Justin Treadwell Travel Photography

My Scholarship Entry: Slow Living on the Mekong

Laos | Wednesday, July 3, 2013 | 5 photos

As I child I was happiest surrounded by piles of National Geographic magazines, vicariously discovering exotic places through the eyes of the society's skilled photographers. Grown up and travelling myself, I have even more respect for the skill it takes to capture the soul of a place through photography, and the opportunity to learn from a master would be a dream come true.

With this scholarship, I would hope to develop my:

Patience. I used to rush into a scene and snap wildly, hoping to capture the decisive moment. I'm now starting to appreciate how landscapes change and people become more comfortable with my presence when I work slower and more deliberately.

Empathy. Understanding my subject's history and aspirations can make me look for different angles and wait for different moments than if I have purely aesthetic goals. In getting to know people and places better, I can portray them more genuinely.

Craft. I'm learning to control what I can in anticipation of what I think could happen. Trying to capture the spontaneity of life with the optimal camera settings remains a constant, enjoyable challenge.

I'm Justin Treadwell, 30, a graphic designer from Auckland, New Zealand.