Ilan Godfrey
Documentary Photographer
African Photojournalism Database
Johannesburg, South Africa
Ilan Godfrey (b 1980) is a South African photographer, who’s work explores the diverse social, political, economic and environmental currents that shape contemporary South Africa, giving viewers a broader, and at the same time, more deeply personal understanding of the country they live in but seldom truly gets to grips with. His photographic practice includes extensive research and focuses on issues that expose South Africa’s constantly shifting landscape, documenting the country with an in-depth and intimate conscience.
He spent eleven years working between Johannesburg and London before returning to South Africa in 2011 to focus on several long-term projects. One of which would evolve over two and a half years into the Legacy of the Mine. This resulted in Ilan receiving the prestigious Ernest Cole Award in 2012. Legacy of the Mine was published as his first monograph and was launched in conjunction with solo exhibitions across South Africa.
In 2016 he continued to explore South Africa’s extractive sector by collaborating with the Open Society Foundation for South Africa to produce the seminal work, The Platinum Belt. This multifaceted work incorporates narrative sound, extensive writings and a geotagged online platform accessible to a global audience and the local communities directly impacted by the platinum extractive sector.
Ilan’s work has been recognised by various international photography awards and grants and exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide. His work is regularly published in a broad range of leading international publications. Aside from his editorial work he collaborates with institutions and organisations worldwide, working on commissions for global brands.
He holds a BA (Hons) degree in Photography from the University of Westminster and was awarded the David Faddy Scholarship to continue his studies, receiving an MA degree in Photojournalism.
2016 - Open Society Foundation for South Africa (Grantee), 2016 - FT/Oppenheimer Emerging Voices Awards (Nominated), 2015 - Prix Pictet Award (Nominated), 2015 - Gabriele Basilico Prize (Nominated), 2014 - POPCAP '14 Prize Africa (Winner), 2014 - Leica Oskar Barnack Award (Finalist), 2012 - Ernest Cole Award (Winner), 2012 - Openphoto Award (Winner), 2009 - IPA (Honorable Mention), 2008 - Magenta Flash Forward Award (Selected Winner), 2007 - Westphoto Award (Winner)
- Arts
- Breaking news
- Corporate
- Crisis
- Editorial
- Environment
- Interview
- Portrait
- Reporting
- Video capture