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Travys Owen -
Sipho Mpongo -
Neil Roberts Mayne -
Brian Molepo -
Thania Petersen -
Kope | Figgins -
Grant Payne -
Kristin-Lee Moolman -
Mikhael Subotzky -
Mandisa Buthelezi
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
