What’s the difference? Stuart Mackenzie
06. Mar, 2010 
2 Comments
I have been setting up a series of interviews with photographers from around the world who have (mostly) different passions and subject focus.
This will hopefully be an interesting experiment and throw up some intriguing comparisons of style and equipment.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM AND HOW DID YOU GET INTO PHOTOGRAPHY?
Born and bred In Weymouth, Dorset. I’ve always loved pictures, never been much of a reader if that makes sense? I’ve been interested in photography for years but until the advent of digital cameras it was always something I couldn’t really afford to get into. I’ve had a digital camera in one form or another for about eight years now. In that eight years for many reasons I’ve become slowly more obsessed with image making and photography, I now eat, sleep and breathe photography in one way or another.
WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED GENRE OF PHOTOGRAPHY? EG PORTRAITS, LANDSCAPE, SPORT ETC
People, I love to photograph people. Landscapes are fine, architecture brilliant but for me I’m happiest trying to get great pictures of people. Whether it be a posed portrait or a candid shot or someone on a bench who will probably never know they’ve been photographed by me. I think its really interesting the way that a person can really connect and gain insight from a photograph that contains an image of another person (that they may never have met) and I also really enjoy interacting and trying to get the most out of a subject when shooting (a hard skill to master).
WHAT IS YOUR WORKFLOW PROCESS FROM IDEAS TO EDITING?
Sometimes I sketch ideas (I find this helps but it’s not something I do naturally and have to almost force myself to do), sometimes ideas just evolve from other more basic ideas, sometimes (and this probably accounts for 80% of my most popular pictures) an idea will just hit me when I least expect it and I have to shoot it!
I’m lucky in the fact I have a great friend and shooting partner in my business colleague Darren. We’ve been friends for years and are on the same wavelength, we can talk a shot through for hours if it needs it and we work well together in making things happen. He’s definitely the ying to my yang (in a professional and photographic sense obviously!) and between us we kind of kick ideas off of each other and things evolve and grow.
I like to think I’m good at planning, but in reality I’m probably not…I like the excitement of shooting the unknown or trying to make and see pictures where others wouldn’t. Hopefully I’ve fiound a balance somewhere in amongst that to take photo’s for commercial purposes but also satisfy my creativity!
WHAT ARE YOUR TOOLS OF THE TRADE?
Always carry a hat, some spare batteries, masking tape and an internet enabled mobile phone! Oooh and a camera….never forget the camera!
I also couldn’t live without Lightroom these days….that program just rocks as regards photographers and workflow it is KING.
DIGITAL OR FILM STOCK?
Both! Everything I shoot for clients is currently done using digital media (unless they ask for film- no one has yet) but I LOVE film and try and shoot often…again mostly to satisfy my creative urges but there is something very special about film. I particularly love instant film…maybe that’s because it’s a great compromise between film and digital…the best bits from both.
IF YOU COULD ONLY USE ONE LENS FOR THE REST OF YOU LIFE WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Whatever they give me. I’m a firm believer in working with what you have. My favourite lens is probably my 50mm prime but as long as there was a sensor or a scrap of film behind it I’d live with it.
WHERE DO YOU HOPE TO GO WITH YOU PHOTOGRAPHY?
Cripes thats a tough one. One day I’d like to own my own studio but that’s a long way off. Travelling and taking pics would also interest me but not something I’m consciously working towards.
As long as other people enjoy my photo’s in one way or another then I’m pretty happy. That sounds really sickly but it’s true.
WHICH OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS DO YOU ADMIRE?
Well I’ve never really studied Photography or Art academically. I often see pictures I like but I’m always too interested in the picture to take notice of who took it. I have tonnes of photobooks but again rarely read about the shooter………That’s naughty isn’t it!
I am a big fan of Martin Parr. Other Photographers I admire tend to be ones actually met and spent some time with.
http://gtvone.com [INTERVIEW COMING TO BLOWNPIXEL SOMETIME SOON]
to name a few!
WHO HAS INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST IN TERMS OF PHOTOGRAPHY?
It has to be those around me – mostly my Wife and Daughter. They both have a unique way of looking at the world and it fascinates me how that differs from my own. I taught myself how to use a camera so as far as influence is concerned it’s all about the way I think rather than the process.
WHAT IS YOUR BEST TIP?
Shoot lots and shoot often…..and then shoot some more. Once your finished….REPEAT! Oh and ENJOY IT! So many people get this part wrong….I don’t understand that.
WHERE DO YOU LOOK FOR INSPIRATION FOR YOUR WORK?
I used to be a bit of a musician and I do love music so that quite often acts as inspiration but movies, television, childrens toys, the net (flickr is a great resource), paintings, places, pretty much anything.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURATE FILMS, BOOKS AND MUSICIANS?
I’m a big Tarantino fan and also a bit of a science fiction nerd (in a cool way you understand!) on the movie front. Books are not something I often read for pleasure (weird I know) but If I do it has to be Douglas Adams.
My musical tastes are complex and varied but at the moment I’m revisiting pink flloyd, radiohead, deep purple, and the editors, throwing in some fleet foxes and Lou Rhodes and finishing it off with Seasick Steve.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY?
Finishing my 365days project was a big achievement as I invested a lot of myself into the project both in terms of time and energy. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rojojam/sets/72157602327695245/)
Since then I have had a photo published in a small blurb book project by Martin Parr himself. That was pretty special as I am a big admirer of some of his work.
LINKS TO YOUR WORK:
Author
Yeovil Rugby Club
Costa Coffee
Dorchester Market
Dorchester Car Boot Sale
Great interview, Stu!
Keep posting stuff like this i really like it