ILW met up with Berlin-based photographer Katrina James (originally from Australia) and who has been living in Woodstock for the last few months. It’s always interesting to see how others perceive the place we live in, and Katrina’s pictures of Woodstock have a gentle humility about them.

We asked her a few questions about her experience of living in Woodstock.

ILW: What brought you to Woodstock?

Katrina: I heard a lot about Cape Town when I was living in Berlin as many Germans I met had been there; so I decided that it sounded like an interesting place and was worth visiting. It was also good to escape the winter and return to the southern hemisphere without actually going back to Australia.

IWL: What was your first impression of Woodstock?

Katrina: It immediately felt more real (than Cape Town center), it definitely has a bit more grit, it is dynamic and there are many things to do. There is a raw industrial beauty here but real people are living within this. And there is a very strong community feeling here.

ILW: And how do you feel now that you’ve been here a few months? And constantly taken photographs?

Katrina: It hasn’t really changed. Cape Town itself has a lot of contradictions. There are lots of oceans but they are freezing. It’s either sunny and still or cool and windy. It can be hideously ugly but in the best way if that makes sense. I really love living here.

ILW: How would you describe yourself and your work as a photographer?

Katrina: I am fascinated with how we see, I think we really see with our brains and our eyes are just a channel to get there. I see my camera as recording what is happening on my channel. I strive to find beauty and humour in everything around me. My images are never contrived or setup they are exactly how my brain sees.

We’ve reposted some of her Woodstock pictures below. If you’re up for more, you can visit her site here.

She has a stall at the You, me and everyone we know market at the Labia today (Friday 2nd February) and then next month again. And ILW will be hosting a giveaway of one her prints (A3) next month, details to follow.

And here as promised are the images.