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All photography on this page is the sole copyright of Kai Murphy, full permission must be sought for any intended private or commercial use

Introducing Kai Murphy
An established talented photographer- Kai obtains stunning photographic results using a mix of old cameras and old film.  (Read The Guardian’s review of Kai by clicking here)

Kai is known to us through our mutual passion for the British coast, art, and photography. ”

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From an early age Kai had an obsession with taking apart various types of technology; radios, tape players, remote control cars. Anything mechanical he got his hands on would be unscrewed; disassembled to its smallest components and thoroughly investigated. When one day Kai got his hands on a prized family SLR he found himself in a whole heap of trouble, and not just from his mum. For once he could not put the complex contraption back together again. This brought the “Camera” to his undivided attention.

It is quite obvious that a camera is simply a box with a hole in it. Anyone can pick up this box and take a picture, this is simple. The interesting part is telling a story with that picture.
What, if anything, are you trying to say? What tale are you going to unveil? Do you sit back and observe or do you manipulate and control?

My recent exploration has been in the use of ˜junk shop” cameras. The exhibition of images from India is a slice of an ongoing adventure to let a camera tell its part of the story, to let the medium dictate a state of play.

Using fragile and temperamental cameras and a variety of half rotten film dating back to the 70’s you can’t help but give in to the fact that the result of what you’re photographing is going to be split three ways, a mix of you, machine and chemical reaction. Now, no longer is the camera a box with a hole in. It is now a characterful companion that works with you. It itself creates through mis-firing at annoyingly inopportune moments; distorting colours and contrasts however it wishes and capturing half frames on its own accord. 

I don’t want to mislead you, the film and camera is by no means conscious. The camera cannot choose, yet in a way it has already chosen. It holds a past, a long journey that makes it what it is. A reposit thought, a layered timeline filled with original and detailed imperfections. A camera dropped on its lens or a film left in the sun for too long many years ago. All these elements combined to be used at one random place at an undefined time. The camera has the freedom to tell half a story. Giving ample room for imagination, letting you mull over the narrative bestowed upon the picture.

It’s not just me, it’s my camera. 

Kai 

A camera is a key to the lives of others. An even playing field to meet upon. A shared interest or a prying eye of curiosity. The simple kindness of people giving shelter to a traveller on a perilous journey. “I cant go out taking pictures without ending up at a strangers house for tea its an occupational hazard. Especially when lugging around a big old 8x10 people just come and say hello”.