At Work by Winter 2007 Hot Shot Ben Roberts

Ben Roberts

Currently residing in: Hackney, London, UK

Website: http://www.benrobertsphotography.com

Work Statement:
I'm a documentary photographer at heart; I started taking photos as way of documenting research for drawing and painting, but before long the painting took a back seat; I'm interested in documenting stories about human behaviour and condition, but the images don't necessarily have to have people in them; I try to look for human traces in both landscapes and domestic spaces to help complete a story. I'm inspired by the work of (amongst others) Mitch Epstein for his quiet appreciation of interiors and objects, and Larry Sultan for the subtlety and variety of his portraiture.

With an emphasis on atmosphere and subtle suggestions of a narrative, I aim to create images that intrigue and provoke a response. My ambition in an image is to evoke a sense of deja vu for the viewer—a tangible sense of familiarity that can be either warm or uncomfortable. To convey these qualities through portraiture and documentary photography is my constant motivation.

Bio:
I grew up in Birmingham, UK, until the age of 18. I then took myself off to Scotland where I completed an MA in Fine Art at the University of Edinburgh. I followed this up with 2 years traveling and compiling an admittedly naive portfolio. Since then I have completed a 2 year photography diploma at the Arts Institute at Bournemouth, and haven't looked back since. I am a member of the respected young photographers collective Photodebut.org, and have had my work exhibited in The Museum of London and published in The Fader and The Sunday Herald. I am currently first assistant to the award winning UK documentary photographer Zed Nelson.

I'm 28yrs old now, and am constantly excited and inspired to be living and working in London's vibrant photographic industry.