So Andy tell us a little about yourself
I am an architectural photographer and commentator, with a background in historic buildings and building conservation.
Typically, you might find my work in a conservation magazine like the Society For the Protection of Ancient Buildings Cornerstone Magazine or equally in the Sunday Times newspaper illustrating an article in the property section; a National Trust coffee table book or an advertising billboard.
Can you describe a typical day?
Typical days are hard to come by – I might then get a call from an editor of a magazine and be asked to travel over to a building under threat and take a few exterior shots for an article. Recent examples include photographing the interior of Plymouth Grove, the home of Elizabeth Gaskell (who wrote Cranford) and Pendragon Castle in Cumbria which was unearthed stone by stone by a couple who bought the land originally for their sheep.
Evenings are spent carrying out on the computer producing something like an architectural miniplanet. These photo’s are really expressive of architecture and are used a lot to illustrate global issues etc. They’re really fun to do.
Venice Miniplanet
I also have a studio where I photograph historic objet d’art for all sorts of uses.
Churchill Sculpture
Other days might find me away from home capturing the interior of Saint Denis in Paris (where Gothic architecture originates from) or a regeneration project in Amsterdam.
Interior of Saint Denis, Paris, France
I also do architectural time lapse work which means that I have to spend a full day from dawn until dusk photographing the movement and interplay of light with the interior structure.
What’s it like spending a day in an empty building, do you ever get spooked?
I have only ever been spooked once on a shoot. I was over at Rievaulx Abbey and had to capture a dusk shot. It was around 10pm and the evening was moving in fast. I was setting the shot up next to a massive pier which disappeared into the gloominess, when suddenly, out of the night came a low consistent growl. At the same time a shadow moved across the pier. Needless to say I made a fast retreat. Luckily I managed to get the shot I needed in the bag.
Rievaulx Abbey, Yorkshire UK
How do you keep yourself awake?
There is nothing more exciting than being on a time-lapse shoot. Your mind seems to slow down and you start to become more aware of your surroundings. Recently whilst shooting at Temple Mill in Leeds I remember watching the slow movement of light over an Egyptian capital for two hours – the change in colour, texture and tone was fascinating. I never feel tired – more energised by the combination of time, light and structure.
Temple Mill Leeds
What would surprise people about you?
I recently photographed my bum in the shower for an art work for Culture Vulture.
What has been the biggest honour to photograph/film in your career to date?
It is an honour to shoot every building – from ancient to contemporary. I get the same buzz from an old vernacular interior to a grand Palladian Villa. Things get really interesting when I discover things through my lens that others haven’t seen such as a Victorian artists face hidden in a heraldic ceiling panel (like recently at Rochdale Town Hall).
Heraldic Panel with artists face – Rochdale Town Hall
Which are your personal favourite buidlings/collections/designers?
One of my favourite contemporary architects is Zaha Hadid – I like the plasticity of her work. I recently photographed an installation by her at Manchester Art Gallery.
Zaha Hadid installation at Manchester Art Gallery, UK
From the Modern Movement I like Le Corbusier, Gropius and Mies van Der Rohe.
Villa La Roche, Paris, France by Le Corbusier
I am currently researching the Pioneers of the Modern Movement and particularly like Charles Rennnie Mackintosh (I recently photographed his House for an Art Lover).
Light Pendants from House for an Art Lover – C R Mackintosh
Another little known architect of this time is Edgar Wood. I have a photographic exhibition of his work showing in September.
If you were to meet your most revered hero what would you ask them?
I would like to meet Abbott Sugar who commissioned Saint Denis in Paris in the C12th about the sources of his vaulted arches.
Vaulted Arches Saint Denis, Paris France
Who would you like to plug and why?
I would like to plug a chap called Pete Sieger who is an architect from Minneapolis US, with a very special talent in photography. He has a wonderful eye for ‘structure’ and inspired me with his light studies. Here is his flickr photostream
We do recommend that you check out Andy’s website poste haste!