Hello Jack Savage

Let's start from the beginning. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Who are you? Where are you from?

I want to thank you for the opportunity to take part in this interview. My name is Jack Savage, am a professional fine art photographer, and I was born in Northampton, England (1980).

Do you have additional passions beyond photography?

I have a strong passion for the cinema of Old Hollywood most notably the cinema of Film Noir (1920-1950) – monochromatic criminological based classics from our not too distant past.

Your favorite food?

My favorite food is undoubtedly the cuisine of Thailand.

Your favorite movie or film genre? Do you enjoy reading?

I have always been an avid reader and cinephile. My favorite film is probably one of Sam Peckinpah’s – either Straw Dogs or Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia.

What is your favorite type of reading?

I am an avid historian, thus my reading matter is always concerned with a particular period of history, rather than non-fiction.

Are you a sports person?

I had periods when I did different sports and periods when I rested my body. These days – into my forties – I do weight training 3 days a week and engage in lots of walking.

And now let’s focus on photography… How did you get started in photography?

I first started my photographic journey way back in the 1990s with Film cameras. I then went to university and pursued a more academic route – becoming a postgraduate in American History. My return to photography and the digital age was in 2011, as I began my career in earnest. My influences back then were Film and street photography.

How do you think your life experience affects the photographs you take?

All of my work originates from my life experience, the genesis being my interests in history, criminology, and Film – then translated through my unconscious imaginings through my work.

How did other photographers influence your work?

I think we are influenced by past masters, though in my case my influences come from Cinema and Painting rather than photography per se. My influences are markedly more cinematic than photographic. The directorial ghosts of Preminger, Hitchcock, Welles, Wilder, and Ford are often winked at and embellished upon within my photo manipulations. I endeavour to create these manipulations with a distinct traditionalist feel, harking back to this golden age of cinema within contemporary photographic fine art.

How would you define your style in photography?

I describe my work as Fine Art with an emphasis on photographic Film Noir and Street Art.

Are you a fisherman or a hunter, photographically speaking? Do you start from a predefined idea or does photography suddenly appear?

My creative process is one of the unconscious imaging – thus I would describe myself as a fisherman. An idea can morph and progress into something totally different and the polar opposite of what my original intention was. I find this approach more exciting and unpredictable as to if the work is coming straight from my innermost soul of being.

What equipment do you use - cameras, lenses...?

I use a variety of different cameras and lenses, including a Fuji XT3, Canon 5Dmk 4, Sony RX100, and generally prefer a focal range of between 24mm and 200mm.

What software do you use to process your photographs?

My workflow in post-processing starts with Adobe Photoshop CC and Lightroom and I also use Topaz for some painterly effects.

What is your favourite photo and why?

My favorite photo was an image I created called “Krautrock” from 2020 – a piece of contemporary photographic street art that has done well with sales and will be exhibiting this May in Paris with ImageNation.

What turns an image into a good image? What does make it stand out?

I think a great image stands out as one that completely grips the viewers' attention.

What are your tips for beginner photographers?

I think the most important factors for a long career in Photography are perseverance and finding your niche. Never giving up is paramount if one wants to fulfill ambitions.

What are your plans and ideas for the next projects?

This year I am exhibiting in Frankfurt, Paris, London, and Milan so a lot of organisational work is going into these events.

Why did you decide to join 100ASA?

I was invited to become an ASA ambassador by colleagues and peers, and I have to say – I was filled with pride which I carry forward into my ambassadorial duties.

#weare100asa