"If you want to be a photographer , first leave home." - Steve McCurry

Most of my photos are grounded in people, I look for the unguarded moment, the essential soul peeking out, experience etched on a person’s face. - Steve McCurry

My life is shaped by the urgent need to wander and observe, and my camera is my passport. - Steve McCurry 

Frustration, anger, confusion, amazement, absurdity, infatuation… are just a few words that spring to mind when I think of India. I spent four months travelling around the country and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. I travelled up to Kashmir to stay on the Srinagar Lake, watched the border ceremony between Pakistan and India, drowned myself in Chai, rode camels through the Rasjathan deserts, witnessed the burning Ghats in Varanasi, attempted to find tigers, got love struck in Goa, drove through the Southern countryside on a Royal Enfield, had an epiphany at the Golden Temple, featured in a futuristic Bollywood film… And that doesn’t even touch the surface. As a family friend once said to me, “it’s a country where the past rides side by side with the present.” I couldn’t think of a better way to sum up the place I simply fell in love with.

Despite my obsession with the sunshine, I am also rather fond of a bit of snow. I’ve been skiing since I was two and try to hit the slopes at least every couple of years. This year I headed to Courchevel, Les Trois Vallees, France. Blue skies, sunshine and perfect snow. The skiing was great and the mountain top restaurants superb. I made sure to keep up my energy levels with plenty of delicious tartiflette and tarte au pomme… And heading down to St Martin de Belleville was great to escape the crowds.

STUDIO 205

 

Can you tell a little bit about what got you into photography and the path you took?

I was travelling through South East Asia and India back in 2007 with a simple Sony cybershot and slowly realised I was getting a bit obsessed with taking photos. Everything that I saw I assessed as a potential photo. So, when I returned back to the UK I bought a digital SLR, a load of digital photography books and geeked it up on numerous a forum!

What cameras and software do you use?

At the moment I have a Nikon D90 but looking to upgrade. Torn between the D300s or the new D7000... My favourite lens is my Nikkor 50mm and my Sigma wide angle. Plus I am a little infatuated with my hipstamatic application on my iphone at the moment!

Do you have a preferred subject/theme? Travel, fashion, portraits, interiors, ...

Ultimately, my passion will always be with travel photography. However, I do hugely enjoy shooting fashion and portraits. For me if the colours and compositions work aesthetically, whether it be a desert landscape or a shopping trolley full of shoes then I will shoot it.

You travelled a lot recently. What (where) was the best experience so far?

For me the energy and beauty of Rio de Janeiro made it my most significant travel experience in 2010. I stayed in the city on and off for 6 weeks, 2 weeks of which were spent living in the Rocinha favela, working with an NGO. The communities that live within the favelas in Rio hugely intrigued me. I’ve made a promise to myself that one day I will go back to Rio and spend some proper time documenting the favelas. I just need to learn Portuguese now!

Any unusual encounters on your trips, bizarre people or conversations you want to share?

I was once told by a palm reader in India that I would always have bad luck with travel... Although he’s proving to be correct with numerous robberies of my equipment, it’s never going to stop me! The buzz of being in a foreign country and observing different cultures is too intoxicating.

If you could start over already knowing what you know now, is there anything you would do differently?

I would have started when I was a lot younger and most definitely taken a photography degree. Hindsight is a wonderful thing!

What are you crazy about at the moment, what inspires you? Books, artists, designers, music, anything....

a. Haruki Murakami’s books. I simply can’t put them down. I adore getting lost within his alternate realities, complicated relationships and passion for music.
b. Photgraphers such as Saga Sig, Nan Goldin, Martin Parr, Steven McCurry, Henri Cartier–Bresson.
c. My iphone hipstamatic app. There is nothing more frustrating than missing an opportunity because you don’t have your camera on you. Now I’m always prepared with my super handy vintage app!
d. Colour.



http://www.indivisualism.com/2011/02/abbi-kemp-photography-interview.html

the cobbled streets of cusco, peru

Cuzco and I didn’t get off to the best start… an all night Salsa session in Cali, Colombia, followed by a flight straight to Lima and directly onto a 20 hour bus to Cuzco. Needless to say I was shattered and miserable before I even got there and this coupled with the severe altitude sickness from heights of 3300m. However, despite all this I adored Cuzco. In fact it rates as my 3rd favourite ciudad in South America!

It’s a juxtaposed city, where modern Peruvian life operates alongside colonial Andean architecture and colourful indigenous locals. It would be impossible not to become totally captivated by Cuzco’s beautiful cobbled streets, charming plazas and spectacular views. Of course Cuzco’s main attraction is its proximity to Machu Picchu but there is still plenty more to do… Immerse yourself in local life by meandering around the indigenous markets, take in the Inca ruins whilst on horseback and white-water raft down one of the nearby Rio’s.

To tackle the altitude sickness make sure to sip lots of coca tea, walk slowly up the extremely steep cobbled streets, avoid alcohol and get early nights if you can…

meu lugar feliz

Most people if asked to name their favourite city in the world would struggle, not me, Rio de Janeiro would win hands down. This cidade maravilhosa has everything a city could ever provide: fantastic food, alluring locals, non-stop partying and captivating landscapes. If you are fortunate enough to visit then do not miss out on the following:

- Watching the sunset over the rocks in between Copacabana and Ipanema

- Observing the local fisherman in the early evening at Praia Vermelha

- Having a picnic in the botanical gardens

- Dancing the night away in a Samba club in Lapa

- Make sure to open your eyes and take in the truly impressive street graffiti

- Being a culture vulture at the Instituto Moreira Salles

- Immersing yourself in the football mania at the world famous Maracana stadium

- Taking in the panaramic views at the top of Pao De Acucar

Rio’s energy and natural beauty is truly captivating and I defy anyone that visits and doesn’t want to throw a tantrum when leaving.

 @ analog * film @ vintage * past @ retro * nostalgic @