If anyone is looking for inspiration

Zed Nelson is it.

Another great interview with him here.

‘ “I started to feel powerless. Depicting a war doesn’t end it. And I’d seen these same weapons all over the world: in Somalia, Angola, El Salvador. They were American M16s and Russian Kalashnikovs – supplied by the superpowers vying for political power in these countries during the Cold War.” The purpose of the book (Gun Nation) was to “strip guns of their glamour”, while admitting they have a huge allure. “When you consider them objectively, they are exquisitely made. Seductive. Like a beautiful camera.”

He says he’s excited about life right now as he’s got a master plan up his sleeve: “After years of photographing foreign conflicts, you can end up with this nagging feeling that you might be reinforcing racial stereotypes rather than saving the word. So you have to consider new ways of talking about issues that are thought-provoking.”

That’s where the Shelter in Place documentary comes in, as well as a new project about Soweto. “I now like to look for positive stories about the developing world and focus on the dark underbelly of the West,” he says, “My feeling now is film is more powerful than photography as it’s a more complete package. So it can deliver a stronger message.” He flashes a grin. “Call me an optimist.”‘