Kobie Nel (b.1984) studied a Graphic Design and Photography course at Planet Pixl School of Advertising from 2003-2004, in Bloemfontein where she grew up.
During her second year she won Silver at the Fujifilm Profoto Awards in the student portfolio category. She also won numerous awards at the Fujifilm Awards in the Documentary and Fine Art categories 2005/2006.
After studying at Pixl she worked as a photography lecturer at Planet Pixl School of Advertising and also as a freelance photographer for 56Street Advertising Studio and other various clients.
In 2007 she won the Fractal Exhibition with Nikki Swanepoel.
In 2008 she moved to Australia were she is currently studying a BA Photography degree in Mebourne at RMIT University. She is planning to return to South Africa to work on some pending projects still in the development stages.
Her work
Her work seems mundane at first glance, but after a few seconds the image itself disturbs the viewer in such a way and forces one to look deeper. For example in the photograph ‘Conversations’ where the child is staring at the sea and with closer inspection the water and sand forms a face staring back. Thus creating a dialogue between the viewer and image
None of her images are digitally altered. She works in both film and digital formats.
She is a colour photographer and finds it most interesting to document people and how they interact with their surroundings.