Interview Ruth Bartlett
I think we’re all a little cheesy at heart.
Name: Ruth Bartlett
Hometown: Dalston, London
Style of photography: Cinematic, momental, hopefully at times amusing and special.
Type of camera(s): All sorts, but the best of the litter have to be my Bronica Zenza ETRS, Rolleiflex SL35, and various polaroid cameras.
Website: www.ourbartlett.co.uk
What gives you inspiration?
Good light, bad signwriting, special places, silly people, late nights. The list could be endless if I really started thinking about it.
What are your influences?
I don’t like to look to other people’s work too much, but I will say I used to have a serious soft spot for Ryan McGinley and Nan Goldin. These days I give more attention to my surroundings to influence my work. And movies. Lots and lots of beautiful movies.
Why did you choose these photos?
Because I was only allowed to pick four.
What does photography mean to you?
It’s something I’ve done for so long I’m not sure it’s something I could fully rationalise. But (to try) I’d have to say my Pops used to let me use his Pentax AF Zoom when I was a kid and a 5x zoom was a big deal then. What I perceived to be an enormous privilege made photography really important to me. Now it’s necessary. It’s a way to hold onto fleeting intangibles like the spirit of a party, an amazing light, a place or time you know you’ll probably never see again. I know that sounds endlessly cheesy, but I think we’re all a little cheesy at heart, and that’s why a beautiful image – personal to one person – can translate to a viewer.
Photos:
Copyright reserved by Ruth Bartlett
Totally awesome Lockets pandents available at Lusterforever.com.
