Interview with photographer Nicola Davison Reed

– How and when did you become interested in photography?

I became interested in photography on that long hot summer in Blackpool 1976.

– Is there any artist/photographer who inspired your art?

So many, my early teen years was inspired by Andre Kertesz, Brassai, Henri Cartier Bresson, Ansel Adams, Atget, Anton Corbin, Eugene Smith, Bill Brandt, Robert Franks, Alfred Stieglitz, Paul Strand, Gordon Parks, Robert Doisneau, Irving Penn, David Bailey… today Chris Friel, Giles Duley, Matt Black, Claude Cahun, Sally Mann, Francesca Woodman, Vivien Maier, Sarah Moon, Laurence Demaison… the list is endless plus many artists too from Picasso to Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst & Banksy, musicians too from Mozart to Paul Weller.

– Why do you work in black and white rather than colour?

It has more soul in my own personal opinion.

– How much preparation do you put into taking a photograph/series of photographs?

There are many approaches..for street, my method is taking my dog & a big swig of confidence & open my eagle eye. With a commissioned Portrait i may spend a couple of weeks thinking about the person, on & off, and then adjusting my table and chair accordingly on the day to the person and the light. With personal art photography, that is more of ‘a reaction’ so when ‘it’ strikes i shoot as soon as i can otherwise i would literally spontaneously combust. With weddings the method is 50% preparation 50% perspiration, a lot of ducking & diving. With pets, a few coffees and a word with my photographic angels.

– Where is your photography going?

My photography is going somewhere forward, as long as it is not stagnant or backwards.

– What projects would you like to accomplish?

I really really want to do a photography essay on something ….don’t know what..I’m waiting…..& waiting…it will come…I hope.

www.nicoladavisonreed.com