Matt Powell Humanitarian Photography :: Blog

I’ve been combing through my photo archives lately as I do a new portfolio edit.  It’s a slightly painful task, (lots of junk!)  But it’s fun at times because I’ve encountered a few hidden gems- some I don’t even remember taking.  Most are a bit quirkier or random than my usual favorites, and finding one actually gives me some excitement- similar to capturing a great image from a new assignment.   These images remind me not to pass up those random, quirky moments when they happen.  Plus it’s enlightening to see how my style has progressed over time, or perhaps rather how my preference for which pictures hold value and which don’t has changed.

So this begs the question, “Why would we disregard certain pictures at one point in history, but find them so pleasing upon re-discovery”?

And then it occurs to me:  In the time since I shot many of these pictures, Lightroom has completely revolutionized the way I see and process my pictures in post, making the process much more fun and creative.  So maybe that answers part of the question.   Anyway, I’m starting a new category called “Pictures from the Vault” to which I’ll be posting periodically.  Here’s the first…

Cambodian country side. Yes, that's a pig in his basket.

I receive many emails with questions from emerging photographers who want to know more about my work.   I love these emails because they give me the chance to reflect & write about what I do- while hopefully helping someone else in the process.  So, I’m starting a new category here on my blog called “questions answered”.  Feel free to send your own.  Here’s the first entry…..

What has been your favorite place or event to photograph?

That’s a tough one, because I’ve visited a lot of interesting places.  But I might have to say that Timbuktu, in Mali, was one of my favorite destination assignments.  Perhaps mostly because of the mystique of traveling to such a “remote” location.  But also because it was my first visit to North/West Africa, and I definitely had the Africa bug. (Still do!)  I also enjoy a good journey as much as the destination, and getting there was definitely an adventure for me.

Why did you become a photographer?

I became a photographer because it was what I had always dreamed of doing.  Now I can’t imagine doing much else.  I am someone who believes strongly in pursuing what you love.  As a kid I was obsessed with documenting my experiences. And constantly shooting pictures of friends and family.  But I was also inspired by my father’s National Geographic magazines, and the thought of traveling to remote corners of the world as a photographer became my dream.  (Isn’t it everyone’s?)  So when it finally came time to decide what I had to do for living, photography was IT.  Exactly how IT was going to happen, I didn’t have a clue.  As for the realities of how it actually came about for me on a professional level, that was a combination of much preparation + perfect timing.  In other words, diligently perusing the type of photography that I was interested in & developing a portfolio from that,  and then being in the right place at the right time when the right work opportunities presented themselves.