Ffoton Interviews / Cyfweliadau - ffoton

Image from 'Yo soy Fidel' © Michael Christopher Brown

Michael Christopher Brown is an American photojournalist and documentary photographer who immersed himself in travel and covering foreign assignments - including major conflict zones - professionally from 2006. Michael has been a contributing photographer at National Geographic since 2005 and joined Magnum Photos as a nominee in 2013 and was an associate from 2015 until June 2017.

Probably his best known work to date is his monograph 'Libyan Sugar' which won the Paris Photo First Photobook Award and the International Center of Photography's 2017 Infinity Award for Artist's Book. This unique book demonstrated his skill in using primarily an iPhone to photograph the Libyan Revolution from 2011-2012 where he covered several battles, was ambushed several times and injured twice. He survived the same mortar attack that killed his close friend and photojournalist colleague Tim Hetherington.

Ffoton spoke to Michael in early 2018 during a trip to the UK to plan his next book on Cuba where, as part of his 'Paradiso' project, he's been documenting the electronica music and youth scene in Havana. Whilst working there, he witnessed the national grieving and had exclusive access to the funeral cortege of the late leader Fidel Castro as it travelled from Havana to his grave in Santiago. Michael is currently working on a large documentary project on native Americans.

We were pleased and grateful to have Professor Richard Sambrook conduct the interview - an experienced journalist and ex-Director of News at the BBC who oversaw their coverage of the 2003 Iraq conflict. And thanks also to Martin and his team who kindly accommodated us for the recording on a busy day at The Martin Parr Foundation in Bristol.

See below for a small selection of Michael's work, reproduced here on Ffoton with kind permission of the photographer.

Yma ar Ffoton trwy garedigrwydd y ffotograffydd fe welwch gasgliad bychan o'i waith isod.

View more of Michael's work on his website michaelchristopherbrown.com

Gallery images © Michael Christopher Brown and used with permission of the photographer.
Podcast images © Brian Carroll.

Using the iPhone in photojournalism and collaboration with other creative practitioners. Ffoton on YouTube

'Libyan Sugar'. International Center of Photography on YouTube

Native America Project. DP Review on YouTube

Please note: Comments or views made by interview participants are their own and are NOT necessarily the views of the Ffoton Wales team.
See our Terms page for more details.

Ffoton talks with Welsh photojournalist Bernard Mitchell about his career in Newpapers and his extensive body of work that includes many portraits of artists, writers and photographers. 

Photographer John Bulmer. © Brian Carroll

One of John Bulmer's images in the David Hurn collection. © John Bulmer

Ffoton talks with respected UK photojournalist and pioneer of colour John Bulmer.

We discuss John's career, work documenting the streets of the UK and warzones around the world - and his long friendship with some of the UK's leading photographers.

Dyma sgwrs ffoton gydag un o ffotograffwyr newyddiadurol mawr ei barch ac arloeswr ym myd lluniau lliw, John Bulmer.

Yr ydym yn trafod gyrfa John yn cofnodi bywyd ar strydoedd  Prydain ac ar feysydd cad o gwmpas y byd a'i gyfeillgarwch a ffotograffwyr blaenllaw Prydain.

See below for a small selection of John's work, reproduced here on Ffoton with kind permission of the photographer.

Yma ar Ffoton trwy garedigrwydd y ffotograffydd fe welwch gasgliad bychan o'i waith isod.

View more of John's work on his website www.johnbulmer.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @jbulmerarchive

Gallery images © John Bulmer. Used with permission of the photographer.
Podcast images © Brian Carroll.

Please note: Comments or views made by interview participants are their own and are NOT necessarily the views of the Ffoton Wales team.
See our Terms page for more details.

Photographer David Wilson and Ed Thomas, co-creator of Hinterland at the 2018 Cardiff Book Festival. © Brian Carroll

The Hinterland book with photography by David Wilson and Warren Orchard. Published by Graffeg in Wales

David Wilson is a self-taught landscape photographer based in Pembrokeshire who moved to photography full-time in 2008 after a lifetime love of photography and a desire to leave his day job as a civil servant.

David has worked commercially in recent years with Fine Art print sales and his landscape work being published in a number of books in collaboration with Welsh publisher Graffeg - including the more recent 'Hinterland' with input from the producers of the successful S4C TV crime drama.

Y mae David Wilson yn ffotograffydd tirlun a ddysgodd y grefft ar ei liwt ei hun ac mae'n byw yn Sir Benfro. Cychwynnodd ar ei yrfa ffotograffig yn 2008 ar ôl gadael ei waith fel gwas sifil er roedd ganddo gariad tuag at ffotograffiaeth ar hyd ei oes.

Y mae David yn gweithio fel ffotograffydd masnachol yn gwerthu lluniau celf gain yn ogystal â chyhoeddi nifer o lyfrau mewn cydweithrediad a'r cyhoeddwr Graffeg. Y mae ei lyfr diweddaraf Hinterland wedi ei gyhoeddi mewn cydweithrediad gyda chynhyrchwyr y gyfres lwyddiannus ar S4C.

See below for a small selection of David's work, reproduced here on Ffoton with kind permission of the photographer.

Yma ar Ffoton trwy garedigrwydd y ffotograffydd fe welwch gasgliad bychan o'i waith isod.

View more of David's work on his website www.davidwilsonphotography.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @d_wilson_photo on Instagram @david_wilson_photo

Gallery images © David Wilson. Used with permission of the photographer.
Podcast images © Brian Carroll.

Please note: Comments or views made by interview participants are their own and are NOT necessarily the views of the Ffoton Wales team.
See our Terms page for more details.

Doctor Who © BBC/Simon Ridgway

Having dropped plans for a career in Engineering and instead making a start in the rough and tumble of photojournalism, self-taught photographer Simon Ridgway now specialises in the exciting genre of Unit Stills photography in Television and Movies. His work for the BBC and it's successful new Doctor Who series in recent years has been seen all over the world.

Ffoton sat down with Simon for a fascinating conversation reflecting on his career, what it takes to be part of a tight studio production team and his plans for the future.

Wedi rhoi'r gorau i yrfa ym mheirianneg cychwynnodd Simon Ridgeway ar yrfa ym myd heriol ffotograffiaeth newyddiadurol. Y mae bellach yn arbenigo mewn tynnu lluniau ar setiau teledu a ffilm. Mae ei waith i'r BBC ar gyfres lwyddiannus Dr. Who i'w weld ar draws y byd.

Cawsom sgwrs ddiddorol gyda Simon sy'n sôn am ei yrfa a'r rhinweddau angenrheidiol sydd angen i weithio mewn stiwdio a'i obeithion am y dyfodol.

See below for a small selection of Simon's work, reproduced here on Ffoton with kind permission of the photographer.

Yma ar Ffoton trwy garedigrwydd y ffotograffydd fe welwch gasgliad bychan o'i waith isod.

View more of Simon's work on his website www.simonridgway.com
Follow him on Twitter @simonridgway on Instagram @simonridgwayphoto

Gallery images © BBC/Simon Regan. Used with permission of the photographer.
Podcast images © Brian Carroll.

Please note: Comments or views made by interview participants are their own and are NOT necessarily the views of the Ffoton Wales team.
See our Terms page for more details.

Audrey Hepburn by Jack Cardiff. Listen to Simon's story of the discovery and restoration of Jack's remarkable negatives. © Jack Cardiff

Simon Regan is a Cardiff-based advertising photographer with over twenty five years experience in stills and, more recently, professional video production for a wide range of commercial clients.

We sat down with Simon alongside friend and fellow photographer Glenn Edwards to discuss his career, staying competitive in the advertising photography genre and extending his skills (and passion) for printing photographs and fine art for himself and others.

Y mae Simon Regan wedi bod yn ffotograffydd hysbysebu masnachol am bum mlynedd ar hugain ond y fwy diweddar fel cynhyrchydd fidio yn delio gydag ystod eang o gleientiaid.

Cawsom sgwrs gyda Simon yr holwr ei gyfaill y Ffotograffydd Glenn Edwards. Mae’r sgwrs yn cynnwys sylwadau ar y byd hysbysebu, sut i gadw’n gystadleuol ac argraffu lluniau personol.

See below for a small selection of Simon's work, reproduced here on Ffoton with kind permission of the photographer.

Yma ar Ffoton trwy garedigrwydd y ffotograffydd fe welwch gasgliad bychan o'i waith isod.

View more of Simon's work on his website www.simonregan.com
Follow him on Twitter @simonregan on Instagram @itssimonregan and 500px @simonregan

Gallery images © Simon Regan. Used with permission of the photographer.
Audrey Hepburn image used with permission. © Jack Cardiff
Podcast images © Brian Carroll.

Further Reading...
O. Winston Link > LENS / New York Times article
Jack Cardiff > Obituary / The Guardian

Jack Cardiff OBE, BSC, Cinematographer. Portrait © Simon Regan

Jack Cardiff icon photography

Find out more about Prism - the Theatre production (6 Sept - 14 Oct) of the last six months of Jack Cardiff's life that Simon mentions in the conversation via the Hampstead Theatre's website

Gallwch gael mwy o wybodaeth am y cynhyrchiad theatr o ‘Prism’ sef hanes 6 mis olaf bywyd Jack Cardiff; sy’n rhedeg rhwng y 6ed o Fedi a Hydref 14 ar wefan yr Hampstead Theatr.

Please note: Comments or views made by interview participants are their own and are NOT necessarily the views of the Ffoton Wales team.
See our Terms page for more details.

Harry Borden talking with Ffoton.

Harry Borden speaking at Ffoton Social event, May 2017.

London-based portrait photographer Harry Borden has captured many celebrities during his career - including Robin Williams, Ewan McGregor, Jamie Oliver, Tony Blair and Margaret Thatcher.

Ffoton were delighted to bring Harry to Wales to give a guest talk in May 2017 and also welcomed the opportunity to sit down for an in-depth conversation on his love of and approach to photography.

Y mae Harry Borden yn ffotograffydd o Lundain sydd wedi tynnu lluniau nifer o sêr yn ystod ei yrfa gan gynnwys Robin Williams, Ewan McGregor, Jamie Oliver, Tony Blair a Margaret Thatcher.

Yr oeddwn yn falch iawn pan gytunodd i fod yn siaradwr gwadd mewn digwyddiad ffoton ym mis Mai 2017. Yn ogystal â hyn cytunodd i gyfweliad hir lle wnaethon i drafod ei gariad a'i ymdriniaeth o ffotograffiaeth fel cyfrwng.

Spread from 'Survivor' book by Harry Borden.

See below for a small selection of Harry's work, reproduced here on Ffoton with kind permission of the photographer.

Yma ar Ffoton trwy garedigrwydd y ffotograffydd fe welwch gasgliad bychan o'i waith isod.

View more of Harry's photography on his website www.harryborden.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @harrybordenuk and Instagram @harryborden

Gallery images © Harry Borden. Used with permission of the photographer.
Podcast images © Brian Carroll.

Please note: Comments or views made by interview participants are their own and are NOT necessarily the views of the Ffoton Wales team.
See our Terms page for more details.

Daniel Meadows talking to Ffoton, May 2017. © Brian Carroll

Daniel Meadows talking with Ffoton's Emyr Young. © Brian Carroll

Studying photography alongside Martin Parr at Manchester Polytechnic in the early 1970's, Daniel Meadows has remained passionate about social documentary photography, education and storytelling ever since. His photography archive, held in the Library of Birmingham, is an important record of British society through the 1970's and 80's - and his influence can be seen in contemporary photography in the UK and further afield.

Kick back and listen to our full conversation with Daniel below.

Ffoton also captured a video segment with Daniel where he describes the influential work he did on Digital Storytelling whilst working with the BBC and Cardiff School of Journalism. Watch this special video below...

Fe astudiodd Daniel Meadows law yn llaw a Martin Parr ym mholytechnig Manceinion yn y '70 cynnar. Mae e wedi dal yn ddryw yw waith fel ffotograffydd dogfennol cymdeithasol, addysg a'i gariad o adrodd stori

Cedwi'r ei archif personol yn llyfrgell Birmingham ac mae'n record bwysig o fywyd cymdeithasol Prydain yn y '70au a'r '80au.

See below for a small selection of Daniel's work, reproduced here on Ffoton with kind permission of the photographer.

Yma ar Ffoton trwy garedigrwydd y ffotograffydd fe welwch gasgliad bychan o'i waith isod.

View more of Daniel's photography and Digital Stories on his website www.photobus.co.uk

Gallery images © Daniel Meadows. Used with permission of the photographer.
Podcast images © Brian Carroll.

Please note: Comments or views made by interview participants are their own and are NOT necessarily the views of the Ffoton Wales team.
See our Terms page for more details.

Claire Thomas is a photojournalist hailing from Carmarthenshire but now travelling the world capturing images that document human rights issues and conflict zones. Self-taught, Claire's photography has been featured in numerous publications including National Geographic Magazine, Geographical Magazine and Al Jazeera English.

Claire is one of a rare breed of young female photojournalists working in dangerous conflict zones such as the Middle East and Palestine. Ffoton welcomed the opportunity to meet her during a short visit back in Wales before setting off for assignments in Iraq.

Y mae Claire Thomas yn newyddiadurwraig  ffotograffig yn hanu o Sir Gaerfyrddin ac yn teithio'r byd yn tynnu lluniau sy'n dogfennu materion yn ymwneud a hawliau dynol ac mewn ardaloedd lle mae gwrthdaro a rhyfel. Y mae gwaith Claire wedi ymddangos mewn sawl cyhoeddiad gan gynnwys National Geographic, Geographic Magazine ac Al Jazeera English.

Y mae Claire yn rhan o grŵp bychan o ferched sy'n gweithio yn ardaloedd peryglus y byd sef y Dwyrain Canol a Palesteina. Fe gafodd Ffoton y fraint o sgwrsio gyda Claire tra ar ymweliad byr yw chartref a chyn iddi fynd ar aseiniad i Irac.

See below for a small selection of Claire's work, reproduced here on Ffoton with kind permission of the photographer.

Yma ar Ffoton trwy garedigrwydd y ffotograffydd fe welwch gasgliad bychan o'i waith isod.

View more of Claire's work on her website www.clairethomasphotography.com
Follow her on Twitter @sctphotographer and Instagram @claire_thomas_photography

Gallery images © Claire Thomas. Used with permission of the photographer.
Podcast images © Brian Carroll.

Please note: Comments or views made by interview participants are their own and are NOT necessarily the views of the Ffoton Wales team. See our Terms page for more details.

Chuck Rapoport during his visit to Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales in September 2016. © Brian Carroll

American I.C. (Chuck) Rapport had a successful career as a professional photojournalist working for many notable publications known for their outstanding photo essays, such as Life Magazine, Paris Match, Time Magazine, Sports Illustrated and more.

Whilst best known here in Wales for his assignment for LIFE Magazine covering the aftermath of the Aberfan disaster in 1966, Ffoton sat down for a conversation with Chuck to reflect on his start in photojournalism in the late 1950's and experiences through his career. What a great storyteller!

You can find our more about Chuck's experience of covering  Aberfan in our exclusive feature from Autumn 2016 with images, video and audio recordings: https://www.ffoton.wales/news-items/aberfan

Cafodd yr Americanwr I.C.(Chuck) Rapoport lwyddiant ysgubol fel newyddiadurwr ffotograffig tra'n gweithio i nifer o gylchgronau clodwiw oedd yn adnabyddus yn y 50'au a'r 60’au am eu traethodau ffotograffig sef Life, Paris Match, Time a Sports Illustrated ymysg eraill.

Y mae Chuck yn adnabyddus yma yng Nghymru am y gwaith rhagorol wnaeth i gylchgrawn Life wedi trychineb Aberfan yn 1966. Gellir gwrando ar ein sgwrs egscliwsif am Aberfan fan hyn https://www.ffoton.wales/news-items/aberfan

Yn y bennod yma mae Chuck yn sôn am ddechrau ei yrfa yn y 50'au hwyr a'i brofiadau yn ystod gyrfa lwyddiannus. Gwrandewch mae e'n storïwr a hanner. https://www.ffoton.wales/news-items/aberfan

Chuck Rapoport speaking at the Aberfan conference held at Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, 8 September 2016. © Brian Carroll

Chuck Rapoport speaking at the Aberfan conference held at Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, 8 September 2016. © Brian Carroll

See below for a small selection of Chuck's work, reproduced here on Ffoton with kind permission of the photographer.

Yma ar Ffoton trwy garedigrwydd y ffotograffydd fe welwch gasgliad bychan o'i waith isod.

View more of Chuck's work on his website www.icrapoport.com
Follow him on Twitter @ICRapoport 

Gallery images © I.C. Rapoport. Used with permission of the photographer. Podcast images © Brian Carroll.

Please note: Comments or views made by interview participants are their own and are NOT necessarily the views of the Ffoton Wales team. See our Terms page for more details.