Beyond Dead is a street photographer who documents real life and real people on the street of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, and in doing so captures a very raw and current snapshot of everyday life – which is stark, sometimes bleak, yet ultimately captivating.
Each photo freezes a micro-second of reality, and in just that frame seems to be able to tell a much bigger and richer story about the people and places captured by Beyond Dead.
This is the realm of Street Photography.
Staffordshire Arts caught up with Beyond Dead to get further insight into the world of this fascinating documentary style of documentary photography.
[h3]What is it specifically that Beyond Dead does?[/h3]
Working with a mixture of colour and black & white photographs depending on the subject and content I photograph people and situations in an open but candid manner.
Working on the street and urban settings I aim to show, explore and record a slice of living and a momentary portrait of a person, people or environment. I like to portray this as living history.
[h3]So tell us more about your background? [/h3]
I became fascinated with photography when I helped to build the first photography darkroom at my high school. I borrowed an Old Russian Zenit camera and went to the local park to capture the daily events. I didn’t find much happening and I didn’t get much out of the film I was using at the time, but it didn’t put me off.
Fast forward a few years and I then decided to study photography at Art College. Back then, I struggled with the subject, didn’t get along with my tutor, and I wondered if I had decided on the right route. I left college and successfully finished my course but wasn’t really sure what direction I wanted to take.
At the same time I visited the New Sensations exhibition in London and was greatly inspired by the artists on display, such as – Damian Hurst, Paul Smith and Tracey Emin. I knew then I wanted to be artful in my photography and focus on art photography with a documentary style.
I went on to do many different paying jobs, from paparazzi to portrait photographer, PR photographer to Wedding photographer. Although, not fully happy in what I was doing I gained a vast amount of knowledge and skills.
Then in September 2003 I left my product photographer job and decided to work as a freelancer, and I’ve never looked back. Times have been up and down but I’ve focused on art and documentary photography ever since. This year will be my 10th year as a freelance photographer and I aim to hold a large photographic party instead of the usual exhibition or show.
A few of my favourite highlights of my career to date is exhibiting in California at the Res Festival and also shipping some of my to South Korea for exhibition.
[blockquote]My work is now heavily influenced by UK culture, news and daily events and the street is where I go to find these subjects and hopefully capture something of interest.[/blockquote]
[h3]Why do you choose to work anonymously?[/h3]
One aspect of my working process is my anonymity. I decided to do this because I wanted the attention focused on the photographs and not my name or background. It’s also useful when working on the street that you don’t give out personal information to someone that doesn’t like what you are doing or wants to damage your camera kit.
I know fellow street photographers that have been spat at, kicked and punched, and mugged for their expensive camera kit. I tend to work low-key, without the use of flashy cameras and I try to blend into the surroundings as much as possible.
[h3]So tell us more about your latest project?[/h3]
I’m very excited about my new project, the Staffordshire Street Photography project. (www.staffsstreet.wordpress.com). I aim to capture the people and life on the streets across Staffordshire. In doing this I hope to record a living slice of modern day history, heritage, stories and spontaneous portraits of the people of Staffordshire.
The Staffordshire Street Photography project is an ongoing body of work that I intend to work on over a long-term plan. I only started the project a month ago and it’s already had a huge amount of interest and popular following. Later this month I’m looking forward to taking part in a live interview for Street Photography Magazine based in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
[h3]Street Photography certainly seems to be moving from being more of an underground artform and growing more popular in the mainstream, and you are clearly committed and passionate about it.So where is it that you get your inspiration from?[/h3]
I gain inspiration from many different sources and styles. I’m a big fan of movies and I try to use similar techniques to work up close to my subjects. I want to see their expressions, eyes and gesture. A movie and big screen exaggerates this, and so does the candid camera on the street. I also admire the work of graphic artists Andy Warhol, Peter Saville and Eboy.
I often use these influences with bold colour or simple graphic shape in my images. Of course, the thing and subject that inspires and excites me the most is the people and the streets. This is where I fill up on creative ideas, processes and serendipity.
[h3] So what can we look forward to seeing from Beyond Dead in the future?[/h3]
In the near future my plans are to develop and maintain the Staffordshire Street Photography Website, plus, people are welcome to contribute their own street photographs to the flickr group. In doing this I will then show a selection of the images in a touring exhibition across Staffordshire at different venues and locations.
In addition to this I’m also working on a project App and a series of books that will compliment the project and take the project further in new and different directions.
[h3]How can people connect with you and experience your work? [/h3]
A selection of my work and writing can be found at my blog www.beyonddeaduk.wordpress.com, and the Stafford Street Photography project has its own website at www.staffsstreet.wordpress.com.
Twitter= www.twitter.com/staffsstreet
flickr = www.flickr.com/groups/streetstaffs/pool/
[h3]Any other artists you reccomend we should check out?[/h3]
One of my favourite Staffordshire based artists is Famous When Dead – www.famouswhendead.com. Go see and enjoy!
