In conversation with Ruben, overall 2022 winner of the 2022 South African Photographer of the Year Competition.
What does Photography mean to you?
Photography allows me to slow down and truly enjoy and appreciate the place I’m in. Details I might never have considered had I not been taking photos become extremely important, like tides and weather and their resultant effects on the place I’m in. I find it easy to invest time in these locations, and with that I am able to engage with the subject and location more deeply, and especially with my older photographic projects, I feel I can begin to understand the relationship between my subject and its surroundings, which tends to be what I am most interested in photographing.
What drives you to capture the images you do?
My photography is linked strongly with my connection to the sea, with my images usually involving coastal places around Cape Town, both above and below the water. Exploring the physical and biological aspects of the sea and coast, and their many complex connections is perhaps my strongest inspiration. I hope that my images might play some role in protecting these places someday, though I am yet to use them actively for conservation so far.
What does the South African Photographer of the Year Awards mean to you?
For the opening year of the competition, I think it has attracted a really high standard of photography (which I am honoured to be included in) and been wonderfully effective at showcasing a diverse range of photographic disciplines and subjects that represent South Africa, its landscapes and wildlife beautifully.
Why did you enter the South African Photographer of the Year awards?
I wanted to get objective criticism from professionals with a different photographic background to my own, as well as to participate in a new and promising competition based in SA. I found the variety of categories very appealing.
How does it feel to win with South African Photographer of the year?
I’m still struggling to believe it! I have been really surprised by the response I’ve received for Golden southeasters, and to get such positive feedback from so many people, many fantastic photographers themselves, has been really inspiring. I am extremely proud!
What advice do you have for anyone who would like to enter these kinds of competitions?
I don’t think I’m experienced enough to be dishing out advice, but investing your time with an animal or place and getting to know them/it is how I like to work.
Will you be entering again in 2023?
I have been quite busy with university work this last year and haven’t been out with my camera as often as I’d like, but will hopefully have one or two images worth entering. I am looking forward to seeing how the competition evolves and what new images it attracts.
Do you believe competitions such as South African Photographer of the Year is important for the industry?
I wanted to get objective criticism from professionals with a different photographic background to my own, as well as to participate in a new and promising competition based in SA. I found the variety of categories very appealing.
Tell us a little more about your winning image?
The bird pictured is a common tern, which likely travelled from somewhere in Northern Europe and flew thousands of kilometres to arrive where I saw it, and travelled that distance back North later in the season, a feat that I have enormous respect for!
Enter the South African Photographer of the Year competition today by visiting: https://southafricanpoty.com/enter/
More info: southafricanpoty.com
Golden Southeasters - Ruben Jenkins-Bate | Winner: Overall, First Place (South African Photographer of the Year 2022)
