Mark J. Davidson: The Joy of Making Photographs (Even When They Don’t Work Out)

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One of the things I appreciate most about interviewing photographers is getting to hear what motivates them to keep going. Everyone has their own reasons for picking up a camera. That’s what makes it interesting. Melbourne-based street photographer Mark J. Davidson, has his own reasons for shooting, and personally I found it pretty inspiring to hear.

If you look at Mark’s work, you’ll find some pretty striking images. He uses film, harsh light, off-camera flash, and experimental techniques that result in photographs that feel energetic, sometimes disorienting, and refreshingly unique. He’s also a member of the REVOKE photography collective and co-hosts a street photography podcast Street Life, where he’s interviewed some impressive names, including Martin Parr.

But talking to Mark, one thing you notice straightaway is just how down to earth he is about all of it. When I asked him how he developed his style, he didn’t offer some elaborate explanation about artistic vision. His answer was essentially that he’d taken a lot of bad photographs. And apparently, still does.

Mark was refreshingly candid about how much film he goes through without producing anything he’s particularly happy with. He admitted that sometimes he wonders whether he should abandon his experimental approach and return to more traditional street photography. He even confessed that, despite being well into the year, he didn’t feel he’d made many photographs worth keeping. Having already been thoroughly impressed by his work, his answers surprised me. And they comforted me a bit too. (Maybe there’s a chance I’ll create something worthwhile yet!) But I had to ask whether that ever gets discouraging. His answer was one of my favorite parts of the conversation:

“I’d still do it even if I got nothing for the rest of my life, I think.”

For Mark, photography provides a welcome counterbalance to his demanding job in radio. Getting out on the streets of Melbourne gives him time to himself, a chance to clear his head and enjoy being present. Even when the photographs don’t work out, the experience itself is worthwhile. I think there’s something worth remembering in that, especially when it’s so easy to measure our creative efforts by what we have to show for them.

We also talked about the pressure to share work on social media, the challenges of putting together a photo book, and how difficult it can be to recognize the strongest photographs in your own archive. Mark admitted