Alex Robertson is a documentary photographer living and practising in Hackney Wick, East London. Drawing on the many forms that documentary can take, Alex chooses to focus on social context and the wider political landscape, with the consideration; how can photography contribute to this.
Using a contemporary documentary photography approach to his work, Alex has developed an immersive style with collaboration at the centre of his practice. This process is essential to his work, as the subject matter of his images or the people he works with, directly inform his work as a photographer.
This direct involvement in the context of his photography can be seen throughout his work, as each project has developed his relationship between photography and storytelling. This helps him consider the ethical approaches to documentary photography in the 21st century and the connection between photographer and photographed.
He also incorporates constructed elements within his work, exploring the staged nature of images, contextualisation and our relationship with photography. This is ever important consideration, in the era of social media, image manipulation and the internet.
He traditionally works on long form personal projects, finding a story and making pictures, rather than taking pictures and developing a story around them.
In 2021 Alex completed a Masters in Documentary Photography and Photojournalism at the University of Westminster, that helped him embrace new approaches to contemporary documentary photography and take on a multidisciplinary functionality he uses today.
Education:
Documentary Photography & Photojournalism MA - University of Westminster - 2019-2021
Film Studies Ba(Hons) - University of Suffolk - 2010-2013
Group Exhibitions:
- London Festival of Architecture - Universal Expressions - The Trampery Hackney Wick - 2023
- Photo Fringe Real Utopias Eco - “How can photography make a difference to the climate crisis?” - Worthing Seafront - 2022-2023
- London Festival of Architecture - Power of Opportunities - Felsted Studios - 2022
- Galerie & CO119, Paris - Life Framer Photography Prize - Edition VI Winners - 2021
- Contour Gallery, Rotterdam - Life Framer Photography Prize - Edition VI Winners - 2020
Shortlisted Exhibitions:
- Royal Photographic Society: International Photography Exhibition 164 - 2022
- Helsinki Photo Festival - Fearless - 2021
Publications:
- Revisiting the XR Gaze Newspaper - Self Published May 2023 - Free Protest Edition of 100
- Portrait of Britain Vol. 5 - 2023 - Contributing shortlisted artist
- The Wick Newspaper - Summer 2022 - Cover Image
Interviews:
- In conversation with Photo Fringe Festival Director Claire Wearn, as part of the Open Eco exhibition - “How can photography make a difference to the climate crisis?” - August 2023
- Instagram Live Interview - My Own Eyes Are Clear - University of Westminster Online Documentary Photography & Photojournalism MA Graduates Interview - October 2020
- Life Framer Photography Prize - Human’s of the World - Winner Interview - Published December 2020
Presentations:
- PhMuseum Lab - Online Documentary Photography Masterclass with Max Pinckers - 2022 - Group presentation of the evolution of projects worked on over eight months, under the mentorship of Belgian photographer Max Pinckers
Awards:
- Portrait of Britain Vol. 5 - 2023 - Shortlisted artist
- First Prize - Life Framer Photography Prize - Humans of the World - October 2020
- Honorary Winners Mention - Life Framer Photography Prize - Civilisation - September 2020