TOP OF THE CLASS
studentunderthespotlight
This month’s Litebook catches up with Ryan Reid Leitner,
who’s currently studying at The American Intercontinental
University(AIU) inLondon.
Litebook: Why did you choose to Litebook: What are your Litebook: What’s your favourite
study photography? aspirations / ambitions as a piece of lighting equipment and
RRL: When I was in high school, I photographer? why?
found myself filling my time with RRL: I’d like to have a quite RR: At the moment I’m obsessed
painting, screen-printing, sculpting, extensive portfolio, ranging withsoftboxes. Ilovebeingableto
but mostly taking photographs. portraiture and fashion to fine art throwanevenlightontoapersonor
When I turned 16 my parents made photography. I aspire to be known surface. I couldn’t live without my
me a darkroom in our for my perspective and Gemini lights either, only having the
basement and that understanding of a one kit to carry around for both
really moved me subject rather than just studio and location shoots really
towardsthatdirection. being known for taking makesmylifesomucheasier.
My summers were full aprettypicture.
of creating and
experimenting in that Litebook: Who is your
darkroom. I believe f a v o u r i t e
that’s where my
photographer and
passion for
why?
photographystarted.
RRL: In New York,
there’s an up and
Litebook: Which
coming fashion
photo disciplines resonate best photographer called David Sherry.
with you right now? Hestartedasafineartphotographer
RRL: I find fashion photography a with a very psychedelic style; his
greatmeansofarticulatingmywork, work ismagicalandsoseductive.
while also allowing me the freedom
to conceptualize an idea. I still like Litebook: If you could have taken
to touch back with the fine art
anyphotointheworld,whichone
aspectofphotography,that’swhere
– and why?
I getmyrealinspirationfrom.
RRL: I’d have taken the photo of
John Lennon and Yoko Ono by
Litebook: Most memorable and
Annie Leibovitz. The one right
forgettable projects to date? beforehisdeath;Leibovitzwasable
RRL: Itry not to look back at all the to capture him exactly how he was.
bad times I’ve had as a Not only was the timing perfect, the
photographer,runningfromplaceto imageisfilledwithsomuchloveand
place,carryingsomeoneelse’sbag, passion.
all for little or no pay. But, without
those moments I like to think I
wouldn’tbewhereIam now.
20
Visitthewebsite.. www.bowens.co.uk
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24