Alfie, tell us a bit about your Second Time Round photo series…
My series is based on perspective. I’ve spent the past couple of years in a creative agency making videos for social media, a medium that utilises split screen techniques to bring new life to pre-existing content. It struck me that this is never really done in photography, so naturally it’s something I wanted to explore.
All photographs are taken of buildings and places that I pass almost daily within London but, through cutting, cropping, rotating, and re-arranging, carry a different look and leave a different impression from their original images. Now, when walking by familiar places, I look at old sights with new eyes.
How did you get involved in photography and who inspired you to do so?
My parents gave me a clunky old digital camera when I was 10 which I loved. Over the years I discovered film and starting working my way through charity-shop-found point and shoots, rangefinders, and ultimately SLRs in my more recent years.
I consider myself lucky to be surrounded by a strong group of talented artists, particularly at uni, who really inspired me to explore photography (@emilyr.marshall does interiors like no one else, @alecio.untitled for all things clean and conceptual, and @elijahorne for straight up beautiful portraits). It may sound basic, but Instagram played a massive part in opening my eyes to a whole world of creators.
What’s your creative process like?
As a child I would to take badly-framed, low-angle photos of family, friends, and buildings – and while over the years I like to think I’ve got a bit taller and improved my framing, I find my photos are ultimately still just documentation of my day-to-day life.
Do you have a favourite, single photograph?
My favourite image is actually a collage by David Bowie of manipulated stills from “The Man Who Fell to Earth”. He’s standing in the bathroom by a woman washing her hair, but details like his reflection not matching his presence and the bathwater actually being a continuation of the floor tiles creates something captivating about the image. It’s been on the wall of my various bedrooms for about 5 years now.
What would you do if you weren’t a photographer?
Over the last few years I’ve taught myself motion-graphics which I also do professionally now. It’s nice to have a balance between creating both still and moving content (even if that latter is more commercial in my case). I guess if I had to drop photography I’d explore film, combine this with motion graphics, and see where it led.
Is there anyone you’d love to shoot (with a camera)?
Steve Lacy or young David Byrne – such iconic looks and they’d be sound to chill with on the day.
