I interviewed cover photographer Mark Cant for 1883 Magazine. Read the full article below and at 1883 Digital.
“Photography…how hard can that be?” Mark Cant, the Battersea-born Londoner responsible for 1883’s Issue Three cover, describes his career in fashion and beauty photography as “almost a chance thing”. Refused the college course of his choice, (music), Mark decided to put his old camera to use and chose what seemed to be the easy option. Photography not only turned out to be a lot of hard work; it was Mark’s calling.
A quick scroll through his blog and its already clear that Mark’s forte is his striking, intimate portraits of models, friends or strangers, captured in rock ‘n’ roll high-contrast black and white. Mark’s lens is clearly drawn to characters and not just pretty faces; there is a dialog between camera and subject evident in his work, a story to be discovered. “I’m interested in people, shooting people, and fashion gave me a good outlet to do that. I’ve always been interested in fashion imagery, and yes, the clothes as well”. When asked if he has a preference towards shooting beauty or fashion, he is matter of fact; “It’s just about getting a great shot. In the end, the better image should prevail.”
Although Mark describes that fateful photography course as “Rubbish…
it was talking about photos and not actually taking photos most of the time”, his studies made a visible impact on his work. His tendency towards black and white, he says, “…comes from college, where we shot black and white because the film was cheaper. I do prefer black and white still. It’s sticking to your roots, really”.
His obsession with Polaroids, preference towards the “softer, raw look of film” over the pin-sharp fashion imagery of the digital age and his habit of accumulating vintage and toy cameras show a love for traditional media…but Mark isn’t one to be dragged down by nostalgia. On the subject of the Internet’s impact on fashion photography, he at once embraces the technology as a tool and rejects the idea that it will replace print media. “Tumblr is a much easier way to share work, and everyone has a camera these days so it’s a good way to get started. The Internet has changed things but I think the industry is still the same. There is still a need for print magazines, and the magazines with history will always be there. There needs to be something tactile.”
The fast-paced fashion world seems to suit the photographer well; “It’s tricky to pick a favorite shoot I’ve done…every time I shoot, that excites me, and I have a new favorite. And then it’s on to the next”. His favorite photographers include legends of the business: Nick Knight, Craig McDean, Brian Duffy (another photographer with a knack for portraits) and Mert & Marcus (who can “do no wrong” in Mark’s book).
Aside from his photographic heroes, Mark draws inspiration from “Films, old photographs…I look at art, but not as much as I should.” He cites Sin City(Rodriguez, 2005) as an inspirational film, (unsurprisingly, given Mark’s attraction to black and white and film noir-esque low-key lighting), but in general the photographer prefers to start with a mood rather than a specific reference. “When I show my mood-boards, I always say ‘its not for the lighting, its not for the makeup or the hair, its just for the feeling’”.
Mark’s parting words of wisdom are for aspiring fashion photographers: “Just don’t give up. It’s hard, especially in fashion, but you have to believe in your own work. Some people get a lucky break and others work for years with no recognition. Stick to your guns”.
For more on Mark Cant’s work, check out markcant.com
Written by Emma Freed
The latest favorite addition to my blogroll is Uphyboi’s 
