10 questions for award-winning photographer Murdo Macleod

If you had the opportunity, what ten questions would you ask one of the UK's top news and feature photographers? What's your best shot? What's your favourite lens or who's the best celebrity you've ever photographed? Well, the Blipfoto community have had just that opportunity.

Murdo Macleod, a UK Press Photographer of the Year and regular contributor to The Observer and The Guardian, has a rich portfolio that includes definitive portraits of Bill Clinton, Ricky Gervais and Michael Schumacher. He agreed to be our first guest photographer to be interviewed by the community and you can read what he's got to say here.

1. How has digital photography changed your approach to shooting?

It is much simpler, much faster, less mistakes. I don't at all miss waiting for the Polaroids to develop with caustic gel going everywhere. Standing around in the dark with chemicals had a great allure when I was young but it soon wore off. The quality of digital was not great at first but it is now almost 3 years since I last shot 6x7 transparency.

2. Does the increasing likelihood that your work will be viewed electronically, on the screen of a mobile device or a computer (rather than a printed newspaper) affect how you plan and take your shots, irrespective of the medium in which you shoot?

No. When shooting I try to get varied material that will work throughout these applications. I have always tried to give my assignments a broad long shelf life when completed - by making them potentially suitable for a variety of outlets.

3. What's more important for you, planning and thinking through images in advance or being present to capture a moment and reacting?  Do you find the results are better the more time you spend with your subjects? What works best for you?

That is often dictated by the nature of the subject. Armonica inventor Benjamin Franklin may have said "those that fail to prepare, prepare to fail" and Arnold Palmer when it was put to him that he was lucky to win answered  "the more I practice the luckier I get".

4. Can you describe a portrait shoot when everything went much better than you expected; and one when everything went pear shaped?

Thierry Henry shoot. Initially envisaged to be an hour and a half shoot in a fully equipped studio, this was eventually reduced by circumstances to a few minutes in a low ceilinged busy canteen at a training ground. This left him on his knees due to the lack of headroom and me on my knees pleading for a few more seconds. It was a hairbreadth away from a total washout. Not a happy experience for the participants but it did ink some paper at the end of the day.

Michael Schumacher shoot (above). This was located in a mobile gym trailer at the Barcelona circuit where his team were testing his car. The formula was simple. I was to be prepared and he would come to me once the car broke down and I would have time while they fixed it. He in due course would arrive but only to be instantly whisked away by the super efficient engineers before the shoot could proceed. Meanwhile people would want to use the gym and my equipment would get moved and disrupted. Finally with nerves fraying and fading hopes, on the evening of the second day, he arrived and the short shoot proceeded. He was friendly and animated in all round good form and delivered dynamic printable pictures.

5. If you could photograph anyone, in any setting, who and where would it be, and why? Is there anyone you have found difficult or even intimidating to photograph, and why? 

It is a question I have often heard asked and I have often thought that, for myself, I haven't ever had an answer. Each day unfolds (or unravels) by itself and that's pretty much how it is.  Here is an attempt: Fidel Castro in his bed or the Queen alone with her horses in a forest.

The hardest people to photograph for publication are people with whom you have a strong personal connection or affection for. It distracts you from the task at hand and makes you filter your intent and actions. Unless, of course, your purpose is to explore the bond and the intimacy you share and use this as a window for others to see the subject through.

6. If you could have only one camera and lens, which would you choose?  

I have a grey old Rollieflex that I am quite fond of.

7. When you're not working, how much personal photography do you do? What sort of split does it come out at? (50-50, 75-25?)

100-0.

8. What is that magic that makes some photographers' shots instantly recognisable?

No idea. It's there or it's not.

9. Which photographer has most inspired you, past or present? 

Admittedly there's absolutely no evidence of it, but today I would say Josef Koudelka, tomorrow I might say something else.

10. If you were to give one piece of advice, what would it be? 

Never underestimate what you can do with black card and sticky tape. If you really really want to then you almost certainly can. Oops that's two.

Thanks, Murdo - we really appreciate you taking the time to take part. Thanks also to missymoo, wingpig, 42, myrtle, iphoto365, stillhere, TractorFactoryPhotos, sheilaM and goodman for posing the questions.