Photographer Interview:
Marcus Lloyd
BIO
Marcus Lloyd is a freelance travel, food, interiors photographer based in New York City. His personal work focuses around architecture and street documentary. Lloyd has built an extensive list of location shoots over his years, sharing his picture perfect journeys online in real time. With a cinematic approach to photography, the images feel like a screenshot of a Wes Anderson film based on a traveling character’s adventure, leaving a sensational or longing feeling for the road yet unknown.
Tell us a little about yourself? Where you’re from, where you’re based now?
My name is Marcus Lloyd and I’m from Dallas, Tx and I’m based in Brooklyn, Bushwick to be exact.
Traveling seems to be the norm for you. Do you enjoy living life on the go?
I’ve been giving this a ton of thought lately, especially since travel has slowed down the way it has. I think I need to travel to feel at my absolute best. I’m just a different person when I travel, my eye is always on the hunt for photos and just seeing a city or destination with fresh eyes is the best. Sometimes I get so jealous of tourists who are seeing nyc for the first time.
What’s your favorite part about traveling? And least favorite?
I think my favorite part of traveling is diving into a new culture and seeing the world from a different perspective than I’m used to seeing it. I always feel so inspired in a new place.
Dream destination?
Japan
Lighting tends to be different in certain locations. Do you plan ahead and pack specific cameras for the destinations that are booked?
My setup is always really light. I only shoot with 2 cameras (Leica Q and Fuji GW690ii) and I like to keep it that way. I know both cameras so well and I know the results I will get. With lighting scenarios, I will take notes throughout the day if I’m in a new place. If I notice the light is really beautiful at 12 pm on this side of the street, I will jot that down. If the morning sun shines through our hotel room window, I will jot that down. Then I will make photos. A lot of times it’s just getting lucky or planning to be at a certain neighborhood at a certain time. Hope that answered the question Lol
Do you prefer digital or analog? Why?
Sheeesh, so tuff! Film forever. At first I fell in love with film because of the way the photos would look and the detail, grain, and richness it added to a photo. Making imperfections look beautiful. But now its so much more than that. It’s the amount of intent behind each photo, the fact that there’s a natural separation between the moment I take the photo and see the photo. Unlike digital which I can see the photo immediately. That element of surprise is something I’ve grown to cherish. Even the small tactile moments of film, loading film, buying new rolls of film is like buying candy as a kid. It’s the process that I value.
“Let’s encourage more people to pick up film, is how I see it.
Are you self-taught or did you go to school for photography?
Self taught. Shout out to all the photographers out there trying to figure it out. Lol
What are some aspects of photography you don’t like? Why?
I’m not really into all the wanna be gatekeepers in the game. For instance, just because you’ve been shooting film for 10 years doesn’t mean you should look down for frown on the newbies getting into film. A lot of guys are so annoyed by the new wave of people wanting to shoot film but I see it as a great thing. Let’s encourage more people to pick up film, is how I see it.
Did you buy your first camera or was it a gift?
I bought my first camera off of craigslist for about 200 bucks. It was a old canon t1i. I wanted to get the latest greatest camera at the time but I couldn't afford it. So I bought a film camera instead and that began the film journey.
Any specific image you’ve taken that is the most memorable?
Yes, there’s this photo I took while I was in Dallas. I was at this classic diner and I wanted to get this classic diner type of shot and it just didn’t work out that way just due to where the waitress sat us, but when it was time to pay our bill, I walked past this table that a man just walked away from and the sun was beaming in on the table and I snapped it. It’s one of my favorites as of late. Also it was a nice lesson in just letting go of expectations and just roll with it.
Would you say you have a consistent style of shooting? (Regarding specific lighting, location or subjects, or regardless of those things)
Well i feel like I naturally shoot around 4-5 different subject matters pretty consistently and I try to stay pretty dialed into my own color palette. So hopefully feels consistent to the viewer.
Fave film stock? Why?
Portra 400 just because i can trust it and its so damn flexible.
What subjects do your gravitate towards while shooting?
I love shooting so many subjects from mundane simple everyday moments like a beautiful block in a neighborhood or even a vintage car parked in front of a cool store. But I also love more commercial driven work like food photography to interiors of hotels. I think I’m always looking for light and color. Those two things drive me to put the camera up to my eye to take a photo.
Candid or posed? Flash or no flash? Why?
Candid all day and no flash. Mostly because I just love using natural light as my way of seeing the world.
Is there any particular element of shooting you’d like to tackle or explore?
Im looking to dive into more night time film photography.
What would you like people to take away from your photography?
That there is beauty all around us. We just have to be open to it.
Interview by 35s & 45s
03.10.21