{"id":5201,"date":"2015-09-09T17:58:08","date_gmt":"2015-09-09T17:58:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.antondee.com\/archive\/?p=5201"},"modified":"2016-05-17T16:13:54","modified_gmt":"2016-05-17T16:13:54","slug":"urban-photography-themba-overdaux-erik-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antondee.com\/archive\/urban-photography-themba-overdaux-erik-interview","title":{"rendered":"Urban Photography – An Interview with Themba Erik"},"content":{"rendered":"

After my\u00a0previous interview with Tom Joy from Leeds Lurking<\/a>\u00a0I got the itch to interview more creative people who inspire me.\u00a0Everyone has a story to tell and\u00a0I want Style Division to be the platform to showcase these people and their stories.<\/p>\n

This week we have Themba Erik<\/a><\/strong>, an up-and-coming photographer based in London whose urban shots have left me with a lasting impression. I first worked with Themba for our Savile Row Lookbook<\/a> shoot back in spring and through getting to know him I thought his style would complement the magazine perfectly.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\"jack<\/div>\n

Style Division:\u00a0When did your interest in photography begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Themba Erik:<\/strong> I wish i had a cool and amazing story of how when i was 3 years old i picked\u00a0up the camera and the rest is all history.\u00a0Sadly that wasn\u2019t quite the case for me, I\u2019ve always been a shy and reserved person and i noticed i always came out of my shell when doing something creative. It offered me another platform to communicate without much use of words.<\/p>\n

\"themba<\/p>\n

SD: While out taking shots\u00a0you must have encountered some unique individuals and situations. Any particular moment comes to mind?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

TE:<\/strong> I met a musician by the name of Che-lingo, i saw him perform once and i knew i had to work with him! I emailed him that same night, fast forward a couple months and I’m\u00a0his stage photographer! What drew me to him is his ability to bring people together through music and its something i want to do through my own work.<\/p>\n

SD: Onto some geeky stuff. Can you tell me more about your gear? Do you use any specialist equipment and what would you say is essential to have on you at all times?<\/strong><\/p>\n

TE:\u00a0<\/strong>Oh how i dreaded this question! I always read about other photographers and their awesome kit bags but mine is the your standard 24-105mm L lens and my 50mm 1.8, And of course my iPhone for some shots too! I recently purchased my 24-105mm so I\u2019m loving walking around with that but a 50mm is honestly a MUST for any street photographer, it is by far my favourite lens.<\/p>\n

\"themba<\/p>\n

SD: Among your works, which one is your favorite? Why?<\/strong><\/p>\n

TE:\u00a0<\/strong>I still consider myself a student of the game still, I feel I haven\u2019t gotten my feet wet yet, so i\u2019m still overly critical of my work to the point I always go back and re-edit shots.\u00a0I still have pictures from 2009 i edit and re-edit to this day.<\/p>\n

I recently did a lookbook shoot for Ralph Lauren which served as confirmation that this is the life i wanted but even then I\u2019m over critical of my work and always looking for ways to improve, i can\u2019t put my feet up yet.<\/p>\n

SD: Can you tell us the kind of emotions you get from the buildings you photograph?<\/strong><\/p>\n

TE:\u00a0<\/strong>When i look at a building i feel inspired and insignificant at the same time. Inspired because i try to place myself in the shoes of the architect who designed it; the pride they must have felt\u00a0knowing that it all began with a pen and pencil and here stands\u00a0a building that holds so many stories.\u00a0At the same time I feel insignificant because that same architecture will be forgotten over time despite the joy a\u00a0building may bring.<\/p>\n