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 Joe 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.
