Arca

Cambridge (England), 24 May 2008

MH: For whom did you take the picture and what camera did you use – now that the Nikon died?

KC: Well, I still have three Nikon F3 bodies. I bought two together in the early 80s and I’ve added to the collection since. This was shot on a Canon EOS5D. When I added a digital camera to my bag, Canon were way ahead professionally. I imagine they’re all good now though. I’d happily let Nikon prove their worth by sponsoring me… It was shot for The Financial Times.

MH: What do you remember about the shoot?

KC: It was shot in 2008. Public Enemy was touring the album »It Takes a Nation of Millions…«. I went on tour with them for three days. Norwich, Brixton Academy and Cambridge. Ah, the glamour…

MH: That’s a classic Chuck D gesture, isn’t it? His hand in front of the camera – did he dislike having his photo taken? Or does that gesture mean: »Me against the media?«

KC: Chuck D – yes. It doesn’t really mean anything . It’s a framing device. He knows it works well so he does it. He’s very professional. He knows what he’s giving you and you have to work with him in that way.

MH: To me, Chuck D basically looks like he did in 1987 – or 1993. He looks young! Is he someone you’ve met on a regular basis in the past thirty years? How do people age in your eyes? I mean: Is that something you think about? The age of the people you take photos of?

KC: I photographed them for one of their first NME  covers in 1988. I’ve photographed them five or six times since then. Chuck D was always grateful to the NME for putting P.E. on the cover and he’s pretty relaxed with me. I enjoy working with him. We’re all ageing so it’s not something I worry about. I wouldn’t ask a bunch of 50-year-olds to do the kind of stuff they’d do in their 20s. I’m happy to take a fairly straight-forward portrait of anyone. Sometimes that’s what’s required.

MH: Have you sometimes asked people to take of their hat/cap or glasses? Is it possible to force someone to take these things off? Would you in theory say: »Take off your hat or I won’t take a picture of you?«

KC: Occasionally I have to ask singers, band members to take sunglasses or hats off. But if that’s their signature, then I generally don’t. It’s difficult photographing people with sunglasses on for a cover shot, because the editor generally wants eye contact. But I’m usually happy to work with whatever obstacles are in my way.