Carl Bower puts fears into images and Sofia Babani documents social protests. Here are our two readers picks.
Carl Bower
Carl Bower is an editorial and commercial photographer based in Denver, Colorado, who is also interested in long-term documentary projects. “I like images, I like looking at them, and I like the way they can tell a more complex story over time, he says. When I’m shooting, I feel a strange mixture of anxiety and self-confidence. With my camera, I can go talk to anyone. When I’m doing a portrait, most of my focus is on gaining trust with my subjects,” explains the photographer, who confesses to be shy. His Tumblr is centred around Private Fears, a project inspired by his experience. “When I was working as a photojournalist in Washington, an ex-girlfriend stalked me. I had to call the police several times. At work, I was afraid that my disatrous personal life would cost me assignments. I learned to conceal it. No one ever knew. Years later, I interviewed and photographed strangers about their personal fears in order to compare their true selves and the images they conveyed.”
© Carl Bower
Sofia Babani
Freelance photographer Sofia Babani, 27, makes black and white documentaries. “I have an huge affinity for unique human stories, social and humanitarian issues and ancestral cultures,” she says. I have a very human and immersive approach to photography: I dive totally into my subjects to grasp the essential. I like to work on a form of radicalness both through the frontal aspect of images and the force of contrasts”. For her, photography is a privilege. Thanks to the medium, she can witness the unfolding of History while bringing her vision to it. By photographing current issues, she gives her voice to those who cannot speak, and proves that photography remains a form of resistance. On Saturday, March 18, 2019, she covered the climate march in Lyon, France. Today, she shares her tender pictures. “This mobilisation of youth speaks volumes about environmental issues. For me, it is a pure and simple illustration of the need for global awareness and a challenge for future generations.”
© Sofia Babani
