September 14 : 2022
Jan Grarup
Photojournalist Jan Grarup's winning image, "Detention Cell in Columbia," grabs the viewer and doesn't let go. It is a reminder of the pure and eternal power of the single, photographic image.
by Lily Fierman
Image: Detention Cell in Columbia
Q:
Tell us about creating this image. Where did you take it, when, and how much time did you spend creating it? Please feel free to add anything else you’d like to share here.
A:
The image is shot at a police station in Maicao in Colombia. It didn’t take long to shoot and given the circumstances, you only get very limited time to actually document situations like these.
Q:
Your photos are unflinching. I hate to say that they are beautiful given some of the subject matter, but they truly are. How do you reconcile these two polarities - the beautiful and the brutal - in your work?
A:
I use aesthetics to make sure that people look at my pictures and don’t just “scroll through,” so whilst photographing dangerous or heartbreaking scenarios I believe you can do it with respect, humanity, and aesthetics.
Q:
So many of your subjects, including the ones in your winning image, “Detention Cell in Columbia,” feel like they are looking beyond the camera and into the soul of the viewer. How do you think this image was able to capture that feeling? The same could be said for other images you’ve taken, so feel free to mention those as well.
A:
I have never liked the impression of shooting images as you are in a zoo where a fence protects you and sets a barrier. Therefore I always shoot with short lenses and try to get as close to the subjects as well as spend time with them as possible to better understand and photograph their situation.
Q:
What has been the most challenging subject matter for you so far?
A:
The genocide in Rwanda is the worst and most difficult I have done. It grounded my PTSD and I still have nightmares over it.
Q:
How did you get your start as a photographer? Why is photography your chosen medium of communication?
A:
I was interested in divided cities or cultures and I traveled to Belfast when I was in my teens and by accident I ended up documenting a violent bombing of a funeral. The images were used worldwide and since then, I have covered war, conflicts, and climate crises all over the world.
As for the medium of photography, there is something special about capturing the moment and creating something that (hopefully) will let people reflect on life again and again when they see the image.
I developed a kind of humanistic touch, a human sense...instead of just taking the picture. I try to get behind-the-scenes.
Q:
What or who continues to inspire you as a photographer?
A:
Eugene Smith - and many others. But he was the reason I got into photography at a young age. I love his humanistic approach.
Q:
If you could create a dinner party of your dreams featuring guests of your choice (including artists, designers, or writers both living and deceased), who would you invite?
A:
Larry Burrows, Eugene Smith, Keith Richards, Joseph Conrad, Andy Warhol, and Nick Cave.
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