Henry Carroll, from Potts Point

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m a writer and photographer and the author of the Read This If You Want To Take Great Photographs series. I’m also the founder of Frui Creative Holidays and Courses. I’m from London and studied photography at the Royal College of Art and have lived in sunny Sydney since 2013.

Your Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs books have been a big hit with us. How did you come up with the idea for these books and what is your secret for success?

Over the past few years I have taught photography to school kids and adults. I noticed that since the rise of digital, people’s relationship to photography have changed and there was a need for a new kind of introductory book. Something with more sophisticated images and concise text which pushed the creative aspects of photography rather than the technical. I think the books have struck a chord with so many because they are accessible while still encouraging people to consider quite advanced creative themes and ideas. The technical information is also presented in very easy to understand ways, whether that’s through the text or info graphics. The books are also affordable and small, so you can slip them in your camera bag. They look sexy too.

We ran a competition recently and a couple of lucky winners got a one-on-one workshop with you. How did that go and what did you guys get up to?

Saskia and Oliver were true budding snappers! They were full of personality and I’m sure with practice they will be able to inject that into their pictures. We started at Circular Quay and the wandered over to the Opera House. I set them some fun challenges where they had to take a photo of the Opera House which has never been taken before. No easy task, but they both rose to the challenge and captured some great shots!

Lucky winners Saskia and Oliver on a photo-taking excursion with Henry

What book (besides yours) would you recommend to everyone and why?

I think Aperture’s Photography Workshop Series are great books. They are written by photographers who reference their own work to share a few creative insights. My personal favourite is Todd Hido’s which covers landscapes, interiors and nudes.

Tell us about a book that has changed your life.

That’s a biggie! I’m not sure if any book has ‘changed my life’, but I can certainly think of some which have influenced me for different reasons. The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, Full Moon by Michael Light, On Photography by Susan Sontag, The Essential Duane Michals by Duane Michals, Desert Cantos by Richard Misrach…

If there was a book that could sum you up as a person, what would it be?

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis. (Joke. Sort of…)