Benjamin Ross is a documentary photographer and creative practitioner based in Medway whose work explores the relationship between people, place and community. Through photography, he documents everyday life, seeking to preserve identities and shared experiences that shape local places.
His practice is driven by a belief that documentary work is about more than observation. By engaging with people and listening to their experiences, Benjamin explores how photography can become the starting point for meaningful conversations.
Alongside his creative practice, Benjamin works in the community sector, which drives his passion for supporting communities through his photographic practice. He is also a 2nd year degree student at Medway School of Arts, and is due to begin his final year this September.
Presentation: The Space Between Us – Listening as an Artistic Practice
As a documentary photographer, I have always been interested in capturing the people and places that shape our communities. Through my work, I realised that while photography can preserve a moment in time, it cannot always reveal the stories and lived experiences that exist beyond the frame.
This realisation led me to create The Space Between Us, a podcast that extends my documentary practice through conversation. By speaking with people who live and work across Medway, the project creates a space where local voices can share their experiences and connections to Medway in their own words.
In a world where communication is increasingly fragmented across countless online platforms, The Space Between Us offers an opportunity to slow down, and reconnect through storytelling. Rather than replacing photography, the podcast grows from it, recognising that every photograph has the potential to begin a conversation that continues long after the shutter is pressed.
This presentation explores how my practice has evolved from documenting communities visually to engaging with them through dialogue. It reflects on listening as a creative practice and considers how art can move beyond observation to foster understanding, preserve local histories and strengthen connections between people. Ultimately, it asks how documentary photography can become the starting point for conversations that bring communities closer together.
