September 20, 2004 - This week, we interview Craig Cowling from The 1095 Project:

Give the folks the usual intro:
I'm 22, and I'm originally from South Yorkshire, but currently living in London. I'm currently just about to start my second year at the the London College of Fashion where I do my BA in fashion photography.

Do you remember the first time you grabbed a camera?
The first time I ever started taking photos that weren't holiday snaps was about 1999 or 2000, I'm not quite sure. I accidentally stumbled into photography really; there's no romantic answer.

So how did you accidentally stumble upon it?
Honestly? I didn't want to go into full-time employment after school had finished, and a diploma in photography at the local art college seemed the perfect way to waste two more years.

I see... why then does photography interest you?
The ability to capture a split second for the rest of eternity has always appealed to me. I also enjoy the feeling of being in control, as I'm sure most photographers will admit to.

Other hobbies other than photography?
Well, I'm interested in fashion and the grotesque, so yeah they mix pretty well. Other than that, just the usual stuff - getting drunk with friends and seeing bands is always nice.

Speaking of the grotesque, anyone who has seen your photography can relate. You have some disturbing images. Any specific reason you like this 'genre'?
There is no specific reason to be honest, I'm not actually a big fan of horror movies or anything else "grotesque". I guess I must have some pretty weird demons waiting to get out somewhere in my head. I think also that shooting in that particular style helps get a reaction from your peers.

What's your most memorable photographic experience?
There was a time last year when I'd been commissioned to do a shoot for a designer at St. Martins; she'd spent ages... weeks even, making this dress out of egg shells. There were hundreds and hundreds of them all sewn together perfectly. The shoot was going well, and then for a grand finale, we decided it would make an awesome shot if the model threw herself backwards into a concrete wall, so we could get an image of all the shells exploding. It looked amazing. We were congratulating each other on a great shoot, patting each other on the back, until I noticed my counter on my SLR was on 36 and was still winding on. For the entire shoot, the film hadn't been wound on properly. Ouch.

Ouch indeed; and that was your most memorable? I'm guessing it was the most negative then? Or is it something else?
(It's) old guys and rich city types that have to have all the latest lenses and accessories, even though they never will ever get round to using them.

So more of a peeve if anything... Anyway, what is your shooting style? How and what do you prefer to shoot?
What a hard question. I don't think I'm qualified to describe my own style... as I don't really notice that I have one. People tell me that I have a knack of mixing beauty and the grotesque perfectly; oh, and I'm very good with colour apparently. I prefer to shoot fashion, late at night. Drunk. Sounds very unprofessional, I know, but its always worked for me.

Well, I did mention the disturbing imagery. I notice you like to reveal only parts of a body, especially legs. You like to show suicidal poses as well. Any stories behind these styles?
I wouldn't like to say I like showing suicides - I think I have one image that might portray suicide - but in actual fact the image was a reaction to one of my close friends getting sexually assaulted; but if people see suicide in that image, that's fine by me. As for the legs... I like to use legs to portray emotion in a subject without showing their face; I think I pull it off sometimes!

Ever thought of shooting 'other' stuff?
I just find anything else really dull. The creativity and freedom I get when shooting fashion is fantastic, and even when I don't get much freedom, working with other talented stylists and art directors is always a pleasure.

So you've never thought of doing candid's, street photography, etc. It seems most of your shots are well-prepared, well lit; a studio photographer almost.
Actually, I don't own any lighting equipment, so everything you see is either daylight, pop up flash on the camera or in some circumstances a standard table lamp. I have tried my hand at candid photography & street, but I just find it boring to be honest and not very fulfilling; and to be honest, I'm not that great at capturing moments like that. I've seen some fantastic street photographers that have left me feeling in awe.

Film or digital?
Both..... digital for point and shoot, test shots. Film for anything serious.

So it sounds like you're a semi-purist. Digital for cost, film for looks. You ever think digital will take over film?
I hope not, but just recently Ilford has gone bust so it looks like digital will start to crush the industry sooner rather than later, which is a shame. Digital feels empty, there is no better feeling than watching a print develop in front of your eyes.

By the way, some of your shots are mind-boggling. What looks like a mannequin also looks like a real person. What looks like a person chopped in half may or may not be what it seems. Are these photo tricks, (mirrors, lenses, etc.) Photoshop, or something else?
I don't use any tricks, I promise. What you see is exactly what you get! It's just about good use of angles and lighting.

What's been your all-time favorite camera?
It's either my Nikon FM2 or my Bronica ETRsi. I love them both. Perhaps a bit too much.

Why did you start your photoblog?
To keep track of where I've been, and to show my old's I am still alive.

I know the name comes from your plan to shoot 1,095 photos for the project. Any reason behind the number 1,095?
Easy! 1095 is three years!

Well, remember that 2004 was a leap year... Anyway, has photography and photoblogging changed your life?
Photography has of course, and I'm sick of walking around and seeing everything as if it was in a viewfinder!

Your inspirations? Both in photography and photoblogs?
Nan Goldin, Helmut Newton, Guy Bourdin.

The best photograph you've ever seen?
Anything by Newton & Bourdin.

What can make photoblogs better?
Less webcam whores & more heart.

By the way, you have one of the few photoblogs out there to feature nudity. Any reason why you include it, and how you get your models/friends to be a part of it?
My photoblog is of my life, and leaving nudity out would be censorship, and I'm trying to be as true as I can. Some images are a little too intense to go up though, and all the naked people are my lovers and fellow artists themselves, so there is no problem with me posting them on the site. :)

Are you involved in anything else photography-wise other than your photoblog?
Yeah, I get my work published in a few magazines from time to time.

Glad to hear. Thanks so much for this interview, and best of luck with 1,095.