Andrew Czyzewski Interview

Andrew Czyzewski is originally from Yorkshire, but moved to London when he became a technology and scientific journalist. He is now acting editor of Imperial College London's staff magazine. In his spare time he is an avid photographer who loves Pentax Ricoh gear.

Andrew didn't originally set out to become a photographer. He studied science at the University of Nottingham, where he was given the option to study photography as an extra module.


"I learned the basics, such as how to control the camera, how to work out the basics of exposure. I found myself improving all the time, and set myself challenges - a new inspiration, new kit, photograph a different environment," he says.

So why does he use Pentax kit? "My dad always used Ricoh gear, and my first compact camera was a GX100, so I suppose it all started from there", he remembers. "The controls on the Pentax and Ricoh cameras are always at your fingertips and they're easy to use."


Andrew mostly takes landscape photos. "I love nature, so landscapes appeal to me because of that. I grew up in Yorkshire and then moved to London, and there's such a vast difference in scenery. London has a large density of people and is really packed, it's like two different worlds! I try to get that lack of space across in my photos", he says.

"Pentax images always have some character and grippiness that I feel is missing with some of the other brands," says Andrew. "I try so show something different with my images, something surprising. I like to make my photos portray something in a different way."


Andrew is always looking for new challenges, and  is moving into studio portrait photography as his next venture. "I'm trying to get into model photography and it can be quite scary!" he says. "The studio environment is completely new to me, and using off camera flash is completely alien, but the more you try, the more you learn," he enthuses.

Andrew was approached to be a Pentax Ambassador through his photography blog. "I was intrigued really, and being an ambassador gives me the opportunity to get to grips with some of the latest cameras, such as the Ricoh GR. There is a trend towards putting larger sensors into smaller cameras, so in essence you're getting DSLR quality photos out of a compact - it's quite amazing really. The larger sensor in the Ricoh GR is great for low light photography, such as photographing Venice at night. The sensor helps really illuminate the face when  you're doing portrait work, too."


To see more of Andrew's work, take a look at his blog. You can find out more about the GR camera and Pentax ambassadors here. The images you see above were taken by Andrew with the Pentax Ricoh GR in the Vento region of Italy.