Meet Thomas Duke: the photographer bringing film sets to life
“A place for all things film related and creative,” Thomas Duke writes in his first post on Instagram. Skip three years later, and the message remains the same. Indeed, Thomas Duke has carved a path like no other photographer. His page @steppingthroughfilm features a range of movie locations, skilfully photographed with a still frame of the film scene seamlessly superimposed onto the background. In this interview, we step through the life of Thomas and discuss his photographic achievements…
1. How long have you been interested in films?
I have always loved films. Way back since I was very young, I would always watch far too many films before any of my family woke up. What an annoying little kid I must have been! People soon got sick of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Mary Poppins… It was a lovely feeling to escape from this world and envelop myself in another. Films have always been there to guide me and teach me, to help me through and make me see what can be done out there through the art of the moving image. From the acting to the visuals, to the more precise details within the script, there’s so much to pick out and use in reality.
2. How did you come up with the idea for your Instagram page?
From around age 13-14, I would travel up to London and attend red carpet premieres. It was a little dream of mine to be able to meet some of my favourite actors in the industry. During this time, I was surrounded by so many things relating to the world of film – including a mass number of filming locations in the heart of the city. I already loved creating things be it painting or drawing as well as photography so it just felt like a really natural and fun little thing to try out. It was great to do and I’m so happy I started it. It’s a joy to see where all of these wonderful films came from.
3. Do you have a favourite film?
WALL-E all the way. I adore the world of Pixar and this film resonates with me so so much! I appreciate how they handled a world of futuristic uncertainty mixed with environmental concerns and brought that together into a beautifully accessible film for young and old people alike. I specifically love how Pixar created these two practically inaudible characters who say next to nothing, while making their connection so strong and meaningful. As an audience member, I ended up caring so much for these two little robots. I could relate to the notion of not being very outspoken but still trying my best to do the right thing!
Films have always been there to guide me and teach me, to help me through and make me see what can be done out there through the art of the moving image
4. How much travelling do you have to do for your work?
I’m always happiest when there’s lots of travelling to do! Sometimes I’m at home for a week and then other weeks I’m full-on out every day somewhere – it’s always good fun trekking out to a random spot. There’s always something new to see and experience.
5. Which was your best location to shoot?
I really loved Dunkirk, you guessed it, Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk. The history and the power that the beaches still have is incredible; that bleak, empty, simple landscape which holds so many memories of our past. It was a pleasure to see it all and I hope to return one day. Monaco was another wonderful trip. A very enclosed place with not much outreach to the outside world, when there it feels like everything else doesn’t exist. Nothing will beat the UK though! The beautiful greenery and countless cathedrals intertwined with British roots will never cease to amaze me – every structure is incredibly powerful to look at, each one with so many different links and features connected to different parts of the country. Double that with how some are used in huge movies like Harry Potter or Avengers. They instantly become more exciting for a film fan like myself.
The history and power that the beaches still have is incredible; that bleak, empty, simple landscape which holds so many memories of our past
6. Has the coronavirus impacted your photography?
It’s been a strange time, to say the least – as it has for everyone. It had a really negative effect at first. It made me very down and uncertain of what to do next. Many trips were cancelled and many projects postponed. The prospect of not knowing what kind of work will return is a scary one. Nevertheless, I’ve tried my best to push through and it’s still going rather okay! I’ve just had to fine-tune some places to visit and hone in on certain areas of the country to make the most of it really. So, in the long run, I’m sure I’ll look back and treasure being able to fully explore the UK.
7. Future plans?
Travel lots more, I hope. Expand the film sites I see. Build on the travel routes I’ve already formed and just keep enjoying every film I visit I suppose! Fingers crossed for some international trips in the near future and I hope everybody can travel safely!
This interview was not paid.
All images come from Thomas Duke’s Instagram: @steppingthroughfilm
