MUST READ: Life behind the lens
JOHANNESBURG - Contrary to popular belief, not all photojournalists are celebrity-chasing, bikini-snapping paparazzi.
In fact, Jozi born-and-bred Shayne Robinson is far from it. He may have scooped first prize in the prestigious World Press Photo competition in 2005 thanks to a project about a ballet school in Alexandra, but believe it or not, Robinson wasn’t always behind a camera. He’s done everything from selling cars to working at CNA.
“I’d never really found anything and then one day I picked up a camera and started shooting,” he said.
If you’re expecting photojournalism to be glamourous think again. “You face challenges every day, depending on what you’re doing and where you’re working.”
He’s fought with bodyguards and policemen, worked in war zones, environments ravaged by natural disasters, and struggled to communicate through language, religious and cultural barriers. It’s not all posing for the camera and flashing a megawatt smile.
https://instagram.com/p/5_58y4ITLN/?taken-by=shaynepix
Robinson added that if he were to choose one of his photos that had the most impact, it would be the last picture he took of Ernesto Alfabeto Nhamuave, a Mozambican who had his belongings wrapped around him and was then set on fire by an angry mob during the first round of xenophobia in 2008.
“I shot that image which was horribly used during the last round of xenophobia. I must have spent hours upon hours posting to people saying ‘this is not happening now, this is my picture, please take it down. Stop using it out of context’.”
He’s since adopted a new attitude when it comes to people using his photographs for their own benefit. “If I post it on social media, do whatever you want. Photographers get so uptight about their copyright, it doesn’t exist anymore. If you put it out anywhere on the internet, it’s gone.”
https://instagram.com/p/5q3QPYITOA/?taken-by=shaynepix
Robinson is currently working on My Jozi, a project that’s been going for the past 15 years and, in that time, has captured some truly breathtaking pictures of our city.
“I’m inspired by South Africa, by Joburg specifically, because I’m Joburg-born and I love the city. I’m inspired by the dirtiness, the grime, everything that makes up Joburg that isn’t hidden behind a nine-foot wall.”
The project is to encourage people to look at Johannesburg from a new perspective. “Ninety percent of it is shot out of my car. Everyone complains about traffic but if you actually stop, turn your radio off and look around, there is so much happening.”
https://instagram.com/p/5JcwV9ITDZ/?taken-by=shaynepix
He said awards were overrated. “It’s every photojournalist’s dream to win World Press and I can promise you that it’s a big lump of metal that sits on your desk and does nothing for you. Hard work and dedication are what should drive you.”
His advice for aspiring photojournalists? “Believe in your craft. Believe in why you want to do this. Don’t do it because you’re going to travel. Do it for the pure reason of telling stories, because that’s what it’s about, telling stories.”
Details: www.photojournalist.co.za
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