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In Conversation with Jack Harding
In the latest instalment of ‘Friends of PWVC’ we sit down with London based award winning travel photographer Jack Harding to discuss his most memorable shoot, his love for film photography and previous life in Scotland.
Quick Fire Questions:
Private White V.C.: Wool, cotton or linen?
Jack Harding: Having lived in Scotland for the last few years I’ve dealt with the daily character building weather. Wool was often the savour! After recently moving to London, linen is sneaking back into my wardrobe.
PWVC: If I’m in Edinburgh for a whistle-stop tour, where do I go to eat?
JH: Dishoom.
PWVC: What am I having there?
JH: Everything, the Gunpowder Potatoes are a favourite. Simple, I know!
PWVC: What are you doing when you’re not taking snaps of the finest objects money can buy?
JH: Trying to soak in some sunshine, at the gym or checking vintage camera equipment I can't afford.
Jack Harding wearing The Linen Field Jacket
In Conversation with Jack Harding
In the latest instalment of ‘Friends of PWVC’ we sit down with London based award winning travel photographer Jack Harding to discuss his most memorable shoot, his love for film photography and previous life in Scotland.
Quick Fire Questions:
Private White V.C.: Wool, cotton or linen?
Jack Harding: Having lived in Scotland for the last few years I’ve dealt with the daily character building weather. Wool was often the savour! After recently moving to London, linen is sneaking back into my wardrobe.
PWVC: If I’m in Edinburgh for a whistle-stop tour, where do I go to eat?
JH: Dishoom.
PWVC: What am I having there?
JH: Everything, the Gunpowder Potatoes are a favourite. Simple, I know!
PWVC: What are you doing when you’re not taking snaps of the finest objects money can buy?
JH: Trying to soak in some sunshine, at the gym or checking vintage camera equipment I can't afford.
Private White V.C.: How do you take your Caffeine?
Jack Harding: Double espresso on ice, with a shot of oat milk. You could say I'm a barista's nightmare.
PWVC: Name a great album
JH: Rolling Stones, Tattoo You
Long Form Questions:
PWVC: How would you describe your clothing style and how does it relate to your style of photography?
JH: Timeless. I want to think my images and clothing style will age well. With little indication of where we are at the moment. If you look back on an image from 2023 in ten years, I hope you can't put a date on it.
PWVC: What is it about PWVC that has made you a lifelong fan?
JH: I bought my first jacket back in 2018 second-hand and realised immediately that this brand works well for my lifestyle. I prefer a few quality pieces rather than hordes of clothes; this is where PWVC comes in perfectly. I appreciate attention to detail, and after all, who doesn't want to buy from a local British brand using quality materials?
PWVC: Tell us about your most memorable shoot
JH: Shooting in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan for the tourism office back in 2018. It was my first time in Central Asia and the whole trip was a sensory overload. At the time there was little information on the areas which we were exploring and I hadn't seen many reference images. This gave a unique perspective of the country and allowed a fresh approach to shooting. Since this first visit I've fallen in love with the country and its people.
PWVC: You’ve travelled extensively with your work, where have you been this year and why?
JH: With a recent relocation to London, in 2023 my usual travel plans have been slightly eased. The highlight so far was definitely a trip through the US with friends, travelling through California, Arizona and Utah in some very cool cars. The whole trip was a real vibe, and the goal was to master film photography, whilst making memories with friends. The US most certainly delivered.
PWVC: Tell us about what you drive
JH: A not-so-exciting 2016 Skoda Octavia Estate, she's been through three house moves and a renovation. We both share some battle scars from our time together.
PWVC: What project are you working on next?
JH: This week I've been lucky enough to be working on an exciting project for the King's Coronation with Bentley, a once-in-a-lifetime shoot which I'm excited to share soon.
You recently did a series of shoots with some PWVC garments, one in Utah and one in Manchester at the factory. What are your three favourite shots?
Fav 1 - On a quiet afternoon in California, we arrived at a dried-up lake in our classic Range Rover. Our road trip started to kick in, and I had two weeks remaining. It was one of those moments where I knew it would be good!
Fav 2 - Just an impromptu shot through the back of the car. This was of the famous Forest Gump Road. It was the last shot in the film roll and came out perfectly.
Fav 3 - During my visit to the factory, I discovered a selection of old tools that caught my eye. They were laid perfectly and had to be captured. I'd hope this represents the heritage of the products and how classic methods are often still the best.
PWVC: When did a curiosity in photography become your passion, and do you remember the eureka moment?
JH: Back in 2016, I was living in Stockholm and would spend every weekend possible travelling to Norway. I was utterly addicted to landscape photography. At the time, I was working for a bank, and that summer of that year, I had an image which went viral from Trollunga, a famous hike. The image was shared across newspapers and social media platforms. This was the moment where it all changed going forward.
Jack Harding wearing The Linen Field Jacket
Private White V.C.: How do you take your Caffeine?
Jack Harding: Double espresso on ice, with a shot of oat milk. You could say I'm a barista's nightmare.
PWVC: Name a great album
JH: Rolling Stones, Tattoo You
Long Form Questions:
PWVC: Which piece was your favourite?
JF: The Striped Summer Bomber! It's one of those weird things. I usually go for really colourful items, but the bomber really surprised me. I loved the fit and the heavy linen material. And strangely enough, I liked the stripe on it. It was a statement piece that got me excited about pairing it with other items.
PWVC: What is it about PWVC that has made you a lifelong fan?
JH: I bought my first jacket back in 2018 second-hand and realised immediately that this brand works well for my lifestyle. I prefer a few quality pieces rather than hordes of clothes; this is where PWVC comes in perfectly. I appreciate attention to detail, and after all, who doesn't want to buy from a local British brand using quality materials?
PWVC: Tell us about your most memorable shoot
JH: Shooting in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan for the tourism office back in 2018. It was my first time in Central Asia and the whole trip was a sensory overload. At the time there was little information on the areas which we were exploring and I hadn't seen many reference images. This gave a unique perspective of the country and allowed a fresh approach to shooting. Since this first visit I've fallen in love with the country and its people.
PWVC: Tell us about what you drive
JH: A not-so-exciting 2016 Skoda Octavia Estate, she's been through three house moves and a renovation. We both share some battle scars from our time together.
PWVC: What project are you working on next?
JH: This week I've been lucky enough to be working on an exciting project for the King's Coronation with Bentley, a once-in-a-lifetime shoot which I'm excited to share soon.
You recently did a series of shoots with some PWVC garments, one in Utah and one in Manchester at the factory. What are your three favourite shots?
Fav 1 - On a quiet afternoon in California, we arrived at a dried-up lake in our classic Range Rover. Our road trip started to kick in, and I had two weeks remaining. It was one of those moments where I knew it would be good!
Fav 2 - Just an impromptu shot through the back of the car. This was of the famous Forest Gump Road. It was the last shot in the film roll and came out perfectly.
Fav 3 - During my visit to the factory, I discovered a selection of old tools that caught my eye. They were laid perfectly and had to be captured. I'd hope this represents the heritage of the products and how classic methods are often still the best.
PWVC: When did a curiosity in photography become your passion, and do you remember the eureka moment?
JH: Back in 2016, I was living in Stockholm and would spend every weekend possible travelling to Norway. I was utterly addicted to landscape photography. At the time, I was working for a bank, and that summer of that year, I had an image which went viral from Trollunga, a famous hike. The image was shared across newspapers and social media platforms. This was the moment where it all changed going forward.
PWVC: What is the most stressful part of being a photographer?
JH: The admin! In reality, it's 20% shooting and 80% admin.
PWVC: What advice would you like to give your 21-year-old self?
JH: Say yes, then work the rest out later. There are so many times we worry about something for little reason.
PWVC: Any advice for recreational photographers that want to improve their craft?
JH: Make your luck! You don't need to worry about the kit. Get out for sunrise at the right location, and you're halfway there.
Photography by jackharding.com & kaigrossmann.com
PWVC: What is the most stressful part of being a photographer?
JH: The admin! In reality, it's 20% shooting and 80% admin.
PWVC: What advice would you like to give your 21-year-old self?
JH: Say yes, then work the rest out later. There are so many times we worry about something for little reason.
PWVC: Any advice for recreational photographers that want to improve their craft?
JH: Make your luck! You don't need to worry about the kit. Get out for sunrise at the right location, and you're halfway there.
Photography by
jackharding.com & kaigrossmann.com