Interview with Anthony Geernaert

BACKGROUND/TRAINING

When did you become interested in photography?

I think when I was about 9, I was given a camera and three rolls of film, I shot the lot in one night, I remember feeling the need to record the moments that were happening, by responding to the situations by capturing things that were relevant, like peoples faces and feet and details of the environment. It was like an instinct. I didn't take any photographs again till I was seventeen and it was the same thing except the photographs were taken during a night away in Brighton U.K. on a wild weekend with friends that were in my motorcycle gang. I didn't really consider photography anything other than a hobby until I was accepted by LCP for a degree.

What training did you do to become a photographer?

I initially studied Photography as an 'A Level' (Equivalent to HSC) along side Art History and Art Print making. I then studied Photography solely as a Honours Degree at the London College of Printing, which I look back on as the most important thing that has happened for me in Photography, it initiated a way of thinking that I have utilised to develop my way image making. I also spent 2 years assisting a range of 50 Photographers in Melbourne and Sydney, which I must say helped to no end when I began to work as a photographer in my own right.

I guess the funny thing about my degree at the London college of printing was that there was absolutely no technical tuition, it was all about being original first with an appropriate cultural context.

What is your background and training? (ie Did you work in another area before taking up photography?)

The only other Job I have had is being a motorcycle courier in London. It was great fun, lots of danger and hairy moments. I liked going to different places everyday and seeing lots of people everywhere, all sorts of people. Kind of like the work I do now, as I like to work in different locations all of the time. Easy Rider! I love speed and danger, so I stay away from motorbikes now, I have the scars to remind me... ha. Though I am talking about starting a motorcycle gang again with a few friends, though I will put a restriction on the engine for 50-kph : )

CULTURAL/GEOGRAPHICAL BACKGROUND

Where were you originally based?

I was born in London, I lived there until I was 22 then I decided to go to Melbourne for three months to hang out with my girlfriend at that time. I ended up staying for a year, having a great time and falling in
love with Australia...

When and why did you decide to come to Australia?

After a few more years on and off between London and Melbourne I finished my Degree, this was 1998. I knew that I would come to Australia. I felt a confidence that creating work that I am happy with and believe in is something that will come from within, not so much from being in Europe or NY. Sounds like some hippy spiritual business, but really, I believe in Australia so much I feel that if I can do great things here that are recognised outside Australia I will be very happy. I think that there are some great creative people from Australia and still in Australia, a lot is happening here and I think there will be more and more interest in Australia.

How does London compare with Melbourne?

Right now you won't find me leaving Australia. Of the creative work that I see from around the world, I respond best to the work from the U.K. There is something about the reasons that the work is made, the expression, the fight, the integrity the social instigations. It just appeals to me, the Music, the Art, the Magazines, and of course the Photography. I can't live there though, fuck too in your face with the
day to day.

I am living in Sydney at the moment, I am still getting used to it after a year. Melbourne is a great city, wow, I mean the people there, they are great, loyal, dedicated and doing things, really good things, there is a lot of soul in Melbourne. One person is Jason Evans who refuses to leave Melbourne yet still writes for international magazines, collaborates Art Directing on International projects, and the stuff he is working on is new and he is getting recognition internationally for the subjects he is showcasing.

Also some friends of mine have just opened a clothing store in Melbourne called Marais selling current season designers like Raf Simons, Blaak, Bruno Pieters, Preen, Alek Wek, Hussein Chalayan, Bless and James Cameron. There is so much happening in Melbourne, I see it as quite a sophisticated place.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Do you have a subject specialty?

I guess my work whether it commercial or personal or editorial, 90% of it will be a photograph of a person in a location. The rest is a mix of people photographed in studio or photographs of urban and suburban spaces. I guess you can call the people shots portraits. The reason I like photographing on location is because it tells more of a story, I kind of see people in the studio as displaced people which does not interest me as much. Natural lighting appeals to me and that is reflected in the work I have done so far. I think I should have become a glamour photographer, that would be fun with all of the lights and kitsch soft filters... maybe in another life.

Do you have certain themes that seem to recur through your work?

I guess the type of people I like to photograph are more real life and less perfect which to me is more interesting. I find people amazing to look at and meet. There is a reoccurring theme to the way I create
an image, in that I always have a narrative in my work. People have been suggesting to me for about six years that I make films, due to the feeling of narrative in a lot of the photos I have created. I am not
ready to make films, there is so much to be done with my photography first, maybe in five years time I might make some films, but not now.

Would you say you have a particular style/way of taking photographs? If so, how would you describe it?

Kind of raw. Most importantly for me is that I always start from the idea, I like the idea that the look of the images will develop from the idea, rather than a look being applied to an idea. This process helps
me come up with new ways of making images, and I think it can help me develop as a photographer.

How did you come up with the concept for the spread in a 1999 issue of Mu magazine ie that time lapse, horizontal strip look for that fashion feature?

I guess as I said before, a lot of my work comes from the idea of a story or a narrative. The Mu Series, well I had this idea about two people that cross paths, then that developed into the idea that they were anonymously making the same journey in opposite directions, as if one went from the supermarket to the post office and the other person went from the post office to the supermarket, and in the middle they
cross paths. Though with the locations I chose, they were eerie empty places with the exception of when they crossed paths which was at a beach. As well as the journey I incorporated the element of clothing as an identity that developed with the identity. With the guy, he took his clothes off as he moved along, kind of stripping his identity, and as the girl followed his path she put clothes on, kind of like creating an identity. It is kind of a nice thought that people taking the same structured paths in life with individual developments.

Do you do a lot of research before doing a photo shoot or is it more of a spontaneous, creative process?

I do a lot of preparation and research and structure before the shoot so that I can be spontaneous when it comes to taking the actual photograph.

How do you prepare for a photo shoot? eg do you have to set up scenes, props, storylines etc?

I just get super stressed and worry that the photographs will be no good, and that I am not that good. Then I start to structure the way I will resolve the concepts with what ever methods are needed. The
projects are varied that I take on, so some need film testing, some need casting, some need heaps of production and involve a big team. It is all just common sense, but that is hard to see at the time when I am worried about the result. It is really important for me to make every one happy and not muck up the project. Though I am getting better at dealing with this, the longer I have been doing this, though I must say I think the process is important.

What are your work tools? e.g. Type of camera/s you use, lenses, lighting etc.

I use everything, and I mean everything like 10X8 to Lomo to Digital, each project is different. I like to try all sorts of cameras and lights and film and digital. It is so much fun trying different things, you learn so much, and I love hiring really big lights and big film equipment, so much fun.

Do you ever use applications like Photoshop to do further work on your images? or do you create special effects in other ways? (or do you like to keep your photographs free of any effects?)

I have in the past, I use whatever fits the concept. Sometimes I create manipulated images, other times retouching is a necessity, I am not a fan of adding digital treatments or affects. I did it once for a
concept and I always look at the image in a lesser way.

What do you think of digital photography? Do you have a digital camera?

I like the idea of using digital capture, though most of my briefs allow a more traditional approach. I like the look of film and for me to replicate it after digital capture would be time consuming. I work with digital cameras on commissioned shoots on average once every two months, they are usually for quick turnover shoots, which is kind of fun because you can fly into another state shoot the project and burn
it onto DVD at the end of the day then jump on the plane and there is no stress about something being wrong with the film when processed after returning home.

MARKETING

Are you a freelance photographer?

Yes I am a freelance photographer, I think just under six years now. I am just about used to it by now...

How do you market your services and find work?

Really what I like, is working with people I know or have met, or referrals from those people. Then they understand where I am coming from, and the process can be really rewarding and the ideas develop in
innovative intuitive ways and what is a commercial project can become a great learning experience. I have worked many time with people that I have never met before and it is still great, but I guess I don't go out there trying to market myself and create a lot of hype, it's not really my style. That is the nice thing about not having an agent, I just do the work I like and I can plan my own path and work with people I like.

ANTHONY GEERNAERT

Who or what inspires you?

These days, I don't so much rely on other photographers' work to inspire me, music still inspires me, but most of all people that I meet and speak to inspire me, along with locations. Actually the band I am
in inspires me, we are called Gnemesis, we cover Genesis songs, we don't actually know the music we just make up the music and the melody and the singer sings the Genesis lyrics that we found on the internet, he sings in his own unique style too.

What have been some of the subjects/themes of your photography exhibitions?

I am not sure of the exhibitions that I have been in, I mean I have never been that comfortable with the idea of my images being in a gallery space, and so far that is where the exhibitions that I have been involved in have been. I am planning something at the moment that works well with the images I show, so... more on that soon!

Who are some of the photographers, designers etc, whose work you like and why?

I think that Fabion Baron covers this question, he is like renaissance. His photographs are amazing and beautifully executed when he was creative director of Arena Homme Plus, now he is designing
furniture and fragrance bottles. He is amazing amazing. My most favourite photographer is Anders Edstrom, his work to me is beyond analysis, I feel it so much yet I find it hard to analyse why, if you
see it you will understand.

What are some of your favourite magazines, movies, books or websites etc?

Magazines, well there are so many, I really liked Dutch those epic fashion shoots, but at the moment I like Re Magazine. I like Quadrophenia, 'Love rain on me', 'out of my brain on the 5.15, out of my brain on the train'. There are so many films that I like, I don't watch TV so I am constantly watching DVD's on my computer or occasionally going to the cinema. My favourite web site is ebay, I Love it.

Do you also work on your own personal photographic projects, and if so, are you working on any at the moment?

Yes I am working on about three personal projects at the moment, though I do work slowly, one is a series of portraits of Jason Evans, this may be ongoing for years though. The other is a series of portraits of various people that I know. Another one involves collaborating with a Sydney designer to make a book. Another one is a project about Sydney that is going nowhere at the moment and is driving
me mad! So there is a lot in the pipeline, it is just a matter of getting them finished. I have heaps of ideas for future projects, I don't know where to start and I am scared they will never be completed.

What do you like doing in your spare time?

I like romantic walks along the beach and ballroom dancing. Only joking! I guess all of the above, with one addition, I am entering into a 24 hour mountain bike race in October, that will be taking place in
Canberra, I think I should start training soon, and looking on ebay for some trick parts for my bike! I also like going out with my friends once in a while and dancing all night to Northern Soul.

ANTHONY GEERNAERT'S PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS

Do you have any tips for taking a great photo?

I guess, go your own way and don't stop.

Do you have any tips for the budding photographer?

I will let you know when I work this thing out myself.

FUTURE

Finally, are there any projects you'd like to work on or things you'd like to do in the future?

There is so much I would like to do. I wish I could write my thoughts down, and make a book of ideas.

View Anthony's online gallery at: http://www.chaosgeneration.com/gallery/anthony
Contact Anthony Geernaert: hey@anthonygeernaert.com