All posts filed under: RAW Talent

Unmasking the stigma of autism spectrum disorder

We recently attended the postgraduate photography show at LCC to present our RAW Talent Award to three creatives. During the event, we met Benjimen Green and presented him with one of the awards. His photography mainly focuses on people, telling stories that are often overlooked. He believes everyone has a unique story to tell, even if it is not the most prominent one in the room. With his project, he shared his personal story of being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Benjimen’s portrayal of masks in his images aims to break mainstream autism stereotypes and encourages individuals to embrace their unique identities without fear or shame. How did you first get into photography? In my early years, I stumbled upon my dad’s hidden film camera, which I wasn’t supposed to play with. Spending hours absorbed in its dials and buttons, I found it the coolest thing. However, my serious plunge into photography only happened later. In 2018, I purchased a small Fujifilm camera before relocating to Southeast Asia for work. Initially, it was about …

An intimate portrait of my grandmother

Recently, we had the chance to join the photography postgraduate show at the London College of Communication (LCC). On the hunt to award three creatives with our RAW Talent Award, we were blown away by An Liu, whose project was inspired by her grandma’s life experiences at 87 years old. We got the chance to talk more with An – like how she approached capturing intimate moments of her elderly family members, developing her dreamy storytelling style, to how LCC helped her grow as a photographer and combine empathy with artistry. How did you first get into photography?  Because I majored in computer science during my undergraduate studies, I didn’t have formal and systematic training in photography before coming to LCC. Aside from using a camera to document life during my teenage years, my first proper encounter with photography was during a university student union event. I needed to capture a series of photos showcasing the daily work life of an award-winning teacher. Since then, I have fallen in love with the storytelling aspect of …

The paradox project: spirituality meets technology

We attended the postgraduate photography show at LCC to present our RAW Talent Award to three creatives. Goda Kraštinaitytė stood out with her surreal and tech-driven imagery. Journeying from advertising and tech to photography, she showcased a project challenging the connection between spirituality and technology — a paradoxical relationship, according to herself. We spoke with Goda about her willingness to keep experimenting and drawing inspiration from surrealist sources like Twin Peaks. She also underlines the importance of persevering – never letting go, even if unsatisfied. Consistency, practice, and hard work are the key to breaking through. How did you first get into photography?  I got my first point-and-shoot camera when I was 13. Since then, I have experienced all my vacations looking through the camera viewfinder because I just couldn’t put my camera down. After I got my first job at an advertising agency as a Content Creator, photography never left my life professionally.  What type of photography do you like to shoot the most?    I like working with objects and creating sets in the …

RAW Talent with Vincent Alban

With a blend of curiosity and family legacy, Vincent has been navigating the world of photography for most of his life. Hailing from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), this recent photojournalism graduate has been joined by his camera since early childhood. Since exploring the countless possibilities photography and storytelling can bring, Vincent has been all about capturing the deep essence of the people he photographs. His moving project “Absence and Presence” highlights the relationship between gun violence, segregation, and poverty. He dives into the human connections that shape these communities. In this interview, we talk about the emotional landscape of his work, the importance of empathy in his approach, the process of finding his artistic voice, and the future. Devon Reynolds feeds his son, Elijah, while watching the movie “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” with sons, Devon Jr. and Karter at Greece Ridge Mall in Greece, N.Y. on April 26, 2022. When did your photo journey start? I traveled a lot when I was younger and always had a camera with me. My grandparents on …