2. Klavdij Sluban – Working with Adolescent Prisons
“To work for a long period inside a jail you do need a certain kind of trust from
the prisoners side you must ensure subjects are aware and believe in your
project. Its your job as a photographer to do that.”
Adolescence is a crucial period of one’s life. I decided to photograph this age
group within Prisons because of their energy. To be imprisoned at this young age
means they have a quest beyond the norm, I show them how their energy (rage,
violence, hatred...) can be channeled through art. It is much more efficient. And
on top of it, you can even be rewarded for it through recognition, because we all
need recognition.
The primary goal is photographic. To show the kids something constructive is
possible in these conditions. It’s very important to have a precise goal, but it is
also out of moral considerations. I do not question the fact they are in jail, but I
give them the tool to question themselves, their confinement, and the space they
are confined in. The work has 2 results, exposure to ousiders and an attempt to
help the insiders, to take them out of their imprisonment without them leaving.
3. Klavdij Sluban – Working with Adolescent Prisons
• What made Sluban start the work?
• What makes the work interesting?
• Whats the concept/purpose?
• Why do you think the prisoners believe there
is nothing to photograph in the prison?
• What does the work tell you about the
prisoners?
• Why is your favourite thing about the work?
5. Camera tech/Composition Personal Give something back to your subjects
Reveal
Information
Trust of the subjects
High level Aesthetics
What should a photographers body of
work contain?
Discovery
Answers to questions
Passion
A Point of view
originality Effort
