Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Heathcote.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Photography is not my day job, maybe one day. I work inside the corporate world based out of London, but with frequent business trips abroad. This travel has allowed me to get regular access to three locations which I am documenting though my street photography. This includes Montreal, Melbourne and of course Houston.
For every trip I use the opportunity to take time to explore on foot – I must have walked every square inch of downtown Houston multiple time. Houston gives some amazing opportunities to work with light as it creates shafts of sunshine through the buildings and illuminates the flatter surrounding areas from a very low level at sunset. We do not get much of this light in the UK, we are too hilly and too cloudy. Houston provides amazing opportunities for me to grow as a photographer and to stretch myself.
Being a photographer means that I see things differently to most. Residents and commuters in Houston (as anywhere) go about their day to day mostly not aware of what is going on around them. Every corner or Houston downtown changes as the sun moves across the sky. Returning to the same spot at different times of day produces very different images. I have most definitely found that I am much more aware of the people and the light around me; I have unexpectedly discovered that the world is a more beautiful place through the eyes of a photographer.
Please tell us about your art.
I am a street photographer. I take photographs that I like. I like to continually get better, and I like it when others enjoy my photographs. Art doesn’t have to be described using inaccessible vocabularies or by seeking deep meaning. Most artists produce work they enjoy. I explore my art for its beauty and to improve.
For me personally, I have discovered (unexpectedly), that the world actually is a more beautiful place than I realized. It is only by learning to ‘see’ that I am now fully aware of what is going on around me, the contrast, the light, life’s little moments. It really is a joy, but it takes a lot of work to get there. If I can also inspire others then my work is done.
The amazing and inspirational Saul Leiter summed it up – ‘I don’t have a philosophy, I have a camera’. I really hope you enjoy looking at my photographs. If you see something deep in them, it is of course intentional.
For some background into my process and some of my photographs, check out my blog articles on my website. To see work that has inspired me, check out the work of Saul Leiter, Alex Webb, Trent Parke, Jesse Marlow, Tony Ray Jones, Bill Egglestone, Matt Stuart, and Martin Parr’s ‘Last Resort’.
We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
Although a street photographer is in amongst people constantly by the nature of the work, many of us work in different ways. Bruce Gilden is right in people’s faces whereas other’s try to remain invisible. Either way, I certainly suggest getting outside your comfort zone – most of us are bit shy, but force yourself to chat to people while photographing, go to exhibitions and chat to people, just generally get out and about. Another great approach for meeting people is to sign up to workshops; you not only learn a lot but meet other photographers / artists too.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I am occasionally involved in exhibitions but the best place to see my work is online through my twitter feed, Instagram, or my website. The website also contains a number of articles which give insight into my thought process and techniques.
I am always delighted to receive commissions of any kind (I have done some weird stuff), but I also offer photography workshops where I explore different techniques and what makes a great photograph. You can contact me through my website if you are interested in either.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.markheathcote.com
- Email: mark@markheathcote.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/markjheathcote
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markheathcotephotography
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/markheathcote
Image Credit:
All photographs were taken by me in Houston between 2014 and 2018. I hope to be back soon.
Houston Center of Photography
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