Senegal, St Louis
Western Africa.
@Iseedifferent
Senegal
- 07 Comments
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Jeff Rikhotso
Love the treat here man
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Sibusiso
dope.
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Uno
I read the article on M&G about your work, congratulations.
It's a solid concept that probably resonates with a lot of south africans. It's also probably an amazing exploration for you, your brother and your friend but, in my opinion, most (if not all) images put too much focus on you guys to the extent that the backgrounds become only that, a cool set with some appeal but used more as a fashion prop than as a place that communicates and exhales a history, a narrative.As aesthetically attractive as they can be, don't you think these images might only hold one's attention for as long as a fashion ad, becoming only as striking as the next one with very little permanence in one's memory?
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lebogang nkoane
@Uno, I've heard similar thoughts, especially on your last paragraph. I see the same trend with Johannesburg 'street photography' fashion. Very transient, till the next photograph.
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Jeff Rikhotso
Interesting question, i was speaking to Justice last night (and i am not in anyway his mouthpiece on this one) .We spoke of photography, where we are going with it and all. One thing i can say personally is that when a photographer picks up a camera and points at a subject, it is exactly what the photographer wants to shoot (basic). We on the other hand as the audience, for whom work is assumed its targeting feel elated when shots makes us react the way we wish...on the the same breath stroke, we always want the next piece of photography to be something else, for instance, composition, b&w, raw and all the other things we wish the photographer was/or the photos themselves looked like...which is normally the case.
Its a tricky balance that photographers must strike...shooting things as you see them and originally feel at ease shooting...or seat and think deeply about some concept that take into account " some of the suggestions mentioned above for instance"
I think we are not limited (and should not be) as photographers to one subject matter, concept/idea or style of photography...but i know that i can only shoot better and enjoy my first love (photography) if my camera is pointed at a subject i like and am not trying hard to paint my style something i am not about.
To the detriment of any photographer, will be shooting anything you do not believe in...even if its an extension of what you are already shooting.
Noff
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Uno
@Jeff: In very basic terms what I was trying to say is that what I read in the interview and what the photos show are different things and I can only think that is because there's a tendency (as Lebogang mentions) for photographers to be seduced by a certain way of photographing which comes from publicity and fashion to the point of almost defeating the original intention/concept (and I'm not using these words in a static sense).
I can't talk about anyone else but at the precise instant when I'm clicking I'm not thinking, it's emotion and instinct that guide me, the thinking happens before and after.
There is no "right way" of photographing, I believe that to become a good photographer you must experiment constantly and push yourself away from "comfort zones" as not to limit one's ability to "see" the world around us, from the smallest ant to the most obvious and spectacular sunset...
The dangers of making oneself as the main subject and object of exploration in photography is of sending out a very egocentric and individualistic message, and if the treatment comes across as artificial and glossy then the danger is even bigger as the message can get completely lost.
As for "...we always want the next piece of photography to be something else..." not necessarily, consistency and honesty more than novelty strike me and I'm sure many more people.
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Lebo Shmoove
Vuyo's look always gets me. I lovin the treat
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hello (at) 75.co.za