Life takes place everywhere and every little event or interaction, planned or spontaneous, has some kind of storyline to it, which I find endlessly fascinating. I’m an avid people watcher and capturing candid moments with my camera is one of life’s greatest pleasures for me. I’m constantly trying to interpret the the relationships and the actions unfolding in front of me. I’m intrigued by the way people interact with their environment, how they use it for work, for pleasure, and in some cases how they abuse it in their everyday life.
But there are also the events, the traditions, the festivals, the shows, the protests, where people’s inhibitions are often left at home and they act in a way they wouldn’t normally. They dress up, they dress down, they drink, they dance, they drink some more, they laugh and joke, they tease, they play, they take selfies, and sometimes they just sit - and even something that unremarkable can provide a moment of intrigue, contrast or humour.
Reportage photography is about capturing those moments, asking questions, raising smiles, forming interpretations, and sometimes leaving the viewer perplexed. The ability to get amongst the action and document those opportunities, yet remain largely invisible, is one of the key skills for a reportage photographer; to see, to react and to move on quickly and surreptitiously to the next unguarded moment.
A keen eye coupled with quick reactions and a sense of anticipation whilst remaining stealthy are what helps make great photos of life. Yet sometimes all you need to do is set yourself and wait, patiently. The ingredients are all there for an incredible yet fleeting moment, but there’s a nuance that’s needed; a little something that will elevate the coming together beyond the everyday. You watch, you wait, holding your breath. You don't know what you’re waiting for but you know it’s going to happen, and it’s going to happen right there in front of you. And then it happens - click, move on…
