movingARTOHOLIC

My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

Morocco | Monday, November 7, 2011 | 5 photos

When growing up I had a full bookshelf of National Geographic magazines of which I would flick through the pages of in awe, ripping out my favourites and blu-tacking them onto my walls.

At around ten years old I was given an old 35mm Pentax from my father and my love of being behind the lens began.

Fifteen or so years later, working as art director at a fantastic creative advertising studio, I realised that something was missing in my life and so began my journey at the beginning of this year. I left my job, started a travel blog (www.movingartoholic.tumblr.com) and went out into the world, with my camera in tow.

I wanted to meet new people; so I started using the camera as a tool to approach strangers and take their portraits. I was pleasantly surprised at how open people were to having their photos taken and it was almost as if I got to know them without saying a word. The camera knows no cultural or language and barriers.

Photography gives me excitement about the simple things. It gives me a heightened attention to detail, light, shadows, composition and colour in everyday situations. It gives the power to capture a moment and give it meaning and a history.

I want to continue to grow, learn and experience and the best way is to jump in with both feet. I would want to take as much as I can from the opportunity if I were lucky enough to win and feed off every moment I could.

After the scholarship I would take what I have learnt and apply it to my everyday life. I will have exhibitions and will network and keep shooting and soon after I hope to be shooting for National Geographic myself.