Schnappschuss: The Power to Change by David Tesinsky
Reading time: 6 minutes - May 1, 2020 - by Niels Stiefeling in an interview with David Tesinsky
There are photographers who make it their business to capture current events. Inspiring images from Germany, Japan, Iran and other countries.
Photo by David TesinskyReportage photography in the visual world
Photography can serve many different purposes. Some photographers specialize in capturing special personal moments such as weddings for eternity. Others make it their business to present people in the right light in order to be remembered in a particularly positive light for the next job application. Perhaps you simply want to have a beautiful picture of yourself or your loved ones to hang on your wall.
However, there are also other areas of photography. There are photographers who set themselves the task of capturing current events. They want to point out grievances or regions that deserve attention. Because our world is becoming more and more visual. Information is increasingly distributed via images and small, easily digestible portions. The number of active newspaper readers continues to decline, while digital media seem to be on an endless victory march. This makes considered, high-quality images that not only stand out from the crowd, but also tell a story and perhaps even make a difference, all the more valuable. Reportage photographer David Tesinsky is on a never-ending journey around the world. Always on the move, armed with a camera, he does not shy away from extreme locations. He is in the front row when it comes to capturing special moments and sharing them with the world.
Inspiration for his projects
In some cases, the origins of his projects can simply be explained by his personal interests, in other cases, historical events happen that he wants to capture. In some cases, project ideas have even emerged on location. For example, a local in Ethiopia mentioned to Tesinsky the widespread custom of performing exorcisms. He then set out to track down a practicing priest and finally managed to record such a ceremony. However, he is always on the lookout for the unusual. Things that represent a clear contrast to the social "norm". He wants to give insights into subcultures that would otherwise remain hidden to many and draw attention to the problems of this world.
Tesinsky himself says: "Photography can open eyes. I want viewers to see things my way." This is precisely what makes this medium so powerful for him. Over the years, he has created many different projects that cover a wide range of content. When asked about his most emotional moments, Tesinsky talks about the "Ende Gel?nde" protest movement. A resistance by an incredible number of activists who vehemently opposed the continued operation of the coal-fired power plant in Neurath. At such moments, he throws himself into the fray and shows the world what otherwise threatens to get lost in the jumble of news. He lets the viewer participate in raw emotions and draws pictures of pure conviction and strength.
David Tesinsky Children of Islam
David Tesinsky Children of IslamStories from around the world
However, stories that draw attention to the lack of freedom are particularly important to him. His picture series "Children of Islam" and "Dictator or gay" stand out in particular. These show the nightlife of freedom activists in Iran or portray homosexuals in Belarus. The pictures from Tehran in Iran, for example, show rebels dancing closely together to forbidden music and drinking alcohol. They are living out a freedom that no longer exists in their home country. Many of the pictures taken there were not even published. The scenes shown may look like a fun night out to us, but not like illegal activities. It's different in Iran. These people are rebelling against their government in this way, even putting themselves in danger. What is taken for granted in some parts of the world is completely unimaginable in others.
He visits a wide variety of places and in his "People's Stories" shows both typical people from next door and characters who live somewhat more unusual lives. In Japan, he visited elderly people who live more or less unnoticed in slums. He also portrayed completely overworked business people who, after thirteen-hour working days, spend the night in the middle of the city, sometimes standing, sometimes lying down, because they can't afford or don't want to take a cab home. He spent several months in the USA with various rappers. Away from densely populated civilizations, he visited peoples who live in the rainforest and are threatened by change.
David Tesinsky Rap is our ReligionFocus on people
After initial research into new projects, he often starts by making contact with locals in his travel destinations quite by chance. In the digital age, Facebook and the like are a great help in all of this. At first, David even had problems approaching strangers. This improved over time. Many heart-warming and open encounters have shown how similar most people are at their core. He even says that these have helped him to heal his soul and ensured that he is doing well today. Even though his photographic works are all very different in terms of subject matter, they are all united by certain characteristics. They are about people, emotions and change. Even if people around the world are struggling with different problems, in the end it is often about similar themes: Freedom, the fight against oppression and dreams. This fight for dreams unites many of the people portrayed, regardless of their circumstances, local difficulties or ethnicity.
Tesinsky wants to make a difference with his pictures - and he does. He shows impressive shots of environments that we would never have seen ourselves, of people whose problems we will probably never experience first-hand. And yet his photos have a clear visual language. They tell us a story that everyone understands, no matter what language they speak. They bring us closer to other people's lives and show us what other people in the world have to struggle with. His pictures leave a lasting impression. They create an awareness of issues that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. The power of images can make a difference - photography can do that too.
"Schnappschuss" magazine
The Foto Koch magazine is modern, creative and unique in terms of design and content.
more information
more info and more
Works by the artist:
David Tesinsky - www.tesinskyphoto.com
Instagram: @tesinskydavid
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DavidTesinskyOfficial
