-As a child what did you want to become (profession-wise)?
I was always very clear as to what I wanted to become – an engineer. I pursued that goal single-mindedly through school, college, work, etc. But in parallel, the drive to create in other domains was also growing, and I spent almost as much time shooting and working in the darkroom as anything else.
-In which town did you grow up?
I grew up in Toronto, Canada, and then moved to California when I was 23. Since then I’ve lived in New York, San Francisco, Paris and Montreal.
-Do you think your background influences your current photography style? If so, what specific element in your background is most pervasive in influencing your current photography style?
Absolutely. For much of my life as a photographer, I tried to keep the artistic side of my life separate from the scientific side. I thought that an artist was someone opposite from a scientist. But then I realized that I’m a single person, and what I bring to my art is my unique perspective. Subsequently, I applied many approaches and viewpoints from engineering to photography, and the result is, I think, much more unique and interesting.
-What inspires you in the job of being a photographer?
I don’t really see it as job, but the inspiration comes at the moment. When I’m in a place and try to imagine perceiving it through different eyes or in a different way, then I’m inspired to try to capture that perception.
-How do you like to work with companies who are embracing your photography?
I enjoy working with companies that appreciate art and are interested in photography. It’s always fascinating to hear other’s ideas and views on my work.
42 Eyes in|
with Photographer BRENT TOWNSHEND
-Do you have any other creative ambitions or dreams to which you aspire?
I think I’m living my ambitions already. I just want to keep on shooting and producing new work.
-Which basic elements of creativity did your family teach you?
I think the main thing is to respect other people’s views. That directly impacts my creativity as I think quite a bit about perception and how we see the world. Putting myself in another’s position is an extremely powerful way to see the other sides.
-How did you get the idea for this type of photography?
I was living in Paris and shooting in the streets in St- Germain-des-Pres. I’m fascinated by architecture, so I was spending time observing the structure of the uniform-height buildings that make up most of Paris’ Haussmann buildings. Looking up at the geometric forms carved by these rooflines against the sky started me in shooting the series, and I haven’t stopped since.
-Do you have a favorite photographer?
Several. Andreas Gursky and Edward Burtynsky – every time I see their work, I’m mesmerized. Ansel Adams was a founder of straight photography and a wizard in the darkroom; Alfred Stiegletz was one of the key proponents of photography as an art.
-Are you ever afraid you will run out of inspiration and creativity in your job?
No. I guess it could happen, but it’s not a worry.
-What is the most difficult thing in your job? The post-processing of work takes forever. I’m very much a perfectionist, and although the computer has many advantages over the darkroom in making photographs, it also takes a lot more time.