World Photo Day: 10 SA Photographers We Love

COMPILED BY Malibongwe Tyilo


From artistic work and fashion photography to documentary images, World Photography Day (August 19 2015) is a global celebration of all forms of the medium. We’re loving the current crop of young South African photographers whose images are making us sit up and take a look at the beauty and creativity that surrounds us. In no particular order, here are 10 photographers whose work we’re really into right now.

1. Travys Owen

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Having recently shot lookbooks for celebrated young designer Lukhanyo Mdingi, the latest of which has been praised on websites such as The Fader and i-D, fashion photographer and filmmaker Travys Owen is the go-to photographer for work that is edgy and “right now”. Do check his work below on Petite Noir’s (a local musician that is making waves internationally) latest video for “Best”.

Image credit: Supplied Video credit: Petite Noir on YouTube

2. Sipho Mpongo

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This 22-year-old Cape Town School of Photography graduate has the honour of being the only South African to ever be chosen for the Magnum Foundation’s Human Rights Fellowship, an intensive six-week programme at New York University.

Image credit: Design Indaba

3. Neil Roberts Mayne

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Neil shoots a wide range of photographic styles, from editorial fashion photography and backstage shots to party pics, which can be seen on his tumblr, bratpics420.

Image credit: nrm.me

4. Brian Molepo

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This young self-taught photographer captures South African urban youth culture through images of musicians, friends and fashion.

Image credit: flickr.com

5. Thania Petersen

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We featured photographer and artist Thania Petersen in VISI 78‘s Winter Issue after we discovered her photography at the Cape Town Art Fair earlier this year.  Her striking self-portraits explore her Cape Malay identity through costume.

Image credit: Supplied

6. Kope | Figgins

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This photography duo is made up of fashion photographers Jarred Figgins and Jonathan Kope. The pair has shot for numerous local and international fashion titles, as well as campaigns for major designers.

Image credit: kopefiggins.tumblr.com

7. Grant Payne

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Along with stylist Jeandré Venter, Grant founded moreFIRE productions, and between the two of them the pair has shot amazing campaigns for designers such as the acclaimed award-winning duo, Klûk CGDT.

Image credit: grantpayne.exposure.co

8. Kristin-Lee Moolman

STYLE PROFILE RHARHA NEMBHARD FOR LOGO

Although she has built a strong name as a fashion photographer (and we do love her fashion work), what really blows us away is her grittier, edgier documentary-style work.

Image credit: kristinleemoolman.tumblr.com

9. Mikhael Subotzky

A general in the 28s prison gang climbs onto a courtyard window in Pollsmoor Maximum Security Prison. He does this to communicate with gangsters in different sections and to buy tobacco or drugs.

This Cape Town born and Johannesburg-based photographer’s work has been exhibited in galleries and museums all over the world. He has published a number of books and won numerous awards, including the Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year award in 2012.

Image credit: subotzkystudio.com

10. Mandisa Buthelezi

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KwaZulu-Natal photographer Mandisa Buthelezi is one of the province’s rising stars. Her black and white photography captures a delicate balance between urban and rural life.

Image credit: qarisoul.tumblr.com