If you had to describe your overall photographic vision in 25 words or less, what words would you choose?
An attempt to record my surroundings.
Much of your work blurs the boundary, quite wonderfully, between photography and painting. I’d like to hear your thoughts about your process and approach to photography with that in mind.
I was a painter for a number of years before starting photography. Once I realized the potential of digital photography I stopped painting.
Who are three of your favorite photographers, and, more importantly, how has your appreciation of their work affected how you approach your own photography?
- Fay Godwin: The first photographer whose work I admired
- Alexey Titarenko: The godfather of long exposure photography.
- Susan Burnstine: For taking pictures I wish I could take.
What artistic influences, outside of photography, have had a significant influence on how you approach your photography (for example, painters, filmmakers, musicians, poets, etc.)?
Most of my influences are still painters:
- David Greenhall – for his landscapes
- Lucian Freud – for his portraits
- Howard Hodgkin – I spent 10 years trying to emulate his style and then realized it was futile.
What are your thoughts about trying to find the best gear possible versus working on making the best possible image with the gear you already have?
Until recently I would have said that the gear you use is unimportant. However, my recent multiple exposure work is only possible because of the advent of in camera multiple exposures on the Canon 5dmk3.
How would you define fine art? Is it just a label?
You are asking the wrong person
If you had to come up with one very important lesson that you think every photographer needs to learn, what would it be?
Take 500 images a day for 5 years then take stock.
What are your thoughts about the benefits of online sharing? Are there any particular social media or image sharing sites you prefer or do not prefer?
I found that Flickr was an invaluable learning tool.
What photographic cliché or common photography question, if any, irritates you the most?
Long exposure seascapes done badly
If you were stranded on an island, and you could have one camera, one lens, one filter, one tripod, two books, and ten CDs, what would they be and why?
Camera: Canon 5d MK3
Lens: 50mm prime
Filter: Lens protector
Tripod: No thanks
Two books: (1) Caitlin Moran – How to be a Woman (2) Jared Diamond – The World Until Yesterday (because I am half way through both of them).
10 CDs: Any ten Fall albums (there are over 30 to choose from)
Are there any specific directions that you would like to take your photography in the future or any specific goals that you wish to achieve?
My goal is take a picture that still excites me the following day.
Is there any specific place that you would like to visit to take photos?
I am still trying to take a decent photo of the beach in front of my house, which I have looked at for the last ten years.
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Explore more of Chris’s photography: Website
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Spotlight on Three Images
I have a soft spot for this picture because it was the first of my ICM images to actually win a competition This is a 4 second exposure shot at 10000k.
A portrait of the drummer Tom Skinner taken as a publicity shot for the new Matthew Herbert Album The End Of Silence. This is 8 multiple exposures done in camera (Canon 5dmk3) with minimal editing
Taken yesterday on the beach in front of my house 9 exposures of a single wave done in camera with minimal editing.
The Gallery Selection
(All of the Following Images (c) Chris Friel)
All images on this page– unless otherwise noted– are protected by copyright and may not be used for any purpose without Chris Friel‘s permission.
The text on this page is protected by copyright and may not be used for any purpose without Chris Friel or Nathan Wirth‘s permission.
