Join us for the opening evening of Kim Ludbrook's exhibition; Contre-Jour in the all-new FotoZA Space!

Date: 17th October
Time: 18:30 for 19:00
Venue: FotoZA, Level 1, Rosebank Mall (We have moved next to KAMERAZ).
Entrance: FREE
RSVP: heleen@fotoza.co.za (RSVP's essential).

Artists Statement

"Contrejour (French for 'against daylight') is a photographic technique in which the camera is pointing directly toward a source of light and has an equivalent technique of painting. It was also used in paintings prior to its use in photography. Contre-jour produces backlighting of the subject and occurs when there is a lighting ratio of 16:1. This effects usually hides details, causes a stronger contrast between light and dark, creates silhouettes and emphasises lines and shapes. The sun, or other light source, is often seen as either a bright spot or as a strong glare behind the subject."

These photographs are all observed moments in time that have not been set up, are not conceived or manufactured; there is no interference in the moment.

Created by pointing the camera directly at the sun the images also reveal a simplicity and honesty that excludes the present world infatuated with creating an at times false reality via selfies, instagram set up images and Facebook updates.

As humans we have an untold numbers of ways to view our world, both inner and outer, around us. The camera as a tool of expression allows the artist to use that tool as a method of capturing a view of our immense world in parts of seconds.

They reveal a middle world between earth and sky; a world where human features don't exist. A middle world constructed from shapes, shadows, black and white.

A dream like state that places the viewer in a make believe world where they can extend that dream state and transport themselves into memories or waking/sleep dreams of moments they have experienced that are similar or imaginary.

Perhaps they also reveal moments we wish we where in; on the beach with family, the dreamlike world of Afrikaburn, exploring foreign lands and transporting ourselves to other worlds momentarily before returning to our reality of normal life.

As a photojournalist these images where all shot while working on assignments over the past 15 years for EPA Photos and are in many ways reflection of my life journey through the viewfinder.

They are a very personal account of my love and connection with the camera and its ability to help transport me into other peoples lives.

From shooting my first image as a teenager some 30 years ago I have always felt free and alive being alone with a camera and lens walking a far off land looking for moments in time to capture.

The vision of this body of work is to share these dream like moments I experienced with others and hopefully help transport them to their own dream world, even momentarily, until they need to return to reality.

In many ways the images are a return to the basics of photography: One camera, prime lens, observe moment, fire shutter, capture moment.

The rest is left to the imagination of the viewer.