© moodboard - Image number 13740023
Paul Sullivan has been writing and photographing music, travel and culture for a decade. Self-taught, he has traveled the world collecting stories and images for a global range of newspapers, magazines, websites and image libraries, including moodboard, The Independent, Music Week, Electronic Beats, Focus, BBC, Dazed & Confused, iDJ, Global Rhythm, Sleazenation, Wax Poetics and more. He has written and photographed several books, including Waking Up In Iceland (Sanctuary, 2003), Sullivan’s Music Trivia (Sanctuary, 2004) and A Hedonist’s Guide to Marrakech, Berlin and Prague (Filmer 2006, 2007, 2008), and has worked on other travel guides such as Time Out Italy (Time Out, 2008) and Cool Camping France and Europe (Punk Publishing 2007, 2009). He is also the content editor for the Icelandic Music Export office (www.imx.is).
© Paul Sullivan/moodboard - image number 16450010
How did you get into photography?
I’ve been working as a music and travel writer for around ten years. During trips abroad I would often be asked by the commissioning editor to source photos for whatever story I was working on. A few bad experiences with local photographers – poor quality photos, images not being delivering on time - led me to pick up a camera and try it myself.
What inspired you to become a photographer?
As outlined above, it was a fairly pragmatic decision though there were aesthetic motivations too. I had always enjoyed looking at photography, particularly the transcendent power of Ansel Adam’s landscapes and the potent mix of social documentation, humanitarianism and unbelievable beauty found in the work of Sebastiao Salgado. Photographers like these – as well as many others - would have been the main creative inspirations.
Do you remember the make of your very first camera? How old were you?
It was a Canon EOS-1N, picked up second hand in London for around £400. I was 28 and it was a superb investment into my future.
What is your current camera of choice?
I currently work with a Canon EOS 5D + L Series lenses.
Do you miss shooting on film?
I do. I had only been shooting film a couple of years before switching to digital so I don’t have the long history with film that other people have, and I never really used a darkroom overly much - but the thrill of handing in the roll then going to pick up the results is an exciting process I miss a great deal. That said, when I’m on a longer trip, usually shooting landscapes, I still carry my old Canon 1N and shoot slide or b/w, so the buzz is still there on occasion.
Do you still find time to shoot photos for yourself?
I recently purchased a little Canon Ixus for my girlfriend, but she has struggled to actually get to use it very much because it’s never out of my hands! It’s a very basic compact camera but it has proved quite liberating. It’s less obtrusive and easier to carry around, so you can just snap away with it all day long. It made me realize I’ve come to subconsciously associate my larger cameras with a certain (formal) style of shooting. The Ixus has re-inspired me to think more creatively about angles, lighting, composition etc. And, yes, to shoot more for myself.
What tips can you give to amateur photographers trying to make a living out of shooting stock?
I think planning and preparation can never be overrated. Researching the kinds of shots you want to get before starting out is an incredibly good idea, as is having a priority list so that you don’t waste time obtaining lots of mediocre images when you could spend longer nailing the big hitters. Obviously researching the specific needs of the image library you are working for or pitching to is a must, as is trying to obtain a decent creative brief before you go. Apart from that it’s all about getting out there and shooting as much as you physically can.
What’s the best location you have shot and why?
The Colorado Plateau in the south-west USA. It encompasses 337,000 sq km, and covers parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Arizona. It boasts the biggest collection of National Parks in the world, including heavyweights like the Grand Canyon, Arches National Park, Chaco Culture National Historical Park and many others. I spent a month in this area and was blown away almost every single day. Just one incredible place after another.
Who/what inspires you in life?
In terms of who, I’d list a wide range of artists and cultural heroes that range from Frank Zappa and Martin Parr to Ghandi and The Mighty Boosh. In terms of what, it would probably be Mother Nature (I’m a Pagan at heart), my girlfriend and son, and my friends.
Favourite city for work/pleasure?
Berlin. I’m just about to move there because I find it has one of the best creative milieus in Europe, and it’s also a LOT of fun.
The best piece of advice you were given when you were starting out was…
Shoot, Shoot, Shoot! And learn from your mistakes.
To see more of Paul's images on moodboard follow the link: http://tinyurl.com/6dteqj
Also check out the following websites:
http://www.photografik.co.uk/ - a collaborative venture with photographer Rob Ditcher
http://www.paul-sullivan.com/
http://www.sound-matters.blogspot.com/