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Steve Halo sits down with friend NYC actor, DJ, and photographer Leo Fitzpatrick.
Photos: 1. 6. – Steve Halo / 2. 3. 4. -Leo Fitzpatrick
What is it about photography that you are drawn to?
As a kid my family never documented anything. So when I was old enough I started to document everything. Just to have memories and nostalgia. If my apartment burnt down; the first thing I would grab would be my negatives. The other thing is the older you get the more friends you lose. So it’s easier to recall a day or an event with a photo.
On the flipside, what pisses you off the most about photography?
I dislike digital photography. It is too easy to manipulate. Too easy to erase, to much room for error.
Nowadays, every kid has a blog or something that they can take pictures with. What makes something standout to you, when everything is so over saturated?
I am constantly seeing imitations. The T4 is a prime example. Just cause you have a T4, does not mean you are gonna shoot like Terry(Richardson). I really think Ryan(Mcginley) is always pushing it. A lot of the new stuff you see has a lack of self-confidence to it.
Preference: Film or Digital?
Film for me, it has a more tangible quality. I taught myself how to print photos. Learning black and white was a crazy experience to me.
When shooting do you over think what techniques to use, or is it a spur of the moment approach?
Depends on the projects, personal projects fit me more. Like my artist series, it has a more natural approach and I feel relaxed. As for shooting fashion for mags, it is so impersonal. You shoot like everybody else. It’s almost selling out.
Any particular camera you are really partial towards, or like to fuck with most?
The Contax T2 and G2. Both are not to technical. I don’t fuck with lens so much. For daily shooting I use the T2, but I love the Ricoh GR, it feels like a real camera, where I can do something original.
Any new or old shit you are particularly proud of?
The artist series, I shot about 30 people and would loved it to be closer to 150 people. It’s not a structured thing. Also a book on Dash(Snow), when he was alive I wasn’t gonna make it. But since he has passed into the future I think I’ll make it.
What is inspiring or motivating to you these days?
Living in NYC. Everyone has done something different. You gotta hold up yer end of the bargain. I have been working on some collages which were just for me, and people started to like them. Nobody asked me to do anything growing up and that’s how I am still living.
Future wise?
I am taking a bit of a hiatus from photos. Not excited at the moment. I bring my camera to travel. Nothing is really compelling me. Right now my collages will be at the Half Gallery in the upcoming year. I am working on 10 new artist of new “Fuck Friends” kinda a redux. And probably in the near future another show at Fuse Gallery at Lit.
