Paradise Q&A: Photographer David Kirkland
his prolific photographer of PNG estimates that he has taken tens of thousands of pictures of the country. The work of the Brisbane-based snapper appears in Paradise and other media around the world, and his photos hang at Jacksons International Airport. Now, he is about to publish his 17th book. Q: How many times have you been to PNG?
A: That’s a good question for someone who’s chronologically challenged. I first came to PNG about 25 years ago wanting a career in travel photography – and, visually, it’s still the most exciting part of the world to photograph because of the diversity of its culture. I’d say I’ve had at least 30 assignments since.
Q: Have you ever estimated how many photos you have taken in PNG?
A: Tens of thousands. I started in the old film days and I have several shelves full of film folders and a studio overflowing with digital images.
Q: Do you have a favourite PNG photo?
A: That is so hard. Sort of like saying do you have a favourite child. The photo of the woman holding the arms of the guys at Lake Murray always brings a smile to my face, but one of my most popular, used in the the tourism authority’s campaign to bring visitors to PNG, is the guy in front of the waterfall.
Q: Where else in the world does your photographic work take you?
A: I’m familiar with most of the South Pacific and a lot of South-East Asia (I’ve just done an assignment in Vietnam and Cambodia), but recently I’ve been commissioned to photograph Saudi Arabia and countries on the African continent. This year I’m looking at photographing India, the Maldives, Rwanda and Singapore – all around a busy schedule in the South Pacific.
Q: Your photos hang at Jacksons International Airport. That must be quite a thrill to see them every time you land in PNG?
A: I love it. It’s great walking down that corridor and knowing everyone who comes to PNG is likely to notice them.
Q: What’s the best advice you can give to someone starting out in photography?
A: Differentiate yourself. Sure, show you can do what’s needed but, if your portfolio/ web site is looking like everyone else’s, you’re always likely to be struggling. And be consistent. I have no doubt that many people can take a wonderful photograph, but it’s a professional that takes them consistently and under just about any conditions – and that’s what a prospective client needs to see in your work.
Q: What gear do you use?
A: I generally carry two 35mm Nikons, a medium-format Pentax 645D, a range of pro 2.8 lenses (mainly 17–35mm, 30–70mm, 50mm and 80–200mm), a Manfrotto stand, a reflector, a flash and the Sony RX100 in an underwater housing. Nowadays I also carry around the Phantom 4 Pro.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about your new book?
A: The Last Great Frontier is a collection of the best photographs I have taken of PNG over more than two decades – with a new update on a modern Port Moresby from an assignment I did last year. Importantly, it’s a snapshot of this fascinating country in transition at the turn of the century.
Q: How many books have you published previously?
A: My company has published 16 of my books – all of which, I’m happy to say, have moved into second editions. They have largely been travel books on Australia and the countries I have photographed in the South Pacific. I used to write books of short stories and include photographs about the places I travelled. Nowadays I don’t get a lot of time to write, unfortunately, as I travel on commissions up to eight months of the year.
It is so hard to pick a favourite photo. Sort of like saying do you have a favourite child. The photo of the woman holding the arms of the guys at Lake Murray always brings a smile to my face.