Interview with me from Writer Pictures

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Introducing the Photographer: Geraint Lewis

Geraint Lewis is one of our most prolific contributing photographers and his work is requested internationally. Known for his arts and theatre coverage what started as a small collection of images has grown into a huge catalogue and he is now one of our largest selling photographers. We caught up with Geraint to ask him about his approach.

Zadie Smith author of White Teeth pic Geraint Lewis
Zadie Smith author of White Teeth pic Geraint Lewis

Question:
What attracted you to specialising in the arts in the first place?

Answer:
I have always had a passion for cinema which attracted me to Theatre which I still photograph today. It also gives me the chance to meet and photograph a lot of interesting people which is  all I ever wanted to do.

Question:
In this age of increasing general competition do you think it important to specialise?

Answer:
I never really wanted to pigeon hole myself. I like fresh challenges but yes, it is important for clients looking for something to know where to come. I do specialise to a degree with my portraits and theatre photographs but I also do a lot of corporate photography .

KOFI ANNAN . CREDIT Geraint Lewis
KOFI ANNAN . CREDIT Geraint Lewis

Question:
What keeps you coming back to the Edinburgh International Book Festival?

Answer:
Meeting old friends and its fun  and as Edinburgh  is the biggest arts festival on the planet why not ? I suppose it’s in my blood.

Question:
How do you keep your pictures fresh faced with that same green/blue background?

Answer:
You have to remember photography at The Edinburgh Book Festival has evolved over the years. We started doing what we could amongst a load of tents then moved on to gaffer taping black or red velvet onto anything . Eventually the book festival  kindly erected  ‘The Carpet’ to shoot on .  The lighting developed from daylight, on camera flash to off camera flash to the now highly sophisticated portable studio lighting I use. Trying to keep the pictures fresh is a challenge,  so its all about how I work and I apply this to all my work. I try and get the author to give something of them selves, without this you are sunk,  by communicating and talking to them ,trying to build up something whatever that is  . Also by varying the lighting with modifiers , lighting or not lighting the carpet , standing, sitting etc.

Question:
Why do you use boutique agencies over larger more general ones?

Answer:
Boutique agencies will get larger fees for quality work. So if the rewards are there it makes the whole effort worthwhile.

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