Photography News | Issue 64 | photographynews.co.uk
33 Interview
DavidHicks Profile avid Hicks h s visited over 90 countries, photographing everything and anything that captures his attention. His work has been displayed in a variety of unique, creative ways as well as in 150 galleries on his website
Photography News: You’re known for owning two card and gift businesses, Really Good and Soul, but how did you get into photography? Have you always had an interest and, if so, when did you decide to pursue it? DavidHicks:Igotintophotographyfromavery young age. At probably eight or nine years old, it vaguely interested me. I did a photography O level, although that was using film, obviously, black &white only and old Russian cameras. After doing that course, I took a long break while I established the publishing companies, but then got back into it after I realised I needed my own creative outlet. I’d beenworking with artists for years doing stuff that was commercial and creative, but forgot about me. PN: Does your photography work ever influence your design businesses, or vice versa? DH: No, never. I keep them necessarily separate. But my travels do influence the businesses. By walking the streets of a city, I often come across an interesting retail outlet, or an interesting product, or maybe an interesting gallery, so that might be an influence. But not my photography. PN: How would you describe your style of photography? Do you use particular techniques in your work? DH: My work is social comment, done in an artistic way. The galleries are themed in a worldwide way, or a very local way. They can take many years to shoot, or 30 minutes if it’s very local. As for particular techniques, not really. But I have learned to ‘shoot from the hip’ pretty well in order to get candid shots, and I prefer a higher contrast compared with other photographers. PN: What about gear? Do you have a favourite go-to lens or set-up? DH: Currently I’m using my Nikon Df. It’s
styled as an old school, old-fashioned camera, so I can take it around the world without people suspecting it’s actually quite a good camera. I shoot quickly, so I only use one zoom lens that I don’t have to change over and risk missing shots or getting dust on the sensor. Purists would argue I should be using prime lenses only, but I’dmiss toomany shots. I pack a spare camera, my Sony compact, which packs a punch bigger than you would
expect. I dropped and broke my camera once, but luckily I was in New York so I could sort something else out. I learned a lesson, though, and always packed a spare from that moment, as there are plenty of countries where you’re really screwed if you break your gear. PN: After seeing so much, what have you learned about the world through your experiences? How do you feel your images reflect this? DH: That regardless of governments, which tend to make things hard, people on the street are great. Not all, but a lot. If you give them time and a smile, they’ll do the same. It’s very humbling and I appreciate my own life more when I return. Simple comforts that we’ve come to expect are utter luxuries in a lot of places. People generallywant the same things: shelter, food and a safe place for them and their families. I hope my work just reflects the fact that we’re all just human. I don’t aim to criticise, but to celebrate the differences in our lifestyles and attitudes. PN: When it comes to creating a website and showcasing work, we’re often told to not show too much. Why did you decide to feature 150 galleries? DH: And counting! I know, and I’ve been told that, too, and not to bring stuff out so often. Well, it’s not ‘their’ game, it’s yours. I do exactly what I like and if ‘they’ can’t keep up, it’s not
The galleries are themed in a worldwide way, or a very local way. They can take many years to shoot
Left Taken fromDavid’s Monsoon Moped gallery, shot in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam during – perhaps obviously – monsoon season! Despite the heaviness of the rain, bikers still zip about in the downpours
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