An interview with M-mode 2020 Award winner Andy Macpherson. We get to know more about Andy, BAAM podcast and hear more about THAT photo!

“It's great to have the M-mode Awards; they're a positive contribution to our industry. There were so many amazing photographers and images so I am in disbelief that I won.”

All photos by Andy Macpherson - Words by Pete Helme & Andy Macpherson

Hi Andy, I hope all is safe and well with you and many thanks for taking the time to share with our community. 

A huge congratulations on being voted M-mode Photograph of the Year 2020. I never expected it be so successful with so many amazing entrants and even more incredible finalists, it was quite a thrill! 

That's so good to hear! Thanks for putting it together, it's great to have the M-mode Awards; they're a positive contribution to our industry. There were so many amazing photographers and images so I am in disbelief that I won. Thank you. I am looking forward to helping judge next year's competition.

That is so nice and lovely to hear, having someone of your experience openly embrace our awards makes me feel so warm inside!

I've been a huge fan of yours, as you know, so was thrilled when you said yes to an interview! 

Thanks Pete, it is a pleasure. Thanks for asking me! I am loving the work you're putting out there at the moment too. 

Thanks buddy, I can’t take any credit for all the wonderful work our community is doing at the moment. It feels an exciting time and having your involvement has made it so worthwhile and getting to know our community is what M-mode is all about.

How do you feel at being voted by your M-mode photographer peers at winning the award....? Oh by the way the prize is a huge pat on the back, a badge of honour and I'll buy you a beer sometime....

It feels great especially considering it was predominantly peer voted. One of my good friends once said that he wasn't interested in being a famous photographer but rather creating work he believed in and having the respect of the people he respects. I deeply respect my peers and so I am really stoked to have won. I will also gladly accept a beer ; ) 

I’m so glad you supported the idea. The whole ethos of M-mode is about supporting our community and creating a platform for people to share their portfolios.

Can you tell us a bit more about the project, your process, and the winning image...

The project was a brilliant private residence by my client BDA Architecture. I was stoked to get the commission on the project and I love working with those guys, they're laid back and really get coastal architecture. 

My process is about using a sun tracking app to get the angle of sun I am after for each composition and chase the light from pre-dawn until dark. It is exhausting but thoroughly worth it. I like to find at least one or two more abstract shots where possible for each project I shoot and this felt right. 

On this day there was sharp overhead sun falling into the pool outside and I was in a dark, subterranean entertainment room where the window to the pool is, there was great contrast but I felt I needed a person in there to really bring it to life. Thankfully Kira & Kira, who did the interior furniture and styling for the shoot have a staff member that is also a model and she happily jumped in the pool for the shot. 

Simone and Grayson from Kira & Kira are great, generous people so I was so thankful they did that, they also had sent Bec Purchase to help assist me with the styling, she was also great, thanks K & K team! 

I’ve seen so much about this sun tracking app…I might have to look into it…although living in the UK we don’t see that much sun!

We've loved your collaborations this year and especially your BAAM podcast with another M-mode member Barry Mackenzie. How's the here and now.....?

Can you tell us what's been keeping you occupied throughout 2020 and what your plans for the up-and-coming months in 2021?

Barry is one of my favourite people on the planet and can create images and use lighting on a whole other level, blows my mind. We have some more BAAM in the pipeline and we are chatting to some people further abroad than USA and AUS/ NZ so I am excited for that. My plans for 2021 is to keep doing what I am doing and putting out more educational stuff especially around things such as copyright, image processing etc and lots more collaboration with photographers and architects and designers I respect and admire. 

I hear that! Barry had an amazing impact with our community with his takeover, a truly generous spirit!

We've been big admirers of your work for a while now, could you tell us what got you started and what your background is?

I started mucking around on 35mm film when I was a teen and then got more into digital photography at an old employer where I was creating some images for them. I ended up leaving my job to start a marketing business but that didn't work out and I kind of then fell into working with a local architect to photograph some projects and I was hooked on it. I then worked hard to make photographing architecture and interiors my gig and I have never looked back.

I know you work incredibly hard and your work flow is something to be admired….especially with the travel you do.

Where do you see the future of photography heading, not only in our genre but as a whole?

Good question. Hmmm I don't know... There will be even more photographers so there will be even more amazing imagery but also more crap to sift through... 

I think, commercially-speaking, the competition will increase as more and more professional and would-be professional photographers emerge so it will mean the photographers that truly stand out will have a distinct, unique, original take on their subject.

I think it will mean established photographers will need to stay on their toes and really show their professional and technical competence. 

I completely agree…times will get more competitive but it will keep us all on our A-game.

As a photography community we love a bit of gear talk, could you tell us what equipment you have in your bag and enlighten those who aren't familiar a little bit more about your process.

My kit: 

Canon EOS R 

Canon 6D (back up)

Fuji x100f 

Canon 17mm TS-E

Canon 24mm TS-E ii

Canon 90mm TS-E 

Canon 1.4 Extender iii

Sigma Art 24mm 

Kipon Elegant 35mm

Canon 40mm 

Canon 50mm 

Laowa 15mm Shift 

Accessories (remote trigger, hot shoe spirit level, dust blower, spare batteries) 

My process: Timing my capture with the kind of light I think best communicates the architecture as I see it. Then using a combo of Capture One and Lightroom/ PS to take a mainly reductive approach to editing and retouching. What you take away is as important as what you leave in, in my opinion.

That is a nice bit of kit….I know you went to the Fuji 100x but have returned back to your old work horse for the time being. There are some exciting new cameras coming out all the time…perhaps a chat for another time…

Now Andy, we all know you love a great moody image…Where did the inspiration come from in creating your style? As Mike Kelley & Tom Harris mentioned recently, do you feel your look and inspirations epitomize Australian photography?

I take inspiration from so many places - photographers in our field, cinematography, music, the architecture I am photographing and it all kind of sprinkles into my process and post-processing. 

I like taking note of things too - like how the sky might have more purple hues in it some days and more cyans on other days and then I like to remember that and make sure it is represented, and not necessarily accurately, in some way in my shots. I like things feeling clean but also natural and textural and so when I do things like remove colour casts I might only take them out 60% of the way or 70%, whatever feels right. I hope that gives you some insight.

My taste and philosophy informs my finished product, I cannot produce and deliver photos I don't believe in. I am a stubborn prick. 

Well, we all love it so keep up the great work!

Do you have a favourite thing you like to shoot and why?

I like different subjects but residential architecture is my favourite. It is personal and I love people's stories. I like when the architect or interior designer has worked with their client to make something that is meaningful. I always hope my work can be earnest enough to reflect that.

I couldn’t agree more, working as a team to produce something that everyone is happy with his so rewarding.

What would say the highlight of your career would be to this point?

Meeting amazing people from all over the world through photography and creating a body of work I am proud of. 

A bit of fishing here but.....have you enjoyed M-mode in 2020 and what would you like to see more of in 2021?

I have loved the interviews and Instagram takeovers. I would like to see more video content - well produced short clips from photographers I admire talking about their approach and process. 

Well we’ll see what we can do…..I’m loving the beautiful and diverse video content that is being produce at the moment…perhaps watch this space!

Do you have any favourite photographers that inspire you and anyone you think we should be keeping an eye out for?

So many, too many! I will forget people, sorry in advance but here's some... 

Architecture and interiors people - Simon Devitt, Barry McKenzie, Jason Roehner, Dan Ryan, Seamus Payne, Mike Kelley, Lisa Petrole, Doug Friedman, Doublespace Photo, Casey Dunn, Derek Swalwell, Joe Fletcher, Tonu Tunnel, Sharyn Cairns, Ema Peter, Jack Lovel, Pete Helme, Leonid Furmansky. 

Ah you! Some incredible talent in there…perhaps one that is rather familiar!

People to keep an eye out for - locally Brock Beazley, and Dave Chatfield is coming up in a big way. Ishi Sitwala from India is amazing. Garret Buell and Ryan Gamma from the USA are underrated talent in my opinion. 

Lastly, what has been your favourite takeaway in all the lockdowns?

I loved the time it gave me to be with my family. We had our 3rd daughter just before covid and I am so thankful I was able to be around more for her. 

Well just a huge thanks for giving up your time for us to get to know you a little better. We wish you all the continued success and do keep inspiring our community. A true gent!

If you want to see more of Andy’s work visit his website - www.andymacpherson.studio