer, as well as traveling to Poland in
September to see an exhibition that I am a part of.
Other
than that ... I will see where the wind takes me, I guess.
Where do you see yourself
in, say, five years?
Hopefully
in five years I will still be taking photos, be better than I am now, going new
places, taking part in exhibitions, living ultimately.
Quiet but fresh mind. Take a look at his work!
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