Nathan Dunphy is a 26 year-old multi-creative living in Glasgow. By day he works as a Music Manager in Glasgow but when under his alias 'Peeohvee' he is capturing moments on film. His photography has been featured on Glasgow Singer-songwriter Joesef's Albums along with other musicians Theo Bleak. If you've come across his work on the prolific platform, Instagram - his photography is some you won't forget, with a definitive style and talent for shooting analog Nathan creates iconic imagery with a strong sense of storytelling.
When did your love of photography begin?
My story with photography started with discovering 35mm film cameras in 2018. I was in some late night youtube hole and thought fuck it, I’m buying a film camera, and so I bought a Diana Mini on eBay along with a tonne of expired film. I took this wee plastic camera off on my travels around Europe that summer and came back with an addiction to film photography.
"I took this wee plastic camera off on my travels around Europe that summer and came back with an addiction to film photography"
How long have you been pursuing a creative career?
It was this same Summer that I began to get involved in managing a Glasgow singer called Joesef. I flippantly sent my film shots into our chat to show what a good time I had and he was like “these are class”. So we organised a photoshoot to coincide with his debut release ‘Limbo’ - and it was a fucking disaster. Those photos will never see the light of day, but they are hilarious to look back on. We decided that it was a better idea to get someone in who actually knew what they were doing, however when it came to the day of the shoot they pulled out. I was called up again for round two. We just walked round the East End with that Diana Mini and ultimately got photographs that became the artwork for ‘Limbo’ and all the press to go with it. Faith was restored and I guess since then, me and Joesef have collaborated on his visuals, I’ve worked with other music artists and I’ve delved deeper into my own photography and my love for it.
First of all, I love the name! What was the purpose of creating an alias for yourself and your work?
The name ‘peeohvee’ is literally just the spoken word spelling of POV and we all know what that means. Initially I kept ‘peeohvee’ completely separate from me as I felt it may have encroached in my career as a music manager - like I can’t be both! Someone actually thought the elusive ‘peeohvee’ was a close friend of mine. Now I still keep it separate as I do see it as a hobby of mine, I’m just comfortable now admitting it’s me.
"I felt it may have encroached in my career as a music manager - like I can’t be both!...Now I still keep it separate as I do see it as a hobby of mine, I’m just comfortable now admitting it’s me"
Your work has a definite style to it, how did this develop?
I’m not going to lie, I do like it when people say I have a style! In my head I just point my camera at things I think might look cool. I definitely prefer full frame, texture, interesting compositions, anything red and backs of heads. Saul Leiter once said “a person's back tells me more than the front”. I quite like that, sounds deep.
Do you have a subject you love to photograph?
My favourite subject is definitely people, especially the music artists I work with.
If you have one, what is your favourite film to shoot?
It’s very hard to choose a fav film but I’ll give it a bash. Firstly, I love shooting any expired film, I know it’s risky but that’s why it’s fun. If I’m on holiday somewhere sunny, Portra 160 wins or a low ISO Ilford like Ortho. If I’m shooting with red lights and in a darker/night environment Cinestill 800 is the one.
You’ve worked with musicians, Theo Bleak and Joesef, does working with fellow creatives change the outcome of your work?
I like taking the lead and capturing something special for them. I like the thought of those photos being somewhat iconic one day in the late future. There is a lot of collaboration in these shoots and I think the best art tends to come from collabs.
"I like the thought of those photos being somewhat iconic one day in the late future"
Is there any advice you would give to those looking to get outside their comfort zone when shooting?
Be open. Try shit. Relax.
Have you got anything exciting in the pipeline?
Nothing of notoriety in the pipeline other than my summer holidays where I tend to go wild with the film cameras. You've been warned @gulabiphoto.
Quick Fire Round
Who is a muse you would love to photograph? (famous/not, alive/dead)
Alive, I think Willem Dafoe has an interesting face. That would be cool. Dead, got to be James Gandolfini. The don.
Who are your 3 top creative influences?
The film director Michael Mann. HEAT is a visual masterpiece and the way he uses light and silhouettes is banging. Saul Leiter, a street photographer who was based in NY and went unnoticed till he was 80 odd years old. Something admirable in that. Aaaaaaaand Sebastian Zanella. Just consistently putting absolute masterpieces on his instagram.
How do you put your stamp on your work and life in general?
They say God is in the details, or is it the Devil? Either way, it’s all about the details in work and in life.
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