From The Archives : Tim Walker

Kinga Rajzak in flying saucer with members of the West Percy Hunt, Eglingham Hall, Northumberland, 2009 © Tim Walker, courtesy of Michael Hoppen Contemporary

What makes a great photograph?

It has to change my point of view. Of course, quality, and all of the usual things, but the [defining] point is: does it change the way I think about something? Did I know that before, have I ever thought about it like that, have I ever looked at it like that, or is there something about this that is teaching me something? That’s what makes a great photograph. Wouldn’t you agree?

What would your advice be to an emerging photographer today?

Give up. Give up, now! Quick! It’s a tough job out there. You’ve got to find your own signature. You’ve got to be able to say: ‘there’s no one else who could have taken that.’ Seriously, I say to most pros: ‘you’re heading into the great dark unknown and it’s an impossible job and you should look for something a little easier, like firefight- ing or something.’

Lily Donaldson and Jonas Kesseler with Spitfire, Glemham Hall, Suffolk, 2009 © Tim Walker, courtesy of Michael Hoppen Contemporary

What makes Tim unique?

Unique is a big, big word. “What makes Tim special?” is probably easier to answer. He’s not only a wonderful hu- man being, but he’s also very generous and a real innovator. He makes things happen and, unlike a lot of photogra- phers today who let the computer do a lot of the work, everything you see in one of Tim’s pictures is done in front of the camera. There is no Photoshop, no trickery.