.INTERVIEW WITH: HARRIET ROCK
PHOTOGRAPHER
I met Harriet at Falmouth University on the same course as me (BA Photography). She is an interesting character and knows how to have a good time, and can still spend enough time on her work to create some stunning imagery (something I wish I could balance). The project that I favour the most is entitled ‘Boys Will Be Girls’ as some of the models where good friends of mine who had opened me up to the drag world when I was at university and attempting to turn me from trout to fish! … Im an ugly woman so it never happened.
Boys Will Be Girls
“Boys Will Be Girls was inspired by my close friends from university, who dressed up in drag in their spare time. The project started 3 years ago and has developed over time. To get my initial ideas out on paper I decided to host a drag night in my house, hired some lights, a Hasselblad and bought myself countless rolls of film. My main interest for this project was to document the amazing transformation of drag, exploring the concept of drag being an art form.
As time went on, I then wanted a challenge as I needed to develop the project and felt that this couldn’t happen in Cornwall. So I moved to London for a month, bringing a Hasselblad and LOADS AND LOADS of film. I collaborated with Madame Jojo’s, London Live TV Company. Documenting the Tranny Shack Academy Awards they host every year. The project developed into a published book!” — Harriet Rock
The project started as a studio project which caught my attention straight away. I love the projection of androgyny and drag because it challenges a lot of peoples views and makes people look deeper into the imagery (they did it to me!). The simplicity, but intricacy to the images works brilliantly hand in hand. The images themselves are simple which contrasts with the detail that has gone into the transformation of male to female through the art of hair and makeup.
Harriet is a very good studio photographer and understands her lighting far better than I do. The lighting is on point and the depth created by the shadows really bring the images to life especially in the image of Marilyn (left).
A lot of planning would have gone into these images as it takes a long ass time to beat your face (having your makeup put on) and look sickening. A lot of care would have been taken with these images… and it shows.
I was very excited when I found out that Harriet was going to be continuing her project for her FMP (Final Major Project) by taking herself to London and hit the flamboyant area of Soho to capture drag queens in clubs and out in the real world. One image in particular really stood out to me and I was showing a lot of people back in my hometown in West Sussex (yeah, they aren’t ready to move their backwards views into the modern world yet. It was far too much for their conservative brains). There were so many things about it that stood out to me and it was a fantastic overall composition that I would have killed to have put my name on it.
My style of photography use to be very dark and sinister, and I have always clung onto it in my idea forming, but less so in my images now. I miss it. This is why this image captivated me so much. The dark colouring, and lighter face framed by big, dark hair, the dark but light sparkle in the top, and the expression of ‘I couldn’t give a fuck’. This image was taken on the Tube in London and couldn’t have been done any better. The overall look of it shows off the style and look of Bougie. This image was exhibited alongside my images in London at the Free Range Exhibition in June 2014. The size of the print drew people into it even more.
Harriet took her images by following a group of drag queens, from the getting ready, to the performing. It worked as a whole series because of the flow and the rhythm. It also educates people into the level of dedication it takes to be able to do something like drag and showing that it is in fact an art form. It takes a lot of balls to do drag, even though the balls they do have are taped so far back they are practically up their own butt!
This image above is the same drag queen as the image before, but in the getting ready stage. The makeup can take several hours due to the layers, contouring, letting the face bake (set), blending, and then sorting out hair and clothing. I love that this image was in the collection as it shows how much of a transformation actually occurs and how much work goes into it.
The image has such an interesting feel to it caused by the lingering smoke, the distant expression, and the darker surroundings which highlights the face more. I really do look forward to seeing more of Harriet’s work in the future and wish her all the best in her career! New up and coming talent coming your way ☺
Q&A WITH HARRIET
DOTJPEG: WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE PHOTOGRAPHER FOR INSPIRATION? AND WHY?
HARRIET: I’ve always loved Nan Goldins work, her images are so realistic and I adore the grainy aesthetic that goes on throughout her work. Her work inspires me because she documented these amazing characters which she knew on a personal level. Being apart of this amazing group of people was her lifestyle, she plays a big part of the story in all her images by having a relationship with her subjects. So researching Goldin was the first chapter for this project, I wanted to document these characters in 21st century and grasp a similar aesthetic in my photographs.
DOTJPEG: WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CREATIVE ARTS MAGAZINE?
HARRIET: I love lots of different magazines! But at the moment my favourite is HOP magazine. They are a new start up and post some amazing work! They have taken on a subtle feminist approach. They are always looking for contributors to put on their website. I like that they are getting new up and coming photographers, musicians involved.
DOTJPEG: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG CREATIVES FROM SOMETHING YOU HAVE LEARNT ABOUT THE INDUSTRY?
HARRIET: I literally have no advice because I’m still young, stupid and still trying to find my feet. But I would say if you get knocked down and rejected from a job, try your best to get back up and continue doing living your passion and dream!!! THINK BIG!
