We’ve
been holding the slideshow for a couple of months and now we
can do it justice. Michael was one of the first photographers
to contribute to Steal-Life.com and is now the first independent
contributor to be interviewed.
Sometimes photographs speak for themselves. These images of
the Naghol land dive are no exception. Here’s the answer
to why grown men risk their lives jumping off a cliff, and some
answers as to what makes Michael tick.
Steal-Life.com - What first interested you
in photography?
Michael Craig - For as long as I can remember I was interested
in photojournalism and newspaper and magazine photography. Interest
in making images myself came much later in life.
SL - So how long have you been working as
a professional photographer?
MC - I’ve been earning a living as a photographer since
1995.
SL - You’ve contributed to many exhibitions;
do you think it’s important to have a balance of work and
pleasure projects?
MC - We all need to earn a living and as long as there are bills
to pay I’ll take commissions. In an ideal world I would
only ever shoot self originated projects. Working on your own
project shooting pictures that tell the story as you see it
and not the client's view, is the only way to be true to your
work.
SL - The land dive pictures you’ve submitted
to us are stunning, if a little terrifying, how did you find
out about it?
MC - I met a girl at a party who told me of Vanuatu. She explained
about the cargo cult worshippers and the land divers on Pentecost
Island and promised to take me there. I’d seen one picture
of the event in National Geographic but never imagined I’d
photograph the ritual myself. That girl later became my wife
and she made good on her promise and took me to Pentecost.
SL - So what exactly is going on in the pictures?
What’s the motivation of the jumpers?
MC - The ritual is to commemorate the wife of Tamalie, a terribly
demanding man. His wife found him unbearable to live with, and
made many attempts to escape from him. One day, she had a plan.
She dared her husband to follow her up a large Banyan tree,
claiming that if they both leapt off the top and survived then
surely they were meant for each other. Tamalie accepted the
challenge, but he didn't notice that his wife had vines tied
to her ankles. So when he jumped he plunged to his death while
his wife rejoiced in her freedom. This classic tale of woman
outsmarting her man has long been a source of embarrassment
for the village males. By holding this annual ceremony and forbidding
women to even touch the tower, the men display their courage
and loyalty to their women and therefore regain their pride.
SL - You also shoot a lot of sports photography,
how important is it to capture the peak action?
MC - It depends on the client I’m working for. Some want
the goal, or the try or tackle etc. I’m more interested
in making a picture that tells the wider story.
SL - At a main event, say a world cup final,
do you feel more pressure to capture the moment that’ll
define the spectacle of the day?
MC - No matter what the event, I want to create an image that
defines the spectacle. Pressure comes from lack of preparation.
It's important to know all you can about the event before you
load your cameras.
SL - What’s your favourite sport to
shoot?
MC - Day to day I’d have to say rugby. There’s more
chance to make pictures. You can move and work different angles.
There is too much control on how you shoot football now that
it limits your pictures. The greatest event I have photographed
is the Kirkpinar olive oil wrestling festival.
SL - What sport would you like to shoot that
you’ve not had the opportunity to?
MC - Buskaschee I think it’s called. It’s a game of
polo played with the head of a goat.
SL - The Naghol land dive, olive oil wrestling,
the birdman, world gurning championships … what can we
expect next from you?
MC – I hope to return to Palestine soon to continue my
work there. I’m also working on a set of street pictures
in London and a story about dumped fridges.
To keep up with Michael check
http://www.michaelcraig.co.uk |
