Books that influenced my work

A photographer once told me “Know your photographers” best piece of advice to date! Since then I have been on a never ending quest to learn and read about artists/ photographers who have paved the way.

I think it’s important to be a complete open book (pun alert!) to photography and be a sponge in the field and not close yourself off to mediums used and lean into being inquisitive., this is something i’m currently working on.

This year my work was inspired by Japanese novelists. Tanizaki's. “In Praise of Shadows” who writes beautiful about the collision between shadows of traditional Japanese Interiors and the dazzling light of modern age. It’s a stunning piece of writing and I would highly recommend it.

I found this book called “Photography - The definitive visual history” in a small rundown book shop and I came across a photographer Eugene Atget and his work of Parisian Interiors (late to the party). I really enjoyed reading his story but mostly I really like how he utilises natural light to frame his subject within his interior work.

A book by Daisuke Hirabayashi called “Koechlin House” this is cinematic meets interiors meet architecture bliss! It’s incredibly shot by Daisuke who has captured this piece of artwork. He has the ability to showcase the imperfections that homes/spaces come with. Daisuke is honest in what he captures. I really like how he captures the sign of life in these spaces and it’s a pleasure to flick through and read.

All these three books has allowed me to look at my work in a very different light (pun alert!) for example Tanizaki’s beautiful writing about Japanese interior, how the Japanese culture truly embraces shadows. I think as we look to embrace this concept of thinking and especially in creating imagery it allows us to welcome warmth and stillness into a space. Taking snippets from Atget’s work and allowing natural day light to showcase the subject which is not rocket science however done correctly is beautiful. Daisuke Hirabayashi’s work really inspired me to not worry so much about perfection but finding the imperfection in my personal work and allowing everyday life to show through my imagery- going into 2025 I want to show more of this and less of the “perfect”.

Thank you for reading!