Photographer Interview:
AP The Angel
BIO
Anthony Peterson is a photographer based in New York City. A student of film in college who happened to develop a deep love for still images. He doesn’t like to constrict himself to one style of photography, he believes in diving deep into the craft and exploring as much as possible, shooting what FEELS right.
Peterson’s personal work focuses on a mix between portraiture, street, landscape, and double exposure. Professionally he’s worked with a variety of house name-brands including North Face, Puma, Under Armour, Budweiser, and many more.
Tell us a little about yourself? Where you’re from, where you’re based now?
My name is AP Peterson better known as AP THE ANGEL. That’s pronounced AYYY Pea not like APP. Lol. I’m from Chicago but have been residing in NYC for 8 years now, currently living in Brooklyn. I’m primarily a street photographer but can shoot anything but I’m never shooting a wedding so please don’t ask me.
How long have you been shooting for?
I’ve been shooting since my dad purchased his first flip phone with a camera on it when I was like 12. That’s why I always joke about being a flip phone photographer. I always wanted to take pictures since that point but started to actually use a real camera when I worked on the yearbook senior year of high school. I have been “professionally” shooting for the last four years.
Did you buy your first camera or was it a gift
My first camera was a loaner that my business partner let me borrow whenever I needed one but it ended up getting stolen so I had to pay him back for that which was really like buying it. (Lmfao) After that I purchased my first OWN OWN camera. (SONY A7R3)
What camera would you want to be your last?
I don’t think I ever want to have to think of any camera as my last because I think as I continue to grow and develop I will want to try new cameras and collect more as each offers its own feel. If I HAD TO pick one probably a Red Digital Cinema RED RANGER so I can make a fucking movie.
Do you prefer digital or analog? Why?
That’s a tough question because I enjoy them both sooo much. I love digital because I can see the pictures right then and there and retake the picture as many times as I want until it’s perfect. I love analog because I can’t see the picture until it’s developed and it gives me more appreciation of that ONE MOMENT I took the picture and then I have to let go. It’s helped me improve in terms of letting go which I believe is a very essential thing in all aspects of life. Did I just contradict myself? (LOL)
“What moves me in photography are the real moments that happen naturally in the grand scheme of things and being able to be tapped in and aware enough to capture them.”
Fave film stock? Why?
CINESTILL 800T BECAUSE IT’S THE BEST. PERIOD. IT LOOKS SOOOOO CINEMATIC AND JUST UGHHHHHHHHH.
Candid or posed? Flash or no flash? Why?
Everything candid. I think it’s more of a skill to be able to capture moments as they organically happen. I’m not taking anything away from all the work that can go into a conceptualized posed shot because look at Gregorry Crewdson (My favorite). He put so much staging into ONE shot and the art behind the realism just blows my mind how amazing EVERY one of his works turned out. That takes a lot of skill especially when it comes to setting up all the lighting. With that being said, EVERYTHING CANDID. ORGANICALLY CANDID.
I like flash all the time because I love the depth extra light can add especially when you put it in the right place. Refer to previous statement. Haha.
Any specific subjects you gravitate towards while planning a shoot?
The street.
Would you say you have a consistent style of shooting? (Regarding specific lighting, location or subjects, or regardless of those things)
I don’t have a consistent style of shooting and I believe that’s what makes me unique. I’m all over the place but one thing that remains consistent in all styles of my work is light and shadows.
Is there any particular element of shooting you’d like to tackle or explore?
I want to shoot some crazy shit like The Pyramids. Or some super crazy nature shit like erupting volcanoes, tornadoes, war, just some really risky shit.
When it comes to photography what moves you?
What moves me in photography are the real moments that happen naturally in the grand scheme of things and being able to be tapped in and aware enough to capture them. These are moments in time that people from the future will one day look back on and it’s so cool that I can be the messenger with my camera.
What would you like people to take away from your work?
I want people to feel something when they look at my work. That’s it.
Interview by 35s & 45s
03.15.21