Lockdown Through The Lens

24/09/2020

Makhanda Photographers Capture the Lockdown Experience

Artists around Makhanda are overcoming hurdles and finding new, innovative ways to work around social distancing restrictions.

During level 5 of the national lockdown, being confined to their homes and hometowns, many creatives lost significant amounts of income and clientele as social distancing restrictions did not permit in-person visits or photoshoots. However, some photographers in Makhanda took the opportunity to try new things and develop new skills.

“When lockdown came, photography was basically banned – we weren’t allowed to shoot anywhere; we weren’t allowed to see people,” said Robyn Oosthuysen, a professional photographer and graphic designer.

“I lost all my bookings,” said Oosthuysen.

Oosthuysen used the restrictions imposed by the lockdown to think of a new and creative way to take photographs.

Oosthuysen’s saving grace was Facetime sessions: she hosts photography shoots over a Facetime video call and captures the lockdown experience of her clients through her lens and at a safe distance.

"I want this to be a creative documentary experience, because everyone is going through this,” she said.

Though this new form of photography brought many challenges in terms of direction, significant losses in income – given her more accommodative, “budgetfriendly” pricing adjustments – and quality discrepancies caused by connection issues, Oosthuysen believes that it is a part of the experience and skill-building. “The imperfections make it all the more unique,” she said.

The award-winning photographer carefully described her new directing process, whereby she keeps her camera off and narrates the poses or camera placement to her clients using their rear-view camera. This process, which she refers to as “directing blind” means her models and clients are only guided by her voice.

“I think I could land a boeing,” she teased, referring to the amplified complexities of her job. When deciding how to decorate the background set of her portraits, Oosthuysen asks her clients to do send her a video of their home at the brightest part of the day and builds a flat lay board that echoes the décor colouring in that area and looks appealing.

Despite these trials and new discoveries, Oosthuysen remains grateful to her craft for what it does for herself and her clients.

Sunbirds

Another pioneer is Roddy Fox, a retired geography academic who has received recognition for his exhibitions at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival. The Ovation Award winner opted to use his newly found free time and love for nature to capture brilliant photographs of sunbirds, which he lures in using a birdfeeder that he bought and placed in his garden.

“I realised I wouldn’t be able to get out of the garden much, let alone be able to do the landscapes that I do – so I bought a bird feeder,” said Fox.

Fox’s dedication to his craft became evident when he explained that he would wait an hour a day for three weeks to get a shot and would get two worthwhile shots in that time period. Despite challenges, Fox retains a positive perspective and charmed outlook on his creative art.

“I like to share the beauty in the natural world – it’s really important at the moment to try and be creative [and to] try to be positive,” he said.

Paying attention

Tom Jeffery, a photographer and exhibition curator has also dedicated himself to finding beauty in the mundane. “A lot of times, photography is about looking around at what’s near you and paying attention to what’s interesting,” said Jeffery.

Jeffery has had to adjust to his usual processes and techniques of photography and revert to taking photographs around his house by looking at everyday situations from a fresh perspective. “For me it was a creative outlet, to stay inspired,” he said.

Jeffery’s photography has received praise and many thanks for showcasing the beauty of the town and brightening our social media news feeds in such trying and isolated times. “People often say to me that my photos make them feel like they can connect to Grahamstown – it’s easy to lose site of the beauty of the town and the photos can make them feel connected again,” he said.

*First Published in Grocott's Direct