Initially, UK-based Lydia Whitmore trained in painting, before evolving into a commercial still life photographer with a studio in east London. Whitmore has recently joined One Represents agency and won Best in Book at the 2018 Creative Review Photography Annual. Her work is featured in Wallpaper’s May 2019 issue and we caught up to hear about her working practice.
Scifi Landscape
Wallpaper*: Describe your style of work and process.
Lydia Whitmore: After apprenticing with an amazing still life photographer who taught me invaluable knowledge of the technical aspects of lighting, my previously more artistic approach fused with a more methodical and measured practise. With still life every object you shoot has its own character, surfaces, materials and unique properties. I strive to find and accentuate the beauty of objects, which is what keeps it endlessly engaging.
W*: Who or what made you want to be a photographer?
LW: Because I grew up in a quite isolated area of the Sussex woodlands I didn’t have access to TV or media, so it was cinema that initially inspired me and always seemed incredibly magical. Working towards the creation of a filmic fantasy world is what continues to motivate me. Filmmakers and artists Kenneth Anger and Matthew Barney are lifelong heroes of mine.
Moonman Magazine,Set design: Gemma Therese Pearce
After having spent some years studying painting at Central St Martins and Chelsea School of Art, giving me a strong basis to work from, I ultimately found photography more immediately gratifying; it’s relatable for an audience and the most honest and clear expression of my ideas.
W* What’s currently on your radar?
LW: Recently I’ve been excited about artists exploring the point at which image making and technology meet, such as Frederik Heyman who’s been doing some fascinating work with photogrammetry staging digital worlds. I tend to try to look for inspiration outside of social media and my still life photography peers.
What is always most inspiring for me however is collaboration; I’m in the early stages of a film project with artist Nicky Deeley. Also I’m building a creative agency with two colleagues (newpartner.services), which smoothly allows us to pool our skills and increase the scope of what we can physically achieve with a single idea. It’s an incredible feeling having the resources to create pretty much anything I can imagine.
Ceramic Shadows, Set design: Anna Sheridan
INFORMATION
lydiawhitmore.com (opens in new tab)
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