10 Questions for Murdo Macleod

Hello Blippers.

We have exciting news. We are busying behind the scenes making in-roads with some of the world's top photographers to bring you a new - and hopefully regular - feature called '10 Questions'.  

The best bit is you get to ask the questions. Maybe you're interested in finding out how someone started their photographic career, insight behind a certain shot, what inspires them, or general hints and tips. 

We've started on our doorstep, and our first guest photographer is Murdo Macleod.  If you haven't come across Murdo's work, here's an introduction.

For twenty-five years, Murdo has been an Edinburgh based newspaper and magazine photographer.  He's won the UK Press Photographer of the Year and mainly works for The Guardian and Observer newspapers.  

His portfolio includes striking and definitive portraits of luminaries, newsmakers and personalities including Bill Clinton, Roy Keane, Ricky Gervais, Tilda Swinton and Michael Schumacher, as well as documentary images of major political and environmental events.  

Murdo grew up in a crofting family in the Hebridean village of Siabost on the Isle of Lewis. His parents were Harris Tweed weavers and he was educated at Siabost School and also in Stornoway. He left the Hebrides to complete a photography course at Napier College in Edinburgh.

Guardian editor, Alan Rushbridger, has said about Murdo, "His humour is never accusing or cruel. There is a Beckett-like sense of absurdity lurking in most of what he photographs. It's what makes him unique."

The above shot is of Alistair Darling, a British Labour Party politician who served as Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2007 to 2010. Here he is on holiday on the Isle of Lewis in 2008 talking Cabinet reshuffles, recession and the price of eggs.

So get your thinking hats on - what questions do you have for Murdo? Post your questions in this forum thread before 20 April. We'll then take a look and choose 10 to put to Murdo.

If you love a particular world renowned photographer, let us know and we'll knock on their door.

Enjoy!