Q&A — Sandy Carson

Sandy Carson is one of the first professional BMX riders to grow as an artist outside of BMX media. I first became enamored with his work through his editorials in Dig BMX, marveling at the human quality and adventurous nature of his photographs.

Sandy currently lives in Austin (but seems to have visited everywhere in the world you could imagine) and continues to progress and define contemporary photo journalism. Our good friend Kyle Emery-Peck fired off a few questions about his travels, inspirations, and how Lance Armstrong doesn't know how to change his own flats.

Do you ever find yourself laying on the ground with your fisheye, and asking people to do it one more time at shoots?
Not much anymore. I hardly use the fisheye much these days. The last few times I did though was for a ballet group and a parkourist believe it or not!

When are you gonna grow up?
I don't know what that means but I think I'm pretty grown up. I'm nearer 40 than 30.

At what point in your life did photography take over?
I'd say it took over when my 'pro' BMX career 'ended' around 2 years ago. I was shooting and freelancing in photography as much as I was freestyle riding so to speak, so when I could no longer support myself from riding bikes, I had the choice of either finding a real job or really getting myself out there as a full time photographer. It felt like a natural switch and lately it's been as much hassle traveling with cameras and film as it has been with a bike!

I've read you've been a guest speaker at high schools.  What's that like?
Yeah it's fun. I'm not much of a public speaker but It's a great exercise in talking to kids about my work and hopefully inspiring the youth to make pictures, especially with film. I've thought about teaching but I couldn't afford to back to school to study right now. Maybe someday though. Never say never.

Where's the coolest place you've traveled?
It's really difficult to single out one place that has been the coolest. I've had the luck of the gods as far as traveling to a lot of countries and making pictures in different cultures and situations. Even though they have been amazing in their own right, I still think some of the coolest places are in this country as it's so vast and diverse. It all depends what you are looking for. I try and see the best, even in the worst places. Recently I assisted my friend Brian Ulrich on one of his photo projects at an abandoned mall from the 1980's. It was one of the coolest places I have been in a while, and it was here in Central Texas.

Who influences your photography?
I'd say I take my influences from a lot of documentary, journalism, contemporary and fine art photographers.  William Eggleston, Steven Shore, Henri Cartier Bresson, Brian Ulrich, Alec Soth, Ed Burtynsky, Tierney Gearon, Elliot Erwitt, Nan Goldin, Robert Frank and Chris Steele-Perkins. The list could go on. There are so many out there that continue to inspire. I am always internetting new photo inspiration.

What camera do you like to bring around with you when you don't have any plans to take pictures?
Usually I keep the Yashica T5 or the Minox GT-E on hand if a picture arises. I often don't keep a camera on me if I don't plan on shooting and that's when I miss some good pictures.

Tell us about your 3 day photo shoot with Lance Armstrong shooting a MTB bike race.  Any funny stories about that?  Did he give you any words of inspiration?
That's right. It was a MTB race on his Juan Pelota Ranch. Lance was pretty much M.I.A. the whole time right up till 5 minutes before the race on the 3rd day. On the first day there was a media tour for a few publications who all flew in and pitched stories to shoot his personal bike shed but were all shut down by his publicists/agents, then it rained for the first 2 days of practice. When it came to the actual race, I shot the first lap switchback and Lance got a flat right after and tweeted it to the world from the woods as he can't fix flats to save his life as he openly admitted on the awards podium post race. He didn't have any words of inspiration to me personally but I think he's an inspiring machine of a human being and getting that contest together in such a short period of time is unreal!

What makes you happy about photography?
Honestly, being productive and making pictures that I am satisfied with is very rewarding and knowing I did my best makes me happy.  If i know I made the photo I set out to do, I can sleep good at night.  I don't idle very well and I think I take it from my mother who never could sit still, so working itself is rewarding in its own strange way.

What keeps you motivated as a photographer, and how do you stay focused?
It's hard being a self motivator/freelancer and your own boss, because nobody is going to kick your arse, or motivate you but yourself. You have to have some sort of self discipline, confidence and motivation to keep on top of things. You need to be prepared to work weird hours and actually want to pursue and go through with ideas. I think you have to be slightly out of your mind to be any sort of artist who drives themselves and I think we don't know why half the time why we do it, only that we have to. It's also important to have constructive criticism of your work from your peers, whether it be good or bad.
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Sandy Carson
sandycarson.com
myspace.com/iglomat

Words & Additional Photography by Kyle Emery-Peck

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