Georgia Gubbins: In a Second of Light

“Often I feel I’m going to break the moment if I ask for someone’s permission for a photo, or I’ll quickly check if it’s okay”

“From Scotland originally but left to travel, live and work in other countries. I’ve always been taking pictures. In the last year or so I started focusing on it more as a tool of expression and communication. I studied photography at college for one year but left to concentrate on street photography and developing the subject matter and content of my pictures through experiences outwith of college.”

“The series evolved naturally from looking over the pictures I had been taking and seeing a pattern emerge — solitary figures, use of highlights and shadows. So I went with this theme, studying photographers with different styles and approaches to try and help my development.”

“If something draws my eye I’ll run at it either getting the shot or not, but I absolutely must try. Often I feel I’m going to break the moment if I ask for someone’s permission for a photo, or I’ll quickly check if it’s okay. I’m also trying to improve my approach and talk to people before I take their picture. Often the light and situation persuades me to take the picture first though.”

“I am trying to capture expression of self and a true enough representation of the moment. It’s important for me to get across either a personal message, a visual representation of the city I was living in, or let the pictures try and speak for themselves about the subject matter.”

“The process was frustrating at times; missing shots or when it doesn’t align up how I’d like it. I tell myself each time I go out shooting has to be an improvement on the last. But it’s all worth it for the split second where everything comes together and I am surprised at what the world can show.”

“I’m trying to work on substance and form, so the images that stick out for me are not cluttered, the light is working how I want it. I try and stay away from repeating the same images over and over.”

“I think all work can have a personal input as well as the external. I often capture solitary figures as that is what stands out to me a lot in cities — often what I am — a solitary figure going through the city. But it is other people in their moment I am trying to capture, people’s relationship with the city environment, how figures work in with colors and shadows and light.”

“Whatever the viewers take from my pictures is up to them and if they can relate to it in some way then that’s great and to me about what sharing experiences and feelings through photography is about. I also always appreciate all kinds of feedback.”