Sam Nicklin: Nottingham Photographer Turns eBay Finds into Playful Still Lifes
Nottingham-based photographer and director Sam Nicklin specializes in crafting whimsical still lifes that incorporate vibrant colors and everyday items, such as a watch nestled in onion rings or a crocodile lunging at a finger. Coming from a creative background, he first pursued music before pivoting to graphic design and photography. After spending years capturing football moments, he embraced still life photography, working with brands like Nike and Salomon. His artistic inspiration draws from 90s shows, including Samurai Jack, as he pairs objects and colors, often sourcing materials from markets and eBay. His notable works feature an Alessi project and a Colours series. Currently, he is revisiting portrait photography while planning personal projects, aiming to inspire nostalgia and playfulness.
Key facts
- Sam Nicklin is a Nottingham-born photographer and director known for still lifes combining color, objects, and humor.
- He studied sound engineering and drumming before moving into graphic design and photography.
- Nicklin has worked with brands including Nike and Salomon and has photographed the Premier League.
- His creative approach involves pairing an object with a color and building a narrative around it.
- He sources objects from markets and eBay, storing them in his flat.
- The Alessi series features four metal homeware designs against colored panels to highlight silhouettes.
- The Colours series groups second-hand objects by palette, shot separately and stitched into one frame.
- He is currently photographing people again after a long break and has personal projects in development.
Entities
Artists
- Sam Nicklin
Institutions
- Nike
- Salomon
- Premier League
- Alessi
- Timex
- J.Crew
- Christian Dior
- Chanel
- Nintendo
- Disney World
- Lego
Locations
- Nottingham
- United Kingdom