Liam Sharp is a twenty-something graduate graphic designer from Reading. After uni he used his first ever pay pack to pick himself up a Lubitel 166+ at a Lomography store in Soho, and lost himself to the old school world of film.
What is it you love about film photography?
For me, film photography is all about having one chance. Using film forces you to really think about your composition and settings, instead of having an app do it for you. Growing up with toys that didn’t connect to the internet also plays a part; I prefer things that clunk and wind and analogue photography fits nicely into that.
What else are you passionate about, and how do your outside interests inform the images you take?
Outside of photography, I love to illustrate. I’ve got a pen, ink and acrylic illustration of Luigi being printed in a book soon, and will shortly be working on another illustration based around the NES which will also be going into a publication next year. Like analogue photography, drawing with ink means I have to concentrate and can’t make mistakes.
Who or what inspires your work? Any other photographers?
The first photography book I bought at school was called ‘Nirvana Winterlong’, and it is an incredible collection of photos of Nirvana over a period of a few years, taken by three British photographers. It’s a real point-and-shoot collection, capturing moments of Kurt, Dave and Krist prating around in various locations. This was my first inspiration into recording moments happening around me, and is a book I’m always drawn back to. Other influences include David Bailey, Vivian Maier and Kevin Westenberg, all amazing in their own right.
Where do you work and how do you photography around that?
I currently work in the marketing design department at a global book publisher, so photography usually takes place over weekends when I’m walking around or hanging out with friends.
How do you share your work? And what’s the editing process like for you? Are you trying to tell stories with your images?
I upload most of my photos onto my website as soon as I have them back on disc. I mainly use medium format/120 film, but I also have 35mm and Polaroid photos on there too. I have a blog where I upload a lot of current artists, illustrators and agencies, so I also put my work up too when I have something new to show.
I usually take a few shots when I’m out and about, so when the photos are displayed next to each other they can often give glimpses into a story of that moment, and give a good indication of what I’m like as a person and where I like to go.
Are your photos staged/posed or documentary? Can you describe why you choose to shoot in this way?
My photos are mainly documentary so it speaks for itself in the instant it was taken. I feel it gives a better energy when you can see it was a real moment. If anything is ever staged, then it’s usually just friends messing around.
If you had to take one photo that summed up your view on life, what would it capture?
Hmmm… I think if I had to take one photo that summed up my view on life, then it would be when I’m an old man. I’d have a photo of my grown-up kids going wild with their kids in the garden – furniture turned upside down to make forts, wooden swords. Having fun and spending time with family is important to me, and I think that shot would capture it well.
Follow Liam’s photographic commentary and work on his website.
Are you a film photography fan? To be considered for a slot on the Huck site, send a folio of 10 analogue images to [email protected] using the subject line MY LIFE IN ANALOGUE.
Submissions made before December 20, 2013, will be entered into a competition to win a Lomography camera. See competition for further details.
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