The beginning of 2008 saw us formulate a lasting and valuable collaboration with New York based fashion photographer Chadwick Tyler, bringing us the quality that Maltese fashion editorials deserve.
Chadwick’s enthusiasm for shooting great pictures is evident. With a straight talking, hard working attitude, this man lives to take great pictures. Having worked with some fashion greats and future-greats, we wanted to get closer and find out more...
You take really nice pictures why is that?
I take pictures of beautiful women. It is hard to take not nice pictures with that kind of pedegree in front of you. You asked why though. I prefer nice pictures over those that suck.
Were you born a fashion photographer?
I was born a coal miners daughter. Actually, no, I was born in a small town in Florida which is in the southern part of the United States. I would argue now that I am still not a fashion photographer. I take pictures of models that happen to be in high fashion and sometimes are even styled to be wearing it when I shoot. For me it is all about the girl the clothes are secondary.
OK. Can you try to describe the fashion photographer's world? Breakfast is?
My morning starts with a coffee and a bagel with peanut butter, honey, and banana. I believe they call that an Elvis Presley.
Did you always aspire to shoot women?
I originally aspired to shoot small farm animals but that was just for sport. Anyways, women fascinate me. I know that is a cliché, but I think for me it’s to a different level than most. It is an addiction. There is nothing I would rather be doing.
What’s your preferred set-up?
This question is a little vague so I will try to cover the base. I shoot mostly small format Canon both film and digital. I prefer available light. I prefer fast fixed lenses and slow shutter speeds. I prefer a body that has a high fps (frame per second).
What do you think of whilst shooting?
I try not to think. When I catch myself thinking I try to correct it. I have found that my best results come from instinct. If you are thinking too much you are pissing all of the vinegar out of the model.
What kind of clients are you involved with?
None of them biblically, yet. I work with a lot of Fashion Magazines. I will tell you who I worked with over the summer up until today: I am working on a piece for the second issue of JOY Quarterly. I just finished photos that will be shown in V #56. I just finished working on a book with Paul Rowland for the Supreme Show Packages S/S 09. I have a story with Rachel Clark coming out in EXIT this issue. Two stories with Sofi, one in Mirage a new magazine out of Germany and one in London based magazine Plastique. Two Stories with Melody, one also in Mirage and the other in the annual Sherman. I also have shot this month for Alexander Wang for a new collection and Rad Hourani; two designers I adore.
What do you hate about your work?
I hate the people that suck. There are too many clowns in this business. A lot of people telling each other how great they are. We get it, you’re great - move on.
Your shoots seem like intimate affairs. How do you create the right atmosphere?
I just like to yell drop trawl when a new model walks in. Then I can gauge my approach. Professional models at this level are constantly shooting in a state of undress. This is not a new concept. I mean it is important that a girl feels safe and respected during a shoot.
I always talk about the shoot with an agent before a girl comes on set, and I always talk to the model to see what they are comfortable with. At the end of the day if the model doesn’t feel comfortable with what we have done, then I have not done my job.
You’ve been working with some pretty high profile girls, and you also work with a lot of unknowns. What defines a girl 'making it' in the model industry?
What, Who, When. It is all a crap shoot. Some girls are defined by others saying they are major and everyone else following suit. It takes a few people to think you are special and the rest of the herd follow suit like it is the best thing since grape Kool Aid.
That said, is there a formula that dictates a girls success? What are people looking for right now?
Right now they are looking for safe. By safe, I mean there has been a push with girls that are known to be able to bring the thunder. There are a lot of amazing new faces this season, probably the most, and most diverse I have seen while I have been here. But they are not getting the attention.
The girls that have a little credit are eating up a lot of the big work. Apparently someone is looking for Naomi Campbell. I mean seriously - that is your top pick for YSL? I mean really? Why?
You’ve said in the past that if a girl is difficult you send her home. Define difficult.
Difficult = asshole = not cute = homeward bound.
What are you aiming to achieve when you shoot? Is there a point you’re aiming for?
I like to point toward the model and away from everything else. I am often asked this question. I wish I had the answer. I am not really aiming for anything other than correct.
How do you explain the disparity in quality between say, fashion editorials printed in Malta, and that of larger international magazines. Need such a difference exist?
From what I have seen in Malta and in a lot of smaller countries that actually do have taste and class, it’s just getting caught up with being safe. I have never really understood that mindset. The idiology that the Maltese people wouldn’t appreciate and embrace good work is just ignorance.
I have a theory. People with taste know good work. They might not love the actual work but they can see that it was produced well, with a vision in mind. Sometimes the vision is one you don’t want to see or address. That is kind of the point of good art though isn’t it? People without taste don’t care either way. So if it is right then everyone is satisfied.
There is nothing wrong with a little controversy. It gets people talking, it makes people figure out what they want.
