Into the Belly of the Beast: Rob Norton's Gorgeous Documentary on Australian Photographer Markus Andersen Will Bring out the Street Photographer in You

Markus Andersen is a documentary, street, and conceptual photographer who shoots on 35mm, 120, and Polaroid films, along with his iPhone, throughout Sydney, Australia – which he calls the “belly of the beast.” Rob Norton crafted a compelling short film that allows the viewer inside Markus’ thoughts about street photography as an art. Through Markus’ narration, behind the scenes glimpses, and many stunning examples of Andersen’s photographs, Norton added the perfect music and edited together a clever and engaging sequence that showcases the creativity and passion of a genre of photography that often gets sullied by today’s accessibility to modern technology.

Pushing a button on a camera-phone and then sharing it instantly to several social medias takes seconds now-a-days. That’s not to say there isn’t any merit in how technology has opened the floodgates for new photographers, but it’s nice to see artists still passionate about taking their time and waiting for moments to come along. Although Andersen uses a Leica MP and a Hasselblad to capture the “canyons of metal and concrete,” he insists his task is to make order out of the chaos and that means his photography isn’t about the gear. “As long as it works and takes a good image, that’s enough. What matters is what turns up in front of you,” Andersen states. These ideals are what make the difference between someone who understands his craft and can utilize old and modern technologies alike, and someone who just takes images to say they are artistic.

Take fifteen minutes and rejuvenate yourself by watching this short film. I did and it was more than worth it. At the least, you’ll see some really pretty photography and filmmaking, but I hope you find some inspiration along with it. Maybe you’ll be motivated to explore the belly of the beast in your own city and wait for those moments to make order out of the chaos yourself.

Follow Markus on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and view more of his work at his website.

Follow Rob on Twitter and view more of his work on Vimeo.