Join the conversation
Subcribe to comment rss feedFeatured Photographer
Andrew Sanderson
Andrew is a photographer and tutor with over 40 years’ experience, and an Ilford Photo Master Printer. He is a leading proponent not only of film and the darkroom, but of the single image, and – of course – the importance of the print. He is the author of three books: Night Photography: A Practical Manual; Home Photography: Inspiration on Your Doorstep; and Hand Colouring and Alternative Darkroom Processes. He has also self-published a small book on the technique of paper negative photography, available from Blurb. You can also follow him on Instagram
Michéla Griffith
In 2012 I paused by my local river and everything changed. I’ve moved away from what many expect photographs to be: my images deconstruct the literal and reimagine the subjective, reflecting the curiosity that water has inspired in my practice. Water has been my conduit: it has sharpened my vision, given me permission to experiment and continues to introduce me to new ways of seeing.
Andrew is a photographer and tutor with over 20 years’ experience and an Ilford Photo Master Printer. He is a leading proponent not only of film and the darkroom, but of the single image, and – of course – the print. He is the author of three books: Night Photography: A Practical Manual; Home Photography: Inspiration on Your Doorstep; and Hand Colouring and Alternative Darkroom Processes.
Can you tell readers a little about yourself – your education, early interests and career – and how you first became interested in photography?
I left school with no qualifications and worked as an apprentice electrician for two years (hated it), then went to Art College to see if it was what I wanted to do with my life. I had been drawing since I was about 6 I think, so it seemed like a good option. I saw a set of framed black and white prints on display and immediately knew that I wanted to do that. My father had been a keen amateur all through my life, so I'd grown up with photography, but something about these prints really influenced me. That would have been 1977.
Since then I have devoted most of my time and most of my money to black and white photography. I feel very fortunate in my choice of career; I have had my work published in magazines over 100 times and published three books. I had six images published as posters during the 80s when they were quite fashionable, and they sold all over the world. I am also a designated Ilford Master Printer.
You’ve said that you’re inspired by techniques, materials, equipment….. rather than (my words) images or the work of others?
I am inspired by the work of others, but you have to be careful not to copy what you see. When I see original and good work it invigorates me and keeps the passion alive. Unfortunately, I mostly see poorly executed images, produced without passion, talent or effort. Too many photographers treat the camera as if it were a magic box that makes a masterpiece of whatever it is pointed at. Cameras are amazing things, but photographers need to use the tools they were given for free: eyes, mind and emotions.