DESERT ISLAND DSLR
Alan Ranger Photographer, tutor and workshop leader
What’s your current mood? Tired, but inspired by the great people I met in Sharjah, UAE, at the Xposure Photography Festival.
What’s your favourite place on Earth?
Any woodland. It grounds me, fuels my soul and amazes me each season.
How do you relax after a shoot?
Beer and a fag, and then more beer.
What’s the first photograph that comes to your mind, and why?
The Vietnamese girl (Phan Thi Kim Phuc) running away from napalm clouds, taken by photographer Nick Ut.
What did you want to be when you were five years old?
A musician – I grew up surrounded by musicians. Expression and joy was frequently associated with music.
What is top of your bucket list?
Love, hope and fulfilment.
Be honest – what kind of photography are you bad at?
Pet portraits: I just don’t relate to domesticated animals and the obsession that their owners have.
Tell us a secret about your photography that you’ve never told anyone before
I’m not that good at it, but am better than some (and seem able to inspire others to realise their own potential).
What’s in your kit bag right now?
Sony A99 Mk II – awesome camera!
How would you describe your photography?
A conflict between marketing workshops and being expressive.
Which book should every photographer read?
Photographically Speaking by David du Chemin.
Could you live without Photoshop?
I hardly use it. Lightroom and the Nik suite provide pretty much all I need.
What photo gadget or feature do you want to see invented?
One that saves me hours calculating optimal times for tides, sun position and location information.
Who has influenced you the most?
Probably Damien Rice – nothing to do with photography, but everything to do with being an authentic artist.
What would be a good theme song for your life?
‘It Takes a Lot to Know a Man’ by Damien Rice. Through life we draw on our experiences differently and step into the unknown to make decisions.
What personal project are you currently working on?
A series of rock and tree bark formations. It’s been a study for over two years and constantly evolves. At times I laugh at myself for standing in a wood, staring at trees like a lunatic.
Who should we interview next?
David Anthony Hall. We share the same love for woodlands.
And finally – what is your Desert Island DSLR?
Any one that doesn’t need a battery!