Interview with Derry Moore, 12th Earl of
Drogheda
Image provided by
Derry Moore. All rights reserved.
This exclusive interview with photographer Derry Moore, 12th
Earl of Drogheda was conducted in Greece by Nicola Linza and Cristoffer
Neljesjö during August 2014
Why did you become a photographer?
Coincidence, I thought I might make documentary films but quickly discovered I had no gift for telling a story; however I felt I should try to understand how film worked and bought a camera, a 35mm pentax. As a result of my time at the Kokoschka School I found that I had a certain aptitude for still photography.
You were at school during what some would consider halcyon days of the British public school. What is your fondest memory of life at Eton?
Probably the sheer beauty of the place, something I wasn’t conscious of at the time.
You studied painting at Oskar Kokoschka's School of Seeing in Salzburg, Austria and with Bill Brandt what from those experiences has influenced your photography?
Without having been to Kokoschka’s School I could never have taken photographs. I don’t think I had a natural gift at all but was so inspired by Kokoschka that I thought I should become a photographer – a great mistake.
Bill Brandt’s influence was enormous but without the Kokoschka experience it would have been meaningless.
Do you have a favourite project, what and why?
Generally what I’m currently working. At the moment it’s a book on horses.
You have met and photographed the late Renzo Mongiardino, how was he as a person?
Enchanting, quite simple with an excellent sense of humour and quite without pomposity or self-importance.
If you could have your portrait taken by anyone living or deceased, whom would it be and why?
Bill Brandt – not surprisingly.
The above interview with Derry Moore, 12th Earl of Drogheda 2014 © Manner of Man Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction is strictly prohibited without written permission from the publisher.
