Divided Youth of Belfast: Interview with Toby Binder
© Toby Binder
Can you tell us a bit about yourself? What inspired you to pick up photography?
During my graphic design studies, I quickly realised that I didn't just want to lay out other people's stories, but rather experience and document these stories myself. I'm more of a drifter and stray dog and can't sit at the computer for too long.
Your series Divided Youth of Belfast won 1st Place in the Sony World Photography Awards 2025 Professional competition’s Documentary Projects category. What motivated you to pursue this project?
When I started the project, I had no idea that it’ll occupy me for so long and turn into a long-term documentary. But when I saw that young people in Northern Ireland's working-class communities had hardly any contact with each other even though they face the same problems and social discrimination, I decided to highlight these similarities and create a project of unity which brings down long-held enemy stereotypes and prejudices.
© Toby Binder
Were there any memorable moments or people you encountered while shooting this series?
Oh, there are so many... I mostly work with young people, but when I once told an old man that I really love Belfast and its people, he said, “Oh yes, we're nice to strangers. We just kill each other.” In all its cynicism, there is so much truth in that sentence, showing how absurd it sometimes feels what is happening here…
Although the dividing wall has gates, I quickly noticed that no locals go through them, whereas I do so several times a day. At the beginning, kids on one side assured me, ‘You can take photos here, no probs, you’re safe here. But don't go over to the other side, they'll beat you up and steal your camera!’
I then told them that I had been over there an hour ago – and was told exactly the same thing!
© Toby Binder
What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
It’s nice to be nice and don’t believe the stereotypes!
What have you been up to since being recognised in the Sony World Photography Awards? And what are your plans for the future?
This year, I continued to shoot the series in Belfast that won the Sony World Photography Awards, and I plan to publish a follow-up volume to the first book from 2019 in 2026.
In addition, my new book #053kids about young people in a strongly migrant-influenced environment in Duisburg, Germany, will be published next January.
And a new major long-term project is being started in Baltimore, so stay tuned – there will be a lot going on!
About Toby Binder
German-born photographer Toby Binder's work focuses on stories from the margins of society and often takes the perspective of young people - whether it's children stigmatised as witches in Nigeria, war-wounded children in Afghanistan or child labourers in Bolivia.
The Sony World Photography Awards 2026 close in early January. Don't miss your chance to win $25,000, Sony Digital Imaging equipment, worldwide exhibition inclusions, a day of sessions with industry experts - and more!
