Photographer ‘lens’ his talent to Durban streets

PAVEMENTS become catwalks to city-dwellers in colorful clothes and intersections are stolen for a street-performer’s stage. Pedestrians barely pause on their way as vendors set up for another busy day.

Durban’s inner city is home to a hum-drum of activity. Capturing the spectacular among the banal is Morningside resident and street photographer, Samora Chapman. Working as a photo-journalist, documentary photographer and dabbling in a bit of film, Chapman is on a mission to capture it all.

With no formal training, Chapman is truly a student of the street. His passion for photography was sparked at a young age.

“My dad was a journalist and keen photographer and, as far back as I can remember, there was always a camera in the house. He gave me my first point and shoot film camera at about nine years old. I took it to school camp and shot a whole roll of film. The results evoked a lifelong love affair with the art of creating images. I never studied photography, but have always taken pictures, learning from mistakes, experimentation, peers and the university of YouTube. Street photography was born out of wanting to explore my city and become immersed in the public space – meeting people and hearing stories from all walks of life,” he said.

A far cry from the poise of photoshoots, street photography embodies raw reality.

Also read: Help local photographer find owners of ‘treasured’ album

“Street photography is about documenting ordinary life and finding those extraordinary moments and characters in the midst of the banal, every-day reality. It’s about creating a record of our time – the struggles, the beauty and the chaos in an honest and meaningful way,” said Chapman.

“With street photography, anything goes, but you can generally travel a lot lighter than on a commercial shoot. For street, I mostly shoot on an old Canon 5D with a 50mm prime lens. But, sometimes I use a 35mm film camera, and at others I carry a speed light to give things a bright and punchy look. Organised photo shoots generally come with a lot more pressure, a brief and a timeline, all of which turn the art into more of a painful process, in my opinion,” he said.

Over the years, he has drawn inspiration from several photographers.

“I’ve had many influences over the years – from Bruce Gilden and Martin Parr to iconic local photographers like David Goldblatt and Cedric Nunn. Hopefully I’ve found my own style, but I’m constantly evolving and learning new things,” said Chapman.

So, what makes the perfect photo?

For Chapman, photography presents the opportunity to capture a thousand words with a single image and his photos tell a poignant story.

“It’s so interesting that an image is silent in itself, but it can carry immense meaning. An image can be used to drive social change, it can be used to sell something, it can be used to generate fear or hope. The depth and power of imagery is limitless. With that power comes a lot of responsibility. In my work I often try to highlight the plight of those at the margins, highlighting their dignity and strength rather than their suffering. I’m also fascinated by street art and busking, street fashion and I’m a keen surfer. Many of those themes can be seen in my work. I’m also interested in the preservation of the environment and fighting against the destruction of nature,” said the photographer.

Yet, defining the perfect photo is a tall order.

“Like art – it’s really a subjective thing. Different kinds of photographs are beautiful or important for different reasons. I can’t say I have a favourite photo. I follow and admire a lot of photographers around the world and am constantly inspired by the artistry that exists out there,” said Chapman.

While images often trump words in the digital era, Chapman said context is key.

“Images are powerful and important catalysts for social change and for bringing awareness to issues. However, we cannot tell the true meaning of them without context. Images can be misleading or be used in propaganda. Texts and stories are still crucial in making sense of an image and getting the full picture, so to speak,” he explained.

Also read: Documentary photography at its best

Photography during the pandemic

Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, Chapman has found new avenues to explore as a photographer.

“I’ve been exceptionally busy and fortunate to continue working throughout the pandemic. Photography gives you the chance to work in many different spheres of life, so whatever’s happening in society – you get to be a part of that. During the hard lockdown, I spent time photographing the homeless camps at the Denis Hurley Centre. When corporate ‘bread and butter’ work runs dry, I am able to work in news or on my own projects. There’s no end to the work that needs doing,” he said.

Speaking to aspiring photographers, Chapman said, “Always carry your camera everywhere you go because magic can happen at any moment and you don’t want to miss an opportunity. Study the work of great photographers. Explore different cameras and equipment, but mostly just spend time shooting.”

* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news

Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za). Do you want to receive news alerts via Telegram? Send us a message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535. You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram