Interview | Kent Andreasen
Interview
Visual Stories with Kent Andreasen
When and how did your journey as a photographer begin?
I was just about to finish my time at school. Before my finals, I went away on a family holiday that was expected to be really exciting. For some reason, I decided taking a camera along would be a great idea to document the time ahead. From there, it grabbed me and I find myself here today still really enjoying it.
What camera(s) do you prefer to use?
I like light rangefinders when I’m shooting images on the go. Getting in and out of a vehicle with a bulky camera isn’t my idea of fun. For more considered work and portraits I use a big 6x7 camera that was designed for studio work. I like the viewfinder, it really allows you to get a sense of the frames you are making.
Could you describe a bit about the type of photography you pursue?
It’s a tough question to answer because I shoot such a variety of imagery. If I had to label it anything, it would be day-to-day photography that works in the framework of where I go and what I see.
What inspired you to pursue photography?
I wasn’t really gripped by the idea of being stuck behind a desk. Studying film became something I was interested after school and I later pursued. Continuing to shoot images while I studied, I felt drawn to photography regardless of my academic pursuits. Once I graduated I made the conscious decision to focus on stills. It's funny how things work because I’m currently working on a collective that will focus on film among other things. It will be exciting to be back making films and to see how it shapes how I make photographs.
What is your greatest source of inspiration?
At this point, the stinging feeling that I may not get accomplish everything I have set out to.
Wha photographers influenced your work?
There are a ton of photographers I really enjoy. Here are a few - Stephen Shore, Gregory Halpern, David Southwood, Johno Mellish, Alec Soth, Bryan Schutmaat, Tommy Keith and Jack Davison
How would you describe your aesthetic?
It would be best described as Simple and Colourful. I guess as simple as the description I’ve offered to this question haha.
What is the most significant project you have worked on? Where did you find inspiration to pursue it?
Photography in its entirety is the most significant for me. Being able to continue to fuel the passion for the images I want to make is something I find tough. Constant work is needed to keep pushing myself to want to work and not throw in the towel. So for me to keep doing that inspires me which then causes a ripple effect on the work I produce. Being able to call myself a photographer and really feeling in my gut that I’m making work that is of value to my own set of parameters is the most important aspect of what I do.
Are there any photography projects you are currently pursuing or would like to pursue?
One of the ultimate projects would be a trip from Cape Town to Shanghai in a 4x4 making images and meeting people. Once I completed the trip, I would be eager to take a month off, in a remote house near the sea and just cut myself off from the world and work through the negatives to formulate a solo show.
What general process do you undergo to produce your work?
I like the act of wondering around spaces that in my mind are familiar but in reality I haven’t spent much time in. Lately I’ve been driving around areas in my hometown of Cape Town. Its remarkable how much you can find out there without having to go to far. So for now, I’m letting the work make itself and seeing where the process takes me.
