Emotions in Parks

My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

United Kingdom | Tuesday, November 8, 2011 | 5 photos

I first took up photography several years ago as a literature student and quickly realised its significance in telling a story. To be able to tell a story is a profound gift and that is what I have always strove to do in my photographs, because stories, I believe, remain - they leave an indelible mark upon viewer that begs for something to be done - and if nothing at all, at least, that the story be spread.

And I believe stories - whatever they may be - are contained within a moment of emotion. And is it that moment that I strive to capture - a moment which contains truth; the truth of an unexpected smile, a portent look, a chance meeting, a time of silence, or a moment of triumph. In the series of photographs that I have submitted, I have tried to explore the emotions of everyday life within the parks of London and I hope I have succeeded.

Emotions are important to me because I believe one can find emotions within any photograph - even those devoid of human or animal presence. This trip to South Africa gives me the chance to capture the raw emotions of a beautiful continent that is every photographer's dream. If I win this competition, this is what I would seek with Jason. I am eager to learn new ways and new techniques to capture my goal. As with everything, however much there is passion, if there is no technique, one can seldom produce a masterpiece - and being with a renowned photographer would teach me what I need to know to show to the world what I wish to show.

My ultimate goal is to photograph war and conflict zones because it is important, I think, in this day and age, to expose suffering to the complacent world. And if Jason should grant my this opportunity, I would take this as stepping stone to learn towards, and finally realise that dream.