I don’t know about you friends but I could look at good photographs for hours on end. Discovering the photography of Sam Ashley has added to my need for more hours in the day. The London based skate/portrait photographer answered a few questions I put to him..
SAR:When did you start getting into photography?
SA: I can’t ever remember not having cameras around, but I started taking it a bit more seriously after I moved to Sheffield to study on the NCTJ Photojournalism course. I started getting my skate photos published in 1999.
SAR: What do you love shooting most and which camera/lens do you love using for this?
SA: I guess skateboarding, and everything that comes along with that. I’m using a Nikon D700 right now. if I had to pick just one lens I’d probably say the 50, but most of the stuff that gets published is probably shot on the 80-200 or the fisheye.
SAR: What is your favourite city/location for taking photographs?
SA: I like London, it always looks pretty cool and I know it inside out. I think if you really know somewhere it’s kind of easier to get creative, you can direct things a bit more. Going new places is always great though, keeps it fresh.
SAR: If you could choose one person to shoot their portrait, who would it be and why?
SA: Mark Gonzales.
SAR: What’s your favourite photograph ever?
SA: I could pick any number of Matt Hensley photos shot by Dan Sturt, but right now I like this one the best:
SAR: If you could give a budding photographer one piece of advice what would it be?
SA: I think just try and develop your own style, don’t chase trends.
For more of Sam’s work and the inspired ‘The Skartorialist’ blog see the links below:
