In 1988, O.P. Sharma, a teacher based in India, suggested that there should be a global day to celebrate the history, craft and art of photography. Three years later, the first official World Photography Day was observed. Today, people from across the globe come together to mark the occasion on the 19th August. The date itself is a significant one – on that day in 1839, the French government officially announced the invention of the daguerreotype by Louis Daguerre. Since this historical event, photography has revolutionised the art world, broadening definitions of what it means to capture and reproduce a moment. This World Photography Day, we’re sharing 10 insights from leading contemporary names on their approaches to image-making, taken from interviews previously published in Aesthetica. These are figures who are redefining the boundaries of the image. From constructing surrealist narratives to reclaiming cultural histories or exploring environmental crisis from above, their perspectives reflect the profound ways in which the camera can be used to investigate identity, agency and the complex nature of truth.
Hannah Starkey on what makes a great photograph
“For me, the true test of a good picture is whether it can stand the test of time with all the human activity and shifts in society. I also think a good image can tell us a lot about ourselves, from revealing unconscious bias to eliciting strong feelings of empathy. In other words: it can make us feel directly.”
Tania Franco Klein on early experiences behind the lens
“My first camera was a Rollei 35 S. It was my grandfather’s, and I made terrible pictures with it, but it was a great first encounter to photography. I also experimented with photograms in the darkroom, and I think the concept of constructing an image through light really sparked my later conceptual interests.”
Tyler Mitchell on the democratisation of photography
“The opening up of photography and its limits – it has already occurred. The biggest breakthrough is that everyone has a decent camera in their pocket with their phone. Everyone can make potentially powerful images, which is both a scary and exciting thought … All of that will lead to an opening up of who’s behind the camera and who tells what stories.”
Elina Brotherus on making space for women in the industry
“I want to create space and agency for women as do-ers, makers and self-confident actors within their own industry … When I studied, we had Cindy Sherman and Nan Goldin, but all the rest of the curriculum were men. We all need art made by a range of perspectives – to avoid getting a biased view of the world.”
Nadine Ijewere on subverting beauty standards
“Fashion photography didn’t reflect my reality when I was younger. I wasn’t shown women of colour in the industry, as models or photographers. I started taking pictures of my friends, and it was inspirational to celebrate our differences and subvert the standards of fashion and beauty at the time. The practice is still male-dominated, and I hope to encourage more women of colour to pick up a camera.”
Narelle Autio on taking analogue pictures underwater
“I float out in the deep water under the jetty and watch and wait … Shooting film, there is no way of knowing if I am successful at the time. I find something meditative about not being sure of what I have. There is no checking, and film has a precision that I like.”
Aïda Muluneh on how her work fits into the history of art
“I stand on the shoulders of many giants before me and draw a great deal of inspiration from the past. Memory of Hope (2017) draws inspiration from traditional Ethiopian body ornamentation and tattoos … I am the extension of all those who have taught me, mentored me, or influenced my work.”
Iwan Baan on his approach to documenting architecture
“I quickly have a sense of how I want to portray space. It is always a challenge and that is where the excitement comes from … It is a very intuitive way of working, lingering around and seeing the rhythm of the day and what people do there. It is a lot of zooming in and out. I feel all the different layers – moments of closeness and farness – play a role in telling the story of a place.”
Brooke DiDonato on her relationship with Surrealism
“Surrealism was birthed out of discontent with reality, so I can identify with the intent. Somebody once referred to my work as magical realism, and I can see both definitions. The majority of my images are possible, and they did happen. I have constructed the scenes. In a way, it’s not surreal – just unexpected.”
Edward Burtynsky on aerial perspectives
“I’ve always been concerned with showing how we affect the Earth in a big way. To this end, I seek out and photograph large-scale systems that leave lasting marks. At the heart of my challenge has been the pursuit of vantage points that best enable me to picture the relationship of these systems to the land.”
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Words: Sophie Bullivant
Image Credits:
1. Brooke DiDonato, Odd One Out, (2016). Image courtesy of the artist.
2. Hannah Starkey, Untitled, 5th November 2008. Framed c-print mounted to aluminium. 122 x 163 cm. © Hannah Starkey, courtesy Maureen Paley, London.
3. Tania Franco Klein, from Proceed to the Route, (2018-Ongoing).
4. Tyler Mitchell, Untitled (New Royals) (2018). © Tyler Mitchell. Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York.
5. Tyler Mitchell, Untitled (2022). © Tyler Mitchell. Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York.
6. Elina Brotherus, Aften I Ny-Hellesund (båt) (2018). 90cm x 120cm, from Seabound. Courtesty of the artist, gb agency, Paris, and Martin Asbaek Gallery, Copenhagen.
7. Nadine Ijewere, Untitled (detail) (2019). From Nina Ricci SS20 #futurestartsnow. Courtesy of the artist and Nina Ricci. Model: Scarlet Peguero. Creative Direction: Rushemy Botter & Lisi Herrebrugh. Makeup: Genesis Read. Hair: Cuchi Sanchez.
8. Amphitrite (Of the Sea) : The Eyes of Her © Narelle Autio
9. Changeling V: Place in Between © Narelle Autio.
10. Aïda Muluneh, Both Side, (2017). The Memory of Hope Collection.
11. Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre Baku, Azerbaijan, Zaha Hadid. Image courtesy Iwan Baan.
12. Brooke DiDonato, Next-door, (2014). Image courtesy of the artist.
13. Brooke DiDonato, Living Room, (2015). Image courtesy of the artist.
14. Image courtesy of Edward Burtynsky.
