Semi-Permanent Artist Q&A: Real Talk With Photojournalist Ben Lowy


The twelfth annual design conference that brings together designers, photographers and entrepreneurs from all across the globe, sprouting great ideas, spreading inspiration and generally just making us all want to drink from the same creative well they’ve been bathing in, Semi-Permanent, is soon to be upon us once more. 

Alongside the likes of sk8er bois Tony Hawk, Corbin Harris, pop artist Mr Brainwash, filmmaker Mike Mills and NYC documentary photographer Cheryl Dunn is award-winning photojournalist Ben Lowy. Having shot (with a camera) conflicts in Iraq, Darfur, and Afghanistan, this man would have a fair few stories and images that would inspire equal parts both love and hate for certain elements of the human race. 

Ben, who is also heading to Sydney as part of Head On Photo Festival and will be conducting a number of workshops – including a 24 hour one – as well as opening an exhibition while he’s here, dropped us a few choice pieces of wisdom for those wanting to follow in his shoes.

All the Semi-Permanent line-up, ticketing and motivational information you could ever need can be found here


Head’s up: the remaining ‘Early Price’ tickets for the Sydney leg of Semi-Permanent close tomorrow [May 8th].

Where are you from? Where are you based? And where are you going?
I am from New York City in the US.

How would you describe your work as a photojournalist to a child?
My job is to travel around the world and show people how similar and different everyone is. I use a camera to do that.

The photograph that has inspired me the most is..?
An Alex Webb image from Mexico.

If you could give yourself one piece of advice when you were first starting out as a photojournalist, what would that be?
Keep on shooting, shoot everything. Everything around you, and don’t stop.

What can we expect from your Semi-Permanent talk?
Humour, gesticulation, and the stories behind my photography.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in your time as a photojournalist? How has it helped you?
Sometime I have to put down the camera and experience the lives of people that I aim to document. It’s empathetic, and it helps me make a better intimate connection.

In 25 words or less (or in a photograph) describe your workspace.
A receipt-cluttered, book covered, business card-strewn set of tables with a flatscreen computer monitor balanced on top of my History of Renaissance Art text book from University.

All images via Ben Lowy. To see more, hit www.benlowy.com.

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