We caught up with the brilliant and insightful John Angerson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, John thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
My English Journey project’s origins trace back to 2008, I was living in Bradford, England. Fresh out of college, I took a job photographing vicars and steam trains in northern England for a picture agency. My frequent visits to the Photography Museum in Bradford led me to a sculpture of a man in a coat with a pipe outside the main entrance that I identified as J.B. Priestley. After reading his 1933 book “English Journey” I was captivated by its beautiful prose and contemporary relevance. That’s when the idea took root. Years later, I secured a grant, transitioned from 35mm to large format photography, purchased an old camper van, and embarked on my journey. However, my initial attempt turned into a rather dull local history project. Upon processing the film, I realised I’d completely missed the essence of the original book. The following year, I tried again, determined to forge my path. My research shifted to finding places Priestley would not have seen but would have found intriguing given his age and political leanings. I aimed to spark a visual conversation about England’s transformation without resorting to clichés, avoiding symbols of “banal nationalism.” Instead, I sought signs of “banal transnationalism,” depicting England as a country marked by transnational ownership, service stations, fast food chains, delivery services, and zero-hour contracts. My photographic journey included capturing quintessentially English scenes, like the hallowed turf at Liverpool’s football stadium. Even at Anfield, where I gained access through a sports photographer friend, my focus remained not on the players but on the grass. It was all about the grass.
John, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I was fortunate to have embarked on my photographic journey at 14 years old. Back then, I was rather shy and not particularly inclined towards academics. Photography, however, bestowed upon me a newfound sense of purpose and boosted my confidence. I feel lucky to have discovered a vocation that allows me to lead a life centred around exploration, akin to that of a professional tourist. I’ve noticed that many people outside of the industry find it somewhat surprising that I’ve been able to make a living out of my adventures. I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity to meet wonderful and intriguing individuals and explore unique and off-the-beaten-path destinations that are not typically accessible to most people.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
My long-term projects begin with an entirely different initial concept and gradually transform into something new in time. I’m often inclined toward subjects that I have little or no understanding of, using photography as my medium to embark on a journey of exploration. It’s akin to pursuing a university degree in a specific field, but instead of traditional exams and coursework, my education involves making hundreds of photographs. Pinpointing precisely what draws me to a particular subject is hard to work out, I believe it’s partly driven by my fascination with the unknown, as well as my curiosity for things that intrigue me. In essence, my photographic work becomes a means of unravelling the mysteries and stories concealed within these subjects, helping me bridge the gap between my ignorance and understanding.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
I believe my work could be categorised as documentary photography, or perhaps a more fitting description would be non-fiction. I operate as a solo entity, armed with nothing but my camera and a spark of inspiration. My approach leans heavily on instinct, allowing events to evolve. I often find that the real world doesn’t require much intervention or manipulation from my end; it’s inherently surreal in its own right.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.johnangerson.com
- Instagram: @johnangerson
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-angerson-89740622
- Twitter: @johnangerson
Image Credits
© John Angerson