APERTURE ZERO is a series of photo stories we'll be previewing over the coming months.

We won't be giving too much away, but lots of thanks goes to MERIK.

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01. The Pipes Man

With one hand cradling a cigarette inwards, sheltering it from the clear sky, he extends the other arm perpendicular to the horizon. Well steadied, he stares ahead beyond the mess of chicken wire to the plastic chair in front of the stairwell. It is faded and stooped to one corner from a splintered leg. Four pigeons complete the scene, one lazily stalks a plastic bag as it drifts in and out a shard of sunlight. Shadow, light, shadow.

First releasing breath and smoke in a slow letting of valves, he pulls in his gut, draws in air, and squints through the lens. Still, ready, owning that moment he coughs deliberately and triggers the shutter.

Something shifts but it isn’t right. A muffled thud instead of a crisp thwack. The pigeons scramble, flying perversely towards him, and the moment is lost.

‘Balls’ said the pipes man.

‘Thwack’ said the shutter.

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We'll be sharing more stories from Aperture Zero over the next few weeks and months, so feel free to subscribe to our newsletter or get in touch here if you would also like to preview any projects or work.