Andrew Catlin is an English photographer, artist, director, cinematographer and filmmaker. His work has been widely published, and is included in numerous collections, books, exhibitions and archives.
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Andrew Catlin | |
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Born | 1960 (age 61–62) London, England |
Nationality | British |
Citizenship | British |
Education | Durham University |
Occupation | Photographer, artist, director, cinematographer |
Years active | 1981–present |
Children | Alexander, Felix |
Parent(s) | Harry Catlin, Joan Catlin |
Awards | Prince Philip Prize |
Website | www.andrewcatlin.com |
Catlin grew up intrigued by both arts and science. His father was a drama producer at the BBC, his mother a senior staff member at the Royal College of Art. His childhood was spent in London in the 1960s.
In 1978, he was awarded the Prince Philip Prize for Zoology by the Zoological Society of London[1] for a research project completed while at school. After attending University College London, he continued his studies with a psychology degree at Durham University before returning to London to do a research degree in Learning and Development at University College London.
During this time he developed his interest in photography. Early work for NME, Melody Maker, Smash Hits, POP and Spin quickly extended to other publications, and commissions from record companies, musicians, designers and artists internationally. His work appeared on record sleeves, books and magazine covers. He was one of the photographers chosen to document the Live Aid concert in 1985 and was the largest single contributor to the subsequent exhibition and book.[2]
He has continued to work extensively with musicians, documenting a wide reaching spread of artists and genres.
During the 1980s he began directing music videos.[3] During a visit to Japan while working with Bryan Adams, he was experimenting with a Super-8 movie camera, when Adams asked if he would film one of his live songs. The black and white clip that followed was reviewed by Chrissy Iley in Direction Magazine as a great debut.[citation needed] His second video, for the Cowboy Junkies track, Blue Moon was given a feature in Direction: "Blue Moon surprised me, impressed me, and I'm hard to impress, especially with performance videos. Its approach is not clinical or technical or corporate. But its flickered lights and sepia faces strike a mood that few directors of the three-minute clip even bother to think necessary. The facial expressions are important to him, and are carefully monitored with his portraiture eye. Fortunately, MTV shared my view and put it on heavy rotation."(Chrissy Iley).[citation needed]
Catlin was Director of Photography for Elements of Mine, a film by Egyptian director Khaled El Hagar which was awarded First Prize in the Toronto Moving Pictures Festival (MoPix Award 2004). [4]
In 2008, drawing together experience from photography, filmmaking and graphic design, he began a project called "The Matrix Series", exploring graphic compositions with complex multi-frame narratives.[citation needed] Each piece was shot as a set of images designed to interact in multiple dimensions, combining elements of time, movement, rhythm, narrative and graphic structure, while remaining within an essentially documentary framework. In his essay "Nine Hastings Photographers" Vasileios Kantas proposes that "Andrew Catlin’s imagery formations could be considered as a study on perception. His matrix suggests a unique syntax, of which the visual elements have been formed partly coincidentally - the subject’s actions - and partly in a controllable way - the photographer’s decisions. The way the sub-frames are selected and positioned in the matrix is preconceived, though it does not serve the linearity of time which seems to be loosened, if not abolished. The display of the sub-frames allows different reading strategies, seemingly serving many goals simultaneously." Sean O'Hagan, photography writer for The Observer, notes "In his Matrix series, he has somehow merged the rigorously formal with the luminously observational. Whereas the likes of Blossfeldt and the Bechers created visual typologies, arranging plants and industrial water towers respectively in grids that echo the natural and man-made sameness of their subjects, Catlin has used the grid format to render a series of what he calls “critical” moments. The resulting images are both formally detached and acutely observational, ordered yet intimate. ... Andrew Catlin is a photographer with a scientific eye. He is obsessive, meticulous and rigorous, but also a quiet, unobtrusive observer of the everyday sublime. It shines brightly though his big pictures."[5]
Catlin was quoted on photography in Varsity Magazine: "For me a great photograph needs to have a sense of intrigue. There needs to be a reason to revisit it again and again. Unanswered questions that make further exploration of the image an imperative. Reinterpretation through imagination, consideration and connection. If a picture doesn't have the depth to engage in these ways – if it doesn't make you think and reflect – it may have great visual or emotional impact, but it is superficial."
"A photographer must first see. An act of observation, study and recognition. Second, record. The act of composition, a feeling for light, interpretation. Thirdly, reflect. Consider in more depth the meaning of the image. Edit from a sequence; perhaps change the colour, density, contrast or light in the picture to adjust balance, weight and emphasis within the frame. Some photographers crop, others never do as a matter of principle."
His photography is held in major collections and archives worldwide, ranging from The National Portrait Gallery in London[6] to the Schwules Museum in Berlin.[7]
Title | Artist | Year | Comment |
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18 Til I Die | Bryan Adams | 1999 | Photography |
So Far So Good | Bryan Adams | 1993 | Photography |
Please Forgive Me | Bryan Adams | 1993 | Photography |
All I Want is You | Bryan Adams | 1991 | Photography |
Waking Up the Neighbours | Bryan Adams | 1991 | Photography |
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of Joan Armatrading | Joan Armatrading | 2000 | Photography |
Happiness | Lisa Germano | 1993 | Photography |
Wishful Thinking | Propaganda | 2012 | Photography |
25: The Greatest Hits [CD/DVD] | Simply Red | 2008 | Photography |
25: The Greatest Hits [Single Disc] | Simply Red | 2009 | Photography |
331⁄3 | Susheela Raman | 2007 | Art Direction, Photography |
Actually | Pet Shop Boys | 2001 | Photography |
Anthology | Bryan Adams | 2005 | Photography |
Anthology [2007] | Bryan Adams | 2007 | Photography |
Automatic | The Jesus and Mary Chain | 1989 | Photography, Portraits |
Automatic [DualDisc] | The Jesus and Mary Chain | 2006 | Portraits |
Babi Yar/Drill FACT 266 | Steve Martland | 1989 | Photography |
Balinese Dancer | Chuck Prophet | 1993 | Photography |
Barbed Wire Kisses | The Jesus and Mary Chain | 1988 | Photography |
The Best of Aztec Camera | Aztec Camera | 2001 | Photography |
The Best of Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds | Nick Cave | 1998 | Photography |
The Best of Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds [Bonus CD] | Nick Cave | 2001 | Photography |
Big Blue Ball | Big Blue Ball | 2008 | Photography |
Big Cock | King Kurt | 1986 | Photography |
The Brit Box: UK Indie, Shoegaze, and Brit-Pop Gems of the Last Millennium | Various Artists | 2007 | Photography |
Brother Aldo | Chuck Prophet | 1990 | Design, Photography |
Burnin' the Ice | Die Haut | 1983 | Photography |
Campfire Songs: The Popular, Obscure and Unknown Recordings of 10,000 Maniacs | 10,000 Maniacs | 2004 | Photography |
Capital Letters: The Best of Ruefrex | Ruefrex | 2005 | Photography |
Chains Changed | Throwing Muses | 1987 | Photography |
Cleaner Light | Kristin Hersh | 1999 | Portraits |
Collection, Pt. 2 | Christy Moore | 1997 | Photography |
Coming Home | Yungchen Lhamo | 1998 | Photography |
Complete Studio Albums Box | Sugarcubes | 2006 | Photography |
Crock of Gold | Shane MacGowan | 1997 | Photography |
Church of the Holy Spook | Shane MacGowan | 1994 | Photography/Design |
That Woman's Got Me Drinking | Shane MacGowan | 1994 | Photography/Design |
Candleland | Ian McCulloch | 1989 | Photography |
Proud to Fall | Ian McCulloch | 1989 | Photography |
Mysterio | Ian McCulloch | 1989 | Photography |
Bedbugs and Ballyhoo | Echo and the Bunnymen | 1988 | Photography |
Love | The Cult | 2009 | Photography |
Darklands | The Jesus and Mary Chain | 1987 | Photography |
Stories of Johnny | Marc Almond | 1985 | Photography |
Don Juan Demarco [Soundtrack] | Various Artists | 1995 | Photography |
End of the Millennium Psychosis Blues | That Petrol Emotion | 1988 | Photography |
Essential Pogues | The Pogues | 1991 | Photography |
Fairytale of New York | The Pogues | 2012 | Photography |
Sally Maclennane | The Pogues | 1985 | Photography |
Final Flame | That Petrol Emotion | 2000 | Photography/Art Direction |
First of a Million Kisses/Ay Fond Kiss/Mirmama | Fairground Attraction | 2002 | Cover Photo |
Forbidden City | Electronic | 1996 | Photography |
George Best | The Wedding Present | 1987 | Photography |
George Best Plus [George Best Plus] | The Wedding Present | 1997 | Photography |
Griller | Ut | 1989 | Photography |
Here Today, Tomorrow | The Sugarcubes | 1989 | Photography |
Hips and Makers | Kristin Hersh | 1994 | Photography |
Hips and Makers | Your Ghost | 1993 | Photography |
Hollywood Town Hall | The Jayhawks | 1992 | Photography |
Waiting for the Sun | The Jayhawks | 1992 | Photography |
Honey's Dead | The Jesus and Mary Chain | 1992 | Photography |
Inconsiderate Bitch | Lisa Germano | 1994 | Photography |
Into the Blues | Joan Armatrading | 2007 | Photography |
Islands | Mike Oldfield | 1987 | Photography |
It Was the Best of Times | Supertramp | 1999 | Photography |
Just Like Everybody [LTM] | 23 Skidoo | 2008 | Photography |
Just Say Anything | Just Say Yes | 1991 | Photography |
La Candela Viva | Totó La Momposina | 1993 | Photography |
Live 1987 | The Wedding Present | 2007 | Photography |
Live Aid [DVD Boxed Set] | Various Artists | 2004 | Photography |
Live! Live! Live! | Bryan Adams | 1995 | Photography |
Lonely, Cryin', Only [#1] | Therapy? | 1998 | Photography |
Love Bites & Bruises: Wonder Stuff Anthology | The Wonder Stuff | 2001 | Photography |
The Lost Are Found | Claudia Brücken | 2012 | Photography |
Love Trap | Susheela Raman | 2003 | Photography |
Vel | Susheela Raman | 2010 | Photography & Design |
Ghost Gamelan | Susheela Raman | 2018 | Photography & Design |
Lovelife | Lush | 1996 | Portraits |
Lovesongs for Underdogs | Tanya Donelly | 1997 | Photography |
Lovesongs for Underdogs [Japan] | Tanya Donelly | 1998 | Photography |
Merge | Arthur Baker | 1989 | Photography |
Mirmama | Eddi Reader | 1991 | Photography |
Mysterio | Ian McCulloch | 1992 | Photography |
Dug For Love | Ian McCulloch | 1992 | Photography |
Candleland | Ian McCulloch | 1992 | Photography |
Proud to Fall | Ian McCulloch | 1992 | Photography |
Never Loved Elvis | The Wonder Stuff | 1991 | Photography |
Never Loved Elvis [Bonus Tracks] | The Wonder Stuff | 2000 | Photography |
Patrol | Steve Martland | 1994 | Photography |
Picture Book [Bonus DVD] | Simply Red | 2008 | Photography |
Please/Further Listening 1984–1986 [Bonus CD] | Pet Shop Boys | 2001 | Photography |
The Power of Negative Thinking: B-Sides & Rarities | The Jesus and Mary Chain | 2007 | Photography |
Blues from a Gun | The Jesus and Mary Chain | 1989 | Photography |
Teethgrinder | Therapy? | 1992 | Photography |
Nurse | Therapy? | 1992 | Photography |
Semi-Detached | Therapy? | 1998 | Photography |
Sidewalking | The Jesus and Mary Chain | 1988 | Photography |
Automatic | The Jesus and Mary Chain | 1989 | Photography |
POWER TO THE PEOPLE AND THE BEATS – Public Enemy's Greatest Hits [Edited Version] | Public Enemy | 2005 | Photography |
Power to the People and the Beats – Public Enemy's Greatest Hits [Explicit Version] | Public Enemy | 2005 | Photography |
Pretty Deep [#1] | Tanya Donelly | 1997 | Photography |
Pretty Deep [#2] | Tanya Donelly | 1997 | Photography |
Provision | Scritti Politti | 1988 | Photography |
Real Sugar | Paban Das Baul | 1997 | Photography |
Retro | New Order | 2002 | Photography |
Retro [Bonus CD] | New Order | 2002 | Photography |
Ricks Road | Texas | 1993 | Photography |
Rum Sodomy & The Lash [Expanded] [Bonus Tracks] | The Pogues | 2005 | Photography |
Salt Rain | Susheela Raman | 2001 | Photography |
The Same Sky | Horse | 1990 | Cover Photo |
Saturday Morning: Cartoons' Greatest Hits | Various Artists | 1995 | Photography |
Semi-Detached [Bonus Tracks] | Therapy? | 2000 | Photography |
Seven Songs [LTM] | 23 Skidoo | 2008 | Images |
23 Skidoo | 23 Skidoo | 1983 | Photography |
Sharks Patrol These Waters | Various Artists | 1995 | Photography |
The Shouting Stage | Joan Armatrading | 1988 | Photography |
Sky Motel | Kristin Hersh | 1999 | Portraits |
Slave to Love: Best of the Ballads | Bryan Ferry | 2000 | Cover Photo |
Slave to Love: Best of the Ballads [Japan] | Bryan Ferry | 2000 | Cover Photo |
Square the Circle | Joan Armatrading | 1992 | Photography |
Still Burning | Mike Scott | 1997 | Photography |
The Snake | Shane MacGowan | 1995 | Photography/Art Direction |
The Snake [Bonus Track] | Shane MacGowan | 2000 | Photography |
So Far So Good | Bryan Adams | 1993 | Photography/Art Direction |
The Sound of the Smiths [Deluxe Edition] | The Smiths | 2008 | Photography |
Sounds of the Eighties: 1986 | Various Artists | 1994 | Photography |
Tommy (1985–1987) | The Wedding Present | 1988 | Photography |
The Culling Is Coming | 23 Skidoo | 1983 | Photography |
Language | 23 Skidoo | 1984 | Photography |
Trilogy | The Pogues | 2006 | Photography |
Bedbugs & Ballyhoo [LP] | Echo & the Bunnymen | 1988 | Photography |
The Very Best of Echo & the Bunnymen: More Songs to Learn and Sing [CD/DVD] | Echo & the Bunnymen | 2007 | Photography |
Volume Two [World's End Ltd.] | Various Artists | 1991 | Photography |
Voyage | Christy Moore | 1989 | Photography |
Wave of Mutilation: Best Of Pixies | Pixies | 2004 | Photography |
Where is My Mind? | Pixies | 2004 | Photography |
All Shall Be Well | Virginia Astley | 1992 | Photography |
Had I The Heavens | Virginia Astley | 1996 | Photography |
Way Down Below Buffalo Hell | Way Down Below Buffalo... | 1993 | Photography |
A Week or Two in the Real World | Various Artists | 1995 | Photography |
Wildest Dreams | Tina Turner | 1996 | Photography |
The Stars We Are | Marc Almond | 2002 | Photography |
Sweet Ride | Belly | 2002 | Photography |
This Is It | Faith No More | 2003 | Photography |
Nurse | Therapy | 1992 | Photography |
Teethgrinder | Therapy | 1992 | Photography |
Wembley 1996 | Bryan Adams | 2016 | Photography |
The First Kiss of Love | Cronin | 2016 | Photography |
Tomorrow Never Knows | Susheela Raman | 2016 | Photography |
The Queen Between | Susheela Raman | 2014 | Photography |
The Sound of the Smiths | The Smiths | 2008 | Photography |
Bring the Noise/Sophisticated | Public Enemy | 1988 | Photography |
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