A DEVELOPING STORY WITH PHOTOGRAPHERAndre D. WagnerWe tagged along with the lensman, shooting on the streets of Brooklyn and processing film in his home studio.
4 questions with AndreHow does developing your own film affect your process?
“It has given me a greater understanding of the medium—when I’m out in the field, I have creative freedom based on my knowledge and experience with my materials.” How do you describe your work to people?
“It depends on the setting. When I’m on the street it’s usually something like, ‘Oh, you look so beautiful, look at this light!’”What makes a powerful photograph?
“Usually a surprise. If there was a formula I’d make powerful photographs every day, but photography is a process. You work at it, and from time to time life gives you gifts.”What’s your goal for 2021?
“To finish my book, New City, Old Blues.”
“It has given me a greater understanding of the medium—when I’m out in the field, I have creative freedom based on my knowledge and experience with my materials.” How do you describe your work to people?
“It depends on the setting. When I’m on the street it’s usually something like, ‘Oh, you look so beautiful, look at this light!’”What makes a powerful photograph?
“Usually a surprise. If there was a formula I’d make powerful photographs every day, but photography is a process. You work at it, and from time to time life gives you gifts.”What’s your goal for 2021?
“To finish my book, New City, Old Blues.”
A DAY WITH ANDRE
ARTS DEPARTMENTWhat Andre is reading, watching and listening to…Books
On Photographs, by David Campany, and Day Sleeper, by Dorothea Lange and Sam Contis.Music
“Always need good tunes in the darkroom. Lately I’m listening to Freddie Gibbs, Mac Miller, Kendrick, Thelonious Monk, Little Freddie King, Kid Cudi and Curren$y.”Podcasts
“Magic Hour. Great conversations with photographers.”TV
“I don’t watch a lot of TV but I’ve been watching Survivor with my wife. I just watch whatever she’s watching.”Films
“I was just on set with Hoyte van Hoytema, the cinematographer for Tenet—I want to watch that again soon! And the documentary In No Great Hurry: 13 Lessons in Life with Saul Leiter. He just speaks to my soul.”
On Photographs, by David Campany, and Day Sleeper, by Dorothea Lange and Sam Contis.Music
“Always need good tunes in the darkroom. Lately I’m listening to Freddie Gibbs, Mac Miller, Kendrick, Thelonious Monk, Little Freddie King, Kid Cudi and Curren$y.”Podcasts
“Magic Hour. Great conversations with photographers.”TV
“I don’t watch a lot of TV but I’ve been watching Survivor with my wife. I just watch whatever she’s watching.”Films
“I was just on set with Hoyte van Hoytema, the cinematographer for Tenet—I want to watch that again soon! And the documentary In No Great Hurry: 13 Lessons in Life with Saul Leiter. He just speaks to my soul.”
More stories to explore...
