The #ProjectScouted team behind the camera – Simphiwe Mkhwanazi

Anyone who has met Simphiwe Mkhwanazi has not been able to resist his infectious warmth and passionate spirit – both of which he brings in volumes to his work as a photographer. Having been one of the photographers involved in the Project last year, Simphiwe rejoins the crew this year with even more experience behind him. Currently in his final year studying towards a Bcompt Degree in Accounting Science, this ‘rural boy’ – as he refers to himself – has a keen eye for fashion which translates into magnetic images. Working with Simphiwe is as much an enjoyable experience as it is a learning one as he always improving and honing his skills behind the camera, with his shooting and editing. It’s no wonder that his work is always on point and on trend.

LFP: What do you think is the coolest thing about Simphiwe?

Simphiwe: I'm always myself; just a really happy guy who’s always laughing and kidding around. I'm really the same person every day. I am a bit weird but I’m worth getting to know, I think. Haha! Actually there are many cool things about me but I won’t blow my own horn! Haha!

LFP: Having been one of #ProjectScouted’s photographers last year, what do you love the most about the Project?

Simphiwe: I really love the interaction with likeminded people; I mean we are all similar in the fact that we love art. Although our sense of art may be different, it's great to learn new techniques and share your views and passions with others. I also feel #ProjectScouted has done a great deal for promoting individuality while teaching the girls and even everyone involved to be a team player. And that’s a really valuable lesson to learn in your working life.

LFP: What were some of the best moments during the Project last year for you?

Simphiwe: Where could I even begin? I enjoyed all the shoots I attended but I especially loved being behind the camera and taking pictures when I could. It's impossible to pinpoint any actual moments; I just had some really boss times.

LFP: How did you discover your passion for photography?

Simphiwe: Well, I've always been really interested in fashion and beauty. I had always loved taking pictures; I remember my dad had an old film camera many, many years ago. When he was away at work I'd borrow it (without asking) and play around with it. Then at school we would take pictures of one another with our cellphones. Eventually, I managed to save up and bought my first camera in 2013 and started taking pictures of my friends on campus and I guess things escalated very quickly. I’m loving the direction my photography is taking!

LFP: What do you love most about photographing people?

Simphiwe: I really enjoy photographing humans, because you get to interact with them in a whole different world. It's all about creating art and going through the emotions for those few minutes but then the image lives a lifetime. I mean, you can literally see a person in a different view and that, my friends, is pretty awesome.

LFP: What is beauty to you?

Simphiwe: To me, beauty is art; something that is pleasing to the eye. I find beauty in many things and in some things that other people may not even consider. I believe beauty is not definite as some things require more attention than others. I think that we see things the way we are and if we can nurture beauty within us, we can see beauty everywhere.

LFP: What are some of the images you’ve shot that you are most proud of?

Simphiwe: It's really difficult to say which series of images I am proud of the most, because I always put in 100% effort on set and I always try to get great images. And if I release the images, I am proud of them. Therefore all the images you'd find on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/simphiwekevinphotography), I am extremely proud of. Every image has a different message and a different memory behind it.

LFP: Any tips for the #ProjectScouted girls?

Simphiwe: Take a lot of selfies! Feel the emotions with each selfie. Also check out online magazines or even Tumblr and check out posing guides on the Net. The Project is a serious platform for opportunity and being prepared will definitely help.

LFP: Are you willing to share any info about the phase you are shooting in the Project?

Simphiwe: I think surprises are the best!

Simphiwe will be one of the many photographers shooting the Shoelaced Clothing fashion show happening on Saturday at 17:00 at Factory Café. The girls need to be prepared to be judged on any of the images taken on the night, meaning that they will have to be in to win it. Don’t hesitate to say “hi” to Simphiwe at the show to see why he manages to bring out the best emotions in people.

The #ProjectScouted team behind the camera – Our Instagrammer, Dalton Green

It may surprise you to know that Dalton Green, one of our Instagram photographers for this cycle of #ProjectScouted, covered in some seriously cool body ink, is also a former Mr South Africa semi-finalist. Having a passion for social media, especially Instagram, Dalton is looking forward to being a part of the team to bring some of the behind the scenes moments of the Project to the people.

1.    How did you hear about #ProjectScouted & how did you get involved?

I met Lee last year on an Instawalk and got to know him there as well as through following his success during the first year of #ProjectScouted. I knew I had to be involved so this year when he posted that he was looking for Instagram togs, I jumped at the chance.

2.    What made you want to be a part of the photography team for #ProjectScouted?

I predominantly shoot landscapes and street scenes. So this offered the opportunity for me to delve into the fashion world and provide me with more experience shooting people.

3.    What is your favourite aspect of the Project?

Just the fact that I'm involved and get to shoot a potential future supermodel!

4.    How did you discover your passion for photography?

Through Instagram and the wonderful support of friends, family and followers

5.    What has been the most amazing experience for you as a photographer?

The feedback. Good and bad. It's a great way to learn and get a feel if you're heading in the right direction.

6.    What do you love most about photographing people?

The challenge... Every person is unique. Every person has a beautiful quality.

7.    Any tips for the girls that you are going to be shooting?

Stay calm and have fun. Most importantly, as a Mr South Africa 2010 semi-finalist with some experience in this field, the key factor is being yourself.

8.    What’s your day job at the moment?

Not too glamorous... I manage a department for a laser cutting company running production and overseeing their welding and fabrication, etc. But who knows, I could maybe be doing photography full-time one day soon!

#ProjectScouted now has a dedicated Instagram page where you can find the latest updates and venues for shoots and events. Remember, all events and shoots are open to the public free of charge but even if you can’t be there, Dalton and our other awesome Instagrammer, Zaheera, will be making sure that you don’t miss anything! Follow them on Instagram: @zah_za and @scufforama.

Project Scouted photographer profile: Caroline Burne

Lee Folkard Photography asked Caroline a few questions ahead of her photo session to get a little insight into who she is and what her photography process is like.

Lee Folkard Photography: What was your inspiration to begin photography and how did you start off in the business?

Caroline: I only got into photography in my late twenties. My boyfriend was photographing the scene at the time and I was instantly drawn to it. I bought a Nikon D60 and started taking photos socially at nightclubs. Two months later, I sold my little D60 and upgraded to a D300 and haven’t looked back since. I reached a point where I felt it was important that I learnt the fundamentals in order to move forward. So I went to Vega and completed a year of studies, after which I began working for a studio.

LFP: How did you become involved in Project Scouted and what motivated you to be a part of it?

Caroline: I met with Lee to talk about being a part of the Project. I really like what he is doing for Durban’s creative community.

LFP: When photographing people, what is your process? What's your favourite aspect to capture?

Caroline: I like trying to create something complex out of otherwise ordinary, simple elements. When you are able to evoke an emotion rather than just an expression, you’ve achieved your goals and I think it reflects in your work.

LFP: What inspires you artistically?

Caroline: The pioneer photographer, Ansel Adams said, “You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.”

LFP: Has Durban always been your home? What do you love most about Durban?

Caroline: I’m a born and raised Durban girl. It’s hard to say what I love the most. When you've lived in one city all your life, you form a love/hate relationship with it. One minute you pack your bags and get one foot out the door and the next you’re hugging your pillows promising you will never leave.

Caroline's passion for photography is clearly evident and she has the talent and drive to match. It’s always refreshing to see more photographers who bring depth and intellect to their work. Be sure to keep an eye on the Facebook page for her and the other featured photographer’s pics.

#ProjectScouted photographer profile Roy Esterhuysen

Roy Esterhuysen is an upcoming photographer in Durban, specializing in bringing out the best in women with his boudoir photography. As the owner of Firsthouse Photography and Blush Boudoir, Roy has a keen eye for photographing people and capturing key moments. #ProjectScouted is extremely fortunate to have Roy on the team and his experience and skill isn’t going to leave much to be desired as bringing out the beauty of his subjects is his forte.

Lee Folkard Photography: Who is Roy Esterhuysen?

Roy: I am passionate about all things photography and I am dedicated to art; always innovating and improving. You are most likely to find me up and about on a shoot at the crack of dawn (yes, even in winter), but I am also available for work during the more sociable hours.

LFP: Are you a full-time photographer?

Roy: At the moment, I balance my time between photography and graphic design but over the next few months photography will be taking up a larger portion of my time as I have recently joined the team of Beach Weddings by James Carlsen as a primary wedding photographer.

LFP: What inspired you to take up photography and how did you begin in the business?

Roy: I’ve always had a camera in my hands since my younger days. My dad’s film camera was where it all began with being rationed with how many shots I could take. I started off on the business side with interiors, architecture and award functions mainly, then I progressed onto weddings. 

LFP: How did you hear about Lee Folkard Photography and what motivated you to be a part of #ProjectScouted?

Roy: I would like to plead the 5th Amendment on where I met Lee. It’s nothing at all dodgy, but it’s a bit of a secret...

I’ve seen all the hype and the fun of the past Projects and I thought it would be great to be a part of it, but had never really spoken to Lee about it. But while chatting about photography and what we’ve been doing at our usual coffee spot in Umhlanga, I WantMy Coffee, Lee popped the question, although it wasn’t on one knee... But it didn’t take me long to decide I was going to be a part of the Project this year. I couldn’t pass up the chance to meet so many cool people!

LFP: What is your favourite type of photography to shoot?

Roy: Boudoir is my passion and I’ve been trained by New York-based Christa Meola. Since then, I have started a photography business called Blush Boudoir which is a bespoke photography company that offers women the opportunity to capture the essence of who they are.

LFP: Have you been influenced by any other photographers' works?

Roy: I have many photographers that I draw inspiration from. They are all amazing portrait photographers and not only do I draw inspiration from their photographs, lighting and shooting techniques, but also from how they convey themselves when speaking, their approach to people and how humble they are. Christa Meola and Joey L. are the two photographers that really influence me the most. My other influences and inspirations have been Sue Bryce, Matthew Jordan Smith, Drew Gardner and Zack Arias.

LFP: What is your career goal as a photographer?

Roy: My goal is to be an international portrait and boudoir photographer working in amazing cities around the world.

LFP: What's your approach when editing photos? What is your process?

Roy: Less is more. I use Lightroom to do my light adjustments, cropping, and any presets that are needed to give the desired effect for the overall image and then I open the image in Photoshop if I need to do any editing that requires more precise work on finer details

LFP: What makes a good black and white photo? How do you decide to change a colour photo to a black and white one?

Roy: A good black and white will convey emotion and feelings; it removes the distraction that colour may sometimes be and brings you in closer with your emotions to the image. I really appreciate a good black and white image as they take a lot of skill and technique when editing, as you can use the range of colours in the starting image to decide how dark or how light a detail is in the end result 

LFP: If you could be any fictional character, who would you be?

Roy: Tony Stark aka Ironman – He may not have super powers but he shows that you can be who you want to be and not what others want you to be. His captors tried to force him to make a weapon of mass destruction and yet he created a suit instead and protected the world.

Be sure to check out Roy’s behind-the-scenes pics from #ProjectScouted on his Firsthouse Photography Facebook page taken throughout the Project as well as his shots of the girls who will be chosen to proceed to the latter phases. He may not be Tony Stark, but Roy Esterhuysen is definitely a force to be reckoned with behind the camera.

Project Scouted photographer profile: Kevin Hsu

There are probably very few people in Durban who are unfamiliar with the name and face of Kevin Hsu. He has become one of the most popular social photographers in the city; being seen with his camera at various events of varying natures whether it’s shooting people in their element on the nightlife scene or shooting the portfolios of stunning and suave models. And now that Kevin will be a part of Project Scouted, Lee Folkard Photography got to know him a little more.

Lee Folkard Photography: What was your inspiration to begin photography and how did you start in the business?

Kevin: My inspiration to begin photography professionally was the people I socialise with. They were one of the reasons that I started in the business by accident. People started to love the photos that I took with friends, due to the amount of friends I have (5000+) on Facebook. I had started to be asked to take photos as an event photographer and then got introduced to more professional work.  I am also pretty lucky as I have many inspiring photographers who have taught me tricks of the trade but I am also self-taught with the understanding of the basics of photography. But I do think that you need to have a natural eye for good photography.

LFP: How did you find out about Lee Folkard Photography?

Kevin: Who doesn’t know Lee Folkard? (Laughs) I would say I knew him well through social media mostly. I had kept noticing his beautiful images and we began to talk and became friends.

LFP: How did you become involved in Project Scouted and what motivated you to be a part of it?

Kevin: I was really glad to be chosen by Lee himself. Through working with him, I would get the chance to meet beautiful models as well to learn from and meet other talented photographers.

LFP: What do you think makes a good photo?

Kevin: People. Creativity. Ambience.

LFP: What does photography mean to you personally?

Kevin: I would say capturing the moment. For example, taking a selfie captures the moment.

Kevin will be shooting the girls who are chosen to progress to the next phases of Project Scouted in the following weeks. You can find the images on the Lee Folkard Photography Facebook page soon.

Project Scouted photographer profile: Tauhirah Raffie

Tauhirah Raffie, an easy-going and casual girl who still manages to be serious about and dedicated to photography, will be one of the next photographers to be a part of the coming phases of Project Scouted. Having been a part of Project Trinity, the previous year’s Project, she saw that the collaboration with Lee Folkard Photography was a winning one and returned to turn out more fantastic pics this year.

Lee Folkard Photography: What was your inspiration to begin photography and how did you start in the business?

Tauhirah: My inspiration was the world and its people; mostly the idea that everything and everyone has beauty but not everyone will see it and that my job as a photographer is to show it. I started out photographing what I knew but I wanted more training so I spent a year studying photography at Vega which gave me quite a good entrance into the business.

LFP: How did you become involved in Project Scouted and what motivated you to be a part of it?

Tauhirah: Well, I just spoke to Lee as I was really interested in his work and he was looking for young photographers to be a part of the Project. I wanted to be part of Project Scouted because of the success of Project Trinity which I was also involved in.

LFP: When photographing people, what is your process? What's your favourite aspect to capture?

Tauhirah: Usually when I see someone, I'll have an idea of how I want to photograph them but I also like to capture them as raw as possible. I prefer more personal photoshoots where I can get to know my subject and, as corny as it sounds, photograph their true selves. My favourite aspect to capture differs depending on the image. If it’s a portrait, the eyes are important, being the window the soul. Otherwise, it’s the lines, curves and shapes of the body and surroundings.

LFP: What inspires you artistically?

Tauhilah: Definitely finding beauty in the ordinary and showing others how to do the same. It gives you a new appreciation for the world when you see something ordinary become art.

LFP:  Has Durban always been your home? What do you love most about Durban?

Tauhirah: I was born in Jo’burg but have lived in Durban since I was one year old, so yes, you could say it’s always been my home. I love the weather. Summer all year round makes me happy and I also love the people; everyone's so easy-going which makes for good company.

Tauhirah so earnestly seeking to capture the beauty in everyone she shoots is a sure way to bring out the best in any subject. We can’t wait to see her shots of the girls chosen this year in Project Scouted as she captures their beauty and that something special in every one of them.

Project Scouted featured photographer profile: Jessica Van Goeverden (aka Jessica Van.Go)

She’s young and extremely enthusiastic about photography. Photography student, Jessica Van.Go, as she likes to be known, is one of the first two photographers who will be a part of the first phase of Lee Folkard Photography’s Project Scouted to be held at one of the latest Durban hotspots, Hashtag Restaurant on Windermere Road. Lee Folkard Photography had a brief Q&A session with this vibrant and eager photographer about her passion for photography and her involvement in Project Scouted.

Lee Folkard Photography: What was your inspiration to begin photography and how did you start in the business?

Jessica: I have always been the “arty” type, mostly interested in painting and drawing. But in 2010, I found a new interest in photography when I received my first Point and Shoot camera. Ever since, I have been in love with photography because I found I could express my artistic side through photography too. So in matric, I decided to turn my passion into a career, and during my first year studying photography at the Durban Institute of Photography, I created my own brand and am now trying to build my name.

LFP: How did you find out about Lee Folkard Photography?

Jessica: I found out about Lee Folkard Photography on Facebook. A lot of my friends had seen Lee's page and had liked it so the page's notifications were always popping up on my newsfeed.

LFP: How did you become involved in Project Scouted and what motivated you to be a part of it?

Jessica: A friend of mine who had entered the previous years’ projects had tagged me in a comment on a status about Project Scouted that asked for anyone who knew young photographers who might be interested in participating in this year's project and I immediately took the chance!

LFP: What do you think makes a good photo?

Jessica: To me, a good photo is made up of two elements; one is technique and the other is the message that the photo portrays. If the photo speaks, it is good.

LFP: What does photography mean to you?

Jessica: My grandfather has always loved photography and has always been a keen wildlife photographer in his spare time. When I found that I too had an eye for a good shot, I felt quite proud to say that I could one day be a well-known photographer. I would like to be known as an artist.

Be sure to look out for Jessica Van.Go's images from the girls who were chosen to be a part of the first stage of Project Scouted shot at Hashtag Restaurant!

Project Scouted featured photographer profile: Simphiwe Simz Mkhwanazi

A photographer who initially found his passion in fashion which turned into a love affair with taking photos, Simphiwe is one of the first two photographers who will be turning out images for the first stage of Project Scouted held at one of Durban's prime new locations, Hashtag Restaurant on Windermere Road. Lee Folkard Photography had a quick Q&A segment with this passionate and fashion-indulgent photographer about his beginnings in photography and his participation in Project Scouted.

Lee Folkard Photography: What was your inspiration to begin photography and how did you start in the business?

Simphiwe: Well, it actually all started with my love for fashion. My mother is a fashion designer, specializing in Bridal, so I fell in love with fashion that way. I'd began to download cool fashion pics for no particular reason. I just always loved it! When I got to varsity, my friends and I would take pics of each other with our phones when we thought we were dressed well. And then the more I followed fashion blogs and read magazines, the more eager I was to have pictures of that quality taken. So I saved up for a camera and then continued taking pictures of my friends and me. I guess that's how it all started. From then on, I just kept taking pictures of people which I still do today.

LFP: How did you find out about Lee Folkard Photography?

Simphiwe: I found about Lee through a friend, Jerome Stoffels (LFP: Who will also be a part of the project) at the Durban Fashion Fair. I looked up Lee's work and I loved it, so I started following his work on Facebook.

LFP: How did you become involved in Project Scouted and what motivated you to be a part of it?

Simphiwe: Lee and I met, as a recommendation from Jerome. I'm always eager to take photos of people, so the chances of me saying "no" to being a part of the project were very slim. I saw this project as an opportunity to meet new people. So here I am!

LFP: What do you think makes a good photo?

Simphiwe: I think when it comes to photography, there are no rules. It’s all based on how you see the photo. If you love what you see, then that's a great photo to you. A great photo for me is one that I look at and say "I'd print this photo and hang it on my wall".

LFP: What does photography mean to you?

Simphiwe: Photography for me is about more than just taking photos; it’s my passion, my love, and my joy. I sometimes find myself editing or just staring at one image for hours and I wouldn't have wanted to do anything else with that time. My mind is always buzzing with these cool images and my imagination can get very wild sometimes. I have found photography as a platform to express what my heart feels.

Be sure to keep an eye out for Simphiwe's pics of the pretty young ladies who were chosen to be a part of the first stage of Project Scouted shot on location at Hashtag Restaurant.

Carl Zeiss – Who was this photography genius?

It has been said that without Carl Zeiss and his inventions, we would not really know what the world looks like. And anyone who has ever has the chance of handling or using a digital camera or smartphone fitted with a Zeiss lens knows that this is true.

Carl Zeiss, born on 11 September 1816 and died on 3 December 1888, was a German manufacturer of optical instruments known for the company he founded, Carl Zeiss Jena, now known as Carl Zeiss AG. Brought up in Weimar, Germany, he became an outstanding lens-maker in the 1840s when he produced expert lenses that had an exceptionally large aperture range which allowed for extremely bright images. This has become somewhat of a distinguishing feature in Carl Zeiss lenses as the images they capture are most often crystal clear and vividly detailed.

Zeiss worked in the university town of Jena, from which he got the original name of his company, at a workshop he set up himself where he commenced his lens-making vocation. His lenses were initially used solely in the production of microscopes but his company later began manufacturing their high-quality lenses when cameras were invented.

By the time Zeiss began creating microscopes for scientists in 1846, glass lenses were an accepted way of magnification, but it was a time-consuming, arduous and costly procedure using trial and error on each piece of glass. In his first year, he only sold 23 microscopes. But subsequently, it was the contribution Zeiss made to lens-manufacturing over 170 years ago that have facilitated the modern production of many lenses today.

The Carl Zeiss lens is most commonly known as a feature in Nokia smartphones, which is a major selling point for many of the brand’s products. However, the Carl Zeiss Master Prime umbrella of lenses, which merge an exceptionally high speed with brilliant image sharpness, perfect contrast, and true colour, has also set new standards in cinematography. These lenses have been used for numerous Academy Award-winning films, including “The Social Network”, “The Fighter”, and “The King’s Speech”. Even “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, which won a total of 17 Oscars, was shot with a Carl Zeiss lens. And famed film director Stanley Kubrick also used a customized Zeiss lens, originally intended for NASA space missions, to shoot his film “Barry Lyndon”.

Carl Zeiss’s legacy now lives on through the lenses we take for granted, and are often unaware of, in cameras, smartphones, surgical equipment, and microscopes with the accuracy, precision and peak image quality that he strived to capture throughout his career being produced every single time.

The very hot and very new Vamp Magazine

There isn’t, by any measure, a dearth of fashion and beauty publications around the world but there aren’t very many objections to hot new magazines being put to print either.

The latest American edition to the newsstands is Vamp Magazine from the founders of Hercules, another fashion magazine. The new magazine’s ethos is based on the focus of featuring profiles of strong and prolific women as well as fashion and beauty spreads shot by the latest and hottest photographic talent. Their aesthetic vision is to emulate the fashion prints from the 70s and 80s.

The magazine went all out for its premiere issue featuring some of the hottest models at the moment all on six separate covers. Models Emily DiDonato, Andreea Diaconu, Liya Kebede, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Karmen Pedaru and Carolyn Murphy all look stunning in their respective covers; photographed by Paola Kudacki, Giampaolo Sgura, and Santiago and Mauricio Sierra.

The magazine is definitely off to a good start with beauties like these headlining their opening edition. And the spreads within the magazine don’t disappoint either. Its brilliant photography and dazzling concepts. And although all the models are breathtaking, Emily DiDonato is definitely a stand out from the others with her sublime images.

The magazine seeks to inspire women by showcasing other women who have made it to the top in their respective fields. According to its creators, it’s a magazine for women determined to succeed and be taken seriously but who also happen to love fashion and beauty.

Mario Sorrenti – The fashion photographer with an ‘obsession’

Almost all boyfriends take photos of their girlfriends, in an array of ways. So its fitting that in 1993, Mario Sorrenti made his explosive debut into the fashion photography world by taking a picture of his naked girlfriend. He was 21 years old and that girlfriend happened to be Kate Moss. And the images he shot were for Calvin Klein’s “Obsession” ad campaign. This guy is definitely talented, but maybe he’s also had some damn good luck along the way. Whatever it is, his bold and sensual images are now, 21 years later, a staple in Vogue, Vanity Fair, Interview, W, and many other fashion publications.

Currently signed exclusively with the agency Art Partner, Italian-born and New York-raised, Sorrenti is best known for his ability to capture the vulnerability and beauty of his subjects, even more so when nude. These are some of his most striking works featuring some of the world’s top models and stars:

[ WARNING: NUDE IMAGES BELOW. IF SENSITIVE DO NOT SCROLL DOWN ] 

Vanessa Axente for Calvin Klein – 2014

Andreea Diaconu for Vogue Paris – June 2013

Mila Kunis for Gemfields – 2013

Isabeli Fontana for the Pirelli Calendar – 2012

Joan Smalls for the Pirelli Calendar – 2012

Kate Moss for the Pirelli Calendar – 2012

Rihanna for GQ – December 2012

Candice Swanepoel for Vogue Italia – March 2012

Scarlett Johansson for Vanity Fair – December 2011

Dakota and Elle Fanning for W Magazine – December 2011

Abbey Lee Kershaw for Vogue Italia – August 2010

Eniko Mihalik for Vogue Paris – August 2010

Scarlett Johansson for Mango – 2009

Kate Moss for Calvin Klein “Obsession” – 1993

We cannot forget this haunting image of Kate Moss that started this enviable career and made Sorrenti a regularly mentioned name in fashion photography industry.