JONATHAN CHERRY: What has inspired you in the last 24hrs and why?

MARK WICKENS: I recently watched Werner Herzog’s “Encounters at the End of the World”. His questions and insights in the film are really intriguing and the movie frames the subject matter in a curiously unique manner.

JC: What was the last photographic book you picked up?

MW: Right now, I have Jason Schmidt’s “Artists” sitting on my desk. Its a compilation of portraits of artists in their creative environments. Highly recommended.

JC: Do you have a current project; if so, what is it all about?

MW: My main project over the past few years has been an exploration of the California landscape. It’s pretty remarkable how many different environments exist within the state.

JC: I can see that you are attracted to shafts of light and it seems the majority of your imagery contains heavy natural lighting - what is it that draws you to this? and leading on from that do you find it sometimes limiting to only shoot when natural light is available?

MW: I really enjoy the quality of natural light, especially how it is rendered on film. Day lit photographs tend to have a timeless quality to them that I find gets a bit muddled with the introduction of artificial light sources. Only shooting during the day can certainly be a bit limiting, especially in the winter when daylight is in short supply, but so it goes…

JC: What are you excited about for 2010?

MW: I’m excited for the World Cup! Go England! or…go USA! or…go Japan! I’ll split my support into thirds for those teams, though England will probably stumble…as usual.

JC: What is next in the pipe line for you photographically?

MW: I’m hoping to start a project on coastal life in New England.

JC: Have you got any words of wisdom for young and emerging practitioners?

MW: Relax, enjoy life. Its no fun if its not fun.