MacDirectory magazine is the premiere creative lifestyle magazine for Apple enthusiasts featuring interviews, in-depth tech reviews, Apple news, insights, latest Apple patents, apps, market analysis, entertainment and more.
Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/1318513
Lando Griffin, a.k.a ‘The Suited Racer’, is an ‘anonymous’ US-based artist, photographer, social commentator and Instagram influencer. With demand for his artworks strong, Griffin’s star is rising …. Fast. Here, he reveals his working methods, his approach to photography and the passions that drive him to succeed. Beginning with the classic nature vs nurture question; are great photographers born or made? I can only speak for myself. Made. Nothing I have is a gift. I’ve had to work hard to be better every step of the way. I do believe this is true across the spectrum. The best con is making people believe things are effortless when they are anything but. Your public image is that of an anonymous artist, social media influencer, photographer, social commentator, and bespoke-suited motorbike aficionado. This is quite a unique combination. Briefly, how did we get here? I wasn’t really looking for (or see it as) a “public image”. All those things were intertwined with who I am, I simply covered my face up. We can all agree that it can be kind of ridiculous. We can all agree it isn’t that ridiculous with what’s really out there. The influencer part is a by-product of the work. Can you describe the defining moment when you realized that you had a passion for photography? When I realized I could create a broad story for the audience from a single moment captured correctly. My biggest passion is story telling. From your published material, it would appear that you prefer shooting in natural rather than artificial light? Why? What I’m doing only works if it is believable. The story and imagery can feel supernatural, but it is not. Nothing about it is. It is important to always look for natural sources in those moments that bounce light in specific beautiful ways. Little pockets of light in the setting that can bring the image to life. Your approach to your professional photographic work does look to veer more towards a carefully choreographed and ‘stage-managed’ style, rather than a more spontaneous and free-flowing ‘point and click’ style. Is this a valid observation? I can see why you could make that observation. The truth though, is that it is very spontaneous and free flowing. As close to point and click as you can get. Sometimes, depending on the weather, I’ll coordinate a predetermined route for moving shots. But the actual shooting is very much point and click.