Interview • 090 PH

Richard Roberts

Wolverhampton, United Kingdom

Please introduce yourself: What is your name, where are you from, what do you do?

Hi, my name is Rich Roberts. I'm a music producer and photographer from Wolverhampton, England. 

What is your relationship with photography, and how did you get into it?

The camera rarely leaves my side. Photography is an obsession and there's seldom a time when I'm not thinking about it or enjoying it in some form. I bought a Sony RX100 a few years ago after a trip away with some friends, a couple of whom are keen photographers. They were encouraging me to give it a go. If you would have told me all those years ago just how much of a huge impact it would have on my life, I don't think I wouldn't have believed you! 

What do you think triggers you to photograph in a certain moment? Is it planned or solely driven by intuition?

I might have a place in mind that I want to visit, but once I'm there whatever I capture, I do so intuitively. The decision to go and take photos is often governed by the light on that day. If its ‹right› then I know there'll be something that will catch my eye and potentially give me a good shot. It doesn't really matter where that might be. To be honest, just heading out whatever the weather conditions can also be fruitful. 

What is the story you want your pictures to tell?

Thats a good question, and to be honest I don't really have a definitive answer for it. If I can capture a moment of ordinary life in a way that enables the viewer to feel something and to see its beauty, then I guess that is at least part of the story I'm trying to tell. 

Which city would you like to visit the most, and why?

Where do you start?! There are so many I could list, and all for different reasons. I went to Tokyo a few years back to perform at a music festival. It was before my obsession with photography had started, so I didn't document my time there like I would do now. I'd love to go back there and explore it from the point of view of a photographer. It's a gold mine! But in all honestly, these days, you could drop me anywhere and I'd be happy to explore. You can find beauty in every direction.  

What is your personal relationship to cities, and how do you perceive them as places in general?

I went to university in London and despite the first half of my time there being incredibly inspiring, I soon became very unhappy. This meant that for a long time I avoided cities and opted instead for the rural life of peace and quiet. Fast forward 20 years and that couldn't be further from where I am. I love cities and plan to explore as many as I can. 

Which project did you never finish?

Currently, all of them! It's only been recently that I've categorized my photographs in to series', most of which will be ongoing. 

What is that «one thing» you have never managed to photograph and is now gone for good?

There are so many places in Wolverhampton, the city where I live. There's an old hospital building that until fairly recently was left abandoned with lots of the original medical equipment still there, just merging with nature. I'd seen photos on an urban exploration website, and there was so much potential for documenting. Alas, it has now been bought by a development company and I think will be turned in to apartments. Missed a chance at some real gold there, I think! 

If you could travel back/forth in time, what advice would you give your younger/older self?

Trust your creative instincts! 

What do you prefer saying: «to take a photograph» or to «make a photograph», and why?

I don't have a preference, but I would say that I «make» a photograph. 

If it wasn’t for photography, what would you be interested in doing instead?

I'm naturally drawn to being creative in one way or another, and I'm certain that there are many things that I could become obsessed with. Perhaps down the line I'll try something completely different and all of a sudden I have a new obsession. Creativity is the key! 

How would you describe one of your pictures to a blind person?

Attempting to capture the extraordinary in the ordinary! 

What are you currently working on, and—if there is—what is your next project or journey?

I'm currently compiling images from my ongoing series, Night Shift. A series of night photographs taken over the last few years. I've recently been invited to become an NFT seller on Foundation, so lets see what the fascinating world of NFTs might bring.  

Thank you, Richard!

Editorial Notes:

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Photography: Richard Roberts
Location: Wolverhampton, United Kingdom

Links: Instagram

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