The Art of Getting Lost with Mark Seymour

I’m pleased to have Mark Seymour back on the podcast. It’s been too long since we last connected, because Mark’s been busier than ever. He’s based in the UK, and when we spoke, he mentioned watching foxes playing in his garden. But don’t let that peaceful scene fool you—Mark’s constantly traveling, teaching workshops around the world. In addition to his own workshops Mark also works with Light and Land. The clientele is different for each. Light and Land attracts older folks with disposable income who see photography as a hobby. Mark’s independent workshops draw professionals wanting to improve their street and travel photography for business. Despite his busy teaching schedule, Mark stays committed to personal projects. He learned this lesson from conversations with photographers like Larry Towell and Ed Kashi, who told him his images were good but asked about the story. They pushed him to focus on developing narratives through his work. Mark just returned from teaching in Venice. He always arrives three days early to scout locations, even though he’s been there many times. His groups arrive via private speedboat, a very James Bond experience. But the real but the street images come when you walk away from the tourist spots like Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Square. A few hundred yards away, you will find locals hanging around squares in the evening, kids playing, real street photography opportunities. His workshops start with classroom discussions about masters like Cartier-Bresson and Robert Frank. Then he gives students simple projects—color matching, reflections, light and shadow work. His best advice is to “get lost.” He tells participants to wander wherever they want and meet back in two hours. That’s when the best shots happen. By day five, students are seeing things differently. They notice heads growing out of other heads in the background and understand they should have moved right to avoid it. They’re looking for faces instead of shooting backs of heads. He says the transformation is remarkable. Mark’s also working on the “One in Six” project for Seven Agency, documenting people over 60 who still work. For example he met Roy, a kite maker, at a wedding. Roy turned out to be this colorful character who made flags for the Super Bowl, and installation for Coldplay and and a kite replica of Big Ben for the Lord Mayor of London. Mark spent three days documenting Roy’s life and craft, combining photography with recorded interviews. Mark also worked on a project for National Geographic in Kolkata. The assignment came through his role as a Nikon ambassador. The budget was low, it didn’t even cover the flight, but he piggybacked it onto another trip. The National Geographic pass was like a golden key, opening doors everywhere. Mark’s strength is layered street images. He thrives in warm climates where people are out on the streets. He’s constantly pushing himself to create images that match his best work, like his recent award-winning photo from the Ganges River. It’s always great talking with Mark. I learn something new each time we talk. His insights into both teaching and creating meaningful photography projects have made make every conversation valuable and fun. Links from the show Mark’s Website Light and Land Workshops Ed Kashi Larry Towell The Seven Foundation