Black Country Dada: The autobiography of Professor Brian Griffin D.Univ. (BCU) Hon. FRPS
Q & A with Brian Griffin
Harry Pye: Did you punch the air and shout "Yes!" when your Kick Starter campaign to pay for Black Country Dada raised over £30,000?
Brian Griffin: “I felt quietly exonerated on making the crazy decision to create a Kickstarter in a pandemic.”
What were your happiest memories of studying photography in Manchester?
“Losing my virginity.”
Who was the first great man you ever met?
“Barney Bubbles...the first genius in my life.”
What was special about Barney Bubbles?
“Everything!”
Would you rather own a red car or a blue car?
“Red!”
In 1991 you were called "The greatest photographer in the world" — who is the 2nd greatest photographer in the world?
“Martin Parr.”
What is your favourite Elvis Costello song and which of your photos of him do you like best?
“Shipbuilding sung by Robert Wyatt. Elvis on the diving board in Hollywood on the inside sleeve of the Armed Forces album.”
Elvis Costello
On You Tube I saw you give a talk about your work whilst Steve Nieve played keyboards. What was it like to work with Steve? Did you feel nervous when it was being filmed?
“Fortunately by good fortune the BBC cameraman was a personal friend. Steve was a creative delight. No I wasn't nervous but I needed the green room afterwards as it was broadcast live.”
What did you enjoy most about having a retrospective in Reykjavik?
“What a place to have a retrospective rather than Paris or New York”
Of all the famous people you've photographed, who was the most shy and least keen to have their photo taken?
“Siouxsie.”
Siouxsie
Your photo of Douglas Adams reminds me of a little of the work of Angus McBean — do you rate Angus? Which photographers influenced you the most?
“I can understand that. I think he had a vision. Man Ray!”
Douglas Adams
Who would you most like to buy your book?
“Everyone can get something from it. Photography students can gain a lot from the book.”
Do you have a fave quote about photography that you could share?
"I'd like to walk inside myself".
I like your photos of The Specials in a barbershop. Were they nice chaps or did some of them seem a bit scary?
“They were nice chaps.”
The Specials
Who helped you most with your book?
“The filmmakers; Michael Prince and Ravi Chandarana. My assistants; Paul Lund, John Lorigan, Dean Steadman plus the Cafeteria who are designing the book.”
What's best — swimming or dancing?
“Dancing most definitely.”
What advice do you give to young photography students?
“For those that wish a long creative enjoyable career, if you don't take a world famous image in less than a year, then choose some other profession.”
How healthy are you?
“Very for my age. My insides seem okay but you can never tell.”
What pets have you had over the years and what were their names?
“A tortoise when young called Joey but he laid some eggs so he was renamed Josephine.”
What is your message for the kids?
“Glad I'm not young!”
What are you bitter about?
“Nothing.”
Lenny Kravitz said that when fans asks to have a selfie taken with him he suggests they have a hug instead. Would you rather have a hug with Lenny or have your photo taken with him?
“If forced to, then a photo.”
Out of these 3 film directors who do most admire; Billy Wilder, Alfred Hitchcock or Jean Luc Godard?
“Jean Luc Godard”
What are your plans for the rest of the day?
“Finishing writing my book until it goes for designing next week. Then go for a walk.”
