Interview with Rory Carnegie, Photographer

Interview with Rory Carnegie, Photographer

Recently, I had the great honor and privilege of interviewing Rory Carnegie a photographer residing in North Oxford, England.   A selection of Rory Carngie’s work is displayed below.  Please visit Rory Carnegie’s website to view more of his wonderful work.

 

KATHERINE CARVER: What were your beginnings as a photographer and when did you realize it would become your chosen form of expression?

RORY CARNEGIE: I studied history at University, but I spent most of my time in the darkroom!  During the year before going to University, I traveled in the Altiplano in South America and I had my work published in a book.

 

KATHERINE CARVER: Did you study photography formally?

RORY CARNEGIE: I worked as an assistant.

 

 

KATHERINE CARVER: How do you describe your style?

 RORY CARNEGIE: My style is inquiring and curious and always changing.

 

KATHERINE CARVER: Can you describe the time when you first realized that photographing was absolutely something that you had to do?

 RORY CARNEGIE: I remember feeling unused and unfulfilled when I was in Bolivia on days that I had not made good work.

 

KATHERINE CARVER: What was the impetus that inspired you to begin photographing dogs in your series entitled, Port Meadow Dogs? 

 RORY CARNEGIE: The death of my beloved and irascible lurcher dog, Luca.

 

KATHERINE CARVER: The images in your series entitled, Port Meadow Dogs, has a painterly feeling in these images.  Did you envision this quality when you began the series?

 RORY CARNEGIE: The work, as with all work, sort of evolved.

 

 

KATHERINE CARVER: Where did you find the dogs for your series, Port Meadow Dogs?

 RORY CARNEGIE: All the dogs I met, whilst walking my new dog, Luna.

 

KATHERINE CARVER: How have your own dog(s) influenced your artwork?

 RORY CARNEGIE: I spend a lot of time looking at dogs, especially admiring them running.

 

 

KATHERINE CARVER: Where do you show/exhibit your work?

 RORY CARNEGIE: I have shown my work in galleries throughout Europe and in Russia and the Far East.

 

KATHERINE CARVER: What does “being creative” mean to you?

 RORY CARNEGIE: I think it means coming at things from a new direction !!??

 

KATHERINE CARVER: What is the most challenging aspect of being a photographer?

RORY CARNEGIE: Trying to make images that have not been made before.

 

 

KATHERINE CARVER: What inspires you to keep going and what keeps you motivated?  

RORY CARNEGIE: If I don’t create, I get unhappy !!

 

KATHERINE CARVER: What are the most rewarding and satisfying part about being a photographer and creating art?

 RORY CARNEGIE: When you have made a work that you are pleased with, it makes you feel complete/fulfilled.

 

 

KATHERINE CARVER: What kind of patterns, rituals, and routines do you have while making your art?

 RORY CARNEGIE: I don’t have rituals, etc., but feel that I should have more structure.  Now that you have reminded me…

 

KATHERINE CARVER: What are you working on now?

 RORY CARNEGIE: I am thinking of a large project which will involve photographing the Roma in Central Europe and am travelling to Haiti in New Year.

 

KATHERINE CARVER: What artists inspire your work?

 RORY CARNEGIE:  I like Sigmar Polke, and the Helsinki School photographers.

 

KATHERINE CARVER: What advice do you have for aspiring photographers and artists?

RORY CARNEGIE: Keep taking photographs and assess what you are trying to say.

 

KATHERINE CARVER: How can people view and/or purchase your art works?

RORY CARNEGIE: You can get in touch with me via email, rory@rorycarnegie.com and via my website, www.rorycarnegie.com.  I am currently selling editions of the dog series.

All images are courtesy of Rory Carnegie.

You can read additional interviews here.