Hi I’m Hark1karan. I am a community photographer and outsider artist. I take photos of Punjabis, Sikhs and various aspects of London culture. And a few other things in between.

I think that if you want something to exist, then go out and create it yourself. That’s a big part of this London DIY culture. It’s a cultural characteristic and a continuous one at that. A massive part of my work is collaborating with people from my communities. This allows me to capture photos with closeness and care, offering the viewer a different perspective. That way photography is much more than a process of capturing light in a single moment.

Instagram @hark1karan

FAQS

Where are you from? And where are you from, from? South London and Punjab.

How long have you been taking photographs? Probably since a child on and off. Seriously with more direction, from around 2014 onwards.

Do you shoot film? 95% of the time.

What film do you use? A few different ones. Mostly Kodak Portra and Ilford HP5 for black and white.

How many rolls of film do you use in a month? I’d say around 20. Not too many. This will cover me for all my various work.

Do you use digital? The last time I shot digitally was London Fashion Week 2020 or for more fast-paced events such as Bhangra competitions. Oh yeah and my smartphone camera.

Do you stage or digitally edit your photographs? None of the street or documentary photographs are staged. My fashion and some portrait work do involve planning and working with others. I’m not one to really edit my photographs, just a little exposure correction.

Who are your photographic influences? Surprisingly I don’t have many photographic influences. It’s more the act of taking photographs to tell stories and challenge narratives. Alex Webb is one photographer I enjoy, his work is unparalleled. Christoper Anderson is also someone pushing boundaries. Charlie Philips and James Barnor inspired me to document Punjabis and Sikhs after seeing them both speak at Lenses of Croydon.

One of your favourite aspects of photography? Meeting new people. I love meeting new people.

Did you learn photography at college? No, I am self-taught and still learning.

Do you have a book of your photography available? My first book ‘PIND – Portrait of a Village in Rural Punjab’ (self-published), my second book KISAAN (self-published), and Grass Roots (Out of Place Books).

What advice would you give to someone starting in photography? Make sure it’s fun and you enjoy it. Tell the story you want to tell. You’ll learn many things on the way and meet many people.

Is there anything else that people should know? If your work is about community, then remember the following from Susan Sontag – “To take a photograph is to participate in another person’s (or thing’s) mortality, vulnerability, mutability… All photographs testify to time’s relentless melt… Photographs cannot create a moral position, but they can reinforce one—and can help build a nascent one.”.

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Instagram @hark1karan

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