Pat Pope Interview

How long have you been a professional photographer?
I've been working about 13 years.

Where can people see your work?
www.patpope.com
Over the years I've worked for everyone..from NME to Q...and loads of woman's mags. I'm not proud!

What made you decide to pursue photography as a career?
I was floundering around London, doing menial jobs. Then my brother suggested I go to college to study photography. It was my occasional childhood hobby. He was at Goldsmiths at the time. Studying fine art.

How important was your college training in helping your career?
Not at all. Though it was a good excuse to be in the studio and darkroom for 3 years. Though the theory side of things I hated.

Did you find it a tough industry to break into?
I was lucky with my timing. Britpop was starting and I got a session with Suede quite quickly. I thought I had arrived after that. I was wrong. The next job took ages to get. I eventually got a job at the Melody Maker.

What perks do you enjoy from your work?
Free gigs, free records...occasionally loads of money... But often not.

Some of your work made it into Q magazine's 100 Greatest Rock n Roll Photographs. How did you feel when you found out?
That was a mixed blessing really. It was great to be in there (3 times!) but I felt, some of the company was not that great.

What are your favourite lenses for portrait work?
I have re discovered the humble standard 50mm lens in 35 mm. I love it. The brighter the better. I have a 1.2mm, for no depth of field.

You've recently moved more into the fashion industry? How is that going and how does it differ from music photography?
I haven't really moved into it...I have dabbled.

Ever had any disasters during a shoot?
Loads. Usually forgetting sync leads, or light meters. A couple of times I have forgotten to load film, then wondered why it went on for ever!

How did you get to photograph Tony Blair?
He was the leader of the opposition then. We were on a train, and he really didn..t pay any attention to me. He was having a meeting. I think I got him to look at me twice.

Was it a challenge getting the shot you wanted of the prime minister, considering the time restrictions?
Yes

What kind of photography do you enjoy when you..re not working?
I really enjoy strange landscapes. But I'm lazy and often don't have a camera when I need one.

Do you work with agencies or just magazines?
Both...

What photograph are you most proud of and why?
David Bowie portrait. 97. I was really nervous as he was and still is my hero. He was lovely as it turned out. I photographed him twice in 20 mins. Then he took me on stage with him to take pics. I could have retired after that.

Film or digital?
Both. I love digital for certain things. I wish I'd had it when I started. Would have saved me a lot of money and worry. In fact I might still have my hair!

Do you have much of your work displayed in your home?
I had just the Bowie shot until recently when my brother gave me back four portraits of the Pistols he had bought off me (for charity) years ago, but his wife wouldn't let him display.

Ever been commissioned for anything particularly unusual?
Not really..nothing I can think of.

What..s the highlight of your career so far?
Shooting Bowie..then getting that picture published full page in a book on the great man.

What would you still like to achieve with your photography?
God....I have only just begun.