THOUGHTS
I think a lot, I can't help it. You'll find out soon
enough.
(normally when doing something mundane)
An Interview with designer and 'The Hideaway' member;
Mark Mapstone
With a proven talent in many fields such
as design, photography, music, poetry and lomography. He was kind enough to
let me interview him on behalf on The Hideaway...
(Friday 29th October 2005)
Music:
anything and everything (within reason) I'm generally not a gangsta rap fan,
or a hardcore metaller. But everything else from, the mellow adorable beats
of Kruder and Dorfmeister to Metallica, to Mozart and everything inbetween.
My diversity of music comes from break dancing for about 4yrs, and then hanging
out with 'punks' and playing the guitar later on. That started it all off
I guess. Classical music was fantastic for studying to I found, I wouldn't
get distracted by lyrics etc.
Style:
I don't have one <-- and quite proud of it too. I realized that 'styles'
are based on trends and trends are basically short term consumer interests
known as fads, and fads never stay around for very long. Therefore I tried
as many styles as I could, but I never stayed with it for too long. Digital
design changes fast and I wanted to grab just enough to impress an employer
and couldn't be arsed to try and impress my friends. They didn't understand
me anyway, so I didn't see the point. :)
Motto:
Learn as much as I can as whatever cost, then give it away for free and don't
ask for anything in return.
Mark, you have shown that you are talented in many
fields such a design, music, photography and lomography what would you say
is your favorite creative medium?
It changes, currently its photography, because I can capture everything that
interests me at the moment. It was web stuff, but I'm done with that now,
I'm bored by it. I actually discovered writing a little too in between web
and photos, just writing a journal everyday for my lomo page, whilst it was
just waffle I really loved it, and used to try hard to think up interesting
things to talk about, I knew I had quite a big readership at one stage and
felt compelled to keep it flowing as much as possible. During this time I
also tried a little poetry, and wrote down lots of thoughts that bounced around
my brain. All of it was just to confirm my own thoughts really, rather than
to impress anyone with my knowledge of nothing in particular. I only just
figured this out the other day, that Music is the only thing that’s been consistant
throughout my 32 years.
How does spending time doing this make you feel
I've always made and played music. And I play an instrument at least once
everyday with out fail, and without effort, its as natural as putting the
kettle on. Its also the skill that I've most taken for granted. I never saw
it as a real 'hobby' to take seriously, so I didn't, consequently I've not
progressed much ;) Theres still time for that though :D
Is there any creative outlet you feel you would like
to try that you haven't already?
Print. I wanna create a magazine. I have a design and a concept worked out,
as well as writers and contributers, but the time isn't right for it yet.
The next 5yrs of my life will probably involve more youth work projects, and
I plan to start a non-profit making company in the next few months to gain
access to massive chunks of public money ear marked for youth projects that
currently seem to only get dished out to the Scouts. Just today I met with
a consultant that works directly with youth groups and directors of big companies
like Nike, Coke Cola and addidas etc. He taps into their massive marketing
budgets and uses the funding to make things happen on a community level. I
see myself moving in that direction for a while. After I've done that, I think
I'll probably be in another country, focusing on the print side of things.
I'm so not gunna retire in this cold/damp country, I wanna sit on the equator
and be slowly cremated.
What do you think is the most important aspect of design,
music and photography?
I don't see either as higher than the other really. They're all so important
to the 'media wheel' or whatever. Personally I'm just rocking a camera because
I don't want to pay someone else to do something that I know I'd love to do
myself. Plus recording the imagery I see everyday, will build a personal
porfolio of credibility which I can then access as and when I need for future
projects. Basically, life is short, but theres enough time in life to try
everything that excites you. However long that period of love is. Just give
it a shot, hobbies don't have to be for life or anything, we're not picking
football teams here people. ;)
What is your biggest inspiration and where do you
gather idea's for your creations?
I'm not really inspired by anyone really... sorry if that sounds arrogant
or egotistical, just edit this if necessary, but I really don't look up to
anyone. I'm obviously motivated by everyone and everything I see and hear,
but theres no conscious 'peer' that I aspire to be like. I'm certain that
being the individual 'me' which I am is enough. All I have to do is trust
me and my ideas, and as long as I follow them to the best of my knowledge
with honest/helpful intent, then I know I'll do ok.
Do you feel that your career in design has any down
sides?
Bordem. Lots of it. And lack of respect in the 'cool' design circles. Its
funny, I've never confidentely promoted any of my work to any design group,
but unlike the majority of those 'design peers', I've always been paid for
my work. Interesting that hey? :) I guess if you wanna be cool, then go work
for a cool company and do cool work. Me? I just wanna get paid and go home.
Don't get me wrong I love the job I have and the work I do, but it ain't rocket
science is it people? Its just photoshop, and html at the end of the day.
It certainly isn't worth a 40k salary and a heart attack at 35, is it?
Film or digital?
Film always. its such a strong media. Digital is great for learning and that
instant deal, photo journalism and ‘work’ stuff…. but for pleasure and fun
I think film has it. once I’ve learnt my ‘craft’ I’m gunna move back over
to film and see if all the practicing with digital has paid off. Film has
that wonderful feeling about not being sure what your shots will come out like,
and we also forget about what we’ve shot on the roll, getting the prints or
slides back is such a great feeling, its like a present to yourself, and to
find great shots on there too is the ultimate happy feeling. Its also nice
to sit and flick through the prints as well…. and to have the option of getting
them blown up in size without any real loss of quality. I dunno…. I fell in
love with film through my lomo shots, that really opened my eyes really.
People seem to love or hate lomography. What was it
about lomo that you liked?
Well those little quirky cameras and ‘anything goes’ rules, means that its
encouraging to play and experiment, and you’d never get cussed for any bad
shots. for someone looking to get into photos its great to start with. Film
also allows for cross-processing and double exposures etc. you learn about
light and focusing and apertures and film speeds in nice easy steps with a
whole bunch of other people that don’t have a clue either. Its like everyone
is learning and experimenting together. Lomo isn’t good if you already have
a photo background… I don’t know of anyone that had skills first with an SLR
and then happily switched to lomo. Though snapshot photography, does help
you see the beauty in things which might ordinarily get overlooked. that the
thing I’m most thankful for discovering through it. I’ve just ordered my second
LCA camera, so I’m definitely not done with it yet either.
Why do you only take action photography shots?
well I just prefer movement really, if something is making me go wow, then
I try and capture it. Everything else can seem boring in comparison. (weddings,
landscapes, portraits etc) … plus I have access to a lot of good riding friends
and I’m not stranger to the skateparks … it’s the most impressive subject
matter I have access to I guess.
Skaters can seem like a pretty unapproachable bunch
at times, what advice would you give to people that want to capture skate/bmx
shots for the first time?
Riders love being photographed, they get to feel ‘pro’ for a while, riders
area basically entertainers anyway… so its rare that they say no. Go find
where they play and observe for a little bit first, get close enough to make
it obvious that you’re interested in what they do, but don’t get in the way….I’ve
seen people walk into ‘areas’ and sit on the very block that people are riding,
killing the session dead and leaving themselves open to a torrent of abuse.
Look out for the person landing the most tricks (the alpha male!).. and ask
that person only if its ok to fire off a few shots. If that person is cool
with it, then the rest won’t have a problem either… it’s like the best rider
has given their approval to you. Whatever shots you take, always offer to
show them what you’ve captured and offer to email a free jpeg to them as well.
You’ll score big brownie points there and you’ll probably be welcome to return
and shoot some more at another date/location. Also if you’re new to photographing
this stuff…. ask them what the best angle would be to capture stuff. most
riders have a set bunch of tricks they love doing and can tell you when and
where they are happening, allowing you a little time to setup the camera for
it. Basically, flatter their ego and tell em they’re great and they’ll love
you. It always works. Pick a decent speed shutter (200th) and get ready with
that trigger finger, cause its over in an instant. At night, drop the shutter
speed right down and pop the flash late to create a little motion blur action.
Describe yourself in three words?
Stupid, serious, Jam?
