People are performers in my photos, ‘performing’ for me in the scene I desire. This results in a ‘Simultaneous Coalition’, in which, part of the image is composed (the background composition) and part is spontaneous (the passer-by).
Henri Cartier Bresson
I believe that the above quote from Henri Cartier-Bresson, a French legendary photographer, adequately reflects who I am and what I do today. Being a photojournalist by trade, effort is made to keep these ideas in mind as I work. Such contemplation, has assisted me in concentrating more on what I need to accomplish when I push the shutter - whether during my professional work or in my personal ventures till this very day.
Gathering experience through the years in Photojournalism and Street Photography, have helped these two genres grow and develop simultaneously. This journey started in 2009, when I was still in the Armed Forces of Malta. One fine day, out of the blue, I was given the opportunity to act as the official photographer of the Armed Forces for the last few months just before my retirement.
Practice, trial and error, researching, reading books and watching YouTube Street vloggers, all have contributed towards my learning and discovering more about this genre of Street Photography. Asking questions to street photographers abroad helped me progress and also make new friends. Searching for Geometries, Lines, Architecture, Harsh Light and Shadow, to capture the Decisive Moment and bring ‘order’ in the ‘chaos’ that a city can bring, became part of my searching and being. The journey of photographic self-development continued by going abroad and expanding my horizons to places such as London, Sicily and Milan.
Throughout these years. I have won many awards locally and abroad. I have had my work exhibited locally, in the UK and Europe.
I started being acknowledged by photographers and publishing photographic editors abroad, and my work started being published in printed and digital magazines. All this led to interviews for printed magazines, online websites and podcasts in Europe, USA, Asia and Australia. Needless to say, I started teaching Street Photography too, which, so far, all the courses have been of success. Seeing ex-students doing well in competitions, has also brought about an added gratification and feel good factor in my life, in relation to this profession.
Last year, I was invited to take part in the ‘ProgresFestival’ in Milan, whereby I was interviewed and was given the opportunity to speak in front of other renowned worldwide Street Photographers. This, to me, was quite a personal achievement, not to mention, an honour too.
In fact, I was invited to join and be a part of the Progressive Street Gang, which I now form a part of and am truly honoured and grateful for. A special thanks go to Batsceba Hardy, the founder of Progressive Street.
The body of work submitted for this exhibition includes my most current Fine Art Street Photography, which, in my opinion, best captures the essence of my photography and acquired individualistic style.
On a final note, I would like to thank the people who have brought me to where I am today. A special big thanks go to my wife, Therese, for her full support and patience, the Phoenicia Hotel, for this opportunity to exhibit here, Mariella Pisani Bencini, for accepting to inaugurate my exhibition this evening, Bernadette Carabott for the proofreading, my best friend, Joe Francalanza, for his priceless help, Joe Cassar, the editor of the Newspaper I work for, who has been of a gateway to my photographic career, Keith & Vanessa Mizzi for the video and editing which will be coming out soon, Clifton Fenech for filming the inauguration and Vince Piscopo for taking the photos of this event, and the Malta Photographic Society, for their continuous help and support throughout the years and to my dear friend Matthew of Photoimages and his wife Marisa for their help and support in printing this exhibition and much more. Last but not least, another heartfelt thanks go to all my followers and those who believe in me.
Thank you.
