It’s Just What It Is—A Glimpse Into Photographer Nigel Shafran’s Workbooks 1984–2024
Nigel Shafran’s work is a testament to the art of visual storytelling, where each image speaks volumes yet leaves room for personal interpretation. His latest publication, Workbooks 1984–2024, offers an intimate look into four decades of his life and creative journey, curated through the lens of his notebook diaries.
The Essence of Openness in Shafran’s Work
Speaking with Nigel Shafran feels like a dynamic exchange, where each statement is met with reflection and reevaluation. His approach to photography emphasizes openness, inviting viewers to derive their own meanings from his work. As he puts it, “You don’t want anything to be closed about what it means. You want everyone to [see] what it is for them.” This philosophy of ambiguity is a hallmark of Shafran’s aesthetic, allowing each photograph to resonate uniquely with its audience.
From Commercial Projects to Personal Chronicles
In distinguishing between commercial work and personal projects, Shafran highlights the latter as his true artistic endeavor. His fashion photography for various high-profile magazines represents his professional commitment, but it is through publications like The Well and now Workbooks 1984–2024 that he explores deeper narratives. This blending of personal life with artistry reflects an interconnectedness where both realms influence one another.
An Intimate Journey Through Time
Workbooks 1984–2024 reveals Shafran’s methodical yet spontaneous process of archiving his experiences. Co-edited with Linda van Deursen, the book features pages from his notebook diaries—snapshots pasted into a book, photographed, and then printed—a testament to his evolving visual language. Despite being four times removed from reality, these images maintain an authenticity that resonates with the viewer.
The 1980s: A Time of Energetic Exploration
Particularly striking are the diary entries from the 1980s, a period Shafran describes as “energetic, naive, thoughtless.” These pages capture an undomesticated sense of daily life and youth’s inherent freedom—a stark contrast to later years. The rawness and spontaneity in these early works provide a poignant glimpse into his formative artistic phase.
Continued Playfulness and Wonder
In the present day, Shafran’s work for prominent fashion outlets retains its sense of playfulness—a trait that has not diminished with time. Workbooks 1984–2024 underscores his enduring fascination with discovering beauty in the mundane and unexpected.
The Analog Collage Aesthetic
A unique aspect of Shafran’s workbooks is their textless presentation, allowing the visuals to communicate without interpretive essays or statements. The inclusion of personal notes—ranging from quotes to grocery lists—adds a layer of intimacy and insight into his daily life and creative process.
Conclusion: The Power of Visual Storytelling
Workbooks 1984–2024 by Nigel Shafran, published by Loose Joints, stands as a powerful testament to the impact of visual storytelling. Through its pages, readers are invited into Shafran’s world—where every photograph is an open-ended narrative, and every diary entry offers a window into his evolving artistic journey.
Shafran’s work continues to inspire with its blend of vulnerability, openness, and creative exploration—a reminder that art can be both deeply personal yet universally resonant.