LomoKev aka Kevin Meredith Interview

Whilst looking for more information about the photographer Kevin Meredith I came across an interview which he did just a month after his solo book was released. The following article is the interview which I came across.

"He loves this city, and he shot this city. He even swims in the sea. But for Brighton photographer, Kevin Meredith, it is always about compact film cameras. Kevin, aka lomokev to many Flickr users, launched his first solo book – Hot Shots – last month.

You just had your book launch of Hot Shots last week. How did it go?
It went really well. I think we had about 150 people though the doors. Feedback from the night and for the book has been good. The free booze lasted for over 4 hours so I don’t think anyone can moan!

Is this your first book and what is it all about?
It’s my first solo book. The book is a how-to photography book that is written so that it can be dipped in and out of. Unlike most how-to books, there are no chapters but an image on every other page with a few hundred words explaining how it was achieved. It’s almost small enough to fit into your back pocket and is £10 online so it will make a great stocking filler for any budding photographer.

How did it come about?
The sub editor of the book Lindy Dunlop swims with me at Brighton swim club. She was familiar with my work because I was always snapping shots of us swimming in all weathers. I would send the links round to all the swim club members. I think she delved a little deeper into my Flickr account and thought it would be good idea to get me to write a book for her publishers: Rotovision, which is based in deepest darkest Hove.

How long have you been taking photos?
Since I was 16 so 14 years. I got really heavily into the Lomo thing when I was about 19 and since then I have collected an arsenal of compact film cameras. I never leave my flat without a camera. For the past five years, I have been doing more and more photography work as well as teaching and working in web development

To the cameraphobes out there - what is a Lomo camera? What’s so special about it, and how are you getting on with digital cameras?
The advantage of a Lomo over a camera phone is when you press the button to take a pic - it does not fanny around for seconds, shinning lights and trying to focus - a Lomo will take a picture straight away whether it be blurred or not. I can’t stand the delay in pressing the shutter button and the camera taking a photo. Photography is all about capturing a moment. It’s not good it you are constantly missing that moment! The color you get with film is some much richer than what you would get with a camera phone

I’m going to use the dirty word now...Photoshop. What is your position and will film ever die?
Photoshop is tool like any other - I think the goal for anyone using it should be to make their image not look liked they have not used it at all. As for film, it will always be with us because I think the hardcore will keep it alive, it might become more expensive to buy and develop but it ain’t going anywhere. My favorite film (Agfa Precisa) stopped being produced two years back. I bought up as much as could at the time and still have a large stockpile in a fridge. I found out last week its back in production but its called "Photo Agfa Precisa"

How important is Flickr to you?
I have met so many wonderful people though Flickr , its unreal. My book would not happened without it. I could not imagine where my photography work would be with out it. To me, it’s Facebook with a point to it and without all the poking!

You had your launch at Garage Studios, of which you now teach photography. Did you all meet though Flickr?
Adam Bronkhorst aka The Brownhorse introduced himself to me on the street at the International Beard Championships because he recognized me from Flickr. I got to know him at the Brighton Flickr meet ups. DarkDaze invited me to his photography show at the North Laines gallery with a Flickr mail. The last member of the Garage family, Matt, I met at the studio. He is not very active on Flickr. In fact, I don’t even know his Flickr user name!

You say that you live in and love Brighton, but work up in London. What is it about Brighton that makes you stay?
I sometimes work in London but not a lot anymore. I teach at the university of creative arts in Maidstone and Bucks Uni in Wycombe but mostly I work from home. I used to live in Wycombe, which was dump. I lived in London for two and a half years but there are too many people. Before Wycombe, I always lived in seaside towns, so had to get back to the sea. Brighton seemed like sensible choice

How influential is the city in your work?
I shot this city, I love this city, but I don’t know how influential its been because to that you have to take me out it to see a change and that aint’ happening!

Ok, I’m in Brighton for a weekend and you are my guide. I want to party like it’s 1999, but also want to see the city. Where do you take me?
Friday night we would start in a pub-crawl in the North Laines, then moving though the pubs in Kemp Town - maybe taking in the gay karaoke at the Queens Arms hosted by the lovely Betty Swollocks. We would have to end up at the Concorde 2; no matter what night it is, as they have great variety. There is never a moody or pretentious atmosphere, because of where it is. Everyone who is there, planed to be there, so you don’t get people trying to get in for one last drink. Also it’s a five-minute walk from my house which is handy! In the morning, we would have to go for a swim with Brighton swimming club in the sea down by Brighton Pier, then for a full English at the Dumb Waiter or the Opposition Cafe. Then repeat for your Saturday night.

Are you going to be holding more exhibitions in Brighton and where else can we see your work?
After I get married, I am going to start planning some new exhibitions and projects. There might be a Manchester Hot Shots launch in December - if I can get it together."

Kevin Meredith

After doing my photoshoot on Vernacular Signage I asked my lecturers if there were any photographers which specialize in Vernacular Signage. The photographer which came up was Kevin Meredith, an english photographer from Brighton. For Meredith his photography is all about using compact film cameras. He recently brought his first solo book named "Hot Shots" and in the book are a few images of Vernacular Signage. The following images are a few from the book.