Jill Coleman

I am a 4th Generation African, born in Harare, Zimbabwe 1963, emigrated to South Africa in 1977, At present, I am living in Queensland, Australia; and for the next two years, am studying towards a Diploma in Community Service. After I finished high school, I briefly studied Photography at the Durban Technikon (Technical College) in Kwa Zulu Natal under the well known South African photographer, Obie Oberholzer.  Whilst I only studied for two or three semesters, it was enough to be significantly influenced by his style. He remains a strong influence in my work. I also dabble in painting, mostly portraits and nudes. I don’t think I am very good, but others have commented favourably on my work. I specialize in Documentary/Photo Journalism and Artistic Nudes. I like to include people in every photograph I take, even when I attempt landscapes. I particulary like doing close up shots of people; and always try to include hands and, most importantly, emotion! Timing is extremely important in photojournalism as well as making the subject feel at ease.  Good manners also help; I always ask permission for the shot, unless it is in a public place. My equipment is relatively basic; I use a Canon 350D and the kit lens that came with it, which I adapt to my own style, using wideangle shots in particular and unusual compositions. The nudes are all very experimental self nudes where I mostly use a tripod with the timer setting, and slow shutter speed. The latest ones are handheld, taken looking into a large mirror. Lots of movement and sometimes I use things like wire or fabric that I wave around myself.   They are very time consuming and often exhausting to do and mostly I only ever get one decent shot out of hundreds! I sometimes call them "extreme nudes" and often they are not at all "pretty" and never glamorous! I work on my own and remain freelance because it suits me. I have always been interested in Photojournalism and Artistic Nudes, the painter in me sometimes shows in the nudes where I use Photoshop (minimally) to "paint" the photograph. I prefer to always rely on my "eye" as the greatest tool in Photography. And honesty in my approach to shots. I would love to spend some time with someone like Obie Oberholzer or Roger Ballen; any National Geographic photographer and I love the LIFE photographers as well, also Annie Leibovitz. I love the work of Dorothea Lange, the Bang Bang Club, as well as the photographers I mentioned above, but for my nudes, I always try to keep my own style. My inspiration is my recovery, my loved ones and life's lessons itself. People I love always inspire me.

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