Peter Brew-Bevan on personal work
As a This Time It's Personal exhibitior for 2018, renowned portrait photographer Peter Brew-Bevan is more than happy to contribute his personal work for a good cause, and believes personal projects fosters stylistic growth.
Featuring the work of some of Australia's best photographers, proceeds from This Time It's Personal print sales will go to Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.
Tell me about your image submitted to This Time It’s Personal?
I have always loved working with and capturing dancers as an ongoing personal project, and this particular image is from a small series I created with some dancers from the Australian Ballet. Stylistically, I wanted to make reference to one of my photographic idols Irving Penn. Within the images I wanted to create portraits of the dancers that didn’t necessarily have personal identity, rather I wanted the focus be on certain body parts, so that the strength and poise these incredible athletes have would come to the fore.
“Within the images I wanted to create portraits of the dancers that didn’t necessarily have personal identity, rather I wanted the focus be on certain body parts, so that the strength and poise these incredible athletes have would come to the fore."
Do you believe it is important for working professional photographers to have a personal photography practice? If so, why?
Having an ongoing personal practice is vital and allows us professionals, I believe, to keep ideas fresh and flowing. It also keeps progressing your art and technique, and it allows a space to experiment and work with no limitations or commercial confines, which ultimately allows us to grow stylistically. Plus, it’s just nice to create images just for you… it keeps things fresh!
You’ve been involved in the annual exhibition for a few years now. What do you get out of participating?
I have always had the view that it’s always a good thing to give back in any way you can. I support several charity organisations through my profession and imagery and the Chris O’Brien Lighthouse is one that I look forward to supporting each year through this amazing event. It just makes you feel good.
This Time It’s Personal opens at SUNSTUDIOS Sydney 29 November.