Londonist Behind The Lens: Chris Osburn AKA Tiki Chris

By Londonist Last edited 182 months ago
Londonist Behind The Lens: Chris Osburn AKA Tiki Chris
Angels Charge Over Thee
Angels Charge Over Thee
Break
Break
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A series celebrating the talent of our friends over in the Londonist Flickr pool who make our site look pretty with their fabulous photographs. Here, they introduce themselves and share their favourite London shots. Featured here, we must declare, is one of our own.

To be honest, I'm relatively new to photography as a craft. My first professional gig was only about three years ago. I now find it hard to believe that most of my life has been spent without an SLR swinging from my neck. A lot of folks who know me these days probably find that hard to believe as well. I take a lot of photos. Indeed, it's pretty unusual to see me in public without my gear.

As a freelance photographer and contributing editor for Londonist, I'm often bopping about London taking pics for some site or publication. Roaming this mess of a conurbation for shots is without a doubt one of the most wonderful ways I know to spend my time. London is (or at least often can be) such a photogenic place. There's just something about it. I mean, for the most part, it's not incredibly beautiful … not like Paris or Barcelona anyway. Nor is London terribly stunning; you really can't compare it to the vertical awe of Manhattan or the mind boggling expanse of, say, Shanghai. However, the story London tells through its streets, landmarks and faces (oh the faces in this town!) is as compelling as any I've ever experienced. The story is one of weathering crises with resolve and engaging the world on its own terms. Through my photography, I hope to share that story with the viewer. Sometimes I think I come close to succeeding.

Of course, I don't just shoot in London. Recently, for an upcoming exhibition this summer at Leeds College of Art and Design, I travelled to my hometown of Chickamauga, Georgia (and the general nearby environs of South-eastern Tennessee and North-western Alabama) to shoot photographs depicting the area's transition from agrarian to commodity-based, with the hopes of capturing these dynamics within the context of the current economic conditions and in light of the outgoing Bush administration and the incoming Obama presidency. It was an intense journey, but I'm happy to report no one drew a gun or set their dogs on me … and I think I got some good shots!

See more of Tiki Chris at his Flickrstream and his blog. And, of course, here on Londonist!

Previous Londonist Behind The Lens posts. If you want to be featured in Londonist Behind the Lens - hooray! Email us.

Last Updated 24 January 2009