‘Seriousness, skills will set good photographers apart from rest’
Kota Kinabalu: Everyone appears to be a photographer these days, especially with the availability of affordable digital cameras and the advancement of camera phones.
A recent analysis validated the fact that cyberspace is filled with a huge number of ‘photographers’ as we now upload and share nearly two billion images on the social media each day.
But only some are able to stand out from the rest and perceived as good photographers.
Internationally-acclaimed Sabah-born photographer Amri Ginang said their level of seriousness and skills will set these good photographers apart from the rest of the pack.
“Get serious (on photography) as I think most young photographers want to be photographers just for the sake of being one without knowing the actual process.
“And this trend has been developing for the last ten years, especially when DSLRs are easier to be owned.
“Photography is not just about the glamorous side of it… and I noticed that it seemed that everyone wants to shoot pretty women – that is basically what photography is for most new photographers,” he said after the launching of Visual Journey, his solo exhibition, at the Sabah Art Gallery, here, on Thursday.
The exhibition was launched by Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
Amri also reminded aspiring photographers to grasp a sense of direction in their involvement in the field – to make a living by doing photography or only as a hobby.
“If you want to make it a career, then you have to be very skilful and this requires you to polish your basics as well as understand the market around you.
“There is a market within and around Asia. If you are based in Sabah, then you have to study the market in the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Hong Kong.
“And with today’s ICT (information and communication technology) advancement, it was possible for me to land a job in Chengdu, China as my client saw my website and contacted me.”
According to the 61-year-old photographer, getting the first job is not easy and getting the second and the subsequent jobs would be “almost impossible if you do not have the consistency.”
“Most people obtained their first jobs because they know somebody who knows somebody… after the first job, and that’s the end of it,” he said.
Amri is widely regarded as one of the most influential commercial and portrait photographers in Malaysia and his photographs have been published internationally during his 35-year practice as a photographer.
Born in Semporna, Amri moved to London in 1976. It was during his A-level studies in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire that he made his first attempt as a photographer, inspired by how photography masters documented the society of their times.
He is now based in Kuala Lumpur, shooting commercials and fine arts. Visual Journey has also been an emotional effort from him as it is his first solo exhibition in the State.
“Whenever I do exhibitions, I will specify a theme for them and for my first solo exhibition in Sabah, Datuk Seri Masidi had asked me to showcase something educational and at the same time represent me.
“That is how I came up with Visual Journey. It is a journey with my camera because I used my camera to document all of my journeys.
“And what I have showcased here is a simplified journey of around five to ten years back through about 100 meaningful shots.”
To make it more interactive and interesting, visitors are also allowed to feel and touch the photos.
“You can touch the prints as one of the mission of the exhibition is to encourage people, especially photographers to print more as most of them do not print their photos anymore. They take photos and store them in their computers or mobile phones,” he said.
The exhibition opens on Thursday and will run for the next two months. During the exhibition period, Amri will also conduct weekly workshops and talks at the venue.
“I hope more young people will come and visit this exhibition. The first thing that I want people to understand is not the art of taking photos but instead, the art of seeing.
“I would also like to share about the reality of photography with others as some people do photography but they do not understand the art.”
Meanwhile, Masidi said the public, especially photography enthusiasts should take advantage of the opportunities offered by Amri through his exhibition.
“I am pleased as we are able to gain more knowledge from the experiences shared by Amri and I am thankful as he is willing to spare some time to conduct workshops.
“As such, I hope everyone will visit this exhibition,” he said.
Sabah Art Gallery is open from Monday until Sunday, from 9am-5pm. – Ricardo Unto
Source: Daily Express
