In the lead up to our 2025 MA Shows, we’re celebrating the creativity and talent of our graduating masters students by sharing their stories and showcasing their incredible work. We spoke with Photography MA student Simon Roth about the course, their influences and advice to their younger self.

Please tell us a bit about your work and your influences   

In this project, I have chosen to take a critical look at society and politics, with reference to the past, specifically the empire and its relationship to the modern way of life. In this respect, my influences have been artists such as Paul Graham and his publication New Europe, Michael Schmidt, who published Waffenruhe, and the work of Peter Fraser and the writer Jason Hickel. I am interested in seeing photography in a phenomenological context rather than a documentary approach. In this respect, Kaja Silverman’s book The Miracle of Analogy is an important text for me, and something I hope to develop further. 

What made you choose your course? 

I have always been interested in photography, and on retirement, I realised that I was free to explore my practice further, so I enrolled on the MA.

Can you tell us about your favourite part of your studies and how it helped the development of you and your practice. 

I have loved doing the course and imbibed it all. It has helped me develop by giving my practice some structure and a philosophical basis to take photos and develop projects, linking themes and ideas. 

Can you tell us about any staff who particularly inspired you? 

I am most grateful to Fergus Heron, firstly for accepting me on the course, who did most of the teaching. He has been an extremely knowledgeable, inspiring, thoughtful, and encouraging teacher. Others too, though, Xavier Ribas teaching on the research project module, Rachel Gillies, who ran an excellent professional development course, and Murray Ballard, who teaches books and publications. All have, in their way, been inspiring and insightful teachers on this course. 

What does Brighton mean to you now? 

Brighton has turned out to be an amazing place to live. We only moved here just under three years ago to be nearer our family. It has been a great experience, exceeding all expectations. 

Can you tell us your plans after graduation? 

After graduation, I would like to continue to develop projects. I have become particularly interested in books and publications, and hope to explore that avenue amongst others.  

Finally, if you could give your younger self any advice about studying a masters, what would it be? 

This is my second master’s, and my advice would be ‘do it’ and don’t leave it too late.