INTERVIEW WITH:
AL LINDSAY
A Life Behind the Lens, Exploring the Many Faces of Photography
For photographer Al Lindsay, capturing life’s nuances is more than just a practice; it’s a lifelong journey that began with a camera at age seven. From the serene landscapes of Scotland to the bustling streets and evolving skylines of urban life, Al’s work spans multiple genres, each influencing the other in surprising ways.
In this interview with Cluster, he shares how diverse experiences and environments inform his distinctive approach, highlighting themes of connection, anonymity, and the ever-evolving relationship between nature and the built world..
TOWER
MASKED WOMAN
When I started to get older I started taking my camera into the vast dynamic urban environment. The anticipation of exploring the city streets with my camera connected me to street photography which then progressed to photographing its architecture.
These three genres do influence each other in my work...light, shadows, patterns, shapes, and capturing senses and emotions, which all influence one another. New methods and techniques I have learned while working in one genre are often incorporated into the others. My street and architectural photography are very closely intertwined, finding the beauty in the mundane, and capturing the human experience and essence of everyday life, freezing moments that often go unseen. Both of these genres document the evolution of cities, neighbourhoods, and cultures influencing each other, they explore the hidden beauty within the urban landscape capturing design, history, and human ingenuity. Exposing nature's intricate details is also a huge influence. My architecture and nature photographs explore patterns, shapes, repetition, and symmetry that inspire each other. Nature photography can capture the beauty of the world and offer a unique perspective, which also crosses over into my architectural and street photography. All three genres engage the senses, emotions, and imagination. Their collective influence ignites curiosity, helping you to notice the world around you.
Hi Al! What drew you to explore such a diverse range of photography genres, from street photography to architecture and nature? Do you find they influence each other in your work?
Experiencing life from behind the lens from an early age has drawn me to a wide range of photography genres. There was an instant connection to photography when I got my first camera at 7 years old. At this time I started to explore all the different subjects I could photograph. Since then, I’ve continuously ventured into new themes and techniques, which has naturally expanded my work across various photography genres.
The common factor is the environment that I have found myself in. From a very young age, our family holidays were often in Scotland, mostly remote, obscure isolated parts of the country and its islands. Reflecting back, this wild, rugged, and naturally beautiful landscape made such an impact and is where my passion for photographing nature was born. This was also the first time an environment sparked my creativity in photography.
In your architectural photography, you focus on modern living and urban spaces. How do you see architecture evolving, and what do you hope your photographs communicate about this transformation?
Architecture is constantly evolving, and influenced by technology, along with a growing focus on sustainability, which is pushing the boundaries of what buildings can do and how they impact the environment. I see a growing emphasis on eco-friendly designs and materials, flexible spaces, smart buildings, and the adaptive use of spaces along with the incorporation of nature into urban environments. There's also a shift towards architectural evolution, sustainability, and adaptation where old structures are revitalised, repurposing their core materials and design elements. This approach not only conserves resources but also reflects a commitment to history and sustainability.
Through my photography I aim to capture the built environment and its surroundings, highlighting how new designs integrate with nature and the community. I hope my images express the harmony between these evolving designs and their environments, and capture urban living and how these spaces not only serve functional needs, but additionally how people live in a community of transforming architecture, showcasing the splendour of architecture as it evolves. By documenting these transformations I aim to inspire a deeper appreciation for how architecture shapes our lives and communities.
RISE
HARBOUR DIVER
One of your current collections focuses on ‘hidden identities’ and the facelessness of society. Can you expand on this concept and what inspired you to explore themes of anonymity in today’s world?
Exploring themes of hidden identities and facelessness was inspired by anonymity in urban life and the rise of social media (digital identity).
People often curate their online personas, hiding vulnerabilities or aspects of their lives that don’t fit the glamorised image they want to project. In online spaces, they often adopt pseudonyms or avatars that can mask their true identities, and curate their online personas. This anonymity can lead to a sense of freedom for self-expression but can also encourage harmful behaviour, as people may feel less accountable for their actions. Anonymity can be both liberating and isolating. It can allow for self-exploration and freedom of expression, however it could question connection and authenticity. There is also anonymity in urban life. Busy cities can empower people to express themselves in ways they might not feel comfortable doing in smaller, more close-knit towns. The sheer number of people moving in different directions - each absorbed in their world can lead to anonymity, a busy crowd motion making the figures faceless, and interactions in a crowded city feel superficial. People may cross paths daily without ever showing eye contact or acknowledging one another. This facelessness can be liberating for some and allows for freedom but can also lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. People can be surrounded by others yet feel anonymous, blending into the flow of life, even in the busiest spaces, echoing the themes of hidden identities and facelessness.
GRID
You’ve described yourself as a versatile photographer who doesn’t limit themselves to one genre. How do you think this openness to exploring multiple styles has impacted your growth as a photographer?
I believe some of the most impactful photography draws inspiration from a diverse range of genres and styles. I think after spending a significant amount of time focused on a single photography genre, there comes a moment when you begin to question what will elevate your work to the next level.
Diversity in photography can help to create more inclusive and authentic content. Being open to multiple genres has given me the freedom to experiment, learn, and adapt. It has broadened my perspective, enabling me to approach each project with fresh ideas and techniques and has deepened my appreciation for the art of storytelling. Whether capturing an abstract moment through nature or a street/urban landscape image. I’ve learned that each genre offers a unique way to communicate emotion and challenge me to refine my creativity and develop a broad set of skills, and techniques from one style into another, helping me become more flexible, and adaptable. Embracing versatility in photography has accelerated my growth as a photographer. It has greatly enhanced my development by pushing me to adapt to different commissions, environments, subjects, and styles and sharpening my creative eye. It has increased my skills and income, and I have opened myself to a larger audience which challenges me to constantly improve and stay curious, hopefully making my work more dynamic and expressive.
You’ve said that photography is a reaction to the world around you. Can you share an example of a moment or a scene that resonated deeply with you and how you translated that into an image?
My photography is a response to the world we live in, it is observing, interpreting, and acting as a visual reaction to my surroundings, emotions, and experiences, reacting to light, form, texture, emotion, and movement. Each image captures a fleeting moment in time, the essence of a scene or feeling. Whether it’s the beauty of nature, the chaos of a city, or the intimacy of a quiet moment. An example of this was watching a street sweeper working, he looked sad, broken, and preoccupied. He suddenly stopped and sat down on a tree trunk on some grass beside the pavement, hung his head low, and started to look at his phone. This moment froze for a few minutes, he did not make any movement whatsoever, and his hand did not move or swipe at whatever he was looking at on his phone. It made me curious about what was happening in this person's life, I will never know! I just observed and captured how he and the world around him stopped as he sat there, he became oblivious to everything around him, completely absorbed in his phone while time seemed to stand still.
STREET SWEEPER
“I believe some of the most impactful photography draws inspiration from a diverse range of genres and styles. I think after spending a significant amount of time focused on a single photography genre, there comes a moment when you begin to question what will elevate your work to the next level.”
Are there any new themes or ideas you’re currently exploring or looking forward to experimenting with in the future?
I am currently exploring the harmony of nature and street photography. They often represent opposite ends of the spectrum. Nature is usually associated with serenity, organic forms, and timelessness, while street photography captures urban life's chaos, structures, and human activity. Yet, these differences can be harmonious, creating a dialogue between the natural and the man-made.
This future exploration showcases how life persists and adapts in urban environments and the stark contrast between the natural world and man-made structures by using techniques to capture light and shadow, texture and detail, reflections and symmetry, and seasons and time. By blending these elements I hope to create a visual commentary about the environment and human interaction that exists between nature and urban life.
Thank you for reading,
Alexandra, Ema & the Cluster Team.