David PD Hyde: knowing the rules to break them – interview

David PD Hyde’s meeting with photography can be said to have been unplanned, a sudden change of direction through which he has nevertheless been able to treasure his past academic studies. His photography is a unique but perfectly functioning combination of logic, theory and emotion. Being creative, in fact, means not only playing with creativity and going beyond the limits but also reaching the balance and knowing the rules of the game. That of David seems a mind capable of reaching the right proportions in every shot, never hanging too much on one side, nor on the other. Very often his shots depict faces, some sincere and intimate portraits that succeed in coming out of the fashion magazine and going deep. 

In this web interview, the photographer reviews some of his most resonant projects, recalls the time when he took the first steps in this world of flash and clicks and gives some advice to aspiring fashion photographers, encouraging them to pursue perfect knowledge of the rules in order to feel free to break some of them with creativity and imagination.

1) Your shots reveal an impressing understanding and keen eye for fashion. Where does your passion for photography and fashion come from? Have you always thought you’d be a photographer one day?

When I was younger, I thought I was going to be a physicist. Before university, my core subjects are all science based, such as Mathematics and Physics. Then circumstances changed. There is part of me that always loves art, I studied art and textiles at GCSE, although my a-level are all science subjects. Fashion was always a subconscious interest. I like clothes that makes women look beautiful. My passion for photography only developed when I started joining the photography society when I was at university studying a management course.

Then I bought my first DSLR camera. Whilst at University, students asked me to do portraits of them, they were mostly females. This gave me the chances to experiment, learning camera techniques and capture the lighting. I then decided to change my degree to study photography instead, to study a more technical and theoretical aspect of the subject.

2) Your shots for Vogue Italia are really mind-blowing. The editorial “The Voice of Our World” wanted to increase awareness about sustainable fashion. Can you tell us a little bit more about this idea of yours? What do you believe is the role of photography or art’s in general in depicting some important issues, and how do you think art can deliver a successful message?

This project was inspired by a TV program narrated by David Attenborough about nature and the current earth climates. This led to a few series of projects including sustainable fashion published on Vogue Italia Online as well as my recent series called ‘Anthropocene’.

Photography can be a language, people into the media can give a different point of view and style.

Fundamentally, I always try to capture the beauty of the subject, then adding another layer of conceptual ideas. I think today, messages are more important than ever, they give the viewer something that they can relate to as well as trying to stand out from over-saturated images on the internet.

3) Is there a particular form of art or an artist that inspire you and your work?

I am into all form of art, some of my favorite’s artists are Henri Rousseau, Salvador Dali and Wassily Kandinsky.

4) Have you ever encountered any difficulties in recreating a scene you envisioned in your mind into a photographic set?

Yes, often my projects involved a team, but we always try to come up with a solution. Working with like-minded people helps greatly to a positive outcome.

5) Your “Beauty and Diversity” shot for The Impression Magazine depicted a rare intimacy just with the faces portrayed in your images. What inspired you to create something so naturally and transparently beautiful?

This project was inspired by a movement of diversity occurred in the few recent years. There was a part of my essence I try to keep when I did the casting while trying to give something a little bit different than my other projects.

6) Your project “Tears of Ocean” for Metal Magazine was really communicative and went straight to the point. This is a case in which photography can really evoke strong emotions and maybe inspire for a better lifestyle. Do you think the power of such images could light a spark for change?

Yes. A series of photography like a book. Every person has their imaginations and interpretations of it. When the message resonates, it definitely can have an impact.

Now I see some big companies already try to be more environmentally friendly with their products and packages. Although it is still a long way, we are heading in the right direction.

7) Do you have any advice to give to students wanting to pursue a career in fashion photography?

At the beginning try to do lots of test shots, that way you can learn from your own mistakes and improve. Let technical aspect becomes your second nature, so when you will shoot your own ideas, you can focus more on creativity.

8) Do you have other upcoming projects in mind for the future?

Yes. When I finished a project, I always look out ideas for the next project. Sometimes I do take a little break from it to refresh my mind, then I always return.

words Ludovica Mucci

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