Darren Sacks enjoys creating layered images using silhouettes and reflections demonstrating the ability to establish connections between various layers, abstract colours, hues and shades, interlacing them together to make the finished photograph. His photography exhibits an abstract style, with vivid, saturated colours. We sat down with Sacks and picked his brains about photography, continue below for the full interview!
SE: When did you know photography was your passion?
DS: For many years I always had a compact digital camera and I would take it with me wherever I went. Just taking pictures of everyday things. When I would travel I would do the same and I really liked documenting everything in pictures. In 2011 I booked a trip to New York and decided it was time to get a 'real' camera, so I bought a DSLR. I walked around every day taking hundreds of pictures and I just remember how much I loved the experience of taking photos.
SE: Do you have a favourite camera to shoot with?
DS: I'd say my Fujifilm Xpro2 is my favourite. I think it provides a very connected experience.
SE: You shoot a lot in London, is this your favourite city to take pictures of?
London is definitely up there - there is always something going on, and there are so many different areas you can take photos in, each with their own character. I have a goal to travel more in the near future as I have not done enough travelling. I was recently in Berlin which was fantastic.
SE: Out of all your photos, which one is your favourite and why?
DS: I would say London Layers (below). I like this image because of the location and the complexity of the shot - the shot combines various layers and reflections to achieve the result. The subject inside the restaurant, the bus and the lady on the pavement all needed to be timed correctly. I also really like the colours.
SE: What inspires you?
DS: With regards to the greats - of course there are many great and inspirational photographers that I admire, but the one greats that has inspired me the most is Saul Leiter. I'm fascinated by the way he constructed his images - his use of layers, light, focus and colour is incredible.
SE: What is your process when shooting your beautiful images?
DS: I usually identify a scene that I think could be interesting to capture and will look at it from various different angles. Just taking note of how the light hits the surface or how the reflections change when people walk past. Once I have found a composition that I like, I decide what I would need from the scene to make an image I would be pleased with.
SE: Are you following any other photographers at the moment?
DS: There are so many talented photographers creating incredible images. Some brilliant photographers I follow are Billy Dinh and Joakim Moller.
SE: What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into photography?
DS: Just start. Don't think you need an expensive camera and lenses to get started, and if you don't have a camera right now you can even start with using your phone camera.
SE: And finally, which photograph do you wish you had taken?
DS: Saul Leiter, Taxi, New York, 1957.
Head on over to see more of Darran Sacks' beautiful shots in his gallery!
