Alan Mynett

Photography has been part of my life for almost as long as I can remember. I always felt that it had a special role to play, but like many amateurs, I found it hard to articulate that role. The path marked by the camera club and the consumer press with their 'do it like me' philosophy and their professional role model never seemed quite right. I opted for science, not art. I graduated in biochemistry, gained a doctorate, researched, moved into teaching and my photographic activity fluctuated according to the needs of (paid) employment. Then, 15 years ago, I was asked to teach photography - and my life changed. I discovered Minor White, looked at Harry Callahan, read Paul Hill's Approaching Photography, did workshops at Paul Hill's Photographers' Place and visited Peter Goldfield at Duckspool. I had begun to find my place.

From Paul Hill I gained confidence; from Minor White I took the concept of sequence; from Thomas Joshua Cooper I appropriated the idea of grouping images into 'works'. As I read and taught I realised that worthwhile photographs transcend their formal structures and begin to communicate on many levels. From Victor Burgin I learned that pictures don't always have to yield their secrets too easily. The viewer should be expected to do some work.

Process can be an important signifier. I work in whatever form of the medium suits my expressive ends.

The Utensils series was part of a commission by City College Brighton and Hove for images to be exhibited in the newly refurbished training restaurant. The final exhibition was in two parts - large Lightjet images taken on location in the college's teaching kitchens and these smaller images, taken in the studio, of cooking implements used by the students.

For more examples of my work, visit my website.

Funnel

Whisk

Basket

Grater 1

Grater 2

Seive