Trenton Johnson-Boe
Trent is a 22yo photographer from Melbourne who collects and captures images from around the world and the local suburban streets of the South East. He has the amazing capability to capture the beauty every day settings....
Trent is a 22yo photographer from Melbourne who collects and captures images from around the world and the local suburban streets of the South East. He has the amazing capability to capture the beauty every day settings. Where most people keep on living their busy lives, passing that fire hydrant, old school car, or building facade - Trent stops and takes the time to document the things that most of us never get to see.
Australian Stitch is located on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, one of the most lively, inviting and culture packed suburbs in Melbourne. With streets littered with galleries, bars and beautiful terrace houses it only made sense that we share this beautiful place we call home, and through the eye of one of our favourite photographers.
Trent has toured around eastern Europe, Japan and New Zealand releasing bodies of work with each experience. It only takes a quick scroll through his instagram @trentjboe to see why we asked him to document our local streets of Fitzroy where the Australian Stitch store resides. His captivating eye and skill behind the camera produced some beautiful shots of the place we call home.
When Trent exposes the everyday beauty that surrounds us and tells the story that resides in what seems to be an every day setting, we begin to realise the lack of attention that is given to things that are become the 'norm'. At Australian Stitch we aim to do the same - educate and shed light on the story of your every day clothing. Our mission is the same - to reveal a narrative that sometimes goes un-noticed so that we can start to pay attention to the reasons how and why things exist.
What camera do you shoot with?
I shoot with a Nikon F3.
What film do you shoot with?
I prolifically shoot with Kodak Portra 400 for colour and TRI-X 400 for black and white.
Who develops your film?
Ikigai Camera @ikigai.camera in Williamstown, they have a profound sense of care for your images and the services they provide. Receiving scans from their Noritsu is such a pleasure.
What is it about capturing 'beauty in the norm' that is so enticing?
It’s strange because I’ve never really thought deeply about what I choose to take pictures of. When I have a camera in my hands I naturally tend to look for aesthetically pleasing facets of our environments. I guess my interests in culture, architecture and human flow pronounce this, I’m not interested in normality.
Why do you feel it is important to document these moments?
Because they are part of life. The images I make are products of what I see within my daily life. People often say to me that I’m going to interesting places all the time, but in reality it’s a side street I’m passing or a wrong turn I’ve taken that leads me to taking a picture. Our process of life is complex and so is our urban environment, it’s important to dwell on our surroundings to further understand ourselves.
Why is it important to shed light on things that most people cant see?
I would say to learn. We don’t ponder enough, we don’t question what’s in front of us, we tend to just be accepting. I thrive on learning through people, gaining insight and concepts through their own life experiences and art practice. I would hope that my images are somewhat thought provoking, rather than being simply pleasing to look at.
What projects are you working on currently?
There is no real definitive project I’m currently working on, rather I’m piecing together pictures I take with the intention of them eventually formulating some kind of narrative themselves. I think this way the images naturally work well together, if you attempt to force one specific stylistic approach the photographs loose their character. I’m currently exploring concepts of family, love, urbanisation and waste.
When can we expect to see these works?
I’m hoping 2020 will be the year that I can create a successful body of work in the form of a book, with the hopes of showcasing the work in some kind of space. Regardless, my work flow will continue. I do also hope to release some zines and create some form of blog to merge my pictures with some of my writing.