interview

Tineke van der Walle is a 24-year-old photographer from Auckland, New Zealand. From photo essays of a cheeky ‘Boobs on Bikes’ parade or a stirring hikoi (protest march), to simply her local neighbourhood, Tineke’s interpretations are always insightful and capture an energy most people simply register then walk away from.

I’ve known the talented (and super funny) Teen for a few years and am a huge fan of her photography! I talked to Tineke about her background, her approach and delved into the background of some of her favourite shots.

CFS: How and when did you first get into photography? Is it something you’ve always been interested in?

TVDW: It’s in my history. Although no van der Walle has ever gone pro, my whole family has always had a real passion for it. My grandparents were amateur photographers and that interest was passed onto my dad and then to my sister and me as well. We have thousands, no – probably millions, of pictures of us all growing up. My dad says we were “the most photographed kids in the world”.

My father has owned a photographic store for over 20 years now so that was a real driving force. I was printing and processing film from the age of 14 and I love that I have had that experience with a lab. You also get to look at thousands and thousands of other people’s memories and private moments, it’s quite voyeuristic in a way!

I also had to take peoples passport photos and recall doing an early ’series’ with them. It basically involved keeping the 2 prints that would otherwise go in the bin. I think I collected about 50, seeing all the different people and faces that had come in for one simple photograph was interesting to me. So yes, it’s something that is ingrained into me and working in my dad’s shop really brought it out.

CFS: What do you look for when you’re out shooting?

TVDW: I think I look for what a lot of people’s minds do naturally. In a kind of subconscious way I’m very aware of patterns, shapes, linear forms, structures and the use of space… Things like that.

On a more personal level I enjoy documenting people, animals, capturing moments of interaction and street photography. I can get inspired in a variety of environments. Usually when I’m traveling somewhere new or experiencing something I haven’t before. Something as simple as photographing where they grow hothouse tomatoes, to the streets of Rome!

CFS: What equipment do you use to make your pictures?

TVDW: Different bits and bobs over the years. I got my first DSLR just last year, a Pentax IST DS with a basic 18-55mm lens. If not that, then whenever I can I yoink my work’s camera which is a Nikon D70s and use its awesome wide angle. But to be honest I’m really not a techy geary type of person. I don’t necessarily pine over expensive equipment or brands, as I’m not really all that technical anyway.

My sister and I joke about it. She works for Canon in London and has such a wealth of knowledge of camera gear but can’t shoot for shit. I can see what would make a good photo and can produce it but know bugger all about gear. If only we could combine our skills!

Apart from digital stuff I’ve used all sorts of film SLR’s. Olympus’s, Nikon’s, and Canon’s… I think I remember using a Seagull in college? I have also experimented in box cameras and rangefinder cameras etc.

Luckily for me, my dad might make an exciting deal at his shop and will loan me an old Leica to use for the weekend just to try it out. When I visit his shop it’s sometimes like going shopping, but it’s all on loan. I borrow a camera for a week and then take it back and get the film processed; I constantly use something different, which I really enjoy.

I love film; I love the mystery of it, love not knowing what the image is going to be like.

CFS: Out of all your fascinating photographs, can you choose some of your favourite images and tell me about them?

TVDW: I’ve narrowed it down to my CURRENT faves…

I have a thing about reflections. I have a few photos that are similar to this one on my computer right now. I think I’m going through a phase of looking into puddles. I really love how it skews the perception of the viewer and I relish the confusion it causes!

I enjoy that it challenges the mind and muddles it for a second. We’re not used to seeing buildings upside down! I also love the colours and the somewhat gradual fade from the gravel, into what looks like a muddy puddle, into the image of the building on the top right.

TVDW: Another photograph that tickles my fancy for perception. This was shot underneath Auckland’s harbour bridge. I’m sure it’s a regular spot for photographers as I’ve already met two people that have shot in this area as well! But I don’t care; I love the linear of the columns and the effect of black fading to white.

TVDW: Something different here. I did a series on Dominion Rd while I was attending a photography course. I chose the road as its somewhere I’ve always been attracted to, lived close to and it contains a lot of Auckland history. I photographed the people, places and buildings of the road that I felt portrayed the essence of the area.

I popped into the St Alban’s church and found these ladies busy spring-cleaning. They asked me if I was a worker bee there to help out for the day. They let me take some photos of them and the church and I just thought this one was just so kiwi and cute.

TVDW: The epitome of a kiwi farm shed – I took this while on an Easter holiday in the Waikato. Friends and I stayed at a bach that was located on an old sheep farm. The colour version of this is also interesting – it really displays what I first photographed it for which was a perfect gradual line down the middle of the can. The can had been there for so long the colour had faded on the right hand side and the left was as vivid as when it was first placed there.

CFS: In terms of theme, what directions are you pursuing next?

Currently I’m very excited about documenting rural New Zealand. There’s something about it that is striking and grungy. I get a real kick out of taking interesting photos of my country, because to be honest, I’m just so damn proud of it. For me, this photograph ["Rustproof", above] sums all that up in one can.

For more of her work visit www.tineke.co.nz. Thanks Tineke!

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