South African radio presenter shares pictures of the varying moods of the ‘Beautiful’ Johannesburg skyline.
Johannesburg, South Africa (22 January 2022) – Derrich Gardner’s photography exhibition at FotoZA in Rosebank showcases the Johannesburg skyline in its varying ‘moods’. The moods are varied and fleeting that capturing the images had to be done in a timely manner, he says.
“I frame the scene, but everything around it changes all the time,” he says.
“That’s why I called it the ‘Moods of Johannesburg’. Especially in the morning, if you do not get the picture in a three-minute span, from before to when the sun is up, you have to wait another day.”
The images grew in number as the advent of COVID-19 lockdowns curtailed human activity, he says. The radio presenter and broadcaster, who takes photographs as a hobby, initially posted his images on Facebook, a social networking website.
Some of Gardner’s 12,000 Facebook followers commended his photography. And, as time went on, a friend of his asked to display some photos. But his love of photography runs deeper than that: even if his followers had not encouraged his hobby, Johannesburg’s beauty was all the encouragement he needed.
“I did it because Johannesburg is beautiful,” he says.
In 2017, iconic photographer Peter Magubane had his photography celebrated at FotoZA. Gardner, who has previously done television work with Magubane, remembers fondly of Magubane’s life-changing work with street kids.
“I have the greatest respect for the man because we once did a TV show where he went into the streets of Johannesburg, and he would ask some of the street kids if they wanted to go home,” Gardner says.
More than just asking whether the street kids wanted to go home, Gardner says Magubane would arrange meetings with the street kids and their families.
A good photograph is subjective; some people might not like it, says Gardner. All the same, he is mindful of timing when he takes photographs and is mindful of techniques like the ‘golden ratio’.
Having travelled to a number of countries outside of South Africa, Gardner believes that the Johannesburg skyline is one of the most beautiful skylines in the world.
“I have travelled the world,’ he says. ‘And Johannesburg – the skyline – is one of the most beautiful skylines in this world.”
His wish is for people to stop seeing Johannesburg in a negative light. For those who aspire to take on the hobby, Gardner says they need to practice and be willing to ask for help.
“Learn from the other guys,” he says. “There’s no harm in asking someone for help.”
‘Moods of Johannesburg’ runs at the FotoZA at Rosebank Mall until February 12.
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