It really is a great opportunity to get into the mind of a young artist and upon realising you had only received these small snippets, it seemed far too rude to keep the whole interview to myself! So, in the next few blogs I will be uploading my entire interviews with our first three Greta featured photographers for your reading pleasure - starting with ALEX BATES. Enjoy!
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Greta: How did you get into photography?
Alex: As long as I can remember I have always loved and been interested in photography but I suppose it would have been at school doing a photography class that was the initial push into the field.
Greta: Where did you learn photography?
Alex: Most is self taught, but I have studied Photomedia at ECU Mt Lawley for the last 3 years so I learnt about the theories and technical side of photography there.
Greta: Where does your inspiration for photos come from?
Alex: From life - other photos, art, fashion, friends, things I like, everything really.
Greta: What camera do you use?
Alex: Cannon SLR 400D is my main weapon of choice but I also have a little handheld that isn’t really worth mentioning, my camera phone and my partner’s iPhone (which has some really good photo apps on it!)
Greta: What's your photographic style/what sort of pictures do you take?
Alex: I would like to think I’m pretty good with street photography, I think that’s what I do best a photographer - just seeing something at the right time or having and eye for things that the ordinary person wouldn’t see. I also love fashion and glam shots. I’m not so sure what my style is just yet - I think I am still working on that.
Greta: Who is your favourite photographer and why?
Alex: Elliott Erwitt. He was the first photographer that really caught my eye with his photos. I find him fascinating and hilarious. I think his work is ingenious, the way he can capture the natural every day comedy of life, of people, that is all around us all the time. This is what I aim to achieve one day in my street photos. He is a man who really knows what interests him in life and has a great sense of humour.
Greta: Do you have any mentors who've helped you develop as a photographer?
Alex: Although I have had a few different tutors over my time at Uni there are a few who have stood out to me above the rest and who have truly inspired or helped me as a photographer, even without knowing it. They are; Emma-Kate Dowdell, Kevin Ballantine and one of the most amazing people I think I’ll ever meet - Max Pam.
Greta: What would you be doing if not photography?
Alex: Whether or not I am really good enough is another question but I would love to model so I’d like to think if I hadn’t found photography I would be doing that.
Greta: Which is your favourite season for photo taking?
Alex: Winter probably - my favourite time to shoot is when the sky is completely overcast and there is that almost surreal lighting effect.
Greta: In one sentence, what does photography mean to you?
Alex: Photography is personal and private, a way you can express yourself or say something greater than with words and not one person can take it away from you.
Greta: What superpower do you wish you had?
Alex: I’m not sure if it is a superpower, but a purse that never ran out of money - and if that doesn’t count I would like to be able to read minds and always know the truth.
Greta: If you could meet anyone, past or present, who would it be?
Alex: Audrey hepburn - I think she would have been the most amazing and intriguing person. Or perhaps my Grandad who died long before I was born, I have only ever heard that he was a great person with the kindest heart and I would have loved to have the opportunity to know him, RIP xx
... Stay tuned, Nick Fitzpatrick's interview will be up next!
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