As we already told you, we are constantly inspired by the many amazing photographers out there which pictures are really able to take our breath away. Among these, we keep on introducing you some of our favourites, and today we are discovering a bit more about Steve Davey, a London based photographer who turns his job into an amazing way of life. Here you are the first part of his interview, we are sure you will love his photographs and adventures as we do!
- Hello Steve and welcome on MasterPhotoTour! Being a tireless travel and explorer, you traveled the whole world and you are therefore the perfect person for us to tell about travel and travel photography. Our questions are mainly related then to these topics and your huge experience, but let’s start, what do you look for with your camera when you travel? Which are your favorite subjects to portray?
Am not quite sure that I count as tireless these days – am officially getting too old for all of this. I get very driven when I am travelling though, and love to engage with the world around me and to take pictures. Partly this is a commercial need: photography and writing are how I make a living and so I am not going to earn anything if I just lounge by the pool of a hotel. I am also motivated to explore the world and to see how it works; how it doesn’t and to meet and engage with as many people as possible when I am away. It is people and their lives and culture that really motivate me. That is why I love to engage and interact with people when I am photographing them, and why people and cultures are my most favourite thing to photograph.
- Can you tell us about a picture you are particularly attached to? When did you shoot it and where?
I tend to be more attached to my more recent work! Pictures that I have taken on more recent trips tend to stick more in my mind and their relative novelty is always a lot more exciting. That is the main reason why it can be hard to go back and edit past work!
I also really like pictures that are more difficult to achieve, and take some planning or level of difficulty or danger. It is great coming away with a picture that you know very few people could have achieved. This includes portraits of people were you manage to get an incredible feeling of empathy and eye contact. What that picture is though, does end to change!
Current favourites of mine include a shot of St Giorgis Church in Lalibela, Ethiopa just at the moment where the sun caught it after a massive storm and a rainbow formed; there is another shot of cobras in the main square in Marrakech that I shot in extreme close-up with an ultra-wide lens which I love, and some of the portraits I shot of some of the face-tattooed women up in the Chin Hills of Myanmar. Amazing people. I am heading back there in a couple of weeks, loaded with pictures for them. I can’t wait!
- Why is the relation between travel and photography so strong according to you?
I find that photography can be a great motivator and a great access all areas pass, when travelling and indeed when taking pictures at home. A good photographer will see more sunrises, climb more mountains and talk to more people than any other traveller. It is what drives us, and it is a fantastic way of travelling and a great way of life.
- Has your approach towards photography changed during the years?
I am a hell of a lot more confident in meeting and photographing people now compared with how I used to be when I started out. I take so many more pictures of people now: I interact better, engage and talk to just about anyone. I am not sure if it is the confidence of health, or if I have just quietly gone crazy over the years!
Keep on reading for the second part of this interview.
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