For many, the chance to pose as Brad Pitt or Christopher Walken would be a dream come true career, and one you would be crazy to leave.
But for Matt Cooper, his passion for photography led him to leave his role as a Hollywood body double and actor to pursue a career as a photographer, and now he is one of 10 whose images are being showcased as part of the Landscape Photographer of the Year exhibition.
Tell me about how you became a body double?
Sometimes unusual jobs come out of the blue when you’re a jobbing actor - my first reaction was: “Is this a joke?” My second was: “Yes, of course!”
How is it different to other roles?
Well, it is similar in the fact you are there to do a job and hit your marks. It’s not a lot different at all, you just don’t get your own winnebago!
What is the favourite acting job you have done?
My favourite wasn’t seen by many people - it was a no expense spared promotional video for a well-known electronics company, which was basically me travelling through famous moments in time as a character.
It was a week of shooting on the same set as Star Wars and working with the guys who did the wirework on the original Superman movies as I had to float in space. I was in geek heaven!
So how did you first get into photography?
I was going to the French Pyrenees for a short while to take a break from London life, and decided it would be a great idea to buy a DSLR camera. It wasn’t long before I was hooked!
How did it become a professional endeavour?
I started slow by selling a few prints at my local market and it’s just grown from there.
What’s your style of photography?
I love HDR (high dynamic range) photography and I use this process of blending multiple exposures to really bring out texture and detail.
What do you love about it?
I love the still image - it is a moment in time captured and never forgotten. It gives me so much pride when someone wants one of my pictures to put on their wall.
And now the Landscape Photographer of the Year - how does it feel to have so many commended in the awards?
It is an amazing feeling and a little overwhelming. I have always been inspired and in awe of the photographs in the awards since I started photography so to be selected is very special to me.
What are you top photography tips for our readers?
Try taking photographs in different light - sunrise or sunset are my favourite times and can change a photograph dramatically. Also practise, practise, practise!
The exhibition is on the balcony at Waterloo station until February 4.
Landscape Photographer of the Year: Collection 11 (AA Publishing, £25) out now
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