Photos: My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

slappyandcharlie — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 20:29:00 GMT

I come from a documentary filmmaking background, telling stories about real people affected by real issues. A few years ago I was given a small manual camera and have been taking pictures ever since. The greatest gift any artist can receive is having someone with experience show them the ropes and allowing them to learn from their years of wisdom. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, which is why so many people enter. So you never know, with a little bit of luck, anything can happen.

My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

slappyandcharlie — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 20:54:48 GMT

My camera found its way to me. It was not the other way round. I was at university when I was given a Pentax K1000. I knew nothing about photography and decided my first roll of film would be a Velvia 400. I still have the pictures on my computer. Most of them where terrible, except for one, which by some miracle turned out pretty good. Years later, its still one of my favourite photographs. Thinking about it, had it not been for that shot I might not be where I am now. I was born restless, with an insatiable need to travel, whether it was to distant lands or just getting out of the house. Now 31 years old, I find myself on a rather solitary journey through life. Armed with a definite purpose I am still unsure of - or perhaps afraid of - my camera has become like a lifelong companion. It’s my compass for truth. Taking pictures is both a privilege and a passion. I like to shoot things that matter so that they can matter. Translating one’s vision into something that is accessible is probably the biggest challenge I face. Once I get it right perhaps I will feel less alone. So maybe, with the opportunity of a lifetime my photos will enable me to make a difference. In short, to matter.

Gertie - my second mother

Photos: My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited