In many ways, 2020 reignited my love and passion for photography.

I’ve started to question my own photography and became critical about the purpose of my work. In many ways, I feel like I’ve learned how to make pretty pictures, but not ones that make you “feel” a certain way. 

To change that, I’ve made a conscious effort to spend more time “reading” and seeking out good photography. Any genre was fair game - I was and still am seeking myself in the vast worlds of photography. Through that, I (re)discovered some beautiful photos, photographers and/or photography publications. I thought it would be a fun experience to share these here as a reference of sorts, for my future self or anyone else in my position. 

Before I start, however, I’d like to point out that there are many amazing photographers and images out there. My notebook proof for this post had over 3 pages of pictures and photographers I’d love to include. This is the shortest list I was able to put together. 

Ashely Gilbertson

Ash has been a favourite of mine for a long time. For some reason, his projects and photos “speak” to me. I’ve been following his course on journalistic street photography on CreativeLive when it was on and I was looking forward to a workshop with him and Ed Kashi at some point (before the whole COVID shit-show happened). His photo-essay in the NYT titled “CLUSTERFUCK” is arguably the best well-rounded local depiction of the pandemic I’ve seen from a single photographer. He also seems like a person who’d be happy to tell me how shitty my photography is. Tell me to try harder, insult me in multiple ways in the process, go for a run with, insult me again for being fat and slow, and then grab a beer afterwards and joke about it all.

Evgenia Arbugaeva

My first introduction to Evegnia’s work was a stumble in the photographer’s gallery in London the day or two before the last lockdown, and all of a sudden, it started popping up everywhere. And I don’t mind it. I could lose myself in the dreamy pastel colours of her landscapes and slightly muted and desaturated portraits and still-lifes. What draws me the most about her work is the combination of the subjects and locations that I’m interested in, blended to wonderfully done set of images. 

Tyler Shields

Tyler quickly became one of my favourite photographers due to shear creativity of his work. He is making intriguing images seemingly every day, and more often than not, they leave me thinking about them after I’ve seen them. One thing which sets him apart in my view is the way his prints look in real life; I’ve seen one of his prints in the Sotheby’s, and it is something else. He made me so intrigued enough about large-format photography that I’m actually toying with an idea of a 4x5 if I ever have an idea worthy of it.

Platon’s Service

Many call Platon overrated. Some call him the most intriguing portrait photographer of our day. I don’t care about that. What I care about however is this book which is, in my opinion, some of the finest and most striking long-term reportage work I’ve seen to date. This book had me stare, laugh, and cry and sometimes all of that at the same time. It’s captivating, it’s bold, it’s strong. And yeah. Is one of my top recommendations for a fine-art photojournalism style work. Much like Gilbertson’s “Beds of the Fallen”, it left a deep impact this past year

Julio Cortez - An upside-down flag

Some images summarised this year to me, and Julio’s image of an upside-down flag from Minneapolis is one of them. There are so many layers and so much meaning baked into it. Julio is an amazing photojournalist and his feed is stunning, but this photo as a standalone stood up from most of the other work I’ve seen this year. 

Al Bello - Hugs during COVID19

Much like Julio, Al seems to be an incredibly consistent photojournalist that produces fantastic images. The image of Olivia Grant hugging her grandmother made me stop scrolling and stare. It is an image of hope and humanity. To me, it symbolises a love that can conquer all.

Last but not least, some stand-out work from people that I know that is worthy of inclusion here, simply because it made me think a lot more about what it means to be a photographer in London. 

Josh K. Jackson - Sleepless in Soho

This one is hard for me as I know Josh, and I’ve seen his work on my feed in one way or another for several years now, and I love it. The selection in this book, however … I had a hard time with. Not that the images weren’t good, or that the book wasn’t well made. Prints were excellent and images are on par with some of Josh’s best work. It just somehow, didn’t make sense to me. But then, one day, I was browsing through the book as I listened to a particular piece of music and it suddenly clicked - it made sense. Josh’s first book was not a collection of his best; nor was it a journalistic piece. It was a love-letter to Soho, it was a serenade for the lost souls strolling illuminated by the neon-filled lights each hiding their own story. Ever since then, every time I pick it up I can imagine the sound of Soho and feel that familiar anxiety and mix of discomfort an exhilaration one feels when trodding the paths followed by so many. 

BARDO: the summer of 2020 - New Exit Group

Although I received this book in 2021, technically it was produced and ordered in 2020 so it still counts? 

I won’t go into details as I’m writing a review of it for my local student newspapers (which will be shared on my blog as well), but I think BARDO is an amazing first effort from a photography collective. It is beautifully done, and images are sequenced in such a way that you feel the story and the themes unfold in front of you. It is not perfect, but it’s a great start. I can’t wait to see what else they are going to produce. The biggest complaint is that Simon and David didn’t consider me to join NEG, but I guess they didn’t know me then, so I’ll forgive them that oversight.