“Minimalism is key to my work” ‒ Nick Prideaux
Short profile
Nick Prideaux is an Australian photographer currently based in Paris, but has also worked extensively in Melbourne, Beijing, Tokyo and South East Asia. His photographs have been published in Vanity Fair, GOOP, Vogue Germany, Fisheye and Nowness and his work has been exhibited in London, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Montreal, Tokyo and Bangkok. In this interview, he reveals why he came to photography out of “artistic frustration”, what his first camera was and how his move to Japan shaped him.
6 QUESTIONS TO NICK PRIDEAUX
Can you tell us a little bit about how you came into photography?
Photography has always been around me from a young age and my first job after high school was working in a Kodak photo lab. I went on to study filmmaking and screenwriting in university but grew tired with the large ensemble and timely nature of productions. Out of artistic frustration, I began to pick up my camera more as it felt so present and momentary. In 2011 I moved to Tokyo and felt that this was the perfect moment to begin documenting my new life there, and this is where it all really began.
Photo: Nick Prideaux
Please share something about your images. What is your special interest? How do you choose the colors, composition, themes etc.?
My images are diaristic in nature, mostly gleaned from everyday moments in my life. I don't really have a special interest, but I'm drawn to particular colors and scenes that resonate with me. Often these contain the light doing something interesting within a space, with a sense of calm or a serene like quality to it. Minimalism is key to my work, as I prefer to subtract rather than add anything to the frame.
Where does this interest come from?
I think this stems from my general worldview of the importance of the present moment, and the tranquility that comes with it. The images I want to create are often an attempt to capture this poise of calmness within the frantic world we live in.
Photo: Nick Prideaux
How do you get inspired? And what inspires you the most? Films, books, or magazines? Or what surrounds you?
I've always loved cinema so this itself has had a major impact in my visual comprehension. I studied filmmaking in university and film has always been an immense part of my life. Beyond that, photobooks are excellent for inspiration - nothing comes close to seeing the printed image as motivation to take a walk outside with your camera.
What was your first camera?
My father's Nikon F2.
Photo: Nick Prideaux
What else should we know about you?
My name is Nick Prideaux and I'm an Australian photographer based in Paris, France. I grew up in Byron Bay before moving to Melbourne to study filmmaking and screenwriting.
In 2011 I moved to Japan to continue my creative career, living there for 6 years before relocating to Bangkok and finally Paris. My first photo publication -008 was with Setanta books in 2021. I've worked with clients such as Marie Claire, Monocle Magazine, Ruinart Champagne, Leif Skincare, Google and Expedia and have exhibited in London, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Montreal, Tokyo and Bangkok.
My forthcoming exhibition and book entitled 'Grace Land' will be published later this year in 2024.
