WHO?
Hello, I’m Lou Gilbert from the subtropical city of Brisbane, Australia. I discovered photography through travel when working overseas for several years. In about 2018 (at home again) in the absence of a travel photography group, I joined a local street photography group without having a clue what street photography was. And it continued to baffle me as it was so different from what I had learnt on travel photo tours.
But once I got a feel for the genre, I quickly became hooked on the image making process that involves walking, watching and waiting and it has since become my favourite form of creative expression and very much part of my everyday life.
WHAT?
For me, it’s about the light and how it intersects with the human element. I’m drawn to bold colours and strong contrasts and search for subjects and scenes that reflect these. My early street images were more minimalist. Now I’m working on developing more complex and layered images. I have a few series of works on the go including eg self portraits and I really enjoy sorting, selecting and sequencing collections of my work retrospectively to include in photobooks, including handmade structures.
WHEN?
I don’t have a set routine. I live in an inner city walking precinct and walk almost everywhere, with my camera. I particularly enjoy the early morning and mid to late afternoon light especially in our mild winter.
WHERE?
In the last two years with travel restrictions, I have spent many hours exploring my local streets and the nearby CBD. It has provided me the best practice opportunities I could imagine. With the express purpose of added practice in different environments, I have attended events in other parts of Australia such as eg large scale music festivals in the outback. And if feasible (it’s a big country) instead of flying to a destination, I have driven to explore different locations along the way.
WHY?
I love making candid street images. I enjoy walking and exploring. It’s a fun, positive partnership. And there is no set up. I enjoy the speed at which I need to respond, and appreciate how fleeting a moment is before it disappears.
I’ve always been a maker, e.g. I’ve done printmaking and bookmaking. Now I’m making street images. The process is creative, meditative, motivating and meaningful.
