Mark J Davidson showcases his thrilling and meaningful street photography
“Hopefully I can produce some work I’m proud of, even though I joined the game late,” says Australian photographer Mark J Davidson. He began putting his energy into photography in 2018. Yet, you wouldn’t be able to tell as his captivating street photography suggests he’s been creating images long before that time.
I love the energy of Davidson’s work. There’s a thrill of excitement that runs through me each time I view one of his frames. Combined with that energy is a sea of meaning. Stay with one frame long enough and you'll begin to connect to the character of Davidson’s subjects - he has a great eye in that regard.
I see a small dash of influence from the masters in his photography. What I love is that he’s not turned it into imitation, instead using it to craft his own voice within the genre of street photography.
I caught up with Davidson to discuss his work, learn about his journey and to understand more on why street photography makes him tick.
Them Frames: In terms of awards and exhibitions, things really kicked off for you from around 2019. Can you share what your photographic journey was like leading up to that point?
Mark J Davidson: I’ve always had an interest in photography. But the attraction was quite flimsy. Prior to 2019, I mainly took photographs of my travels, but the camera would always be relegated to the cupboard - to gather dust - as soon as I returned home.
That all changed during a work trip I took to the Philippines in 2018. Also on the junket was a Melbourne photographer, a talented shooter named Connor. We got along well and his passion for photography was infectious. Whenever we’d discuss photography, it became acutely apparent that I, slightly embarrassingly, knew very little about cameras and the medium in general.
His enthusiasm inspired me to take it more seriously. So when I got back to Melbourne I did just that. And have tried to play catch up ever since.
Them Frames: What excites you about shooting street photography?
Mark J Davidson: The thrill of the unknown excites me about street photography. You go out into the world to document life around you and you never know what you’re going to come back with, which is often nothing at all!
But it’s the possibility of getting a good frame that keeps you going. I’m also motivated by the urge to get a better photograph than the last; there’s often a nagging feeling that compositional and stylistic improvements could be made to a photo I’ve taken and those feelings drive you back out onto the streets with the aim to improve.
Them Frames: How does your work relate to your personality? In other words, what do you feel your photography says about you?
Mark J Davidson: That’s a great question and, to be honest, I’m not sure I have the answer at this moment. I’m still trying to figure that out. What I want to say with my photography and, inversely, what it says about me, is a question I’m still grappling with.
I’d like to think my photography reflects my curious nature and desire to capture the world around me. I wouldn’t say there’s a lot of humor or silliness in my work, which is a little at odds with what I’m like as a person!
Them Frames: You’re based in Melbourne. What is the culture like in terms of how the general public receives street photographers?
Mark J Davidson: I think Melburnians’ relationship with street photography is generally very positive but there are signs that the relationship is becoming a little fraught. The general public is far more aware of street photographers now than they have been in the past. And that wariness has come on quite quickly, owing to the number of photographers that there are on the streets.
I’ve noticed the number of photographers treble or quadruple in Melbourne in the past year or two, and I believe that’s a good thing for street photography. Many of them are doing fantastic work. But the side effect of that increase is the average punter on the street is becoming wary of where their image might end up. But so long as you’re not a dick, interactions with the public remain positive.
Melbourne does have a great bunch of street photographers. The community here is largely very supportive and inclusive.
Them Frames: There’s a photograph I absolutely love. It’s of what looks like a small boy, who to me seems trapped in a world he doesn’t understand. Can you share the backstory about that frame: what’s going on, why you shot it
Mark J Davidson: Thank you! That photograph was taken next to the waterwall at the National Gallery of Victoria. It’s an iconic location and every street photographer in Melbourne has shot a frame there. I wanted to challenge myself to get a shot of the wall that looked and felt different. I hope I’ve managed to achieve that.
I don’t have a hard and fast rule against photographing children but it’s generally something I avoid. In this photograph the child’s face is obscured and, to me, the photo has captured an unnerving mixture of wonder and confusion. It’s a slight departure from what I normally do but I do like that photo.
Them Frames: You’re also a podcast host and radio producer. Please share more on that…
Mark J Davidson: I am the executive producer of a news/talk/entertainment breakfast radio program. It’s the highest rating program in Australia and it’s an absolute joy to work on. We all get up ridiculously early in the morning (my alarm goes off at 2am) but the creativity and vibe among the team makes it a pleasure to come to work. The early starts also mean I have the late morning and afternoons to photograph, so it suits my lifestyle.
My radio day job meant that entering the world of podcasting was relativity fluid. I started the Street Life podcast with my mate John St as a forum to have conversations with other photographers about this thing we’re so passionate about.
I’ve loved every minute working on the podcast with John. We have had the privilege of speaking with some of the greats of the industry, such as Martin Parr, Melissa O’Shaughnessy, Matt Stuart, Gustavo Minas, Jesse Marlow and many, many more. And the response to it has been wonderful. I can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store for us.
Them Frames: You use flash for a lot of your candid work. What attracts you to this approach/aesthetic?
Mark J Davidson: My use of flash stems from a desire to capture some of the drama I feel on the streets at the moment. Melbourne has changed quite a lot in the past two years: protests are now a weekly feature of the city, the political division among the population has markedly increased.
Friends and family are arguing over politics in a fashion I’ve never felt before. The soul of the city seems to have fractured. I lived in London in my twenties but came back to Melbourne because the city had a great hold over me. It was an energetic, forward-thinking place but some of that joy and optimism I once felt has faded a little. So I use flash as a way of expressing some of that change in tone and mood.
Flash does have a bit of a bad reputation and I can understand why. I shoot with flash mainly in the daylight and often against the sun, so it’s rare that I’m noticed. At night is a different story, where it’s harder to be candid. I wouldn’t characterize my flash photography as in-your-face or intrusive. I don’t go out to ruin anyone’s day.
Them Frames: If you had to choose one song to be the soundtrack to your work, which would it be and why?
Mark J Davidson: Oh wow! That’s hard. One song? It would have to be some kind of mixture of Bobby Womack’s ‘Across 110th Street’, ‘Bombtrack’ by Rage Against The Machine, ‘Scare Me to Death’ by Joe Henry, ‘Has it Come to This?’ by The Streets and Frank Ocean’s ‘Lost’. I know that’s not an answer! But it’s the best one I’ve got I’m afraid. So hard to choose.
Them Frames: Finally, please finish this sentence: I need photography in my life because…
Mark J Davidson: I need photography in my life because I just love it. It’s my creative outlet. It occupies so much of my time and mental bandwidth. It kind of found me later in life but I’m very glad it did.
You can see more work from Mark J Davidson by visiting his website and Instagram. You can also enjoy the Street Life podcast on Apple podcasts and Spotify.
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