Fleeting Moments: The Photographic Journey of Nick Prideaux
Welcome to this edition of [book spotlight]. Today, we uncover the layers of Nick Prideaux photography (published by Setanta Books). We'd love to read your comments below about these insights and ideas behind the artist's work.
In the vibrant world of contemporary photography, few artists manage to capture the ephemeral beauty of life's fleeting moments with the sensitivity and finesse of Nick Prideaux. From his early days in a Kodak photo lab to his extensive travels and exhibitions around the globe, Prideaux's journey is one of continual exploration and discovery. His work, characterized by a mindful approach to the medium, invites viewers into intimate scenes of everyday life, marked by a distinctive use of light and color. As we sit down to delve into the mind and artistry of Nick Prideaux, we uncover the motivations, inspirations, and evolutions that define his approach to photography—a medium through which he not only observes the world but also expresses his profound fascination with the present moment.
Initial Inspiration for Your Photographic Journey: What was the initial spark or moment that led you to pursue photography, and how has your approach and motivation evolved since then?
Photography has always been around me from a young age and my first job after high school was working in a Kodak photo lab. I went on to study filmmaking and screenwriting in university but grew tired with the large ensemble and timely nature of productions. Out of artistic frustration, I began to pick up my camera more as it felt so present and momentary. In 2011 I moved to Tokyo and felt that this was the perfect moment to begin documenting my new life there, and this is where it all really began.
Mindful Photography Approach: You mention approaching photography in a mindful way to capture fleeting and fragmented scenes. Can you explain how mindfulness influences your photographic process and how you maintain this state of mind while working?
The act of photography in itself is slowing down time, so it makes sense to me that there is a personal ethos behind it that works in your favour. You can call it an artist's flow or perhaps another name, but for me the best work comes when I find myself in this state of curious present awareness. To observe what is in front of me and to use the camera as an extension of this mindful state. It's not always there, but it's for me just a kind of back and forth of returning to this seamless flow - you'll know it when you find it.
Exploring Intimacy: Your work focuses on exploring the intimate moments of your life. Why is this theme important to you, and how do you choose which moments to capture and share?
My photography is mostly diaristic in nature so it intrinsically becomes intertwined with my own personal life. It's important to share the things that you and only you are a witness to and I think this is where honest work is born. Images now can be so easily produced and replicated so authenticity comes from true authorship from the creator. It's essential that you're putting your mark on your images and showing the world how you choose to see it. How do you choose? It's a feeling, a mood, an ambience, it's a color or a person or a place - it feels right to capture it and send it out for others to experience it too.
Play with Light and Color: Light and color play significant roles in your photography. Can you discuss your approach to using these elements and how they help convey the softness and tactility you aim to capture?
There are certainly colours and light moods that have become a returning theme in my work, but in essence they are just all part of a palette that I like to play with. I think it's just a game of back and forth between the two, sometimes both - sometimes neither, but it's a continuous journey of being on the lookout for it and finding the right time to click the shutter. I think more and more I'm seeking out a more reduced and spacer frame to work with, but it's integral to me that there always has to have some kind of warmth to it, and this is where both light and color can convey this best. I tend to stick to what resonates with me at a gut level - the way light falls or the hues of the colour blue, these are the basic things that speak to me.
Expressing the Present Moment: Photography for you acts as a conduit to understand the world and express fascination with the present moment. How do you decide when a moment is worth capturing, and what do you hope viewers take away from these captured instances?
There's always a feeling that makes you stop and examine the scene a little closer with curiosity - this is what I really mean when I say the present moment. It's about being in tune with everything that is around you, looking for the details. As for what the viewer takes away from it for that I can't decide.
Influences and Inspirations: Having worked in diverse locations like Melbourne, Beijing, Tokyo, and Southeast Asia, how have these environments influenced your photographic style and the subjects you choose to capture?
They are all playgrounds in some way but I don’t think any of the places I’ve worked in have defined how I see the world on a certain level. I like to think my photography sits on it’s own little plateau, not tethered to a time or place as such. In saying that though, I will forever be grateful for the endless light I had in Bangkok and how I miss it everyday. I dream of the endless summers there.
Future Projects and Directions: After your first publication with Setanta Books, are there new themes or projects you are currently exploring or plan to explore? How do you see your photographic style evolving in these future works?
Currently I’m in post production on a project I shot in the South of France last summer as part of a 10 day residency with La Maison de la Chapelle. This will be an exhibition and a book to be published later this year. For this project I worked with still and moving images along with dance. This is very much a direction I want to move into in the future by encompassing more mediums and using the moving image more with my work.
To discover more about this intriguing body of work and how you can acquire your own copy, you can find and purchase the book here.
Nick Prideaux (Website, Instagram) is an Australian photographer who has carved a niche for himself in the world of photography with his distinct style and approach. Currently based in Paris, France, his artistic journey has taken him across continents, with significant periods spent working in Melbourne, Beijing, Tokyo, and Southeast Asia. Prideaux's work is highly regarded and has been featured in leading publications such as IGNANT, Konbini, Vanity Fair, GOOP, BOOOOOOOM!, Vogue Germany, Fisheye, CLO, and Nowness. His client portfolio boasts collaborations with notable names like Google, Expedia, Ruinart Champagne, Monocle Magazine, Maison Crivelli, Leif Skincare, and Bastille Perfumes. His exhibitions have spanned major cities including London, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Montreal, Tokyo, and Bangkok. Prideaux's first publication was released in 2021 with Setanta Books, and he is a recent recipient of the prestigious La Maison de La Chappelle residency program in 2023, further solidifying his status as a leading figure in contemporary photography.
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