Take Ten: Devon Coetzee from retrocollectZA
Classic gaming consoles, Ninja Turtles and VHS tapes. If these are of any relevance to you, head to the retrocollectZA Instagram for nostalgic pleasures. We chatted Devon Coetzee, one of the creators of the page, about happy memories, Japan’s greatest feature, and the Afrikaans version of Super Mario Bros.
Devon Coetzee
Hi Devon! Please give us a quick introduction to yourself and inspiration for retrocollectZA.
I am Devon Coetzee, just a dude with a camera from Paarl. I create art to share with others and for my own enjoyment. My inspiration for retrocollectZA was capturing moments through photography to bring smiles to people’s faces and to relive distant memories.
When we chatted you mentioned you knew nothing about photography when you started retrocollectZA four years ago with nothing more than a smartphone. How did you build the knowledge to manage both photography and cinematography?
After using my smartphone, thinking it was the best tool for photography, I got my first camera from my uncle Quinton who first introduced me to the magical world of photography.
When I started doing my research, I talked to a very good friend of mine, Pierre Van Der Naam, who is a photographer. He patiently guided me through all the types of camera settings and techniques via WhatsApp as he was living in Vietnam at the time. This helped me transition from smartphone to a professional camera. His expertise, encouragement and criticism boosted my confidence, and I will forever be grateful for everything he has taught me as well as his honest criticism.
What do you love about capturing all the old/vintage gaming gear, series and movies for retrocollectZA?
I create for retrocollectZA to spark nostalgia, recreating memories that bring people together. Through these images I aim to brighten someone’s day, transporting them back to a happy memory. By unlocking happy memories, I hope to spread positivity one picture at a time.
What’s the setup you use for recording in the studio?
My studio kit includes my Fujifilm X-T4 camera with an XF16-80mmF4 lens, paired with Godox SL60’s with soft boxes and RGB tube lights. I would love to experiment more with different lenses and add a haze machine for a more cinematic look, elevating my visuals and creative possibilities.
We really enjoyed your photos of your recent trip to Japan. What’s the best thing about the country? Did you buy anything special while there?
The best aspect of Japan is the culture of mutual respect and consideration for others. The way people interacted with each other was truly inspiring, showcasing a beautiful model for human coexistence. It was a remarkable experience highlighting the importance of empathy and kindness in our daily lives.
While I was there I spent a lot of time in Yodobashi Camera, basically Japan’s largest electronics store. Let’s just say I came home with two extra bags of baggage that I did not have with me when I left for Japan!
When is the new season for your podcast starting? With previous guests such as Jack Parow and Early B, who is your wish list guest to interview?
We are aiming to kickstart a new season in the next couple of months. My wish list guest is Post Malone – as a huge fan I would love to chat to him about creativity, music and nostalgia.
Okay, so we must know, what’s the most treasured retro item in your collection?
It might not be the most expensive but it sure is one of the coolest items in the collection – a bootleg TV game cartridge called Van Der Merwe and Boetie, which is a super Afrikaans version of Super Mario Bros. It is a unique piece of gaming history, and its South Africans origin makes it really cool to have.
Find more of Devon over at:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrocollectza/
