Katliso KatGrapher Tleane

Katlisho Kat TleaneKatlisho Kat Tleane PhotographerPhotographer

Where are you from and how do you feel it has influenced the way you look at the world?

I was born and raised in Limpopo in a small village called Ga Maja just outside of Polokwane.

As we know villages have limited resources and access to basic services.Growing up in such an environment you quickly learn that you need to be Independent and work extremely hard to achieve the things you desire with the little you have.I now look at the world with the notion that we have innate abilities to do anything no matter the obstacle in front of us.

When and how did photography become part of your life?

I’ve always been exposed to photographs from a very young age. My dad owned a film camera and documented his life with prints in photo albums, going through the albums was an enlightening experience.He would also allow me to play with his camera which I believe ignited my spark for photography. In 2017 I bought my first camera and I haven’t stopped shooting since.

What is your inspiration and how does it influence you and your work?

My inspiration is drawn from current affairs, spaces and other things that surrounds us that we often take for granted. I am influenced by time, the motion of life around us, The simplest things we overlook, the usual that i see as unsual.These become a focal point in creating and documenting

I shoot everything that I am exposed to all the time and I show it how I see it. I am also inspired by the arts I believe we are all speak the same language only with different

What inspires the subject matter in your images?

I believe every subject is valuable and forms an informative part of a story. My subject matter is humanity, its movement and its existence , my subjects are always around and all I have to do is to pick the right frame to narrate the story told.

Street photography has its own pros and cons. What is the most uncomfortable moment you have encountered while shooting?

I shoot the streets most of the time, so safety is definitely a concern. People on the street at times think you have sinister intentions when you try take photographs, so they often pull intimidating faces. This has been unsettling for me at times but I would still be brave to capture the moment eventough It would be risky. Synonym.

What camera are you using at the moment and what medium do you prefer shooting in?

I shoot with a Canon 1200D as well as a Huawei P10 cellphone. I prefer shooting in manual mode when using my camera.

Whose work do you admire locally and why?

There are a couple of artists I admire such as Zanele Moholi, Kgomotso Neto, Lindokuhle Sobekwa and Andile Buka. I believe these artists have ushered in new styles of photography, shaping the way we look at photography in South Africa. Their work has also done exceptionally well on both local and international platforms respectively.

Do you see yourself as a full-time photographer or how do you see yourself evolving in the future?

I definitely see my self in the near future still as a full-time photographer. My main focus at the moment is expanding my creativity, tapping into untouched territory and allowing my self to learn.i hope to create more work and making it easily accessible.

Do you feel it is important for creatives to be open about their experiences?

I believe its different with every creative and its a personal choice to either be open or not.However openness creates a sense of hope and gives a true reflection of how things really are. I believe it establishes a platform for upcoming and current creatives to reference from.

Are there any projects in the pipeline that you would like to share with us?

Am currently involved in something and there are alot of things that are going to take place later on during the year. For more info stay tuned to my social media pages all handles and details of events are announced there.

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