Photographer Jordan-Lee Garbutt seems to have cracked it in a very competitive industry. He spoke to NONTANDO MPOSO
His fashion images are lovely, but South African photographer Jordan-Lee Garbutt really captured media with his latest exhibition in Cape Town, “The Power of Sound”, in which he recorded paint bouncing about on speakers.
He chats to us about his trade and his current work.
How did you get to make a living with photography?
After my studies, I started assisting. It is the best way to gain experience, learn your craft from top professionals, and see what works in real life.
Discovering how to work with people and photo shoot dynamics can only be learnt in the field. Putting in the hours of learning your craft, researching your subject matter and approaches, all adds up in the end.
I assisted for three years before starting to build my portfolio. I created photo shoots that displayed my ideas.Then it was all about putting myself out there and giving myself the opportunity to succeed.
How do you achieve your stunning shots?
First, conceptualising – every detail of my shoots are planned – and, second, collaborating. I work with stylists, make-up artists and other talented people to help create my “visions”.You can only do so much on your own. Other viewpoints, perspectives and talents will transform your idea into something more powerful.
Which photographers have inspired you?
American fashion and portrait photographer Richard Avedon changed the way I look at photography as a profession. He balanced his commercial work with his personal work and blended campaigns and exhibitions perfectly. That is something I aspire to replicate.
Gregory Crewdson’s Beneath the Roses(a series of 20 large, theatrical and panoramic images exploring the American psyche) changed the way I wanted to create. It revealed the high-end planning and concepts with lighting that resonated with me. When I first came across his work, it took my breath away. It just ticked all the boxes of the type of photographer I want to be.
Other influences?
Recently films have been my biggest inspiration. The Grand Budapest Hotel was highly stylised and quirky in all the right ways. It just made you smile.
Emmanuel Lubezki is probably my biggest inspiration at the moment. His cinematography is awe-inspiring, from Birdman to The Revenant. The camera movement, framing and use of hand-held work is amazing. He has been a driving force for me to explore cinematography.
What motivates you to continue taking pictures?
I knew from the first week of exploring photography that this is what wanted to do with the rest of my life.I love what I do. I feel my best when I’m creating.
My biggest drive now is trying to initiate a change in people, change their perspectives and open their minds to a new way of thinking. Breaking down social, economic and personal barriers.
Tell us about your process
I think in layers. Starting off with the base concept, everything else is added to that. I see the world in a certain light. I prefer dark tones and playing in the shadows. White, bright and “fresh” images have never resonated with me. I like the mystical, the surreal, and our innermost thoughts. What we could be hiding from people or ourselves is what interests me.
I’m at the stage where I cannot take images just for the beauty. I have to add an underlying meaning. It has to be thought-provoking.Which images have been the most significant in your career?
My latest exhibition, The Power of Sound, has had the most impact, from all the press to being on Top Billing. It has grown my brand, but what I have loved about the project is the way it affects people when they see the images and poems.
Collaborating with poet Mo Libretto transformed the project into something more. The words and visuals complement each other perfectly, proving how important a collaboration is.I’m working on a video piece for The Power of Sound. We used a Phantom Flex camera which was able to record at 2 000 frames a second, therefore giving us the ability to see the paint erupt off the speaker in awe-inspiring slow motion.
Then I have two projects lined up. The first celebrates the diversity of South Africa through the 11 official languages and our diverse flora. It’s going to take me all over the country, showcasing our beautiful country and people in a way that has never been done before.
Next is Matjiesfontein, which will be based on South Africa between 1895 and 1905. This project will depict everything that was happening in the country in that time period, from who was in power, what corruption was happening and how these relationships affected our country.
How would you say social media is changing photography?
It’s made photography and creating a lot more accessible to everybody. People who wouldn’t normally have any interest in photography or visual artistic expression now give it a go.
There is another side. It has made everything a popularity contest ... and the amount of “trolling” and bad mouthing has grown exponentially. But everyone is at their own stage of development and skill set, and everyone has their own taste of what is good. We should all be helping each other and not putting others down to elevate yourself.