Brandon Nel | Published 1 hour ago
Street photographer Quaniet Richards’ debut solo exhibition opened in Cape Town on Thursday night and proved picture perfect.
The exhibition, The Street Is My Stage | Moments in Monochrome , was held at Dweba Art & Café on Longmarket Street.
It forms part of his community photography project #HumansOfCapeTown and also marked its official launch as an organisation.
Richards told guests photography had changed his life.
"When I started walking the streets of Cape Town with a camera a few years ago, I never imagined that it would lead to a moment like this," he said.
"It gave me space to slow down, to observe, feel and connect.
"Most importantly, it helped me dream again."
He said the project had grown into something bigger than photography.
"#HumansOfCapeTown became more than a photography project," he said.
"It became a community.
"A place where strangers became friends, where stories were shared and where people from different walks of life came together through a shared love for photography and human connection."
Richards announced four focus areas for the organisation going forward, including a youth programme called The Visionary Lens , wellness programmes, corporate photo walks, and the continuation of his free public photo community.
"I believe the most important lens we can give young people is the ability to see what is possible."
His book, #HumansOfCapeTown | silhouettes in the city , and photographic prints went on sale at the exhibition for the first time, with a portion of proceeds going towards the organisation's future programmes.
"This has never only been about photography. It has always been about people."
Richards began photography in January 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Like many people, that period was a time of uncertainty, loss and reflection.
"Photography began as a way to clear my mind and process what was happening around me, but very quickly it became something deeper.
"It gave me a voice when words felt insufficient. It helped me reconnect with myself and with people,” he said.
He said his three children are his inspiration.
“Qaylah, Aisha and Yusuf ground me, challenge me and constantly remind me to stay present.
"Much of how I see the world, and how I photograph it, is shaped by being a parent and learning to slow down and notice what truly matters,” he said.
The exhibition is open to the public from June 20 to July 18, and is free of charge.
IOL
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