Mish Aminoff is a London based photographer and interdisciplinary artist whose images do more than simply record they observe, reflect, and invite us into the everyday in one of the greatest citys in the world.
Her eye is drawn to the little moments, quirky juxtapositions, text in the urban landscape, people whose presence feels real, and scenes that if you didn’t look carefully, you might pass right by.
Originally an art historian, Mish went on to study photography at the University of Westminster. She taught interdisciplinary cultural studies at the Open University and then focussed on teaching film studies in adult education. Mish now concentrates on her photography and artwork and publishes a regular photography blog, She is also @mishaminoff on Instagram.
Her blog posts and galleries show a range of subject matter from street signs and graffiti, to reflections, to portraits, to more abstract compositions derived from layers of urban texture who’s contents are imbued with the spirit of ‘Wabi Sabi’ the Japanese aesthetic and philosophical concept that finds beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness. It’s often described as the opposite of Western ideals of perfection, symmetry, and permanence. Instead, it celebrates the natural cycle of growth and decay, the marks of time, and the quiet dignity of the humble and unrefined. This is particularly evident in the Objet Trouvé Gallery.
What ties all these things together is her sensitivity to storytelling. How a slogan on a T-shirt, a protest banner, or a fleeting expression can carry weight, humour, politics, and identity.
One of her recent series is Visual Haiku, which mines photographs taken over many years in London. She pairs these images with texts she comes across in daily life graffiti, signage, tattoos, and more arranging them so that they echo the structure of a traditional haiku. It’s not just about form, but about mood: ephemera, nature, human traces, fleeting moments.
Ultimately, her photography feels like walking through London with a sharp, generous gaze noticing what others might overlook, and making visible the textures of city life, the voices in the margins, the signs and symbols that both shape and are shaped by who we are.
Recently I caught up with Mish and had the opportunity to ask her the following qustions. Each answer is illustrated with some pertinent images in the slide show at the end of the Q&A session.
Q. When you’re out shooting, do you wait for a moment to unfold, or do you move quickly and instinctively through the streets?
A. Definitely more the second option. I’m not a “lurker”. I have zero expectations when I walk the streets, and I like it that way. This might sound like a contradiction but I also trust that I will see something that will pique my interest at some point. It could be anything rather than a specific agenda and that’s what I love - the sense of freedom and spontaneity. (Photo: Torn in NYC, below)
Q. How do you navigate the line between documenting everyday life and respecting the privacy of the people you photograph?
A. I think a lot of it is to do with intention. If my intention is respectful and non-ridiculing then I think it’s ok. Plus I try not to post anything that I would consider unflattering to that person. Some of my street shots are completely candid but there are often situations where I ask people for permission to take their photo. Recently during the London heatwave I asked a woman carrying a handheld fan if I could take her photo - she told me she was a teacher and didn’t want to appear on social media but allowed me to photograph her if I cropped her head off! On the same day I saw a woman wearing a handmade head wreath; she was walking a couple of kids - not her own - back from nursery and one of them had made the wreath. The kids were perfectly happy to be photographed but out of respect for the parents I didn’t include them just in case; and relied one the inclusion of soft toys to connote the presence of children ( Photo: Walking with a Fan and Woman with Head wreath below).
Q: What role did chance play in capturing your most memorable images?
A: Tough one! I think it depends on how you define chance. For example - a certain light that makes for interesting reflections and shadows - is that chance or observation? (Photo: hoodie reflection and facial illusion below)There are situations though where I am photographing one thing - in this instance street signs strewn on a pavement with arrows pointing in different directions which I found quite surreal - when I spotted Soho George. So I used the opportunity to combine the imagery in a portrait. (Photo: Soho George - Which Way? below)
Q: How do you feel street photography has changed with the rise of smartphones and social media?
A: On the one hand the rise of smartphones means that street photography is available to everyone at any moment - and it’s relatively low cost especially compared to analogue film photography. You don’t have to be carrying something bulky if you want to walk around hands free. For example - I shot this abstract reflection on an iPhone whilst waiting for a bus after an outdoor salsa dance event where it would have been awkward dancing with my camera. (Photo: 214 bus reflection iPhone image.below)
The downside is that one can feel overwhelmed and inundated by the trend of constant posting. I’d rather be selective about what I “consume”. I’m like that when it comes to music, food and film but it’s harder to do that on social media.
Q: Can you recall a time when a stranger’s reaction to being photographed changed how you thought about your work?
A: Not exactly. However it’s a very nice feeling when people ask for a print, and I know that my work is being appreciated and looked at in their home. On the other hand I’ve also had to learn to let go of feeling too precious or possessive about images. On several occasions I’ve had to remove photos I really liked from my website and blogs as people did not want to be identified for personal reasons. One woman was being stalked so of course I had to honour her request!
Read more about Mish, follow these links.
https://www.thepictorial-list.com/2022-photographers/mish-aminoff
https://www.advantagesofage.com/p/the-culture-interview-mish-aminoff
https://www.womenstreetphotographers.com/wish-aminoff/
https://www.thepictorial-list.com/pictorial-stories/end-of-an-era
https://www.itsliquid.com/interview-mishaminoff.html
https://spectaculum-magazine.com/2021/05/29/rumberos/
Add comment
Comments