
For decades, the name Andy Summers has been synonymous with the soulful guitar chords of The Police and the haunting vocals of frontman Sting. As one-third of the legendary trio, Summers cultivated a distinctive sound that helped define a generation. Yet beyond the iconic riffs and hits lies another realm of Andy’s genius — his aptitude as an art photographer. “Essentially, I started in 1979 in New York,” Summers recalls. “Possibly because I had so much time on my hands travelling and sitting in hotel rooms, and I needed something to do. The band and I were surrounded by many photographers, and I got more and more interested in what they were doing. I bought a very nice camera and made a formal declaration to myself that this would be the path I’d pursue alongside my music. “Over the years, I’ve met some incredible photographers in New York like Dwayne Michaels and Ralph Gibson who encouraged me. I switched to a Leica camera, and I’ve never looked back. Photography has been a marvellous parallel for me, complementing my journey in music. The two go hand in hand, both artistically and aesthetically, and in terms of travelling the world.” Since the 1980s, Summers has journeyed across the globe with his camera, capturing moments rich in emotion and mystery. His latest offering, A Series of Glances, is a testament to this journey. Through its pages, readers are invited to examine vivid portraits of global cultures and those touching, intimate moments that speak volumes without words. In an exclusive and special edition of whynow’s ‘Six of the Best’ series, Summers delves deeper into the stories behind six selected photographs, shedding light on the inspirations and emotions that birthed them.

(Credit: Andy Summers)

(Credit: Andy Summers)
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“In the Maasai village, they’re used to seeing people with cameras. It’s pretty well supervised. You pay somebody to take you there, and the villagers probably get paid too – not like a hundred years ago!”

(Credit: Andy Summers)
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“He’s staring off at the mountain, and the mystery makes for a powerful picture. It’s enigmatic. What the hell’s going on here? That always makes for a strong picture. But also, you’re in another culture, which sometimes means you don’t have to understand everything.”

(Credit: Andy Summers)

(Credit: Andy Summers)
Andy Summers: A Series of Glances, is published by teNeues.