Beckie Hardy's Mind and Work
Introduction
This is an intensive interview, and looking at Beckie Hardy's photography work. So, I broke it down into two sections. The first section is the exclusive interview with more than just an artist Beckie Hardy and then we look at her photography afterwards, once we know a bit about Beckie Hardy and see what kind of photography she produces.
Beckie Hardy's Question and Answers
Introduction
This part of the section is getting to know Beckie Hardy, and seeing what ticks in her head and why she has gone into photography and much much more. I would look at these questions and answers because I was actually enlightened and happily surprised by this young artist and what she believes in and what she does. I do hope you enjoy the questions I created purely for Beckie and we will see what kind of person Beckie Hardy is.
1) Why did you get into photography?
Ever since I was in school, I had a passion for photography and visioning beautiful imagery. So the moment we had to do work experience in school I took myself straight to a local photographers and asked if I could do a couple of weeks experience with them. Then I continued with my studies at sixth form, until I realised maybe learning photography wasn't for me as I went on to do something completely different at university being 'set design'. However I still had this huge passion for photography and definitely saw it as a strong hobby! I've found that often the things I've been made to intensely study as part of say a course, I sort of get bored of. Whereas photography, as I studied all the basics then just kept it as a hobby to enjoy, I ended up mostly teaching the rest myself and making the most of the skills I'd learnt by trying to incorporate them with my uni studies.
Sometimes I think you genuinely just need an eye and creative flare for photography,which I'd like to hope I have! Of course there are elements which can be taught and understood, but photography can also be so spontaneous, a chance to take a single candid moment which can be captured just as beautiful as a staged photo!
2) Do you have any boundaries with your photography work?
Currently I don't specifically have a particular style or focus. I've done photography from all areas, from macro work to scenic; studio modelling to location work. But my favourite of all is to just carry round disposable cameras with me where ever I go and capture spontaneous images and the best bit about it, the suspense of getting them developed!!
But in terms of boundaries, it's hard to really say, as I've never really been asked to do anything that I'm particularly uncomfortable doing. I did a wedding which was pretty scary, it's the one day of their life they want to be captured perfectly and it was all in my hands. But luckily they wanted just casual and informal shots which I was happy with, whereas I think if it was a strict, formal, wedding I'd be more inclined to say no as I'd probably buckle under the pressure. I wouldn't like to put down my chances of opportunities but I just like informality and candid work. That's all I can say!
I've also thought about boundaries in mind of 'explicit' terms. Although I'm straight, I do actually love 'Front magazine', I love the read but also I appreciate the pictures and I guess the body, therefore I was always kind of inspired to maybe try and do some of that kind of style. But I've never quite had the opportunity to do so. However if I did, I'd definitely try explore it in a classy kind of way. No vulgarity allowed! Haha
3) Do you have any projects you want to get into?
I honestly just want to get fully back into photography again. I just want to keep building up my portfolio of work, I will always take spontaneous imagery and carry a disposable round with me. But I would definitely like to get continue with the location shoots like my previous shoot I did of Ella. I don't like to plan too much. I just like rounding up a willing model and taking them to a location and working with what we can. Exploring the space and taking some beautiful pictures, capturing the model and the location at its finest by creating a dynamic between them.
4) Do you just do photography or anything else?
Well I like to think I'm a bit of an all rounder. I'm one of them that will dabble in a bit of anything and everything from arts, crafts, set, costume, photography, film. But that's kind of the problem I've got too many passions and ambitions that I just want to do everything! And not knowing which I'm actually talented at is the hardest thing.
But I really do also have a big love for film, my ideal would be creating films, from writing to designing to editing. I love it all! Myself and my boyfriend have plans to start working on creating films as he took film at university but whilst funds are low that might be a future plan.
So for now, as my addiction for YouTubers and bloggers grows bigger by the day, I've been trying to work on some of my own YouTube videos and blogging. I don't particularly have the most interesting life so even if it's not for people to watch, it's developing my skills with camera work and in particular film editing which I surprisingly love.
5) I have asked others this question, what do you think art is? And, how do you feel about art?
I'm not going to lie,I think too many people look way too deeply into art sometimes. There are occasions and pieces of artwork where looking into the meaning is necessary because maybe that's what the artist wanted, maybe the wanted to convey meaning or atmosphere. But sometimes artwork can just be simply aesthetically pleasing if that's all it wants to be. If I wanted to paint a picture of a pretty flower just because it looks nice then so be it!
And art can come in all kinds of form, paintings, drawings, design, performance, music, film, photography but essentially everything in this world could be seen as artwork if we wanted. If I'm going to be hypocritical and look at this more deeply, the way the world and even the universe has formed itself or the way it has been designed could all be seen as a form of art!
Whether it's by chance, or design. Art will always be created!
6) Who's your inspiration and why when you are doing you're art work and projects?
Well, I was just about to say, it's not really a person, but generally films always inspire my art, photography and design, whether it's being inspired by capturing people in a moment like a romantic image, inspired by lighting or camera style in a particular scene, costume/fashion, locations or sets...Someway or another, whenever I've done any project throughout college or university my sketchbooks were always filled with mood boards inspired by film after film!
7) Is there anything you want to say to aspiring artists, performers or general public that love the art form?
Really believe in what your doing. I feel I put myself through a lot of self doubt. The more enthusiasm and belief you have, you're only going to become more talented. But also one word 'time'. You have to put the time into that one thing you enjoy! Don't expect to be paid all the time, you need to be willing and volunteering at every moment or doing work off your own back to build up your body of work and get yourself noticed!
8) You mentioned you dabble in films, so my next question is how was it creating a film then watching one?
Well I've never really created a full length film. So it might not be as intense as you think. But even just editing the little bits of film work I've done or my YouTube stuff I'm still quite self critical watching them back. But if I don't like the way I've edited something I'll go back and research a different method and re/-do it. Always perfecting! But they're no where near perfect and I've got a long way to go with film and editing! It just seems there is so much to learn, it's never ending!
9) Staying on films, is there a few favourite films you have seen that the public must see. Either a film lover or just a general film watcher?
Shaun of the dead. Is my favourite ever film! It's got everything I need in a film! Rom-com-zom. And more importantly Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are my favourite duo act, anything with them in I will watch, therefore the 'cornetto trilogy' - Shaun of the dead, hot fuzz and the worlds end! I think aswell I love Shaun of the dead because I really love gritty British films.
Also, the boat that rocked' a British comedy film based on pirate radio in the 1960's with some incredible actors. Then I'll just name one more, 'shutter island' for one, it's got leonado dicaprio in, but it's such an intense and incredibly well written, directed and shot film. I love films that you really have to think about and maybe even have to watch twice to realise what you missed. But it's a little twisted and psychotic filmed in a really calm way if that makes any sense?!
10) Do you consider doing videos of your work on YouTube, like designs, make up designs etc. So, instead of you're stills we actually see you through YouTube?
If I eventually had enough confidence to go through with my YouTube videos and maybe if I got enough views I'd consider showing my work and maybe tutorials etc. but if I have no audience it seems a little pointless at the moment
11) Is there anything you feel needs to be said about your work, and yourself in general? That's The Bottom Line feels we have just seen a glimpse into you're head.....any comments on that?
I think as much as it's sometimes good to have a specific focus! My work has been quite diverse in areas and i think it's quite often been very helpful to have have those various skills whether some are just basic skills or more advanced.
I feel I've been quite serious and formal in this interview but I'm really the most informal and just happy person around. And i think that's all I want to achieve in my life within work, I just want to be happy and create things that I enjoy and others will too!
12) Do you have anything else to say to the readers of That's The Bottom Line?
Stay Arty San Diego
Becky Hardy's Photography
Introduction
We now know some of the background behind our artist, but let's look at her photography work and see if a picture can tell us a 1000 words and see what Beckie Hardy sees, and see what challenges she has portrayed through her photography.
The name of the album is called 'Ella' and when I think of this name I think of Ella Enchanted. But,looking at our first image, Beckie has truly captured the enchanting presence that Ella is portraying. The posture of the Ella shows determination, curiousity and I think a hidden innocent about her. The attire of clothing is what we see in the summer time, the surroundings is nature so we get the impression that Ella is a spiritual being. With her hair down,it shows she isn't restricting her hair to show the full length of her hair, and for her being one wiht nature. The legs crossing over can demonstrate the classiness of Ella and I think Beckie captured the very essence of Ella beautifully. With the flowering around her,we can say that Ella is a late rose blooming dying to be full with nature and be one and accepted.
Comparing to the first picture a completely different Ella. Beckie has really captured something wonderous when we are comparing the two. This one we see a tattoo and when we think of tattoos we think of rebellion because that's how tattoos started for prisoners, convicts, street gangs as well. But,Ella in this picture with the creepy tree branches surrounding her you get the essence of a protector. We see Ella and with those dark eyes we get the impression of no fear. The hair however still unrestricted so maybe this is a warrior you don't want to mess with. The very scuttle use of facial expression gives us a mysterious Ella that from the first picture you wouldn't think are the same person.
Now, the third picture for me now. It's like am telling a story. Ella is bloomed now, shes become this guardian of the woods. But, now seems lost. We see sadness in her eyes and darkness, and the surunding of her is quite simple but if you look careful we can picture a story. It's the first time we have seen buildings so maybe Ella feels she's losing touch with nature because they are being cut down. With her surrounding we were covered with trees and nature so much life. Now, it seems abandoned, lost, the trees aren't touching so it seems emotionally Ella is on a trail to find nature. I don't know if this is what Beckie Hardy was doing. BUT, I picked this pictures randomly. And, Beckie has a real act for taking marvellous surroundings and the model 'Ella' is a perfect balance and relationship of photographer and model. Plus, if you notice Ella's hands they are very relaxed. So,we could say that Ella's 'character' in this picture has given up on nature because of over run civilization. Beckie Hardy just from three pictures has given me a rush of exciting stories of what's happening and why it's happening. That alone tells me that Beckie's work can go on and keep telling this either plain or outrageous stories.
I think Beckie Hardy in general is quite an intelligent artist. But, right here. It's genius. I don't think or I think she does know that this picture to me shows me and tells me "Am home". You see the trees surrounding, the road from a long isolated journey and just for that second of stopping and looking you get this huge impression from the photographers eye that "she is home". This is the first picture as well with the full outfit, true it doesn't appear for a long journey but it depends how you take it. I take the outfit as a ordinary girl in society tackling life's problems. Let's go back to picture 1, she's just getting into this whole new life could be a new high schools, college, university, job etc and then the second one is protection and making sure you're guards up. However, the third one we could argue so much, that you let you're guard down the once and you'll feel alienated from people or emotionally and physically you feel alone. Until, you do this cycle of being "at home" which in short terms is comfort. So, does Beckie Hardy's photography speak words? I just told you what I think, Beckie's photography is extraordinary, from just four images I painted numerous stories in my head. Which in the long run, isn't that what photography is? There's a saying a picture is worth 1000 words, four pictures here make a book.
What's The Bottom Line?
Am not going to be and plea that you should follow Beckie Hardy's flickr, because simply her work and her personality and main to the point herself, tells you the reasons why you should. Beckie Hardy should keep going with photography because the pictures are pure art forms to be appreciated and Becky herself from the intense questions and answers tells us that she is just like, you and me. BUT, here's the bottom line she will take the time, the effort, the patience and above all the love of art itself to capture truly wonderous and beautiful pieces of art and that's why you should follow Beckie Hardy and that's the bottom line.
If you want to follow Becky on Flickr click the link below:
If you want to follow Beckie Hardy's Instagram search: @beckiehardy
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