(current header photo by Alex Catt)
SAY HELLO
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ETWM INTERVIEW NO. 3 : Cameron Gardner
Cameron is a photographer with an obvious love for the outdoors and camp vibes.
Where in the world are you now?
I am currently in Los Angeles, CA
Where would you like to be if cost and logistics weren’t an issue?
If neither of those things mattered, I wish that I could be living on a remote island with a few friends and amazing surf, or exploring/climbing mountains in distant countries.
What project(s) are you currently working on?
Currently I have a side project that I have been working on (not my own photos), it’s called Lost Memories Project. I have been collecting old 35mm slides and negatives from thrift stores, antique shops and yard sales. I have a good amount of photos scanned already, I started a blog where I am currently posting them www.lostmemoriesproject.tumblr.com right now it’s just a blog and it sort of works in sections by the slides that I have scanned. The first section of slides is just complete, it was of two men’s travels around europe and other parts of the world. I’ve got a lot more interesting stuff to show that’s totally different, and maybe someday it will be a zine or book possibly. As for personal photo projects I’ve got a few that I am working on but not defined enough to release them yet.
You seem to shoot a fair amount of polaroids. What is it you like about using analogue, and how does it compare to digital?I really enjoy everything about analogue from buying the film, to loading and shooting it, to processing, scanning and printing it. That whole process is lost in digital, I like to feel that I am physically creating something that I can touch, of course I enjoy both but I would rather shoot analogue if I have the choice. Polaroids are just a magical thing of their own, especially when you are shooting expired ones. The surprise and moment you peel back the photo are the best part, shooting analogue teaches you to have patience if you let it.
Who or what is inspiring you at the moment?
Anything to do with being outdoors or in nature has been my main inspiration for quite a while, trying to find those little things in life that put you completely at ease.
What does this year have in store for you?So far this year has had being on the road a major focus, I am planning on going on at least two road trips this summer involving lots of camping. As for the rest of the year I am starting my freelance career and am very excited to see where that road takes me. Other than shooting a ton I plan on surfing and rock climbing or getting away to camp as much as possible. If you haven’t heard of them yet go check out Polerstuff at www.polerstuff.com and go pick up some awesome camping gear! You can also check out my adventure story #4 that I shot for them a few months back.
Do you hope to make a living from photography?I do plan on making a living with photography, hopefully shooting cool things for really cool people.
Your ultimate survival tool?For now, a buck knife, but I really would like to have that 10 year wait list knife.
(Source: escapetowhichmountain.com)
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Escape To Which Mountain Volume 1 is now available to buy from PUSHPIN ZINES
We still have copies available in our shop too but go and check them out. More stockists to be announced soon.
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If you’ve been following us for a while, you’ll know we have posted about useful or practical outdoor skills in the past. Ranging from tying knots to setting a snare. As the summer approaches, and more people are heading out on camping trips, we’ll be posting more of these useful skills as well as revisiting a few.USEFUL SKILL NO. 1 : HOW TO THROW A KNIFE WITHOUT SPIN
This technique uses no spin, just a straight level throw which with practice will send almost any knife into your target every time. It’s relatively simple for a beginner to pick up Use a cardboard box or a tree and start at a short distance away. It takes practice. An excellent way to pass the time in camp, but knife throwing is unlikely to help you hunt or in the event of an animal attack. It’s best to keep hold of your weapon unless you’re an absolute pro.
(Source: escapetowhichmountain.com)
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E.T.W.M. Volume 1 reduction.
We are pleased to announce that E.T.W.M. will soon be stocked by a few small independent retailers around the U.K. (please let us know of any you think might be interested too)
This means however that we will be reducing the price from £10.00 to £7.00 with reduced postage costs We’re very glad to be able to do this but also realise that many of you paid full price as recently as a couple of days ago.
We are unable to refund any money to those of you who have already purchased a copy. However, everyone who purchased Volume 1 up until today, will receive an exclusive discount code for Volume 2 as well as a little something extra when it is released. You will be contacted well in advance of the release date.
We have received an extensive amount of email submissions for Volume 2 and it is shaping up to be truly special. The production and printing will be notably improved with some very exciting features and content. Please remember you can also submit via flickr.
The response to our first release has been overwhelming and we’d like to thank everyone who has promoted us, submitted work or bought a copy of Volume 1. It is fantastic to see so many people supporting and getting involved self publishing. Thank you all for your continued support.
Happy Trails!
ETWM
EMAIL SUBMISSIONS : submissions@escapetowhichmountain.com
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ETWM INTERVIEW NO. 3 : CLAYTON COTTERELL
Clayton Cotterell is a photographer from the USA based in Portland OR. He is making some wonderful photographs at the moment and recently published a book with Ampersand.
Where in the world are you now?
Portland, OR, USA
Where would you like to be if cost and logistics weren’t an issue?
That’s hard to answer. It would have to be someplace with big mountains, towering cliffs, rich with culture, and nice weather. Munich, Germany maybe?
Your series ‘Noe’ clearly involved developing quite a close relationship with a stranger and then getting him to allow you to take his picture, often in some quite personal and revealing situations. How easy did you find developing that kind relationship?
Noe and I shared similar interests in art and music so we were able strike up a friendship rather quickly. However, we both came from different backgrounds and were living in different contexts allowing us to share a mutual interest in each other’s lives.
What’s the difference, if any, between taking pictures of someone like Noe, and taking them of your Brother for ‘unarmed’?
Although the two bodies of work share many similarities, for me as the photographer they were two completely different experiences. Leaving NYC to photograph Noe in New Haven, CT was an escape from all the adult realities I faced day to day, allowing me to idolize his situation. However, spending time on army bases and surrounded by soldiers helped me understand the context in which my brother, Ian, and many other young Americans in the U.S. military were experiencing in a similar period of their lives.Visually there isn’t a huge difference between your commissioned and person work, do you take a different approach to the way you shoot either?
I think people have typically commissioned me based on my personal work so I’ve been allowed to pretty much do whatever I wanted. They’ve inquired because they like my style, or whatever, so I try to give them that.
I really enjoy commissions because it’s nice to have someone else come up with a subject to photograph from time to time.
What’s your preferred camera set up and how do you think it affects the way you work?
I mostly shoot with my Mamiya 7 but also have a nice DSLR that I’m using more and more. I like shooting film because it forces me to detach the moment the photo was taken from the time spent editing. Once I’ve gotten the film back from the lab, scanned contact sheets, made my edit, scanned and worked the files a lot of time has passed so I can see the images with fresh eyes. When shooting digitally I often check it out on camera so it’s a different editing process, much faster.What project(s) are you currently working on?
I have a few projects slowly coming together. Two of which share a similar working method in which I’m photographing whatever, whenever and bringing the images together based on a common language. The idea is that each image can stand alone but various combinations of images (pairings, tryptics, etc…) bring on new meanings. For example, Cliffs is a series exploring signatures of masculinity within the visual vocabulary of contemporary culture using this framework. It’s been really exciting for me because it differs from my past projects.
I also have a project I’d like to shoot in Wyoming’s badlands but a few things have to come together. I’ll keep ya posted.Who or what is inspiring you at the moment?
Right now I’m inspired by open possibility.
What does this year have in store for you?
I hope to produce a lot of new work this year and maybe do an exhibition.
Your ultimate survival tool?
Hands and feet.
(Source: escapetowhichmountain.com)
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