Derek Swalwell might be best known as a photographer of architecture, but between lockdowns he found a different subject to cast his eye upon; fishermen. In his personal ‘Headland’ series, he captures fishing communities along the Bellarine and Otway regions of his childhood, saying he was drawn to their “simple and uncomplicated lifestyle.” In the portraits, the men stand on the sand or near the rocky shore, peering into the camera lens with a mix of bemusement, curiosity and quiet complacency. “I found that really relaxing,” Derek says.
Interestingly there are parallels between these shots and his architecture ones. The buildings are mesmerising in a different way, beckoning the viewer to look more closely. While they are often modern, the photos are clean without being stark, bathed in a kind…