What is most significant in terms of influencing how
you photograph a tattoo?
The same ethic applies to any kind of photography,
which deals with other people – always be respectful
and avoid being intrusive. Respect your subject for the
time and access they’re giving you into their lives. Also,
don’t make the tattoo appear any worse than it is on
skin on film – most people will be pretty insulted.
How are you able to capture the hidden meaning
of the tattoo – if there is one? Often only the
subject knows its meaning and its symbolism is
unnoticed by the public. How do you bring this
tattoo to life?
It’s all about respect and decency, really. Tattooing
is a form of self-expression. People get tattooed for
different reasons and it’s about acknowledging and
respecting that person’s right to self-expression. Some
people are protective over the meaning of their tattoos
and that’s totally understandable – they own it and it
reminds them of a time or place or person. Others are
more forthcoming with regards to their tattoos and
symbolism. Understanding those dynamics allows you
to successfully relate on some level to the wearer of
the tattoo and hopefully be allowed insight into some
form of symbolism represented. And always credit the
tattoo artist, especially if you’re doing a close-up on
the piece.
Like her people, South Africa’s landscape is
highly diverse – beaches, mountains, forests –
the inner city, the suburbs, the townships… Have
you explored different environments and do you
think the subject’s tattoo reflects where he/she
has grown up and perhaps the socio-economic
milieu of his/her time in that particular area?
Yeah, tattooing can definitely reflect a person’s life
experiences. The aesthetics of the tattoo alone can
point to a certain time and place. Tattooing extends
throughout all classes, races, ages and places – in a
place like South Africa, that’s very evident, and it’s an
extremely beautiful scale of diversity.
Have you experienced tattoos being more of a
statement or just an aesthetic tribute or showcase?
What words or phrases have stuck with you?
In my experience, it’s an even spread between being
tattooed for a purely aesthetic reason and getting a
tattoo as a commemorative piece. Overall, being
tattooed is a statement, regardless of the presence
of symbolism or not. You’ve chosen to mark your skin
permanently – forever altering your natural make-up.
"I SPENT TIME WITH
AN EX-PRISONER
WHO WAS DUE
TO BE HUNG IN
THE EARLY ‘90S
SO, HE GOT A
GALLOWS SCENE
TATTOOED ON HIS
FOREHEAD AS HIS
LAST
PIECE"