Hot Shot Michael Bodiam finds his home in London, where he photographs a wide range of subjects, from the images of abandoned buildings he submitted as part of the series Dickens & Jones to nightscapes and cinematic landscapes. Whatever he is photographer, there is a mixed sense of caution and foreboding. When people appear, faces are often shrouded or hidden and more often than not, we observe the rich textures of intersecting walls and building material. Cement meets the polish of a wood's veneer, wallpaper finds plaster and paint greets carpet drawing the eyes to focus on the intersections of these calculated but often ignored spaces.
Stock Room #2 from the series Dickens & Jones by Michael Bodiam
Kew #2 from the series Kew by Michael Bodiam
Blue Lockers from the series Anonymous Places by Michael Bodiam
We touched base with Michael last week to learn a little more about what inspires him, his photography background and what he's working on. You can see many more image by Michael on his portfolio site.
Living in: London, UK
Your formal and/or informal education and training in photography: After years of following my Dad around taking pictures I decided to study photography at school, followed by a Art Foundation course (specialising in photography) and then finally received a BA (honors) in Fine Art Photography at The Arts Institute at Bournemouth, UK.
How you pay the bills: A combination of assisting, post production and printing for fine art and commercial photographers as well as shooting my own editorial work and occasional small advertising jobs.
Best advice you ever received as a photographer: Make the work that you want to make, not what you think other will want you to make. If you fall into that trap the meaning of the work gets diluted and it loses it's impact.
3 Artists Who Inspire You: Thomas Struth, Joël Tettamanti, Ed Ruscha
Photograph (or other work of art) that you can't get out of your head, ever: Gregor Schneider's Cellar
Cellar by Gregory Schneider
Reading now: Mountains of the Mind by Robert Macfarlane
Top 3 photo-related websites/blogs:
Conscientious
aCurator
Powerbastard
Top 3 non-photo websites/blogs:
BUTDOESITFLOAT
ffffound
Yimmys Yayo
(although these all include photography as well!)
Current projects: I've just started shooting a project called Residential & Industrial Landscapes from East London—it's pretty obvious what that one's about!