Andy Dunwoody web-terview

So, you’ve had the big meeting with British Cycling about 2010 race photos last week. What’s the plan for this year and what are your thoughts?
More of the same as last year but a lot different. That’s a bit of a contradiction in terms isn’t it?

I’ll cover national Downhill and Fourcross for BC from a photographic point of view and I’ll also be getting a few interviews with everyone from the riders to the bloke in the noodle van at Chicksands.

You mentioned you aint that keen on British Cyclings traditional photo galleries of riders shots – How are you thinking of covering the events?
I think the difference this year is that we will attempt to cover the event as a whole and capture the atmosphere (so make sure there is one worth capturing!), which in my view is the whole point of sending a photographer to an event.

Out goes picture after picture of riders in the same spot for the gallery, as it is plain to see that no-one wants to look through that sort of thing, especially as this year the British Downhill Series will be including an image in your entrance fee. It stifles any creativity for me and it is, frankly, dull. Oh yes, the podium pics will be different too, as in, hardly any!

We are trying out other stuff too but we will be doing this at some early races like the first round of the Caersws Cup and a Fourcross event.

I think I’ll know if I’m doing something right or wrong very quickly. The script kiddies on the forums will tell me. After ignoring them, I’ll listen to proper informed debate from grown ups.

What are your thoughts on the NPS and BDS, having seen it from a photogs point of view? Do you enjoy photo’ing them?
Yes, I enjoy shooting at both Fourcross and Downhill events. The BDS this year looks good. So much work has gone into it behind the scenes to bring it up to another level. It won’t be let down by Si Paton or Dave Franciaosisoaosiaoisys hard work. Things will be a little different this year with the introduction of media passes but it shows the series is striving for quality, evolving and trying different things out.

Fourcross is great to shoot. So easy to move around, dead laid back atmosphere and everyone is there for having the best day they can.

Everyone at Downhill and Fourcross events are friendly and I get a bit dismayed if I don’t get the piss ripped out of me, or I can’t rip the piss out of anyone else within 5 minutes of turning up. (I can help with that mate – Jamie)

Any plans for photography outside of the Nationals?
Photography isn’t my full time job, but it’s becoming more and more woven into my daily life. I’m trying to get my product photography off the ground this year having spent some cash on a full studio setup and a bit more portraiture type work.

Also, living in Cheshire I have access to quite a few decent riders and it’s always good to go out and shoot them (with a camera). I’ve a few things I want to try this year in that respect too. You’ll have to wait to see what that is.

I know you’ve got your first kid on the way this season – are you wetting yourself yet?
Well, she (it’s going to be a girl) has already put Fort William World Cup in the bin for me but yes, I suppose I’m a little apprehensive and there’s always the possibility of covering the World Champs eh BC?, nudge nudge, wink wink……..

It can’t be that hard, Steve ‘The Butcher’ Walker has two of them and you never see him grumbling……..

Complete this sentence… “My photo coverage of 2010 will be a success if…. “
…Mark Milward throughly flushes the sterilising fluid out of his motorhomes water system. Driving back to my hotel from Ae Forest last year on the Saturday after eating a stupid amount of spaghetti washed in Milton was a touch and go business. Literally. You have to admire the research that’s been put into Imodium.

Cheers Duck!

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