WHO?
My name is Mark Davidson and I live in Melbourne, Australia. I was born in Melbourne too but moved to a country town for school when I was 10. I spent my formative years in the country but don’t feel any connection to that place anymore.
I played drums in a band and we thought were going to be the next Silverchair. That obviously didn’t eventuate, and I went to university to study media.
I currently work as the executive producer of Australia’s highest-rating breakfast radio program and, the early hours aside, I really do love my job. It’s creative, it’s interesting and every day is different; we begin the day with a blank slate and create three hours of live radio each morning. I work with a brilliant team. I also get to work with Ross Stevenson, one of the hosts, who is a once-in-a-generation radio talent. So, I feel very lucky.
I’ve been photographing with purpose for around four years. My work is mostly rooted in candid, traditional street photography, although I’ve been playing and experimenting more recently. I’ve always been comfortable with the label street photographer but I do feel it’s becoming less relevant now.
I was inspired to take photography more seriously following a work trip I took to the Philippines. There was a photographer on the trip who I clicked with. His passion for the medium motivated me to hit the streets and dive headlong into photography when I returned to Melbourne.
WHAT?
My work largely centres around capturing life in urban environments. I’m drawn to bold light and crowds. The current project I’m working on is more of a poetic portrait of Melbourne rather than a documentary-based representation of the city. I realise that sounds a little wanky but it’s probably the best way to describe what I do! Taking a good photo on the street is hard and most of the time I’m out there failing, but I love the challenge and being present in the world. Photography is a calming antidote to the fast-paced environment of live radio.
WHERE?
Mainly in Melbourne’s CBD and western suburbs, as well as Hong Kong. I’m currently working on a body of work in both cities. I’ve also been photographing in regional Victoria a bit recently so maybe my country upbringing does still have some kind of hold over me.
My wife is Hungarian, so I’ll also take pictures in her hometown and Budapest whenever we visit her family. We both love to travel and normally take a few trips to photograph each year.
WHEN?
My day starts at 2.15am and I normally photograph after work, from around 10am, depending on my energy levels. My day is often split in two. I’ll have a nanna nap around midday and the photograph in the late afternoon. I try to photograph every day.
WHY?
The why of it all is a very good question. Street photography definitely is meditative for me. I know that’s such a cliched answer but it’s the truth.
Photography is my creative outlet, and I enjoy it because it’s so difficult. You fail every day and must accept that. But the pleasure of simply attempting to bring all the elements together for one great frame is a large part of why I do it. You have to love the process more than the end result. Plus, being present and engaged with the world is a positive, both physically and mentally. When I’m out shooting everything else falls away, and any time spent unplugged from social media is hugely beneficial.
