As editor of both his own magazine (Less Common) and the ‘Eye Spy’ section of the influential fashion monthly Dazed and Confused, Matt Irwin is one of the key documenters of edgy London culture.  His slightly scary, mildly dirty, extremely intriguing style of photography speaks the proverbial thousand words with just one vivid shot.  Psychopedia met up with him to find out what makes him tick:

 How did you first get into photography?
My mum took so many pictures of me with my brothers and sisters when we were young, that I became obsessive about taking pictures.  I didn’t start taking real pictures till I was about 19.

What are your favourite things and people to shoot?
My favourite things to shoot are my friends.  Sounds cheesy, but it’s true. I also love shooting landscapes.  Especially volcanic ones.  My favourite place of all is Yellowstone National Park in the US.  It’s such a weird, amazing place.  Iceland is cool for pics too.

What’s the ethos behind Less Common magazine?
 I started Less Common when I was in college, because I didn't know how to get my work into magazines like Dazed or I-D. I decided to make my own magazine and fill it with all my own pics and stuff that I’d like to read. I made five issues at college and then when I left, I was offered a publishing deal. I'd won a few awards with The Guardian for the early issues, so quite a few people had already heard of it. You can see the early stuff at www.lesscommon.com. The new issues will be free in all the art colleges in England, with a select few in Berlin, Paris and Antwerp.

What do you think of photographers like Nan Goldin and Terry Richardson?
I think they’re great. Terry is prolific and I love that. Nan's work is really grim, but that’s what her style is all about. They’re both honest in their work- that's what makes them so successful.

How would you describe your shooting style?
Discreet. I don't like to make a fuss. I don't have an assistant and I carry my camera and film in a carrier bag. There’s less chance of it being stolen that way.  For me, the way I edit my work down is just as important as the picture-taking.

What inspires you?
National Geographic, pictures from The Hubble Space Telescope, hot boys and girls, natural disasters and good music.

Strangest thing you’ve shot?
I was in the jungle in Borneo and I saw a jungle elephant. They’re small elephants that live in the jungle. It was totally weird to see one in real life, up close and wild. To be able to make eye contact with such a wild thing was amazing.

Who’s your favourite band/artist?
I love M83. The videos they make are just perfect.

Is there anything you’re obsessed with at the moment?
Goths.

What’s your worst vice?
Saying I’m really busy, when in fact I'm not. I'm just disorganised.

What do you think of the whole MySpace revolution?
It’s great.  MySpace has helped me get my pics seen all around the world. I've also met some amazing people via “MySpazz” too.

And what about the kids/clubbers that have become ‘celebrities’ because of it?
Naff off. I hate club kids. Get a job. 20-somethings thinking they’re the next big thing and that the world revolves around them. Yuk. 'Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth' -- never a truer word said.

So, what’s next for Matt Irwin and Less Common?
Onwards and upwards. I'm starting a DJ residency at the End on a Monday night, the 'new' 'Trash night, which is really cool. I'm off to Brazil next week to shoot, then Bangkok and Singapore. My first issue for Dazed comes out next month and the new Less Common should hit the streets soon too.

All Photos Courtesy Of Matt Irwin