Magic Mazzer

It might be laughable to some that there are cultures in this world that believe a little bit of a person’s soul is stolen every time their picture is taken. However, photography can be a very ‘taking’ process, and in some transactions the photographer comes away very much the better off, while the subject definitely loses something – even if they can’t quite put their finger on exactly what it is that’s gone missing.

Much of the responsibility for how the photographic transaction transpires rests with the photographer, and particularly with his or her base motive for making the picture in the first place. Pictures can be taken with a positive, a negative and even a neutral attitude, and what’s swirling around in the head behind the camera will direct the experience either way. Some photographers are forceful and aggressive, and really do take something away from their subjects. Others are more connected and, in celebrating the world around them, give something to the subject, to themselves and ultimately to the viewer as well.

Bob Mazzer is very clearly the sort of photographer who likes his subjects for all their faults and who enjoys being in the company of other human beings. His new book, , is a delightful