I don't remember how I came across Will Govus's photos of fog and light fooling around like babysitters and boyfriends on a couch made of sky but I do remember thinking "Why didn't I think of this?" and "Any chance of me ever thinking I'm a decent photographer is now long gone." And to make me feel even worse, Will is still in his teens. I guess that means he's too old now to be called a prodigy, and frankly, that word always makes me think of Doogie Howser. Whatever that young genius thing is, though, he's got it.
Vice: What's the deal with the crazy fog in lots of your photos?
Will Govus: My little town gets really foggy sometimes. I like shooting atmospheric stuff like that when I can.
Oh yeah, you grew up in rural Georgia. How fucked up was that?
Looking back it was pretty great. My whole life I've lived on this huge plot of land with no one around but my family for miles. All I did was run around in the woods, climb trees, swim in ponds, and play with my dog. No TV or video games. I like that.
So you just graduated high school in the spring. What's next?
I'm going to a university in Atlanta, unfortunately. Not much about that town is appealing so hopefully I'll be able to get out soon.
Atlanta's actually pretty rad when you get with the right people. I was there for four years. You can do it.
Yeah, I'm really hoping I'll meet some good people in Atlanta. It just seems weird that I know people through photography in basically every other city in the U.S. but I don't know anyone there.
Yeah, I'm really hoping I'll meet some good people in Atlanta. It just seems weird that I know people through photography in basically every other city in the U.S. but I don't know anyone there.
I know you've started doing more portraits but did you photograph fog because you're a loner and shy? Why the lack of people in your early work?
I wasn't around people that I was really interested in taking pictures of, I think. I don't really care much about making pictures of people I don't know personally.
I wasn't around people that I was really interested in taking pictures of, I think. I don't really care much about making pictures of people I don't know personally.
That makes sense.
MATT MUSICK
its true that portraits turn out much better if the photographer knows the subject...somehow that translates in the photograph
Posted by: kimi | 22/07/2009 at 19:56
" run around in the woods, climb trees, swim in ponds, and play with my dog"....that sounds perfect.
Posted by: cue.are.ess | 22/07/2009 at 19:57
these photos are awesome! very atmospheric and simple.
Posted by: lmc | 22/07/2009 at 19:57
fog makes everything kind of eerie looking...i keep expecting an alien or ghost to pop out of the corner or something
Posted by: jimineycricket | 22/07/2009 at 19:59
i think that the comment about the photographer knowing the subject is bang on, the subject will be way more relaxed and open, you will get a much more honest shot.
Posted by: honest shooting | 22/07/2009 at 20:00
Todd Hido anyone?
Posted by: CT | 22/07/2009 at 20:56
Todd Hido is great. I can see some similarities.
You can see more Govus work at his website - willgovus.com
Posted by: Musick | 22/07/2009 at 21:25
Yeah, I love todd hido's stuff too. This is good for his age, but I'm kinda questioning whether Vice should really be all over his knob as much.
Posted by: CT | 22/07/2009 at 21:46
i live in atlanta and i'm a photographer. there is plenty to do here, i promise.
Posted by: Nikita Gale | 22/07/2009 at 21:49
i think fecalface.com might get the credit for this discovery... they did a bio on this kid a few months back rad work, hard to forget
Posted by: whit | 22/07/2009 at 23:26
hey wait a minute....
Posted by: Todd Hido | 23/07/2009 at 02:55
believe it or not, this kids best photo is the hanging flannel shirt. the other stuff just looks like todd hido. give this kid credit though, growin up in rural georgia and shooting so well. fuck yeah.
Posted by: Mark | 23/07/2009 at 15:47
Mark, I agree 100%. Kid's good. Just has some time to find his own style.
To the writer though:
"Why didn't I think of this?"
What? Fog at night? C'mon.
Posted by: CT | 25/07/2009 at 18:21
that first one is amazing.
and the one with the red light is really creepy. i would not ring their bell on halloween.
Posted by: anonymous | 27/07/2009 at 16:52
it seems like something not quite human could walk from the garage any second.
Posted by: bitters | 27/07/2009 at 19:15
Heart Laugh,wrong partner imply close shoot slow fail reach should improvement avoid fall expert recent social unit use ring equally side legal structure living street do fit settlement national channel him public colour thing word soil early growing boat present conflict deliver discuss couple board award estimate structure happen gas try cold least exactly increase modern then character sexual various public him shape intend would murder absolutely bill drug away generation expectation hell hate simple authority force last respect extra retain physical offer deny circumstance mother us shake explore manner
Posted by: Awareeffect | 09/12/2009 at 02:19
It sucks
Posted by: Drue Herring | 27/10/2010 at 04:36