The Pro Interview
Embrace change with this interview from Canon photojournalist Jasper Doest
While some
photographers would think twice about changing an awardwinning style, Jasper Doest embraces it. He chooses to step out of his comfort zone and is now following a photographic path that is a more in tune with
his interests. “I have a Bachelor of Sciences in the climate change area,” says the Dutch-based photojournalist, “so that’s my background and that’s what makes my heart beat – and I realized my images were not about that, so I decided to change things.”
Less than a decade ago, Jasper was a rising star of wildlife photography, renowned for his iconic images of snow monkeys, for which he received numerous awards. Today, his new-found direction is paying off – earlier this year he was shortlisted for the prestigious World Press Photo prize, arguably the greatest award in news and documentary photography. How do you balance the requirements of a documentary image with your desire to make an aesthetically pleasing shot?
The decisions I make are based on the aesthetics as well, so I don’t only take the narrative into account. I have to see my own personal identity in the image, which I think is a more artistic style than a photojournalistic style, but I enjoy both.
How has your approach changed to taking a photograph? What requirements do you set?
You need to ask, what ingredients do you need to work a composition? You always need to remain close to yourself, so I ask the question: ‘What is it that’s causing this emotional reaction?’ By asking the question I know what to look for. By talking to yourself you get the answer and then you know the ingredients you need to bring together.
When do you think your photography changed?
I think it happened when I spent 50 days on an island, Rottumeroog, the only deserted island in Holland.
Why did you do it?
It was for the Dutch edition of National
Geographic magazine. It was the 125th anniversary and they wanted to do something special. This island is protected by the highest European conservation laws and there’s nobody living there. I had a lot of time to spend with myself and with my own thoughts. It helped clear my mind and I realized that my inner voice and visual voice were not running parallel.
I was holding human society up to a mirror while making the most of the white stork as a symbol for humanity
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Can you tell me more about your recent stork project and how it has influenced your own development as a photographer?
Traditionally, nature photography has always been about celebrating the beauty of the natural world. This often means that any human element is avoided. However, since white storks have always dwelled around humans, there was no way to avoid this being part of their natural history. While following their annual migration from Western Europe to the African continent, I was horrified to find these birds – that are regarded as symbol of new life and prosperity – foraging on the excretions of human