The Sunday interview: 5 questions for Nat

Today I will present Nat, the author of Thought Jam. Nat is a UK journalist, editor, photographer and a great supporter of photographic community on Substack.

A bridge

1.     Why photography?

For me, photography is about telling stories, revealing emotion through imagery. The subconscious goes to work when you photograph a scene or a moment; all your childhood learnings, your perspective, experiences, even your mood, state of mind, or thoughts in the second you press the shutter are imbued in the image that you make. I love that you can’t hide yourself in photography – it’s a mirror and a reflection of yourself as a human being. 

The outliers that you choose to leave out of the frame can often say as much (if not more) about you than your actual chosen composition. I use photography to explore my own human condition, to understand life and purpose. It’s a very existentialist experience. Much more than pointing and shooting.

2.     What is your favourite gear? (camera, lens)

My Fujifilm XT5, which I adore. The 56mm is a great lens that has forced me to work hard at my street photography; the need to get closer to get the shot has made me (what I hope is) a more focused and confident photographer. The XT5 is just a pleasure to use. The sound of the shutter, the film simulations (I can do so much more in-camera now), the retro dials, and even the weight in my hand of it all adds to the moment.

3.     What are your favourite subjects to photograph?

I enjoy street photography; truly candid shots. A recent project of mine focused on travellers on night buses in Manchester. The gaze, very much zoned in on the human in a personal paused and pensive moment, really is a truly intimate experience.

I also love live music photography. I recently shot Self Esteem at Neighbourhood Festival, which is a large festival in the UK. It was a brilliant experience. I’ve also shot Ian Brown, Jake Bugg, The Wombats, The Charlatans, Wolf Alice, and others.

Bus heroes

4.     Can you name a few of your favourite photographers?

This changes all the time – I keep adding to my list! Classic favourites such as Saul Leiter, Cartier Bresson, Joel Meyerowitz. Then Todd Hido (see his House Hunting project for some eerie and uncanny work), Gregory Crewdson’s projects. Other contemporary photographers: Rinko Kawauchi (Halo), Paul Graham (Mother), Joan Haseltine (see The Girl Who Escaped), Nick Turpin (On the Night Bus), the list goes on and on. I must also mention Jill Furmanovksi for her live music photography.

5.     What can Substack community expect from you/your publication in the future?

The plan is to continue melding words and images to tell stories of nostalgia, the future, what it is to be a human, thoughts, emotions and hope. This sometimes takes the form of a single image or a series. Substack has a great photographic community and I’m proud to be collaborating with some truly creative people in a supportive space.

Self Esteem live

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