/ 4 January 2019

Behind the photo

Meditating on alienation: Thokozani Mthiyane explores the ‘mental states’ of men ground into Jo’burg’s rough streets. Photo: Oupa Nkosi
Meditating on alienation: Thokozani Mthiyane explores the ‘mental states’ of men ground into Jo’burg’s rough streets. Photo: Oupa Nkosi

At artist Thokozani Mthiyane’s U-shaped flat in Doornfontein, I was overwhelmed by his space, his artworks everywhere and how the light was coming in. The challenge was to find a spot that would depict what Mthiyane was about.

I talk to people I’m photographing to gauge their mood and to involve them. Portraiture demands participation or magic will not be achieved.

I immediately found the right spot for him. The sun was diagonal and the room perfectly lit through big windows, which diffused the light slightly. A large part of the room was dimly lit, but one could still see paintings on the wall, oils on the table, an easel on the floor. Because I was using natural light, I had to ask him to sit down to get the light on him, especially his face. I exposed for the highlights to get details on his face, in line with where the light was coming in. Because of his co-operation, it was easy to photograph him.

We did a few frames with him looking at the camera or looking away before we came to this one. He crossed his legs and I asked him to look outside. This shot soothes my heart and reminds me of the privilege I have to call what I love to do work.— Oupa Nkosi