The Unseen – My Participation in The Spaces in Between

Who is Jimmy West?
That’s exactly what I asked myself not too long ago – until he suddenly appeared in one of Greg Howard’s YouTube videos. Somehow, I liked Jimmy right away. When he talked about his project The Spaces in Between, I knew I wanted to submit a photo.

What fascinates me about this project is that it focuses exactly on the kind of photography I currently enjoy most. I grab my camera and simply wander around. Whenever something interesting catches my eye, I try to capture it.

You might be wondering: Why even bother with a camera? Why not just use your phone?

That’s exactly the point. For me, it’s a huge difference whether I look at the world through a camera viewfinder or once again stare at my phone screen and take a half-hearted snapshot.

In early summer 2024, I dusted off my old Canon 350D. It was a conscious decision: less phone, more presence. Of course, it doesn’t always work out, but photography really helps me be in the moment. While I’m trying to frame a shot, I can switch off from everyday life and focus completely on the here and now. Maybe that’s what some people call meditation.

Even the unseen tells a story – a trash bin by the wayside, captured during a purposeless wander.

And yes, sometimes it’s trash bins or discarded chip bags that I photograph. Why not focus on “beautiful things”?
I’ve been called a “thing photographer” before: others photograph people, I photograph things. And yes, I’m proud of that. I’ve realized I enjoy just wandering with a camera and taking pictures whenever I feel like it. Every time I head out with a fixed idea in my mind, I end up disappointed because the image never turns out the way I imagined. When I let go, I often capture more honest and spontaneous photos.

Street moments: a sticker as social commentary, captured in passing.

The more I think about it, the clearer it becomes why I rarely post my photos on Instagram. For one, the rigid aspect ratio dictated by Meta annoys me. But more importantly, it’s easy to fall into the algorithm trap: No likes → I take bad photos. Lots of likes → I must take more like this.
Before I even pick up my camera, the picture already exists in my head. That creates pressure and takes the fun away. In the end, the camera stays at home because there’s no dopamine hit.

Jimmy’s project is completely different. It allows me to showcase my images without that mental stress. The photos submitted are incredibly diverse, and I discovered some great photographers I probably never would have found otherwise – even if they had shown up in my Instagram feed.
The project invites you to take your time, look at the pictures slowly, and come back again later.

I think it’s amazing when people like Jimmy make it their mission to give visibility to the photography of others. Thank you, Jimmy – keep up the good work!