Talking Frames

26 Wei Jian Chan Migration, Identity and the Craft of Street Photography

Wei Jian Chan is a Singapore-born photographer based in London, best known for his thoughtful black-and-white street photography and his exploration of migration, identity, and belonging. He moved from Singapore to the UK in 2012, and that experience of relocation has become a central thread running through his work.
His photography has been exhibited in various locations in the UK and Europe, and has been acquired to form part of the permanent collection of the Kiyosato Museum of Photographic Art. His work has also been featured by numerous outlets, including The Guardian, Deutsche Welle, National Geographic, Amateur Photographer, and Leica Camera.
Wei Jian talked about moving from Singapore to the UK in 2012 and how that migration experience became central to his work. Adjusting to a new culture, language style, and pace of life created feelings of uncertainty and displacement. Photography became a way to process those emotions, helping him make sense of belonging and identity in a place that initially felt unfamiliar.
Much of the conversation focused on his street photography practice in London. Wei Jian primarily works in black and white, drawn to how light, shadow, and architectural structure shape the city. He shoots mostly with a 35mm lens and spoke about balancing instinctive reactions on the street with careful pre-visualisation. He also noted that photographers often return to the same areas over time, mentioning places like the West End, South Bank, and Shoreditch.
The interview explored the making of his photobook Journey to the West, a four-year project published by Satanta Books. The book uses street photography as a metaphor for migration, uncertainty, and adaptation. Wei Jian described the intense editing process, reducing tens of thousands of images into a tightly sequenced narrative, and emphasised the importance of the physical book, from paper choice to black pages and spot lamination.
Some Photographers mentioned 
Joshua K Jackson
Andrew Blowers 
Simon King 
Thoms English
Journey to the West book 
Wei Jian Website
Wei Jian Instagram
Talking Frames Instagram

25 Zula Rabikowska Migration, Identity & Documentary Photography

Zula Rabikowska is a London-based documentary photographer, specialising in community-based portraiture and documentary storytelling. She focuses on themes of migration, Eastern Europe, and the LGBTQI+ communities, drawing inspiration from her Polish heritage and upbringing. Through her photography, Zula aims to amplify voices often overlooked, using an intentional approach to explore the complexity of identity and the power of human connection.
She works closely with communities to create intimate portraiture that reflects their stories and experiences. Whether through multimedia, film, digital, or analogue photography, her projects prioritise authenticity and emotional depth. Zula’s collaborative approach to portraiture fosters authentic, empowering representations, using photographic storytelling to amplify diverse human experiences.
Her work has been exhibited internationally and published in prominent outlets. Zula’s accolades include the AOP Talent Award, PDN Award, and the Getty Images Grant. As a recipient of the MEAD Fellowship, she has focused on documenting gender identity in Eastern Europe, bringing attention to often marginalised communities in the region. She has also received the Centre for British Photography Grant and won the Earth Photo Moving Image Award.
 
In this episode Zula’ shares how her  life and work are deeply shaped by her migration from Poland to the UK at age ten. Growing up between two countries and cultures created a sense of rupture and constant negotiation of identity, reflected in her unusual accent and experiences of stereotyping at school. This dual existence became central to her artistic practice, informing her exploration of belonging, displacement, and identity through photography and multimedia work.
Zula’s major projects include Nothing But a Curtain, which explored gender identity across Eastern Europe and is now being published as a sculptural book; her documentation of the Vietnamese diaspora in Poland, tracing historical ties between the two countries; and I Thought You’d Be Gayer, a performance-based exploration of gender identity. Her ethical approach emphasizes trust, consent, and transparency, particularly when working with vulnerable communities. Despite challenges such as difficult travel and the emotional toll of participants’ stories, she continues to push the boundaries of documentary photography, believing that human storytelling will remain vital even in the digital age.
Book Launch 4th December 2025
Photographers and artists mentioned
Laura Pannack
Gem Fletcher
Carolyn Mendelssohn
Marina Abramovich
Madeline Yale Preston
 
Zula Rabikowska website
Zula Instagram
Talking Frames Instagram
 

24 Knox Bertie Finding Stillness in the Chaos - Street Photography, and the Art of Waiting

Knox Bertie is a photographer who is drawn to film for its tactile and aesthetic qualities, he continued using it even as digital photography became mainstream. Though often labelled a street photographer, Knox prefers a more introspective and deliberate approach, blending experimental and portrait styles. His background as a chemistry teacher informs his methodical darkroom work, balancing technical precision with artistic expression.
His early Sydney work remains his most cherished, created without external pressures. International experiences in England, Dubai, and Malaysia shaped his style, but his visual signature—marked by thoughtful composition and use of light—remained consistent.
Knox’s work often captures quiet, reflective moments and has evolved from standalone images to narrative-driven series like “Anika,” which explores themes of impermanence. He documents Sydney’s transformation over two decades, focusing on commuter fatigue and urban density. Writing is integral to his creative process, with daily journaling helping him refine his vision.
As a Leica ambassador, Knox appreciates the brand’s support for creative freedom and the distinctiveness of Australian light. Influenced by George Orwell’s writings, especially during the pandemic, Knox resonates with themes of memory, change, and acceptance as these are ideas that echo throughout his photography.
 
Knox Bertie Instagram
Talking Frames Instagram

23 Laura Pannack Exploring Empathy and Connection in Portraiture

Laura Pannack is an award-winning British photographer known for her intimate portraiture. Her work explores themes of youth, vulnerability, and connection, blending fine art and psychology to create intimate visual stories. Recognised by Leica Society International , the Sony World Photography Awards, World Press Photo, and the British Journal of Photography, Laura’s long-term projects, including The Journey Home from School and Separation, reveal her unique ability to capture trust and authenticity through the camera.
In this episode Laura shares her journey into photography She reflects on early lessons learned while assisting other photographers Her interest in psychology drew her to portraiture where she could explore empathy, trust, and human connection in a more personal way.
The conversation dives into the meditative process behind Laura’s portraits from creating safe, cocoon-like spaces with her subjects to using silence, stillness, and sound to cultivate authentic emotion. Tim and Laura discuss the power of natural light, vulnerability, and long-term collaboration, and how curators, editors, and awards shape the public reception of photographic work.
Laura also talks about her Sony Award-winning “the journey home from school  ” project, exploring childhood memory, nostalgia, and everyday resilience, and her recent transition into mixed-media and sound-based practice. Together, they reflect on self-doubt, resilience, and the ongoing balance between artistic growth and emotional openness.
 
Some of the photographers mentioned in this episode are 
Mark Power @marktpower
Pippa Healy @pippahello
Simon Roberts @simoncroberts
Hannah Watson @ tjboulting
Stuart Pilkington @pilkington
Monica Allende @monica.allende
Carolyn Mendelshon  carolynmendelsohn
Alys Tomlinson @ alystomlinson
 
Laura Pannack Website
Laura Pannack Instagram
Talking Frames Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Song: Drip
 
 
 
Music by: CreatorMix.com

22 Chris Harrison Design, Patience, and the Art of Street Photography

Chris Harrison, a talented photographer and designer based in Brighton, UK. Chris's creative practice seamlessly bridges the realms of street photography, visual storytelling
Chris’s street work often focuses on Brighton’s seafront and off-season atmosphere, capturing moments of absurdity, solitude, and human quirkiness. His philosophy is rooted in patience and observation: waiting for a scene to unfold rather than chasing it. He has described his process as “finding interest in the ordinary,” photographing everything from crowded promenades to his own kitchen sink — guided by the belief that everything is interesting if seen with attention and curiosity.
His design background strongly influences his photography. The clean lines, colour harmony, and attention to visual rhythm in his images reflect a designer’s eye for structure and simplicity. He often talks about the crossover between the two disciplines, describing how principles of layout, typography, and visual hierarchy inform how he frames a shot or sequences images in a series.
In 2024, Chris self-published his first photobook, Sideshow, an eight-year project documenting Brighton beyond its tourist veneer — particularly during quieter, off-season periods. The book received widespread praise, quickly sold out, and reached collectors around the world. He has since become an active presence in the UK street photography community, running workshops, speaking at events, and serving as a competition judge.
Chris's work is characterised by its clarity, humour, and human warmth. Through a combination of patience, design sensibility, and curiosity, he invites viewers to see the familiar with fresh eyes — reminding us that even the most ordinary moments can hold unexpected visual poetry.
The conversation in this episode provides insight into the disciplined and honest approach of Chris. Through his dual sensibility as a designer and photographer, he demonstrates how embracing creative limitations, practising patience, and striving for visual clarity can result in genuinely original and impactful work.
The conversation also addresses broader themes in contemporary photography, including the role of artificial intelligence, the importance of authenticity, and the ways in which social media is reshaping the photographic landscape. Chris discusses the balance between his commercial design work and personal creative projects, offering practical advice to emerging photographers: stay patient, trust your instincts, and focus on developing a unique visual voice rather than following fleeting trends.
 
Chris Harrison website
Chris Harrison Instagram
Tim Bingham ( Host ) Instagram
Talking Frames Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
Song: Drip
 
Music by: CreatorMix.com
 

21 Brad Jones Street Photography Through the Lens of Illustration and Composition

Brad Jones brings a rare perspective to street photography, shaped by his background in illustration, studio work, and forensic photography. With a painter’s eye, Brad uses the classic principles  to transform everyday life into visually striking compositions. Instead of chasing fleeting moments, he finds evocative spaces and patiently waits for life to unfold—allowing the street itself to tell the story. For Brad, street photography carries an ethical responsibility. He avoids images that might exploit or embarrass subjects, particularly those in vulnerable situations. This principle extends into his long-term project, “Dos Mundos,” which explores the cultural ties between Spain and Puerto Rico. His perspective highlights how respect and dignity can coexist with documentary truth.
Throughout the episode, Brad’s insights reveal a deep respect for both the craft and the people he photographs, blending artistic discipline with emotional sensitivity to produce compelling, ethical, and visually rich street photography.
 
 
Brad Jones website
Brad Jones Instagram
Tim Bingham Instagram
 

20 - Dawn Eagleton Street Photography and Capturing Candid Portraits

Dawn Eagleton is a renowned British street photographer, celebrated for her vivid portraits that reveal people in genuine, unscripted moments. Her photography has achieved international acclaim, with exhibitions in New York, Rome, London, and Singapore. Through her technical expertise and perceptive eye, Dawn continues to leave a lasting impression on the street photography community by showcasing the extraordinary within everyday life.
In this episode, Dawn recounts her entry into the world of street photography, tracing it back to her first spontaneous photograph taken in Valencia. This experience became a turning point, igniting her passion for capturing people in their most natural state.
Dawn’s method is organic—favouring unplanned shoots, engaging authentically with strangers, and seeking out honest, unguarded moments. She emphasises the importance of moving slowly, being intentional in her actions, and using elements like lighting, framing, and location to craft compelling visual stories.
The discussion also delves into the themes of authenticity and empowerment in her work. Dawn explains how her portraits invite viewers to interpret the stories of her subjects, and she shares uplifting feedback she has received from those she photographs. She celebrates her involvement with the Women Street Photographers community and notes significant milestones such as exhibitions in Rome and New York, as well as her recent collaboration with Fujifilm.
In reflecting on her creative journey, Dawn highlights the importance of trusting one’s instincts, taking time to recharge, and embracing a personal perspective.
The episode concludes with a discussion between Dawn and Tim about the unique challenges street photographers face in different cities.
 
Dawn Eagleton Instagram
X-E5 x Dawn Eagleton/ FUJIFILM
Tim Bingham ( Host ) Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
Song: Drip
 
Music by: CreatorMix.com

19 - Mark Davidson Behind the Lens Street Photography and Creative Experimentation

Mark Davidson is a Melbourne-based street photographer whose work is defined by his sharp eye for bold light, fleeting moments, and the quiet poetry of urban life. His photographs transform everyday streets into striking visual stories that reveal the pulse, rhythm, and beauty of the city. On top of all this, he co-hosts the Street Life podcast, where he chats with other photographers about their journey
Mark’s vision has earned him wide recognition—he was named Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographer in the black-and-white category in 2022, won the Aussie Street Photography Festival, and was a finalist in the LensCulture Street Photography Awards. His Hong Kong series also won top prize at the Istanbul Street Photo Festival, and his work is featured in Reclaim the Street: Street Photography’s Moment by Thames & Hudson.
In this episode, I spoke with Mark for a wide-ranging conversation about his journey into photography. He spoke about his beginnings with light, shadow, and flash before finding his voice on Melbourne’s streets, as well as his love for black-and-white, his ongoing experiments with film. We explored how travel and experimentation fuel his creativity, the challenges of balancing his photography with a career in radio, and the influence of other photographers on his work. Our conversation also touched on my own path in street photography, the rhythm of shooting without expectation, and the importance of authenticity and respect in the process. Together, we reflected on how photography turns ordinary moments into extraordinary ones, making this an honest and inspiring exchange about process, passion, and curiosity.
 
Mark Website 
Mark Instagram
Tim ( Podcast Host ) Instagram
Talking Frames Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
Song: Drip
 
Music by: CreatorMix.com