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Quirky photog always pushes limits
By Xu Wei |
June 10, 2012, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
British portrait and fashion photographer John Rankin Waddell (known as Rankin) celebrates the unconventional, pushes the limits and is known for quirky photography.
The co-founder of Dazed & Confused monthly magazine, which attracts innovation and enjoys cult status, has photographed everyone from the Queen Elizabeth II and a host of celebrities to ordinary people. He has shot covers for all the big magazines and has worked on major advertising campaigns and charity projects.
He is the publisher of The Hunger, a biannual magazine of fashion, culture and lifestyle that represents the hunger and passion that drives creativity.
Rankin's photo exhibition "Visually Hungry" is under way at Shanghai Xintiandi through June 17. The 122 photos, all classics, include the famous series "Eyescapes," around a dozen decontextualized irises.
The exhibition includes Rankin's photos of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William, Michael Jackson, Adele, George Clooney, Marilyn Manson and Chinese actresses Zhang Ziyi and Tang Wei. This is Rankin's first exhibition in China. He talks with Shanghai Daily via email.
Q: What's the message of this photo exhibition and what are its highlights?
A: The exhibition is a brilliant introduction of my work to China and it's on a fairly large scale. It's a cross-section of my work for the past 22 years, and that feels epic. Also, what is unusual about this exhibition is the design layout - it's all contained within a huge Union Jack shape. ... But the main thing is that I am not so well-known in China, and it's a country that I have a huge interest in culturally. I am honored to be showing here for the first time and hope to be visiting soon.
Q: What was it like to photograph Queen Elizabeth II?
A: It affected my confidence. I was really nervous shooting her, and only had 10 minutes with her so the pressure was enormous. But she was lovely and gracious and I am really honored that I had the opportunity to work with her. What impressed me most about photographing HRH Queen Elizabeth was both the knowledge that I was being allowed entry into a place so restricted and also her comfortable, down-to-earth nature - the contrast between the two was remarkable.
Q: You have photographed so many celebrities and you must have interesting stories. Can you share any of them?
A: I am lucky that my day-to-day experiences can be so extreme - there is no day the same and as a result the most bizarre circumstances become the ordinary. I have loads of stories - but I can't tell them to you.
Q: You are often called a celebrity photographer. How would you describe yourself?
A: I see myself more as a portrait photographer rather than a celebrity one. To me, it is about a connection with my subject, whether they are famous or not. I am just fascinated by people, and they never disappoint.
Q: What's the key to your success?
A: I think an important part of being successful as a photographer is to be passionate about your work, and never to stop pushing yourself. Complacency is the enemy. You have to keep hustling, and keep creating opportunities for your work to get out there and be the best it can be.
Photography is immediate and great photography is alive with emotion and passion. Photography touches the imagination - it shows life, only a more vivid version. Whether it's war or advertising, a photograph will encapsulate a scene and provoke a reaction. Of course, photography is subjective, and the perspective of the photographer will influence the story an image tells. It really means that all photos are in a sense of fabrications, but I do try to find a truth in my pictures.
Q: How do you balance your work and personal life?
A: I am a workaholic so I'm not sure the balance is quite there. I try to watch films, read books and watch TV shows to feed myself creatively. I also find taking my dogs for a long walk is the best form of escape.
Q: What's your impression of China?
A: Sadly, I have never been to China before, however, it's at the top of my list of places to visit and I hope to be visiting soon. It's a country that I have read and seen so much about, and I am absolutely fascinated to visit and see for myself.
Q: What's your next project?
A: I have loads of projects on the go, always. I have my biannual magazine, The Hunger, which I shoot all myself. So my subjects and projects are always diverse and keep me very busy. I will continue shooting more work for my beauty book series, and I am also building on my directing portfolio.
The co-founder of Dazed & Confused monthly magazine, which attracts innovation and enjoys cult status, has photographed everyone from the Queen Elizabeth II and a host of celebrities to ordinary people. He has shot covers for all the big magazines and has worked on major advertising campaigns and charity projects.
He is the publisher of The Hunger, a biannual magazine of fashion, culture and lifestyle that represents the hunger and passion that drives creativity.
Rankin's photo exhibition "Visually Hungry" is under way at Shanghai Xintiandi through June 17. The 122 photos, all classics, include the famous series "Eyescapes," around a dozen decontextualized irises.
The exhibition includes Rankin's photos of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William, Michael Jackson, Adele, George Clooney, Marilyn Manson and Chinese actresses Zhang Ziyi and Tang Wei. This is Rankin's first exhibition in China. He talks with Shanghai Daily via email.
Q: What's the message of this photo exhibition and what are its highlights?
A: The exhibition is a brilliant introduction of my work to China and it's on a fairly large scale. It's a cross-section of my work for the past 22 years, and that feels epic. Also, what is unusual about this exhibition is the design layout - it's all contained within a huge Union Jack shape. ... But the main thing is that I am not so well-known in China, and it's a country that I have a huge interest in culturally. I am honored to be showing here for the first time and hope to be visiting soon.
Q: What was it like to photograph Queen Elizabeth II?
A: It affected my confidence. I was really nervous shooting her, and only had 10 minutes with her so the pressure was enormous. But she was lovely and gracious and I am really honored that I had the opportunity to work with her. What impressed me most about photographing HRH Queen Elizabeth was both the knowledge that I was being allowed entry into a place so restricted and also her comfortable, down-to-earth nature - the contrast between the two was remarkable.
Q: You have photographed so many celebrities and you must have interesting stories. Can you share any of them?
A: I am lucky that my day-to-day experiences can be so extreme - there is no day the same and as a result the most bizarre circumstances become the ordinary. I have loads of stories - but I can't tell them to you.
Q: You are often called a celebrity photographer. How would you describe yourself?
A: I see myself more as a portrait photographer rather than a celebrity one. To me, it is about a connection with my subject, whether they are famous or not. I am just fascinated by people, and they never disappoint.
Q: What's the key to your success?
A: I think an important part of being successful as a photographer is to be passionate about your work, and never to stop pushing yourself. Complacency is the enemy. You have to keep hustling, and keep creating opportunities for your work to get out there and be the best it can be.
Photography is immediate and great photography is alive with emotion and passion. Photography touches the imagination - it shows life, only a more vivid version. Whether it's war or advertising, a photograph will encapsulate a scene and provoke a reaction. Of course, photography is subjective, and the perspective of the photographer will influence the story an image tells. It really means that all photos are in a sense of fabrications, but I do try to find a truth in my pictures.
Q: How do you balance your work and personal life?
A: I am a workaholic so I'm not sure the balance is quite there. I try to watch films, read books and watch TV shows to feed myself creatively. I also find taking my dogs for a long walk is the best form of escape.
Q: What's your impression of China?
A: Sadly, I have never been to China before, however, it's at the top of my list of places to visit and I hope to be visiting soon. It's a country that I have read and seen so much about, and I am absolutely fascinated to visit and see for myself.
Q: What's your next project?
A: I have loads of projects on the go, always. I have my biannual magazine, The Hunger, which I shoot all myself. So my subjects and projects are always diverse and keep me very busy. I will continue shooting more work for my beauty book series, and I am also building on my directing portfolio.
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