The following is the first of a series of interviews launched for Abstract and Surreal photography week in Project Educate 2008.

`whoatherechief is master of the Holga, using these disposable medium format cameras as well as polaroids and other cult favorites to create raw, experimental abstract and surreal imagery that is easy to get lost and absorbed in.

Basics and Background

Name and location?
Todd McIvor, New Zealand, South Island.

How long have you been practicing photography?
Off and on (mostly off) from the purchase of my first camera, a 110 mickey-matic, almost 20 years ago.

Do you have any formal training in the arts?
I did a year long course way back in high school, then promptly sold my camera and forgot about photography for a few years.

What cameras are your personal must-haves on a shoot?
Generally, just the single Holga and a variety of film.

How did you come to embrace the genres you prefer to work in?
I'm not entirely sure, its evolution I suppose. I began by taking holiday snapshots, and moved onto nature and landscapes. most of my abstracts are landscapes.

Art and abstraction

Do you have a favorite abstract photographer? If so, who and why? If not, who is your favorite artist in general?
I don't really have any favorites as such, but there are definitely a lot of people whose photography I love, it's impossible to choose any one.

What does abstraction mean to you in photography?
This is a tough question as the abstract is especially open to interpretation from the viewer.
For myself, I see it as a more basic way of conveying feeling through colour and shape; a breakdown of the complex.

Do you find influence from other mediums?
Definitely. The huge majority of my inspiration is from surrealist painting and pop art. The biggest inspiration in the past would have been from Francis Bacon's pope studies.

What kind of in-camera manipulations do you perform to achieve abstract effects and impact?
First and foremost, the film. I like to shoot anything that perks my interest, especially anything long past its used by date. The oldest I've shot so far expired in 1962.
Otherwise I have a few favourites for desired effects; generally Ektachrome, Velvia, and fp4 for B/W.
Aside from film choice, I often shoot handheld on bulb.

What suggestions would you give other photographers about harnessing light to create a desired mood in their imagery?
Light is all-important. If your subject is poorly lit your photograph is probably going to look pretty average. Take note of the light, and think about how to use it to get your desired outcome.

Words of wisdom

What advice do you have for beginning photographers?
Slow down! Think about what you're doing. Spend some time studying your subject. Where taking a thousand photographs may get you some nice images, learning and thinking about what you're doing will.

What advice would you give to professional photographers in a rut?
Go back to your roots. Don't over-think. Failing that, pick up your camera and go on an adventure.

What advice would you, at present, give yourself 5 years ago if you could reach back in time?
Buy as much polaroid film as you can afford!

What do you hope people find in your art? Or, what do you hope they definitely don't find in it?
Hopefully people will find something they can happily get lost in for a while. Hopefully its not too 'easy'.

Ego

Who is your favorite deviantART photographer and why?
Too many to list, and many more I've never yet seen I'm sure.

What is your favorite image of your own, so far? Why?

I change my mind weekly, however.

What is your preferred subject (people, objects, places, etc) and why do you like to shoot that subject, whatever the style?
Landscapes. I love adventures, and they usually take me to some pretty interesting places. I try to capture my impressions.

Favorite ice cream flavor?
The one with cookies in it.

If you could be any other person, who would it be and why?
I'm not sure who exactly, but they'd either be an astronaut or a time traveler.

Anything else you'd like to say?
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#Abstractography is the dAmn headquarters for Abstract and Surreal week. Be sure to drop by this week to meet the artists interviewed in this series, myself, and many other abstract and surreal photographers here on deviantART!