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Documenting the ordinary

Documenting the ordinary

Beyond the decisive moment A man stands beneath fluorescent lights in a New York subway station. His eyes are closed. One hand grips an electric guitar. A microphone hangs in front of his face. Behind him, a tiled mural depicts trees and open sky, transforming part of the station wall

If I were a racist (Photographer’s Cut)

If I were a racist (Photographer’s Cut)

Photography, power and the frame we don't see In his powerful poem If I Were a Racist, musician and educator Dr. Nathan Holder exposes how racism often operates not through explicit hostility but through everyday assumptions, institutional habits and inherited standards. His poem reveals how power shapes what

Photograph of Grandma Ruby and Me by LaToya Ruby Frazier

The Soulful Shutter: Why the Best Black Photography Starts in the Gut

Introduction: Beyond the Shutter Click There’s a moment, just before the shutter clicks, when everything aligns. Not technically, but spiritually. The light is soft. The subject exhales. The silence feels full. And the photographer knows. That’s the moment they shoot. Not because the settings are perfect, but because

From ally to co conspirator: when solidarity costs something

From ally to co conspirator: when solidarity costs something

Over the past decade, allyship has become a familiar part of conversations about racial justice. The term appears in workplaces, universities, community organisations, and social media campaigns. It has helped many people think more critically about privilege, prejudice, and inequality. For many, becoming an ally marks the beginning of a

Books Allies Can Read, Part Two: Photography and the Power of the Visual

Books Allies Can Read, Part Two: Photography and the Power of the Visual

In Part One, we shared 10 essential books to help allies grow in understanding and commitment to anti-racism. In this second instalment, we’re shifting the focus to photography and visual culture. Images shape how we see the world and how the world sees Black people. These books are

10 Lessons Gordon Parks taught me about photography

10 Lessons Gordon Parks taught me about photography

The photograph that changed how I looked at photographs A woman stands in front of an American flag holding a mop and a broom. At first glance, the photograph appears straightforward. The woman looks directly at the camera. The flag fills the background. The cleaning tools are held upright like

Books Allies Can Read, Part One: Understanding, Listening, and Learning

Books Allies Can Read, Part One: Understanding, Listening, and Learning

This is the first in a two-part reading list for allies. If you're here, chances are you're looking for ways to understand more, to do better, and to walk more closely in solidarity with Black communities. That starts with listening, deeply and honestly. The books