Saint Louis Fashion Week a glimpse behind the scenes October 12-18, 2009
Photography
Richard Nichols Interview
Kari Skaflen
Above the Fray Magazine sat down with photographer Richard Nichols to ask him 5 questions about the art of photography and why he creates with a camera.
Why do you photograph?
I have always loved learning about new things and visiting new places and then telling people about them. I am always reading things or hearing things on NPR and then telling my friends about it. Photography is another way I can do this. It is a way to explore and record life and then say to people, “Look at this! Isn’t it fantastic!”
What appeals to you about capturing furtive moments?
I love the fact that it is reality and not posed. That the photograph I just took actually happened. That I caught this perfect fraction of a moment where everything came together to tell a story, that is an amazing thing.
You’ve lived in Italy. How do you think that influences your aesthetic?
You can almost close your eyes and take a beautiful photo in Italy. That really made me look harder to find those photos and situations that are often overlooked. Instead of photographing the Duomo in Milan, I photographed the guy who sold flowers, reading his newspaper.
What draws you to fashion?
When I was younger I discovered classic movies and they really influenced how I dressed. How else can I explain that I thought it was normal to go to class wearing a three button sports coat and hat while everyone else was in flip flops and pajama pants. As a photographer I love the juxtaposition of the glossy final product with the chaos and reality that goes into making it. At fashion week, the audience sees this perfectly made-up and put together model on the catwalk, but backstage before the show the models are doing homework, sleeping, practicing their walk or texting.
Tell me about one unforgettable experience that happened as you were photographing. I remember once I was photographing a carnivale in a small town and the piazza was packed so tightly that you could barely move and this guy whips out this manganeseum car flare and lights it up. Of course, a huge fight breaks out as people try to get him to put it out. Instead of trying to get way I found myself trying to get closer to take photos! That is something I never thought I would have done. www.richardanichols.com