Interview with

The Nearfield

October 2024

An abridged version of this full interview was published in NF06 October / November 2024

Can you describe your approach in a sentence?

It’s about being in the right place at the right time and prepared for anything. I never really know what I will end up shooting on any particular day.

Why documentary and activism photography?

I pretty much fell into it. When I was a student in the early 2010s, there were a number of far-right marches in Cambridge and fervent counter-protests. I was already dabbling in photography — landscapes, a bit of street — but I started taking my camera to the demos and quickly fell in love with it. Soon I was going down to London at weekends for the student protests. Not a lot of amateurs were doing it in those days. Now there’s more young shooters taking it up. At that time, what I loved was the raw thrill of being on the front lines, seeing political tensions spill out onto the street. It was later that another thrill emerged, of capturing fleeting moments that might make the news today or history tomorrow. That’s what I love about the work today: being photographic witness to moments that (sometimes, at least) really matter.

What's the most challenging aspect of your work?

There are a few challenges with protest photography. One is simply finding out where and when something is going to happen, as organisers can be understandably tight-lipped. I’ve built relationships with participants over many years so that I can get information when needed. That brings another challenge: earning the trust of activists whilst also remaining independent and objective. Finding that balance isn’t easy. News outlets will cover a protest very matter-of-factly, which for me loses a lot of what the event is about. I aim to tell the story authentically but also to capture the incredible power, emotion and energy on show.

What’s your favourite photo location in the South West (and why)?

Well, it has to be Bristol. It’s a city with a fierce and proud history of protest that continues today. The Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 really typified Bristol and Bristolians for me. The toppling on the Colston statue on 7th June is what made the headlines, but that day was about so much more. Love. Unity. Tolerance. Sentiments shown again at the anti-racism rallies in August 2024. Bristol always shows up and stands up. Plus the coffee’s good.

What gear do you typically use?

Like most photographers covering public events, I always use two cams in tandem. My trusty workhorse is a Canon L-series 70-200mm. The other is a Sony A7 with a 35mm prime lens for high-impact wides of up-close action and intimate vignettes. Recently I’ve also experimented with wearing a GoPro when I shoot: partly as a record of events in case things get dicey, but also to capture some contextual “photographer’s eye view” video.

Best piece of photography advice you’ve been given/would give?

Embrace imperfection. I’ve culled so many shots over the years because of motion blur, missed focus, overexposure, a misfired flash. If you’re a wedding photographer, sure, the technicals need to be right. But as a photojournalist the number one question is always, does this image say something? Does it tell a story? Is the story compelling? Then ask, does the blur, the ‘bad’ exposure or the noise hinder that story? Or was it an authentic part of that moment?