Photography is a blossoming artform on RocketHub. From the RocketHub/Artsicle Photograph Show to Tony Fouhse's recent success, the still image is alive and well.

Johan Hallberg-Campbell is taking photography to the edge. He is planning to photograph the fishing town of La Poile, Newfoundland with an estimated population of 100 - one of the smallest and most interesting towns in North America. I spoke to Johan about his project.

What was the inspiration behind the photography project you are currently running on RocketHub?  Why is it important to you?

I was brought up in the Highlands of Scotland by my Swedish Mother. Being half Swedish I was often considered to be foreign, slightly different, even though born and raised in Scotland. My father was from a small fishing community in Scotland called Scalpay, he was relocated from the island to the mainland by his family at a young age. Growing up, periodically when I saw him and his mother, I heard about Scalpay. The Island was like a fairy tale to me, far away on a distant planet, stories of crofts, religion and fishing. Two years ago, I decided to go to Scalpay and see for myself, I was welcomed as a lost relative, and told that there had not been a birth in seven years. The Gaelic speaking Islands fishing tradition was fading away, and the people of old with it. The last corner shop closed in 2007, the pre-school also shut down that year. The primary school has two or three pupils and there is no High School. Over the years the population had sunk to 250.  

I became interested in exploring what it means to belong to a community and have traditions rooted in heritage, and alternatively what happens when one’s “place” is altered, removed, distorted and shifted. I began documenting Scalpay in Scotland, which raised my awareness of a way of life that is disappearing not to slowly from our modern world of computers and ipads, not only in Scotland but communities worldwide. I managed to get to Newfoundland last year and spent the final days with the remaining residents in a place called Grand Bruit before the resettlement of this coastal town. The aging population could no longer survive the harsh winters, their children had left to work elsewhere, the fishing industry was no longer what it once was, they had seen the end and the erosion of this culture. Now the town is no longer on the map, literally, it is gone.

On my return boat journey leaving Grand Bruit, we passed La Poile and I had the chance to talk to a few of residents who got onto the boat. They strongly believed that La Poile could be next and watched with heavy hearts as Grand Bruit disappeared. I realized that it was important to continue photographing these communities, the words of David Morrison, a fishermen from Scalpay in Scotland ran clear in my mind, "If there is no young, there will be no old". I am in Newfoundland now and ready to deliver a powerful story of life and people in the coastal town of La Poile, the un-spoilt wilderness, remote from everything we call civilization, yet facing enforced change as we move into the second decade of the 21st Century. This is a body of work that will be an archive, an archive that could capture for future generations, a people of the past. 

That's a powerful mission. How has your experience been as a crowdfunding pioneer in the world of photo art in Newfoundland - how are your supporters responding?

In a challenging and hard industry, documentary photographers looking to create important bodies of work are finding it next to impossible to peruse the stories. Assignments are becoming rare these days, the budgets of publications are growing smaller, grants are far and few between.  Crowdfunding not only helps to fund the making of these images, it also involves and encourages people to take part in the project, get close, be part of a community which I believe strongly in.  They have helped to create a body of work by supporting the project, something that is really an amazing feeling, for the artist as well as the supporter. 

I was not sure what the response would be, I am very happy it has been strong and thank everybody who has so far been part of this with me.  I believe that the people who have supported the work, with money and motivation, can see I am serious and passionate about creating a visual voice with my images, not only my voice, bit more importantly an honest representation of the people and environment I photograph.   

What advice do you have for Creatives looking to crowdfund a similar project?

I still have a way to go yet but yes, I do have some advice. It is important to respectfully push your project, get it out there by any means possible, talk to people, have an educated view and research your proposed project in-depth. Make sure to send an email everyday to new people, publications and blogs telling them about your proposal. Be to-the-point and clear with what the project is about and what you need to make it work.  Crowdfounding can help with financial cost, but also is a great way to build momentum. The more people that hear, see and talk about your project the more relevant the work will become. We make images to be seen by others, so make sure that happens. Take care and good luck.

Thank you Johan for your passion and committment. Join the journey, here.

-Vlad