Peacemaker Interview
- What does visual peacemaking mean to you?
At the moment we have an unprecedented rise in natural disasters. Conflict in the world is soaring as natural resources are starting to become harder to reach, which means more conflict is likely. We need to show that people are human and they need help and understanding not demonizing them because they have the resources we need
- What motivates you to be a peacemaker?
Other peoples ignorance, I guess. I have met many people from different countries and they have never been hostile to me. In fact they have gone out there way to show me great hospitality, that often I have not been in a position to return. Photography is my way of giving back, my way of helping.
- Have you ever felt stereotyped?
No, I am a white male, overweight and balding westerner, the ones who do the stereotyping
- How does your camera get you to reflect on your world and your life?
People fascinate me, cultures do and so do traditions. With the camera its an excuse, and passion to explore these, to meet people to have a reason to ask questions and talk to people I have never met. looking through the lens means a careful scrutiny of what is before me, I then have to edit the images in to a context of what I want to say in a visual language. Lots of people look but don’t see! Photography makes you see.
- What do you like to photograph best?
I like to photograph stories that are not getting publicity as much as they should. I think that it is important to represent people who don’t have a voice
- What technical aspect of photography do you find most challenging?
I have been a photographer for a long time now, and don’t really have technical problems any more, although the cost of the equipment and the never ending changes are a drag as is keywording and captioning photographs. A way of keeping dust of the sensor would be nice as well and is the reoccurring technical issue I still have to deal with.
- Is there a particular group you feel is misunderstood or stereotyped that you’d like to document common humanity amongst?
I think the biggest group who are misunderstood at the moment is the Muslim’s and is one I would like to document and tell people about
- Do you have an idea worth sharing?
Actually I do, lets be nice to each other for a change
My Biography
I have been a photojournalist and documentary photographer for more than 25 years covering social issues, the environment and news events. I photograph for a photo library as well as undertaking assignments and commissions for NGO’s and on occasions companies, providing they are ethical.
I define myself specifically as a documentary photographer rather than a photographer in the generic sense of the word and have a wide ranging interest in art in all sorts of forms, but find pretty photographs unimportant in comparison to factual photographs that can cause change or raise awareness of unreported issues. I always try to tell the story, and most of my individual photographs are stories in and of themselves and on occasions work in the sub genre of photojournalist when restrictions don’t allow for an in-depth or long term study.
I believe in being independent when telling stories and in telling the truth as its presents itself, instead of moulding reality by what magazines want to publish and people want to see, I am also looking at new ways to exhibit and tell the story on the web as well as printed form.
I also strive to bring my own experience to the pictures and I am also aware that there is always a witness to the events that unfold before me, and this is myself; so the more extreme or hazardous the more I try to show life as it is and be the witness and to document my first impressions in unspoiled form.
I like people and cultures and have a huge interest in them, but not in a judgmental way and yet at the same time I am concerned at how humanity can cause so much damage and not care, whether its people, conflict, race, religion, profit or the destruction of the environment; the disturbance to the ecologically affects everything else and us.
I worked for a national sports agency early on in my photographic career and I learnt quickly that making photographs was only the first part of the process, and the photographs were useless, unless we got them out to their intended destinations. This is still in my mind when I am working and continually look at and work out better and faster ways to get images out of an area without loss of quality or integrity and have acquired and tailored my equipment and services specifically to this need. Another aspect of my equipment set up, is the ability to power it using solar panels for extended periods without a mains electricity supply. I am also versed in the use of social media and the use of mobile phones (Cell Phone) as an emergency way to transmit images, video and audio. I have also done hostile environment training and can travel at short notice.
In addition, I also teach participatory photographic workshops and have a Enhanced CRB and 5 million public liability insurance.
Gary Austin
My Recent Activity
- I added: Water and Light the Eccentric Journey
to Galleries on July 23, 2010
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