LIVING IN

Dean Sherwood launched his freelance photography career back in 2004 and has gone on to work with industry names The Charlatans, Keane, Editors and Kasabian. His work has been published in NME, Maxim, Loaded and FHM, and now he's Feeder's official photographer.

We submit to him your burning questions about being a successful photographer and his work with Spangle & the boys.

With Grant being such a perfectionist I can imagine him being very fussy about what pictures get actually used, is this the case?
From Xuenilom
 
'Fussy' isn’t a good word. Grant gets heavily involved in both the shoot and the edit with me. Phone calls/emails/texts will cross over for a few days before a 'piece' is finally finished.

It makes my job easier in some ways, and harder in others. But at the end of the day, if he's happy then I’m happy. The recent promo video which has just been released was at version 10 when I got the 'Yep, that’s the one' from G.
 
Which one of the guys is that person who always blinks and ends up with closed eyes on the photos? Are any of them particularly hard to work with?
From xStaceyx
 
Boring answer; they're all very easy to work with. Artists normally are. You don't need to tell them how to look good they do it every day.
 
When doing a photo shoot with a band like Feeder, who decides things such as where to take the pictures (if they’re not in a studio), what backgrounds to use and what clothes they wear?
Caroline C

It’s a mix of me and G really, but we freestyle a lot. I'll meet up with him at a location and he'll say 'I've been out walking and found a really cool little place.' and then I’ll say 'I’ve been to the venue and already set up my lighting in a spot that’s perfect.'

What kind of perks do you get from being a band’s official photographer?
Richard
 
I get to see gigs for free! Of course, I get to see sound checks too, they're cool, the perfection involved from these guys to get the sound right for you all is incredible.

Obviously I get a few freebies as well, but only stuff I’ve had a part in producing. The best bit is meeting creative and massively talented people. You get to hear good stories, and you get to learn a heck of a lot from them too.

I also get to bring Becky, my girlfriend, along to the gigs, so it’s really nice to share the experiences as well. Sounds all glamorous, it's really not, most of the time.

Are you a fan of Feeder's music?
From Ghost
 
I am, but I wasn't. Hearing G live has converted me.

Have you ever had to work for someone whose music you can't stand, and does it affect what you do?
From Ghost

Yeah I have, but at the end of the day, I’m there to work and produce a result and more every time, so it doesn’t effect the outcome at all.

What is your favourite Feeder album and song?
From David Cope
 
Album? Silent cry, probably not many people's, but I was with the band for most of the tour, so it

has a special meaning I guess. As for my favourite song; Pushing The Senses.

What is your all-time favourite artwork for an album cover?
From Tommy
 
Air Traffic, Fractured Life.

Do you have any tips for gig photography? Most of my photos end up blurry or too dark, even in small venues when I’m definitely close enough for decent shots.
From Chloe
 
Get a good camera, get a brilliant piece of glass on it, crank up the ISO and shoot at around 160th if you can.

Or, get a Holga or something and do something different, create your own style. There's hundreds of photographers out there producing crisp sharp images, break the mould.