If you haven't seen his work already, where've you been? From his picture editor days at SLEAZENATION to his founding of the PYMCA picture gallery. Steve has been a passionate gob realising the importance of youth culture documented. We caught up with him to see how digital photography has affected him and his slideshow for the Steal-Life.com launch

Steal-Life - So just how long have you been taking pictures?
Steve Lazarides - Been taking photos for the last 15 years!

SL - Compare your digital use to your film use for us?
Steve - I kind of see using digital like using a Polaroid camera, it's instant, fun, but unlike polaroid inexpensive! I can’t really see myself using a digital camera for shooting a ‘proper’ job, although my attitude is softening slowly.

SL - Do you see a time when digital will outclass film?
Steve - I can’t see digital replacing or outclassing film, they both have there own unique attributes a bit like vinyl versus cd.

SL - What brought PYMCA about?
Steve - PYMCA was brought about by myself and Jon Swinstead, whilst I was photo editor and Jon was publisher at Sleazenation. I realised that youth movements were extremely influential but were always under represented or brushed aside as a passing fad. I was determined, in terms of images, to gather all the pictures we could, and make the company work on both a corporate and cultural level.

SL - What makes a good photograph?
Steve - Something that makes you stop and look at it.

SL - You’re a fan of street art, is that why you've established POW?
Steve - POW was established to bring affordable art to the general public. Also we have so many great photos at PYMCA that were not being used at a commercial level that we decided to make them available another way. I realised that these images would work alongside graphic / graffiti / pop style images and give me a chance to incorporate a lifelong interest in street art.

SL - Who would complete your dream team for POW?
Steve - I think if we could get Twist on the art front and Dennis Morris on the photography side I would be a happy man.

SL - And your dream team in football?
Steve - The current Bristol City team if they win promotion this season.

SL - What's next for you?
Steve - I am currently working on a street communication project which is a combination of graffiti and people just writing to let off steam like the anti-war stuff around. I also want to try and work with a youth newspaper teaching them the importance of good photography and good editing.

www.PYMCA.com
www.picturesonwalls.com