to move up and down
Birmingham Loves Photographers
Run in conjunction with the independent coffee shop 6/8 Kafé, this is a space to promote Birmingham based photographers all of styles, both amateur and professional. We will also be a running events for photography around the West Midlands. If you want your work featured on here, please contact by Ask Me a Question, or go to our Twitter @birmlovestogs
Kate Hook
How did you get into photography/what is your background?
It was when I was about 14 when my dad bought a camcorder where I started playing around with imagery, and then about a year later I got a compact digital camera. It was a really good camera to start with (it was a Fuji one but I can’t remember what model it was!) as it had manual settings so I taught myself the ins and outs of photography. I studied photography at Sutton Art & Design from 2006 to 2008, but due to personal circumstances I gave up photography shortly after I passed my course. Just over a year ago I was encouraged to get back into it and bought my first DSLR and never looked back.
How would you describe your style of photography?
Guess I’d have to say “fresh” as I’m still learning new skills with it and it shows in my work. I’m not known for having a certain style, just being able to do a small variation of techniques and being experimental. I’m quite edgy and starting to become a lot more risqué with my images.
What equipment do you use?
I use a d90 and I’ve started using a manual lens off an old Nikon SLR camera. Also I like to do Lomography so I use a Mini Diana and a Holga a lot too.
Who has influenced your work?
Terry Richardson & Ellen Von Unwerth I’d say were my biggest influences when studying photography. My friends are always throwing ideas at me for pictures, even models have given me some good ideas on shoots! I get a lot of my ideas from my surroundings, like I’ll walk into a scuffy lil corner shop and think it’ll be a great place to do a shoot. As well as different cultures, music, old books, even from old movies I get influenced by styles, colours, even just what an extra is wearing can influence me!
Do you have any ideas on how photography in Birmingham can be developed or ideas for events/projects?
There should be exhibitions that don’t cost a bomb to get involved with! Also maybe start up some workshops with different photographers so they can teach their own tricks of the trade.
Andrew Pilsbury
Q. How did you get into photography/what is your background?
Well photography for me came around when I was at college, when I had the intention of studying illustration. However the illustration course wasn’t what I expected, so I took a gamble with photography, which proved to be a good choice. The photography course was great and soon I was hooked, it was an interesting medium to experiment with, completely different from pencil and paper.
After college I completed a degree in Visual Communication at BCU, where I was able to continue my Photography, whilst also exploring and refining other skills in illustration and design.
Q. How would you describe your style of photography?
I’ve not fully worked out my style yet, however I do know I am always looking to improve and experiment with different techniques, which has effect on my shooting style. I suppose my work falls into the ‘Reportage’ and ‘Documentary’ but I am slowly getting more into portraits, especially old people for some reason?!
Q. What equipment do you use?
I use a Mamiya C330 medium format and a Canon A1 35mm at the minute. I stand by film and its timeless qualities, and will hopefully always use, but for convenience and when the bank says I can, I will upgrade to digital.
Q. Who/what has influenced your work?
My peers and lecturers in education to begin with, most have influenced my work in some way shape or form, possibly good, possibly bad. I’m always looking at other photographers, whether my friends or professionals, Zed nelson, Joel Sternfeld, Stephen Shore and Joel Meyerowitz to name a few in photography. Spike Jonze, Chris Cunningham and Shane Meadows in film. My surroundings and encounters become important to my thinking and theories, I’m always looking at people and places for inspiration.
Q. Do you have any ideas on how photography in Birmingham can be developed or ideas for events/projects?
I went to a lecture by Magnum photographer Chris Steele Perkins this week, as part of Birmingham’s ‘Take To The Streets’ events and exhibitions. The talk was incredibly inspirational, and there was a good turn out of photographers throughout Birmingham. It’s things like this that should be promoted more and arranged throughout the area. Events like this are great to discuss work and ideas along with checking out the competition. I think it’s healthy to see who, as a photographer you are up against, and the level of work out there at the minute.
Contact Andrew on:
Website: cargocollective.com/andypilsbury
Email: aphotographic@gmail.com
