Arca

New York City, October 1983

MH: For whom did you take the picture and what camera did you use?

KC: A Nikon F3. I took it for myself. It wasn’t commissioned.

MH: What do you remember about the shoot?

KC: Well, Quentin Crisp famously kept his name in the Manhattan phonebook so I just rang him. I was in New York with a Manchester band – Quando Quango – it was part holiday really, rather than work. I went to Crisp’s apartment with a friend (who was also a photographer). She told me that I should take him a gift for agreeing to pose for me. So I bought him some flowers on the way to his building. When I saw the doorway to the apartment block I knew it would make a good frame for the photo. He came downstairs and insisted on holding the flowers for the shot. It’s quite a flirtatious photo. I knew I wouldn’t have much time so I ensured I got the photo I wanted almost immediately, then I took some less successful images. Once I know I’ve got the picture I want, I’m less interested in shooting just for the sake of it.

MH: Would you call the flowers he’s holding an ›accessory‹? How important are accessories when shooting a portrait?

KC: Yes, they are an ›accessory‹. I think sometimes an accessory can work. I didn’t buy them for him to hold in the photo – but he cradled them and used them as a prop. I think the sitter is often happier if they can think about something other than focussing exclusively on the camera. In this case: a bunch of flowers.

MH: Is there a difference in shooting a young person compared to taking a photo of an older person?

KC: Yes, I think so. Young people are more naturally ›pretty‹, I guess. A photograph of someone older tends to assume more character. It depends on the individual though. Some people aren’t comfortable with growing old – hence all the surgery they have in order to repel old age. I’ve photographed several people who’ve had ›work‹ done to their faces – and I find it baffling. I’d much rather photograph someone who is comfortable with the way they look. Unfortunately, we love our rock musicians to look young and pretty – not old and ravaged. If they die young, so much the better…

MH: Your memory, I’m referring to all your answers to my usual second question, seems to be really good. Do you need the actual photo to be able to think back or would it work without a photo as well, e.g. would you be able to answer a question like: »Do you remember the day you met Quentin Crisp in New York in ‘83« as detailed?

KC: I don’t generally need the photo as an aide-mémoire, although occasionally I can be completely baffled by the appearance of a sheet of negatives that I have no memory of shooting. It’s usually of a band I’ve photographed that sank without trace though. I’m yet to find a Joy Division shoot that I’d forgotten about…