S2 E4: Barry Lewis: From Bunsen Burners to the Berlin Wall
In this episode, we sit down with the acclaimed documentary photographer and filmmaker Barry Lewis to explore a career spanning over four decades of visual storytelling. From his early days transitioning from a chemistry teacher to a Royal College of Art scholar, Barry discusses the founding of the influential Network Photographers agency and his visceral experiences capturing history, including his World Press Award-winning work in post-revolutionary Romania. The conversation delves into the importance of maintaining a "fresh eye," the transition from stills to documentary film, and the necessity of artistic collaboration to keep one's creative practice evolving.
Timestamps & Key Moments
00:04:12 - Barry discusses the pivotal shift from being a head of chemistry to pursuing an MA in photography at the Royal College of Art, highlighting the leap of faith required to follow a creative calling.
00:15:30 - The founding of Network Photographers is explored, detailing how a collective of eight photographers created a significant critical forum and archive that shaped British photojournalism for over twenty years.
00:28:45 - A deep dive into the experience of photographing Romania after the 1989 revolution, a body of work that earned Barry the Oskar Barnack Award and defined his approach to humanitarian photography.
00:42:10 - Barry reflects on his work at Butlins Holiday Camp in the 1980s, discussing how he captured the unique atmosphere of British leisure and why those images continue to resonate with audiences today.
00:55:20 - The transition into filmmaking and directing over 20 documentaries is examined, with Barry explaining how moving images and sound collaboration allow for a different kind of emotional depth in storytelling.
01:10:15 - A closing reflection on the philosophy of "staying curious," where Barry shares his methods for avoiding creative stagnation and the importance of looking at the world with a permanent sense of wonder.
