It all began four years ago when I visited Japan with my first camera, the Sony RX100. The pictures that I captured on this little camera came out so well that I decided to take things to the next level. When I returned to London, I almost felt as if I was looking at my life through a new lens. I decided to turn the camera on my own world, and turned my hand to street photography. I would wake up early and head to a different part of London every day, just to capture moments as the city woke up and came alive.
I believe my photography reflects London, the city that I grew up in. I enjoy shooting on rainy cloudy days and capturing darker tones with splashes of vibrant colour.
I think my style is forever changing. Even when I look back at photos that I shot a year ago, they are completely different to what I’m shooting now. When I first started out, my photos were brighter and more saturated, whereas my work at present is more subdued.
I think most people would agree, London has a special energy to it. The architecture in the city strikes that rare balance between old and new, and its skyline is one of the best in the world. London’s diversity is also what makes it unique. Wherever you go, you are sure to meet new characters and have experiences that few cities in the world can compete with.
I try not to overthink while taking photos. I feel that if I analyse the scene and composition too much, I detach myself from the moment. I prefer to shoot freely, then review the photos and process at a later date.
A rainy day in central London is my favourite environment to shoot in. Fortunately, we have a lot of those here. :D
Knowing that every day when I leave my house there is an opportunity to capture a new moment keeps me inspired. To stay inspired, I have a rule: at least once every three months, I travel to somewhere new for a few days. I’ve found this to be the best way to stay sharp. As a result, each time I return to London I return with renewed focus and energy.
I hope that when viewers look through my body of work, they can see how my style has and continues to evolve — and to know that's OK. Art has no limitations. If you feel like changing your style, change it. As soon as you try to bottleneck your creativity it will stop being enjoyable, and I think that always shows in your art.
Many of my colleagues in the field tell me that my work has captured a ‘moment’. This is something I always appreciate hearing, because it’s specifically what I try to do. I don't often press that shutter button down unless I can capture a ‘moment’. I believe this is the difference between taking a good picture and telling a story.
I can’t say that any other specific words come to mind when people describe my work. But, when someone does see my work for the first time, the conversation often changes from photography to travelling. If I am honest, this is what makes me happiest about my work. It’s a reflection of both my adventures and my everyday escapades in the city that I call home.
EREN SARIGUL is a self-taught photographer and filmmaker. Specialising in travel, lifestyle and city photography, Eren’s inspiration behind the lens of his camera has been shaped by being both a proud Londoner and Istanbulite. His work focuses on his passion for travel, which constantly keeps him inspired and motivated to capture the world around him.
Shoots with: Fujifilm Xpro2
Website: https://erenjam.com
Instagram: @erenjam