Dean Hanley
Photographer: Dean Hanley
1. Whats the concept behind your project? During the past three years, I lived beside the River Wyre and became fascinated by the communities situated along its banks. The river itself has always been a point of interest to me, but using the water as a pathway through the Lancashire landscape has a much greater poignancy. The way the river creates its own path lays hom...age to the wandering aspect of my photography and the journey it took me on. The river Wyre is on the fringe of many towns and villages that I visited and photographed, documenting the communities of this bucolic place and getting to know the people within it. 2. Where do you find your inspiration from your images? I love driving around places and seeing what catches my eye and see if it sparks any ideas. Other than this, gawking at Alec Soth's work ('Niagra' in particular) usually makes a pleasurable and inspiration-filled experience. 3.Was being a photographer a dream you had since you are young? How did you got into photography? Not particularly, I was always amazed by window cleaners when I was young, so I think I wanted to be one of those. I moved on from this phase when i went to art college at The University of Cumbria where I became really fascinated by the process of photography. 4. As a student photographer how do you combat creative block? I find the creative block unblocks itself after a few pints of craft beer. 5. Are there any photographers or artists close to your heart that inspires you? like i said before, Alec Soth is a hue inspiration for me as he is for most people I think. I have also looked at photographers like Nick Waplington as inspiration. to be honest, I'm a sucker for a good photography book. 6. Have you always wanted to photograph the same genre or has this changed from when you started the degree? I initially wanted to be a photojournalist, photographing wars and disputes, i down know what turned me onto documentary style photography like i do.. i think it just happened. 7. What are your plans for after you graduate? I would love to gain a grant for a body of work that i want to work on then go on to get the work published and exhibited in a huge gallery somewhere... just need to think of what i want to photograph now.
