1 What's this picture, then?

Having always been fascinated by how photographs play the role of physical memories by capturing and preserving moments in time. In a trip to my parents home, my childhood home, I documented objects, ornaments and decorations, that make my parents ‘them’. I also focused on the evidence of what indicated and suggested the ageing of my parents. The two staples in my life are growing older which is something that as I grow older to become more aware of. This small project looked to capture a portrait of my parents through their home and possessions.

2 Ok, so who are you? (the short version, please)

I’m a photographer, a lecturer and a student. Since completing my degree in Photography and Media Arts I have stumbled around photography, shooting for personal projects and clients for a number of years and not really giving it my full attention.

I decided I wanted to go into teacher and work part time at a further education college in Kent, teaching photography to 16 to 19 year olds. This was the kickstart I needed to realise photography is the number one thing for me and has pushed me to develop my knowledge, skills and goals.

I am also studying for a Masters in Photography and Urban Cultures at Goldsmiths in London. Which is actually a sociology course rather then photographic. As such I like to sometimes underpin my work with theory and written pieces.

3 When did you start shooting film and what drives you to keep shooting?

I started shooting film during my first lesson at college, I have not started far since then, my photography teacher, Graham Piggott, used to exclaim, “you have to get it right in the camera!” I still remember the lesson despite it being about 15 years ago. However, I have not always remembered to put this lesson into practice. I have many examples of underexposed, out of focus and accidental double exposure when I have forgotten to wind the film on. I really enjoy the experimental nature of film, it allows for accidents and imperfection which can add a unique character. This is what keeps me going. I love to learn and these mistakes allow me learn.

Working with others is a big drive, a good friend Alex Leat, is always up for trying out different things and shooting in different areas. He’s pushed me to shoot landscapes and at night which has taken me out of my comfort zone, unfortunately he’s been living in New Zealand for the last year.

4 Who or what influenced your photography when you first started out and who continues to influence you today?

As a teenager Don McCullin was a huge influence, I had the romanic notions of what a war photographer was. However, reading his autobiography and listening to his considered and reflective talks about his experiences, I realised the power the photograph and the photographer have in the moment as well as long lasting. I discovered McCullin’s pre and post war portraits which now have more of an influence over me.

I follow many photographer through Instagram, the one who sticks in my mind is Leonid Pryadko (Leonid_Pryadko). He is an urban photographer that shoots digital but the range in subjects, volume and quality of his work make me want to be a better photographer.

My students are one of the biggest inspirations now, some of them have huge passions and are hungry to learn. If they are just starting out with photography or have been doing it for a couple of years, seeing them shooting, shooting some more, learning and getting better. Seeing the process happen from the photos they shoot on day one, to the series they produce after the two years inspires me to keep shooting and learning too.

5 Are you a mixed medium photographer? What drives your choice to use film or digital from one day to the next?

I shoot a mixture of 35mm and 120. Day to day I use an Olympus OM1. This was my Dads, has a broken through lens metering, but is a solid camera and I love it. Last year I was given a 28mm lens, which has allowed me experiment more. I also shoot with a Rolleicord model 3, which produces beautiful portraits.

There are also theoretical reasons based on that of the photograph being an object. Through the process of exposing a frame of film to light, a physical process is taking place. This change make the film a unique physical manifestation of a past event. I believe that we link photographs to our own personal history, memories and emotions. To look upon a photograph is one step away from looking at the real person, place or event. This in turn makes the photograph an object that is unique and precious.

To hold a photograph in one’s hands instantly fills us with a type of etiquette, we know we must act carefully, respectfully and not to damage its surface. We have a reluctance to tear up or throw away the photograph of a loved one, especially of someone who is dead or far away, as this could be seen as a ruthless gesture of rejection. To damage or to destroy the photograph is to damage the memory. To mark, rip, delete or to even destroy a photograph has powerful ramifications and can be seen as an insult.

Once a photograph has been destroyed it can no longer be looked at again, if it cannot be looked at then we can no longer use this object as a stimulus, so in effect the loss of the photography means the loss of a memory. This link between object and memory is important to me and drives my choice to shoot film.

6 What’s your next challenge...your next step? How do you see yourself improving your technique? What aspect of your photography would you like to try and master in the next 12 months?

The big one for me is to get my masters done, thats taking up all of my time and as such is limiting my ability to do anything outside of university projects.

The biggest thing I want to master is flash, at present all of my images only use ambient lighting. I can use flash, but this is the one area I have the least confidence in, especially when using film, especially when shooting for clients. I want to master the use of both studio and location flash. This will open up further opportunities and ways to work.

7 Do you have a subject matter or style you always find yourself being drawn to? Why?

My work concentrates on capturing portraiture of the inhabitance of urban environments. My aim is to document people and their journey, using places, spaces and things as underlying themes. I have a real interest in how people live and why they live the way they do. This may be through products they create, how they decorate their homes or the where they choose to live. Along side this I photography landscapes, but for me this has to link to the presence of people within the urban environment.

8 You have 2 minutes to prepare for an unknown assignment. You can take one camera, one lens, two films and you have no idea what you'll be shooting. What to you take with you and why?

I am pretty good at always having a small kit bag packed and ready to go. In this there is my OM1, 28mm lens and a light meter. I am having a lot of fun shooting with this wide angle lens, it works for portraits quite well.

The two films would be; a roll of Kodak Portra 400, the colour from this film, to me, is perfect. I am also enjoying the grain from the 400 ISO right now. Also a roll of Ilford FP5 125, simply because I have so many rolls of this around the house! Although, for many years I have ignored shooting black and white, have just had two rolls developed I had forgotten how rewarding black and white can be. I do like the softer contrast in the blacks and whites with the FP5.

9 You have an unlimited supply of film to shoot in one location for the rest of your life. What do you take, were do you go and why?

I am at the start of a very long term project, so endless 120 Portra 400 would be very helpful right now. There is a new development in Kent that is fascinating. The design, planning and construction of this large urban area is a unique occurrence. As such, my interests lie in a range of areas; The documentation of the broad changing landscape, the recording of the creation of streets, buildings and community hubs and meeting and talking with new residents and capturing the people who have decided to call the area home.

10 You can never use film again. What's your last roll of film, where and how will you expose it and why?

Again this would have to be 120 Portra 400, I have used this film a lot and know what the outcomes will be, as such when I am shooting what I picture and what is produces are pretty much exact. The colour and grain are the ascetic which I enjoy.

I would have to shoot a series of portraits of my immediate family members. This links back to my theory of object and memory. If it were the last film, I would want to have captured meaningful personal memories of my family.

11 What do you think is the biggest misconception about film photography today and how would you set it straight?

It is for Hipsters and just a fashion trend! I would like to see more people using film both commercially and in everyday. I would like to see digital and analogue be thought together within education and specifically how they can compliment each other and how both have their place within the field of photography.

12 In your opinion, what's the future of film photography?

I think the future is looking good for film, crowd funding is frequently hosting projects in and around the film and analogue photography. Companies such as Kodak and Ilford are much more present then a few years ago. I would like to see more cameras being produced, outside of the plastic lomo range. I love old camera but would like to see new models being produced too.

- Lee