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Viewfinder: Tom Morbey

Viewfinder: Tom Morbey

For this week’s Viewfinder, we chatted to Edinburgh-based photographer Tom Morbey (@tommorbey). What started with a point-and-shoot camera and childhood obsession with photographing wildlife, has now grown into a career capturing people, places and stories from all around the world. Find out more about Tom, his travels, and where they have led him below.

What's your story?

I have faint memories of spending ALL of my pocket money on a small Canon point-and-shoot camera. I must have been 10 years old at the time. I was desperate to take photos of the caterpillars I was collecting, and of all the chickens we had in the garden. ‘Wildlife photographer’ was my self-proclaimed profession from the instant that camera arrived. Years later, when the 2012 Olympics came around, I remember feeling so restricted by how little I could zoom in on the athletes from afar. When I got home, I drained my pocket money again to upgrade, and a few years later I upgraded for a third time, getting my first DSLR for my 16th birthday. I started photographing friends for my school art course, and later met a good friend who introduced me to editing (nice one, Ben).

Fast forward more than a decade of travelling, working in the industry, and obsessing over photographing people, and I’m lucky enough to take photos for a living. Today, I still lose sleep over the obsession, and somehow fall deeper in love with it every day. More recently, I’ve begun focusing on medium-format film in an effort to learn the craft more deeply. I’m looking forward to seeing what the next few years have in store for me and my camera(s)!

Tell us about 5 of your favourite images



Vietnam Portraits

It’s too tricky to choose just one street portrait from Vietnam, so I’ve chosen four that I captured across the country. I spent 6 months travelling around South East Asia, and I found the Vietnamese people particularly compelling to photograph. There was so much character in the faces I came across, which made for some exciting moments looking through the viewfinder. I’d spot people in the street, gesture to ask if I could take their portrait, and buy something from their stall if they were selling anything. Most of these interactions lasted only 10-30 seconds, and I loved the uncertainty of not knowing who you’re going to meet, or what kind of photograph I’d walk away with. 


Venice Beach Skater

I’ve visited Venice Beach Skate Park on numerous occasions, and each time I’ve come away with some of my favourite shots. You’re completely spoiled for photo opportunities there. Skaters are naturally photogenic, often incredibly fashionable, and almost always open to being photographed. Combine that with a beautiful sunset, and it’s no surprise this became one of my favourites. I’d say this photo sums up a lot of what I love about photography: people, sport, golden hour, and travelling to get the shot. It was later picked up by Canon Canada too, which was a nice surprise! 


Ukrainian Memorial

I feel this photo sums up my ongoing personal project that I’ve been pursuing. This year, I’ve been documenting life in Ukraine in an attempt to better understand the people living through the ongoing war and to hear about their personal experiences as they navigate everyday life. The people I’ve met during my two visits have been incredibly kind, hospitable and generous in giving me their time and trust as I’ve explored their country. It’s difficult to articulate the extent of my admiration for their bravery and resilience during such a challenging time. The two and a half weeks I’ve spent there in total have involved many hours in shelters, hundreds of thousands of steps, countless conversations with incredible people, and 40-ish rolls of medium format film. I hope I’m lucky enough to visit again, it’s definitely my favourite place I’ve photographed.


Beverly Hills Surgery

I’m constantly surprised by the opportunities that arise when you have a camera in hand, and this was a particularly memorable one. I was shooting alongside my colleagues (and best mates) on a documentary project in LA. Long story short, the main subject of the documentary was having skin removal surgery, and I had the opportunity to photograph inside the operating theatre while it was happening. The sounds, smells and general intensity of the whole process were completely foreign to me, and it was an experience I feel very fortunate to have witnessed. I didn’t trip over or break anything, but I did leave with some blood on my shoe and a few fairly jarring noises stuck on repeat in my head. 10/10 experience, might do again.


Racing Through Times Square

I was in NYC for work, shooting a handful of events and interviews, and had a good amount of free time to explore after hours. My friend and I spent this particular evening wandering around Times Square, completely overwhelmed and giddy at all the photo opportunities. It was TIPPING it down too. We were completely drenched, and at some point a handful of flashing lights came racing through the square. I love the combination of the rain, the bright lights of Times Square and the instantly recognisable cop car. I have very fond memories of that trip, and this shot brings them all flooding back.


What's your favourite thing to do that has nothing to do with photography?

Running! Being outside and exerting myself is a massive relief and a highlight of my day, especially after a long day of editing, directing subjects, or looking at a screen. Going non-verbal whilst sprinting down a hill is a huge form of relief, at least for me. It helps me switch off, but it’s also the source of some of my favourite creative thoughts as I’m brainstorming on the move. I also photograph running plenty, so it ties in nicely to my job. Understanding the subjects I photograph comes in very handy, as well as being able to keep up with them!


What's something you can't live without on a shoot?

At least two emergency meal deals. If I get hangry while shooting it’s game over, so I’ve always got pasta and a sandwich ready to go at a moment’s notice.

 

Huge thanks to Tom for taking part in this edition of our Viewfinder series. Keep up with Tom Morbey and his work via Instagram or website. If you'd like to take part in our Viewfinder series, please get in touch at hey@tenslife.com for more info.

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Viewfinder: Soo Burnell

Viewfinder: Soo Burnell

In this week’s Viewfinder, we’re stepping into the world of Soo Burnell (@soo.burnell), Edinburgh-based photographer. Inspired by architecture, history and the quiet presence of people within a space, Soo’s work captures moments that feel timeless and personal. From historic bathhouses in Japan to swimming pools closer to home, each image tells a story. Find out more about Soo Burnell and her inspirations by reading on. What's your story? I've always been fascinated with people and architecture. This goes back to my childhood growing up in Edinburgh and being surrounded by so many incredible historic buildings. I think as a child you can soak this in without being aware of it. That was my experience during a shoot at Glenogle Baths in Stockbridge, which I thought would be a one-off project, but it was the catalyst for something much bigger as I went on to photograph more and more pools for my poolside collection. As a child, I'd spent years jumping in and out of the Glenogle pool without paying any attention to the details and the scale and grandeur of the space. I only really appreciated the architecture when I returned as an adult, but those childhood memories made that connection feel deeper. I got my first camera when I was 13, and I bought my first dark room with money that my grandad had left me. All my early photos were portraits of my friends. When I started developing photographs I never wanted to stop, and, to be honest, I still miss making images that way. After leaving school, I went on to study photography. While my work now focuses on architecture and spaces, there are always figures within those spaces, grounding each scene. I'm still drawn to the presence of those figures and to their untold stories. Tell us about 5 of your favourite images At the Onsen I photographed this piece at Hōshi Onsen, at Chojukan, in the Gunma mountains in Japan, for my collection At the Onsen. The hot spring baths are housed within this incredible timber building, and while the baths are shared, the changing rooms are separated with red fabric for women and black fabric for men. I loved this warm colour and the 'hidden' feeling of this moment. A Place to Ourselves This piece was also photographed at Chojukan, at a second onsen, Tamaki No Yu. There are two baths here: a large cypress bath indoors and this open air bath. I love the stillness of this moment, and this sense of sinking deeper into the hot water while enclosed by trees, gazing up towards the sky. The Plesman Staircase I photographed a collection at The Plesman in The Hague when I was artist-in-residence there, and the collection is on display throughout the hotel. I love the dynamic form of this spiral staircase as you move up through the building, and the soft, chalky tones work so beautifully with the natural light here. This gentle palette guided my approach with the figures and their styling. The Beach of Scheveningen Part of The Plesman Collection, I also photographed at locations around The Hague, including the beach of Scheveningen. I'm drawn to the simplicity and the fluidity of this moment on the beach, with this very restrained colour palette that I love. While calm, I also enjoy the feeling of movement within this scene. Summer Swim at Molitor This photo is from a series I shot at Molitor as part of my bigger collection of Parisian pools called Dans le bleu. I was fascinated by the history of this building as Molitor was one of the city's most popular swimming baths for six decades, from 1929 until it closed in 1989, after which artists moved in and transformed the abandoned building. When the site was redeveloped to create the hotel, the indoor and outdoor pools were rebuilt to reflect their original aesthetic. I love the strong colour blocks and the symmetry of this pool. What has your favourite shoot location or subject been? It's really hard to choose one, particularly as I spend months researching and planning each shoot, so I become very involved with each location. But if I had to choose, I'd say the mountains of the Gunma Prefecture in Japan. I visited the historic onsen at Sekizenkan, and then travelled higher into the mountains to shoot at Hōshi Onsen and Tamaki Onsen at Chojukan. I spent just over a year planning for my collection At the onsen, researching traditional bathhouses – both the onsen I visited in the mountains and the urban sento in Tokyo. But travelling up into the mountains was overwhelmingly beautiful. For me it's also about the people I meet on these trips. In Japan, I was meeting the families who have owned and run these bathhouses, in some cases for centuries, and listening to their history and their stories. It was an incredible experience. What's your favourite thing to do that has nothing to do with photography? Forest walks with my dogs Ruby and Nola always come top of my list. I enjoy exploring galleries, particularly Modern One gallery on Belford Road, and I love the Royal Botanical Gardens. I have been spending a lot of time there lately for a new project I am working on. And great coffee houses, always, particularly Ante on Haddington Place or The Milkman on Cockburn Street.   Huge thanks to Soo for taking part in this edition of our Viewfinder series. Keep up with Soo Burnell and her work by heading to his Instagram @soo.burnell or website. If you'd like to take part in our Viewfinder series, please get in touch at hey@tenslife.com for more info.

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Viewfinder: Freddie Roach

Viewfinder: Freddie Roach

This week in the Viewfinder, we're catching up with Melbourne-based photographer Freddie Roach (@freddieroach._). From the quiet streets of Japan to everyday moments closer to home, Freddie's work is rooted in observation, capturing honest, unscripted scenes that invite us to slow down and look a little closer and find beauty in ‘mundane’ moments.  What's your story? Photography started as a way to process the world without having to be at the centre of it. I’ve always been an observer, someone who prefers to watch how life unfolds rather than step into the fray. That curiosity naturally led me to a camera, it gave me a reason to engage with my surroundings on my own terms. My perspective really shifted during a trip to Japan. Being in such a vibrant and high-energy place, I realised that photography wasn't just a hobby, it was a way to express myself. I found that by looking for the small and quiet details that most people walk past, I could better understand the cities I was visiting and the people living in them. I’m drawn to the "mundane", the fleeting, everyday moments that actually make up the bulk of our lives. In a world that feels increasingly loud and overstimulated, I’m interested in documenting the pauses. I want my work to reflect the authentic pulse of a place, capturing those honest and unscripted instances that define how we live. For me, photography is simply the art of slowing down and paying attention. Tell us about 5 of your favourite images Merc There was this old, neglected Mercedes parked a few streets away from where I was staying. I’d run past it in the dark almost every morning but one day I was running a little late. Just as I passed, the light caught the front of the car and I realised that if the sun hit it at just the right angle, it would cast a perfect shadow. I sprinted home, grabbed my camera and fumbled to load a roll of film before sprinting back. I spent those next few minutes just watching the light, crossing my fingers that the morning dew would hold out against the sun. Luckily, it did. It’s one of those shots that wouldn’t have the same soul without that bit of moisture catching the light, it turned a quiet, forgotten moment into something worth holding onto. Mirror I spent last Christmas in Tokyo, juggling a few projects but I had one specific mission in mind: finding the perfect convex mirror. They’re such an iconic part of the city's backstreets and I had this vision of what I wanted the shot to look like. I ended up dedicating an entire day to wandering the narrowest alleys I could find, just hunting for the right angle. It didn’t exactly mirror the scene I had mapped out in my head but there’s a certain honesty in that. Sometimes you go looking for a specific frame but the city decides to give you something else entirely, and honestly, that’s usually how the best ones turn out. Shadow Play This was one of those shots where the vision was way clearer in my head than it was in practice. I’ve always been obsessed with shadow play and I really wanted to pull off this specific alignment. It turned into a bit of a technical wrestle, fiddling with the settings while trying to get the geometry of the shadows to snap into place, but all that back-and-forth was worth it. I’m stoked with how it came together. Tokyo Tower Reflection I spent that day drifting through Tokyo without a map or a destination. My only objective was to observe and absorb. I eventually found myself gravitating toward Tokyo Tower, but as I hit a crosswalk, I happened to turn around and caught this reflection. I actually revisited the same spot months later at the precise hour, hoping to replicate it, but the light refused to cooperate. It’s a humbling reminder that while we can prepare for the shot, serendipity often plays a more significant role in capturing something worth keeping. Shrine Cat I was making my way up the stairs at Fushimi Inari in Kyoto when I stumbled upon an elderly couple tending to the shrine cats. I held back at first, deciding to simply observe out of respect for the moment, until one of the cats stood up and shifted the energy of the scene. I’m glad I eventually took the shot, it feels like a small, private favour granted by that cat. Some of the most rewarding images come from knowing when to step back and wait for the subject to give you an opening. I owe that cat! What would be your dream location or subject to shoot? My dream gig is definitely working as an on-set stills photographer for a feature film. I’ve always been drawn to those behind-the-scenes shots that capture the raw, candid moments you never see on screen. There’s something fascinating about the atmosphere on a movie set, the mix of high-stakes pressure and intense creativity. I’d love to be in that environment, documenting the quiet focus and the small, human interactions that happen between takes when the cameras aren't rolling. To me, capturing that level of intimacy while surrounded by artists at the top of their game would be incredibly inspiring. What's a memorable moment from a shoot that's stayed with you? My favourite moments usually happen when I’m out shooting, specifically the connections I make with people who don't speak the same language as me. There’s something incredibly genuine about those interactions, where you’re both trying to bridge a gap without a single word that makes sense to the other person, but you still find a way to communicate. Those raw, unfiltered exchanges are honestly the highlight of travelling for me. It’s a reminder that we can find common ground almost anywhere if we just pay attention. Capturing that humanity and being able to connect with people from completely different walks of life is what makes the whole process so rewarding for me.   A huge thanks to Freddie for taking part in this edition of our Viewfinder series. Keep up with Freddie Roach and his work by heading to his Instagram @freddieroach._ or website. If you'd like to take part in our Viewfinder series, please get in touch at hey@tenslife.com for more info.

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Behind the Scenes: The Bandit

Behind the Scenes: The Bandit

Raised on the Isle of Tiree, Ben Larg has gone from surfing Scotland’s wild coastline to taking on some of the biggest waves in the world. Now Scotland’s first professional surfer, Ben competes Internationally throughout the year and has become a key figure in the Scottish surf scene. Read our full Q&A with Ben below on how this Tens collaboration came about, the inspiration behind the new Bandit frame, and plans for the Summer ahead. How did this collaboration with Ben come about? Steve: Well, obviously we've been aware of Ben for a long time. He's one of Scotland's top surfers, we followed him on Instagram, he's a really cool guy, and someone we've wanted to do stuff with for a while. Then we were filming something at Lost Shore surf resort, and I think it was our marketing manager, Izzy, that bumped into Ben, chased him down and got him in a pair of Tens. I think after that we just kept bumping into Ben and his family. We did an interview with his parents for the Meander Apparel magazine and we thought we've got to do something here, and came up with the idea of creating Ben's perfect sunglasses and doing something together. Ben, tell us about the time you first tried Tens? Ben: Well I actually I saw Tens for the first time quite a while ago. I think I first saw the brand through a friend mutual friend of ours, Jacob Mellish, when he had a set on. I saw the glasses and I thought oh those are super cool and then someone from the brand sent us a load of the glasses to try out. I had a few cool sets but all my mates were stealing the glasses and I managed to keep one set for myself that I wore for two years... then I think they got stolen by a mate as well. How have you guys found the design process? Ben: Yeah it's been really exciting for me, I've never really been involved in kind of making my own branded glasses from scratch or anything like that so, you know, I've really enjoyed the design part of it along with the Tens guys. Yeah it's been fun. Steve: Yeah, I'd say Ben has been really involved, it's not just putting Ben's name on a pair of sunglasses and using him in all the imagery. We had our first meeting where we brought Ben's favourite sunglasses and a few from the Tens range together, and I'd say Ben's got a really good eye for detail. He picked up on things like the front angle of thesunglasses and came up with the idea for some pearlescent under the arm that looks cool when you put the glasses up to the light. Then when we've been trying on the prototypes, Ben picks up on these small things around how it's sitting on the nose and for someone who doesn't have a design background, I'd say you've got that real eye, something you could probably do after surfing I reckon.  Ben, what's bringing the Good Vibes this summer? Ben: What's bringing the good vibes? Wow, well, I'm going away to Indonesia so I'm excited about that, I'm definitely going to need my glasses there. Then also Tyree Music Festival in July, I'm excited for that, that'll be good fun and I think you guys are going to join us there. And finally, what are the new frames named after? Ben: Well the new sunglasses, it was actually my mum that thought of the name I think the guys, my mum and dad, they've always called us bandits since I was a kid, I don't know why but it's been like my nickname so the glasses are called the bandits now so that was my mother's doing. Shop the Bandit frame: click here  

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