Personal one - Petrina Tinslay interview
Portrait by Hugh Stewart
Could you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your journey as a photographer?
I’m Petrina Tinslay, a Sydney-based food, travel and interiors photographer. I’ve worked as a commercial and editorial photographer for over thirty years. I’ve collaborated with many leading publications, advertising and design agencies both in Australia and internationally, working on an array of creative, editorial and commercial projects. I’ve also had the joy of working on numerous award-winning, and bestselling cookbook titles, including multiple titles for internationally celebrated chefs and authors, Nigella Lawson, Donna Hay, Tyler Florence, Bill Granger, Delia Smith and Neil Perry, and
I’ve been the recipient of many prestigious international awards, including the James Beard Foundation's 'Best Food Photography’, where I’ve been a finalist three times and which I won in 2000, The Julia Child Award for 'Best Photography’, ’Best Cookbook’ in the Glenfiddich Food & Drinks Awards, winner of the 'Best Photography Book' at the Paris Book Festival and winner in the 'Best Food Photography' category at the IACP Cookbook Awards, amongst numerous others.
How would you describe your style or approach to photography? I love a loose, natural style of image with a beautiful and evocative sense of light and an elevated editorial style. I believe that gorgeous light quality can truly transform an image instantly.
When did you first hear about this exhibition? / Is this your first time participating, or have you been part of it before? I have had the pleasure of having exhibited in this exhibition for quite a number of years now. Before that I have participated as a print purchaser, supporting the selected charity by buying prints. If you’ve attended in past years, what’s your strongest memory of the exhibition?
The opening night of the exhibition is always a massive industry turn-out. Seeing the work of so many talented contemporaries is always very inspiring, and then being able to chat to many of the photographers directly on the night, many whom I often haven’t seen for years, is so wonderful.How did it feel to see all the works displayed together on the wall in past editions? Wonderful! There is always such a broad spectrum of subject matters and styles. Just the way it should be!
What does it mean to you personally to be part of this collective exhibition?
It’s always a wonderful honour to be invited each year by Lunar Studio to exhibit amongst so many talented peers,
and also to be able to help the selected charity in some small way via donating an image for sale.
What do you hope audiences will take away from experiencing your work here? I guess all photographers/ artists hope to evoke some emotion from their viewer.
They will also get to see, and hopefully buy one of the many spectacular prints made by master printer, Selena Simpson.
How do you see the photography scene today, especially with younger generations coming through? The industry has changed very dramatically since I started. This is mostly led by changes in technology. When I started it was all analogue film, then shifted to digital, and now AI is impacting things quite dramatically. I do think that image making has become really very sophisticated and very inspiring as everyone has such ready access to viewing imagery on the internet. Has the exhibition influenced or inspired your perspective on photography in any way?
It is great to see so many photographers shooting their own personal work. So if anything it inspires me to try to do that more often. What projects have you been working on recently (If you can tell)?
I have just finished a big photography project for Bills Australia/ Granger & Co, who I’ve had the pleasure of working with for well over 25 years now.
Is there a future project you’re particularly excited about and would like to share?
I have a few exciting book projects upcoming, none of which I can discuss too much about for now unfortunately, due to confidentiality protocols.
Looking back, is there a past project you consider a milestone or turning point in your career?
I’m really proud of winning the James Beard Best Food Photography Award in the year 2000 for a cookbook I photographed with Donna Hay. This definitely brought me a lot more international book projects in the years that followed, which has been incredible.
How has your photography evolved from when you first started until today?
After working on all manner of projects over many years, I think it has evolved markedly. I have had the opportunity to hone and refine my image making craft in the three decades I’ve been working. I am able to find interesting visual solutions for my clients in a far more expeditious way. I think I can pare back an image to its simplest form far more confidently now.
What inspires you right now—whether in photography or beyond? I am inspired by so many different things. Travel, art, photography, nature and people. It is something that just happens as I move through life and the world. Taking in the things that evoke a response in me in some manner and translating it into something that I can put my mark on.
What equipment are you currently using, and why? I use Canon predominantly, but I do cater the equipment to the specific requirements of a project, so it does vary greatly, depending on what a brief is.
How does your gear shape your process or the kind of results you aim for? For me the gear is just a means to an end. Of course, if you have a concept in mind, getting the equipment right is integral to the success of the creative outcomes. So it is important. But it never ever leads the creative process for me. Is there a photographer, work, or experience that has been especially influential in your path? I think of all the photographers whose work I’ve always admired, is Irving Penn. He was able to bridge the commercial and art photography divide so beautifully. He managed to put his unique stamp on whatever subject matter he photographed, whether it was still life, portraiture or Fashion. He was truly one of the greats! What advice would you give to amateur photographers visiting the exhibition? I think like anything the more you experiment the more you find your own unique way of seeing and expressing yourself. So it is important to shoot as much as you possibly can as you establish your style. Anything you want to add? I just hope that everyone comes to see the show and supports the exhibition and its artists.
Check Petrina's web here.
