Glenn Sloggett's interview with Alasdair Foster from Talking Pictures gave us an insight of his background and passion in documenting the unloved. In person, Glenn enlightened us more with his stories and the connection he has with each photo he took. As designers, we are meant to be radical and think progressively, and his work sets an example for us in bridging our design to the society.

According to him, the stories of the poor are more valuable and significant. The anonymous, the unnoticed in life, forgotten alleys, lonely people, discarded things, an empty backyard; all of these are the prime ingredients used in his photographs, but most of all, his intentions placed at the top of the pile. Glenn’s work manifests what Robert Capa —a war photographer— elaborated as images that tells story, because one has lived a story. His personal relationship with his mother and the tales of his childhood contributed to Glenn’s identity as a documenter. I believe that this is a similar case for us, being a designer that  our background and personality brings an extra intimacy to the design we wish to communicate.

Simon Sinek (2014) suggested businesses that start with the question ‘why’ are more impactful, an idea that is in sync with Glenn’s practice and what most designers aim to do. At a glance, one could overlook the images he took, scoffed, and thought ‘I could do the same’. This is an instance for someone who only think of ‘what’ instead of ‘why’.

Although he was not able to pursue film-making, Glenn eventually found an alternative that enables him to continue his passion in image making in the photography industry. Everyone in the class was amazed the moment Glenn presented us his analogue camera. Nowadays, there is a great amount of interest in film photography, not to mention my generation, the millennials. In our first reading by Huppatz, it was mentioned how the era of craftsmen is reviving. To Glenn, —Like any other film photographer —every shot is a gamble. You will either end up with a flawless developed image or a blank sheet of photo paper, which explains why he always guarantee success each time he clicks the shutter. It was a pleasant alarm for all of us today, who often take our smartphones for granted, which features the ability to capture unlimited photos, yet, thoughtless.

Behind his lens, there is a complex mind that challenges people to dive deep and look closer to the world we lived in, the environment that we are in. Photography has the pure ability to tell the factual, which raises empathy and awareness and eventually, creating a sense of trust between the artist or designer and the audience. Those who hold the camera are the witness to the truth and a window provider for those who seek the truth. Studying design and documentary photography for the last past week woke a certain realisation within myself that a design or a photo may be seen in different views, hence different storyline, which explains why design and art always perceived in a subjective tone. I think it is essential to understand the ‘ecosystem’ that we are in to deliver a message, Billy Weeks (2016) explained it better than myself. When the perspective of a subject and a designer combined, they formed a new kind point of view and that belongs to the audience.

At the end of his session, Glenn told us to enjoy ourselves in the process of creating and it is humane to make mistakes. Most importantly, he reminded us to stop, look back, observe and learn.

Image credit: Glenn Sloggett ‘Cheaper & Deeper’ 1996 from Talking Pictures