A Photographer’s Perspective: Jim Mortram
About a year ago while on a photography workshop, one of the other attendees mentioned Jim after I had told him I was from Norfolk. I hadn’t heard of him, though after being shown his work I instantly went and did some research.
Jim is an award winning social documentary photographer and has appeared in countless magazines and website articles, including The British Journal of Photography. After some digging I found out that he has quite a presence on social media, where I was able to make contact. Since then I’ve been following Jim and the amazing work he has been doing.
Currently Jim lives in a small town in the Norfolk countryside where he is a full-time carer to his mother. Often only getting 4-5 hours free per week. A fascinating feet considering the great work he produces during that time.
Jim is famously known for documenting people who are most likely seen on the lower end of society in his long form project ‘Small Town Inertia’.
Every time I see Jim’s work, new or old, I always question the reason behind my own photographs, thinking of the bigger picture. A clear sign of how well Jim’s images grab you and how photography can do this.
Over time I’ve started to understand that it’s not always just about the photos, here are a few things what I’ve learnt from Jim’s influences.
Shoot Locally
Due to the time consuming tasks of being a carer, the only time Jim found himself free was at night. He would often take late night walks to help clear his head.
During these walks, even at times as late as 2am, he would see an elderly chap sitting on his porch known simply as W.H. Jim had seen him many a time throughout his life though never spoke to him, only until when he went on these walks did he find the need to chat. During this time he’d also been given a camera to borrow. Naturally he began photographing his conversations with W.H. Though shortly afterwards W.H passed away and it was then did he realise he knew what he had to do.
Due to the severity of his mother’s condition, Jim is unable to venture too far from home or the fact that a carer’s wage could ever offer such luxuries as a car. Because of this, shooting locally is his only option. However this hasn’t deterred him from giving up. I expect the opposite has happened (clearly from seeing his images). What great way to be part of the community, and wouldn’t you have more of a personal connection to where you lived?
Jim once said that all you need to do is look to your left to the person next to you for a story. Everyone has something interesting to say and I’m sure people are more willing to open up than we think. Start a conversation, you never know where it might lead you.
The project has evolved somewhat since the early days, however Jim’s method has remained the same.
“My approach has always been the same. I meet someone, we talk and I ask if they might like to share their story. We progress from there. Sometimes this happens very fast and I might shoot then and there. Sometimes it might take a few years for the trust to evolve, and that trust is key”. – Jim Mortram
Takeaway Point:
It’s easy to look at other photographs and imagine “if only I could shoot there”, and only thinking then would your images improve. However I bet if you asked those artists the same question, I imaging they too dream of shooting in locations of their favourite photographers. No matter where you are in the world, you’ll always have this notion.
I too felt this for a long time, but it was only when I really looked at where I lived did I notice all of the things going on, instead of imagining how to create images like someone else.
Before I had a full-time job, I too didn’t have the opportunity to take photos other than my local village. Shooting landscapes solely back when I picked up my camera again. I was frustrated, especially when I could easily see everyone else able to travel about the county. Not willing to give up, I ended up exploring more of my own local village that I had ever done before.
Having lived there for some time, I did find it hard to gather enthusiasm. I guess the “grass is always greener on the other side” is hard to shake. However if you put in the effort and do a little research, even if that means cycling 5 miles wearing a 7kg backpack at 5 o’clock in the morning, then you’ll have a greater respect for where you live.
A Camera is Just a Tool
With today’s throw away technology, it’s far too easy to get caught up with wanting the latest and greatest camera. Admittedly I too have been through this phase, and I guess it’s easy to assume that if we upgrade our photography gear, that we’ll automatically improve our photography skills. I’ve come to realise now through experience the insignificance of what camera you have.
Cameras today, even the cheap point and shoot ones can be pretty good. However Jim’s philosophy is that everyone should start out with a crappy one. Imagine taking out all of the fancy features, removing those high resolution megapixels and just being left with the bare essentials. With that wouldn’t you think more about the image you’re having to create and how to make the greatest image possible with what little technology you have. Just because a painter has the highest quality brushes, doesn’t make them produce better art.
The simpler the camera, the less hassle it brings.
Takeaway Point:
For those who are starting out, maybe buying the cheapest camera and lens you can get, or maybe even the camera on your phone. Of course the image quality isn’t going to be up to the standards to that of these expensive DSLRs, however that’s the point. You’re thinking less about resolution and focusing more on composition and lighting.
I suppose the advantage of using your phone is that it’s something most people have on them all the time. The more you use it, the more practice you’re getting. Even with limitations such as only having one focal length, will help you understand how to deal with a situation forcing you to think.
Being Truthful and Honest
Not originally being from Dereham and moving to the area earlier in life, Jim felt very much like an outsider. Because of this he’s gravitated towards those with similar feelings.
As with all types of photography, and it just being human nature, we always make snap judgements on what we see. Even more so to those whom we see as being less privileged.
Because of this the people he photographs can’t just be quick snapshots. Instead of one or two visits to document these people, Jim will spend years to get a real understanding of their stories. Imagine if you yourself were being documented, wouldn’t you want to have the whole truth to be told?
Due to this long form type of photography, Jim is able to reveal these two sides to help better make the viewer understand.
Takeaway Point:
One of the most debated topics in photography is when a scene is ‘set-up’ and faked. This goes completely against my views of documentary photography and should really only exist in commercial photography. Photograph what is in front of you without obscuring the truth. Don’t take images that tell a different story to what is actually happening.
“The hardest thing is to not permeate or leave an imprint.” – Jim Mortram
Be a Human Being
The one thing that every photographer should do is to be themselves.
Something that you can’t teach in 5 easy steps, and only what you gain through experience. To be invited into someone’s life and to experience these personal things shows how much trust they have in him.
Just because you have a camera, doesn’t give you the right to do certain things. Respect should be given, we’re all human beings at the end of the day.
Jim mentions that there are three things that you should always do,“be nice, be attentive and listen.” He also often says that he, “talks more than he shoots, and listens more than he talks”.
One of the reasons why people open to Jim is his honesty and genuine personality with the biggest heart. With any type of long form photography, you really have to think hard if it’s something you want to do. Especially if it’s people’s lives you’re entering to help give support to. Regardless of the story being told, you should be prepared to take on board more responsibility. In some cases you’ll even have the privilege to call them friends.
Jim is a strong advocate against the use of the word ‘subject’. Firstly because we’re all one and the same, just people, but secondly because he may view them differently. If he saw them as the former, he’d probably find it hard to get close and truly document them honestly. In fact you can clearly see from his images that the people around him trust what he’s doing from how intimate the photographs look.
Because of the circumstances that some of these people go through. For Jim it’s like being ‘on call’. Where he describes it being like friends who ask for help, they’re not people who you can just brush off because you’re not in the mood.
No matter how hard things can get, never give up because you’ll end up abandoning the project. Though most importantly, the people you’ve met who have put that trust in you.
Takeaway Point:
Every photographer should always be themselves, act natural and try not to be something you’re not. Whenever you talk to people, always have an honest interest in that person, as they’ll see straight through the facade. Respect others and treat them as how you would want to be treated. Help those around you who need support, whether that’s friends, family or even an elderly person cross the road.
Even though we can never predict what’s going to happen in the future, I’m sure doing little things like that will come back around sometime in our life.
“You take your life experiences with you when you photograph” – Jim Mortram
Be a Conduit
It’s hard to solely call Jim a photographer, instead he used the term ‘conduit’, which seems quite fitting. Right from the start Jim’s purpose has been to give those a voice whom are often ignored. In today’s society with the internet being a part of everyone’s lives. It’s hard not to get caught up in this mentality of being liked. Though you should never do it for the ‘likes’ and it should always be for the story.
Even though Jim calls himself a conduit, it’s not the only thing he has to be, he also has to be the facilitator.
“You can take great photos, but it’s up to you if you do anything with them.” – Jim Mortram
Everyone grades success differently, and many people would say Jim has had great success. Even though this might be hard to see, from what I’ve mentioned in my introduction. Though Jim’s idea of success would be if he’s made a good job of sharing the story, created images that support the testimony and be as good as he can to support it, then maybe that’s success.
Takeaway Point:
One of the hardest things I find being able to do is to get my work noticed. With the amount of social media and image sharing choices, there’s no excuse not to use any of them. However it’s how to stand out amongst everyone that’s the challenge.
You have to keep in mind though, not to change the way you capture and present your images just for the sake of getting ‘likes’. Not everyone is going to come, it’s up to you to push the story and make people notice.
The internet has allowed us to share information and news so much more easily, and anyone can do it. Not just the big production companies or tabloids. With anyone being able to create a blog, approaching a well-established site to feature your story can help your work to get seen by many. There are even online magazines which often allow project submissions. Also don’t forget the long standing print magazine which is still preferred by many.
The Importance of Composition
Coming from a fine art painting background, Jim is very aware of composition and how a canvas can be divided to aid the narrative of a scene. As you can see from Jim’s work, he shoots predominantly black and white. The one thing that black and white does is emphasis shapes, because you don’t have colour to help with separation.
One of the reasons why he shoots black and white is because at the start he had a broken monitor which was only suitable for mono work. However it’s not only because of this reason but for how a scene reads and feels.
Even though Jim has now started to use more colour, his awareness of composition and how a scene works is still the same. Which is why they don’t look odd sitting amongst a series of mono images.
Due to the environment that Jim works in, composition can be more described as being organic. Even though you can know all of these compositional rules, influences from other photographers or skills you’ve learnt in other creative forms. It’s only until you’re in a situation when those outside influences really affect the way you see a scene.
Takeaway point:
As with any type of art form composition is a key fundamental to creating an image/photograph. It’s what makes an image flow and looking pleasing to the eye, though it can even make an image feel uneasy and create tension. Of course there are all manner of books and websites that can teach you all the different rules to follow, though this can sometimes get overwhelming when trying to remember them all.
Instead I’d suggest looking at other imagery, whether that’s your favourite photographer or artist from a different creative field. Try to see why you like a piece of work of theirs and whether there are any compositional elements that make the image work. By doing this instead of through an instructional book, you’ll notice a more organic approach to composition instead of the technical and rigidity that some books offer.
Examples:
Here are some of Jim’s images which I enjoy compositionally. On the left you’ll see some key compositional elements which I’ve drawn over in red with the original image on the right. I shan’t go into detail of each composition as this post would be much longer than needed, though I have categorised some. That doesn’t mean that’s the only compositional element within the frame. Though hopefully being aware of these elements will help when framing a photo.
Triangles
Figure to ground
Framing
Leading lines
Diagonals
Emotion
Whenever I look at Jim’s images I always see the emotion within them. A purpose and reason of why he does what he does. Though I also question the meaning of my own photography and how to make mine emotional.
Though Jim mentions that it’s experiences we have individually which determine our way of seeing and feeling. Maybe I’ve just yet to have those experiences. Even though I too have experienced lows, maybe I’ve yet to realise how to express this.
One thing that’s striking about Jim’s photographs is his strong sense of light and contrast. Jim mentions that it’s light which controls a scene, determines mood and feel. Sometimes this can be limiting in the type of environments Jim works in, but it’s how to utilise this light that helps make an image. Maybe what also adds to the emotion is being able to relate to what you see. For me it’s isolation.
Takeaway Point:
Don’t call those that you photography ‘subjects’, instead just see them as a human being. That way whenever you’re talking to people you’re concentrating on the person in front of you instead of the camera between you.
Of course composition is also a vital part of photography, however I think capturing emotion is more important. Images resonate and linger in the mind, evoking memories that we may have experienced, or just tapping into our human nature that allows the viewer to create a relationship with the person in the frame.
Jim is constantly updating his website as often as he can, where you can see testimonies for all his stories. I highly recommend reading them as it also gives a better understanding of each and everyone’s lives and the struggle they live through everyday.
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ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT ©JIM MORTRAM