Photographer
Rob Tennent, a selection of images from his body of works.
Q: When making an image, are you aware of it as if it is a public image?
A: When it comes to film photography, unless I am developing, scanning and printing it myself, it has become a public image. Once taken by me, it travels to a lab where it gets developed and scanned so it has already been through a few sets of eyes. There have been many times when images feel more private and that is when I chose to keep them to myself and develop them myself. Once it is shared, the viewer has the power to interpret it through their eyes.
Q: How do different mediums affect the portrayal of a self-portrait?
A: Different mediums allow you to express emotions differently. A painter's brush is very different to a sculptor's hands. Photography allows you to capture real-life moments that may or may not last. There are limits to photography that aren’t there with other mediums. It is all subjective and depends on the artist.
Q: Do you hope that the person portrayed will eventually identify with your portrait?
A: I dream of revealing a side to someone that they have not seen. The way we view others is different to how they view themselves, so when I get the chance to show the beauty I see in someone, it’s an irreplaceable feeling.
Q: Is a portrait a performance?
A: It certainly can be. A portrait is the documentation of the current moment, however you would like it to be perceived. I have had many moments in fashion where I am dressed and styled in clothes to perform. There are other times when I have been stripped back and exposed myself to raw and real nature.
Q: When is a portrait image interesting for you?