Graeme Williams MyFIVE
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ต.ค. 2024
- @PhotoConversationsClick here to go to Graeme's brilliant TH-cam channel.
/ @photoconversations
graemewilliams...
From the "About" section of Graeme's website...
I started photographing at the age of twelve. As a bit of an introvert, the camera became the perfect tool for me to communicate without actually speaking. Photography became both a way of making sense of the complex layers of existence, as well as a conduit for exploring my own passage within it. My parents insisted that I get a qualification that could lead to a ‘proper job’, so I studied Geology and Statistics at the University of Cape Town. As soon as I finished studying, I started calling myself a professional photographer, whatever that meant. The only job that I could find was that of a property photographer at a local newspaper. Although the lowest wrung on the photographic ladder, it did offer me unlimited access to free film, with which I could advance my vision beyond sunsets and pretty postcard pictures. I also read everything and anything within the photography genre.
The camera has provided me with extraordinary and privileged access to the layered complexity of people’s lives. I have also had experiences that would never have been possible if I had continued my initial career path as a geo-statistician. I have met and photographed, kings and queens, politicians and places all over the world. Ordinary people from all walks of life have invited me into their homes and their inner worlds. With this privilege has come a greater understanding of my responsibility as a photographer and as a fellow human. The most powerful realization has been that whatever class, position or status people occupy, they are fundamentally the same and deserving of a default opening position of respect. This has both simplified my approach to photographing people while simultaneously challenging me to be fully present within each interaction.
Much of my personal work remains unseen, invariably because, while I have been working on one long-term project, new ideas begin to emerge. I try to embody each essay with its own mood or feel in order to fully reflect the essence of its meaning. The photographic approach, or for lack of a better word, style, becomes just another tool, similar to one’s choice of black and white or color or between the more formal, medium/large format or the looseness of a 35mm camera. My inspiration comes from various sources: the simple, transcendence of nature or the articulate and abstract communication within great music, painting or writing. Luminous moments of connection are rare and indefinable, however they elicit a clarity that is unambiguous.
I have been fortunate over the past 25 years to have friend and mentor, David Goldblatt, to objectively critique my work. Although at times bluntly honest he was consistently generous and affirming.
Graeme's channel is absolutely fantastic - such perception and wit; hell, wisdom. But great that the algo has led me here. Slowly, intelligent photographic discussion is getting airtime and providing an alternative to gear hype.
Welcome aboard!
Thanks, I agree, Graeme has taught me so much about how to look at images.
Glad you enjoyed it
Ohhh my goodness! ❤ Mr. Graeme Williams!!! I adore his work. I follow his YT. I really like his photo series on underground mine workers shot with a medium format camera. Jeff, THANK YOU for inviting him to your channel
I'm glad he accepted. I love his channel
I feel the same about Graeme’s extremely informative channel. Thanks for hosting another South African photographer and for your own interesting channel.
Our pleasure!
I’ve been enjoying Photographic Conversations for some time. I consider it a thoughtful resource for traveling a creative journey.
Agreed. We're happy to have found his channel.
What a thrill. I discovered Graeme's channel recently too, and I'm blown away by every episode; I agree with every one of your comments about him and his work. I love your MyFIVE series too, so this is a doubly fun and worthwhile experience. Thank you both!
Awesome, thank you!
I've been a devoted watcher of Graeme''s channel for a while. Thanks for the Five..
We are now devotee's as well
I picked up on Graeme's channel a couple of months ago and have learnt so much from watching this backlist of videos. I am telling all of my photography friends they should also be watching him, so thank you for bringing him to your many subscribers.
Awesome, thank you!
Thanks. Interesting selections, many of which I had never seen. That's why I watch this channel!
Glad you like them! We love seeing new images and hearing why they have meaning to people.
Graeme exceeds my (high) expectations every single time, this interview included. We don’t deserve him
He's the best.
Graeme’s channel is essential viewing. It is the Thinking Photographer’s antidote to the bland and irrelevant content served up on this platform.
Agreed
I am a Graeme Williams follower too. His technical skill and perspective is influenced by a complex psychosocial view of life.
You're not alone. He's had a big impact