Screw Power Lists. Here’s a pick ‘n’ mix selection of some young people who are actually doing things. In this #EyesOn2016 series, they tell us what’s going to blow up in 2016.
Duran is a 27-year-old cinematographer, editor and photographer from Cape Town. He’s shot across Asia, America and Africa, making music videos, short films and editorial work for magazines such as VICE. You can check out some of his work in one of our very own photo stories in Rwanda here.
Tell the story behind one of your most memorable photos?
It would have to be from my very first analogue photo project called Transitions in Bloom, which was shot while travelling through China in 2014. It was all shot on 3200ISO black and white film, as I was trying to capture the grittiness of the country through street photography. I looked for scenes with open-ended themes.
It’s difficult to choose just one image as there are four to five that I’m still too connected to, but I’d have to say it’s the Man in Booth – which was shot in Shanghai. I was going down the road with a few friends and saw a man on his phone, crouching in the booth. He looked somewhat sad to me.
I realised my passion for analogue photography and my career goals.
I immediately stopped my friends and crouched down in front of them. I snapped only one photo of the scene and moved along. The most common feedback I’m given is of its likeness to a frame from a classic movie.
What are you going to remember 2015 for?
Personally, it was a great year for self-discovery and exploration. I realised my passion for analogue photography and my career goals. The most memorable moment was being given the opportunity to travel to Rwanda and work on a photo essay without too much thought. It turned out to be a successful project with themes I want to continue to explore next year.
What or who do you think is going to blow up in 2016?
The continued rise of more young African storytellers and artists using what tools they have combined with the internet to bring attention to their own struggles and stories they wish to tell. The work of Imraan Christian, a Cape Town creative, on the #FeesMustFall protest, which is featured in Little Simz latest music video, have put him into the spotlight.
South African musos such as Petite Noir, The Plastics and Jeremy Loops are artists that are well on their way to international acclaim. SA photographers such as Travys Owen, Caroline Mackintosh and Sipho Mpongo are artists who I think are killing it with their originality and creative talents.
What’s keeping you busy in 2016?
I’ll be spending January in Hong Kong and Vietnam working on a fashion and documentary photography project. I literally cannot wait to travel again.
Otherwise, I’ll be working on an American series Black Sails for the first half of the year, while trying to shoot my own stuff on the side. The rest of the year will hopefully be spent travelling Morocco, Ethiopia and more parts of Asia.
Follow Duran on Instagram @duranite
Check out more at duranlevinson.com
You want to join in? Tell us on Twitter #EyesOn2016