Interview with Christiaan Triebert

Tell us about yourself in two sentences - who are you?

A 23-year old Dutchman, a novice (photo)journalist studying International Relations, Political Philosophy, and Arabic. Hitchhiked over 100K kilometres, including a trip from the Netherlands to South Africa (154 vehicles and a horse, that’s what it took – I photographed all of them). Feel free to have a look at my website.

QWhat's the weirdest situation you've found yourself in while taking a photograph?

ANot a particular photo, rather a whole experience. In February 2014, I flew to Ukraine’s capital Kyiv to cover the ongoing anti-government protests. It was bizarre to see posh girls shopping at chic boutiques on one side of the city’s main street, while on the other side protesters armed with pitchforks and alarm guns stood face to face with riot police. The tents, barricades, and watchtowers in the fenced area of Euromaidan was like a festival terrain. People came from near and far to see a glimpse of the protest. For five hrivna, Tigger or a minion would pose for a snapshot. There was even a special platform for journalists, to have a good position for photos or film. A revolutionary theme park, literally.

QWhat do you shoot on? What's your favourite set up?

AMy geography teacher gave me his Canon EOS 300D and kit lens. ‘You’re a good photographer’, he said, ‘you need a good camera.’ I was extremely thankful and used it extensively until it died four years later in Syria, 2012. Now, I have a Canon 600D and use three lenses: a ‘plastic fantastic’ (50mm 1.8), the kit lens (18-125mm), and a fisheye (Samyang 8mm f/3.5). A friend sometimes lends me his 135mm 2.0, I love that lens. I hope to upgrade my equipment with a Canon 5D Mark ii soon.

QWhat's your number one tip for an aspiring photographer?

AI consider myself to be an aspiring photographer. So, who am I to give an advice? ☺ Just take photos. Take your camera with you whenever you feel like it and take photos. A lot of photos.