Sarah Wyld

Oct 5 - Written By Angela Nicholson

How did you get into photography?

At art school in the early 1970s, I was a rubbish painter, but we were lent cameras and shown darkroom basics, which I found to be magic.

Do you have any photographic qualifications or accolades?

Years of doing it, since the late 1970s. I have photographs in the Martin Parr Foundation archive in Bristol. I was a co-founder of Photo Co-op, which grew into Brixton’s Photofusion. Years ago, I did a City & Guilds landscape module.

What’s the first photograph you remember seeing or shooting?

I remember photographing a pony with my Brownie 127 in the 1950s or early 1960s.

What do you love about photography?

Photography helps me to keep a grip on life. I enjoy the pleasure my photographs sometimes give to others, as well as to myself. I also enjoy using my photographs to make silly birthday cards for friends and family, using Photoshop.

I like that photography can actually be useful in some circumstances. I would love my photography to change hearts and minds, but that’s a bit optimistic perhaps. Photography is very absorbing, and it is hard to be bored by it.

What do you wish you’d learned about photography earlier?

All the digital malarkey, especially keeping my digital images in some sort of order so I can find them easily.

Where is your favourite place for photography?

It depends. I’m not a studio photographer. My garden, a sports field, my kitchen, the street, a music gig…

Do you have a favourite photographic technique?

A wing and a prayer.

Can you briefly outline your approach to image processing?

Highly inefficient. Having got my images onto my PC, I look through them. I delete some, but not nearly enough. I sometimes get excited by one or two. Then I’ll crop, perhaps brighten, and try to remember to give the image a name and put it in a folder so I can find it again.

What’s your favourite lens?

My Canon 18–135mm lens because I’m lazy.

Do you have a favourite accessory?

A camera strap that I use when riding my bike.

Have you found the perfect camera bag yet?

No.

Which photographers have influenced or inspired you, and how or why?

I like the humour of Elliott Erwitt. I like Cartier-Bresson’s decisive moments and Hockney’s experiments with photography and join-ups. I like Dorothea Lange, Don McCullin and Chris Killip for getting out there and showing some real truths, Jane Bown for her straightforwardness, and Eamonn McCabe and Jacques Henri Lartigue for the joy.

Please recommend 2 or 3 female photographers to follow on Instagram?

Gina Glover @ginaglover

Is there a camera, lens or accessory that you don’t have yet but you’d like to buy at some point?

I’d love to have a Leica film camera.

Is there a genre of photography that you love but that you haven’t tried yet?

Large format photography.

What’s your proudest photographic moment?

Being asked by Bob Dylan to photograph him.

Compliments from students, such as: “Thank you so much for your fine teaching… You made complicated topics such as depth of field and developing film easily understandable to someone who has trouble grasping printed instructions…”

Also, a successful and fun project with East Kent Mencap for the Margate Power of Women Festival in 2019.

If you could have one superpower that could help you with photography, what would it be?

To have 100% understanding of computers when it comes to photography.

Your favourite baked goods are?

Potatoes.

Please tell us a little about yourself

For years I worked in South London, running workshops etc, using photography as a tool within the local community, teaching, including darkroom work, helping people have their say. I worked with many different groups, including with kids, photographing local campaigns & such like.

A particular interest of mine has been working with people with learning difficulties, physical disabilities and mental health problems. I’ve done freelance work for organisations such as Centrepoint, Shelter & Mencap, as well as for families & individuals.

I’ve had work published in a variety of journals from academic to the music press.

The town where I now live near Margate is currently fundraising for a new skate park, and I’m collaborating with another photographer to create some sort of display/archive of skateboarding photographs, past and present. It’s early days.

The photography I’ve been mainly engaged with has never been much of a money spinner so I’ve worked at various jobs alongside it, especially in public and college libraries.

Sarah’s Favourite Images