Jamie Mackrill 11/9/20 Jamie Mackrill 11/9/20

Ashraful Arefin - An In-Depth Interview On Photography, Cinemagraphs And Creativity

Ashraful Arefin is a Fine Art photographer from Dhaka, Bangladesh. Ashraful exudes a strong sense of creativity and self-expression in his art. In his interview with us, Ashraful sheds light on the type of creative mindset necessary to excel in a whole range of photography subgenres instead of just sticking to, and excelling at one. (being just a portrait photographer or a wedding photographer for example)

We venture into the depths of each of Ashraful’s major interests in the realm of photography and learn how diverse interests and a desire for new challenges and change can be channeled into growth and success in the competitive world of photography.

“I consider myself an artist and that is all I’ve ever wanted to be, regardless of the media. Photography for me is a way to express my thoughts and dreams. My intention was never to just take photos. I wanted to create art, be it through painting or photography.”

Hello Ashraful, thank you for doing this interview. Can you tell us about where you are from? How did you first get into photography? and at what stage did you start looking at photography as a viable career path?

Thank you very much for having me! I was born, and am currently based in the city of Dhaka, Bangladesh. I got my first camera back in 2010, I was a student of Fine Art. I got the camera to take high-res images of my artworks. But eventually, I got more interested in the art of photography. With the goal of pushing myself to use my camera a bit more, I started doing a 365 photography project in 2013. Doing this project made me fall in love with photography even more. I never really had as much fun being creative with any other media. After completing the 365photography project, I decided to put all of my time and energy into photography.

Creativity seems to be bursting out of you! A lot of professional photographers choose to concentrate on a single photography niche and stick to it throughout their careers. Refreshingly, you both photograph, and excel in a variety of creative genres! You dabble in Street photography, travel photography, still life, miniatures, cinemagraphs, and floral photography! Has your attitude always been to just photograph and share what you love and what interests you? Would it be fair to say that all your photos and videos fall under the broader umbrella of fine art photography?

Sure, you can say that. Personally, I consider myself an artist and that is all I’ve ever wanted to be, regardless of the media. Photography for me is a way to express my thoughts and dreams. My intention was never to just take photos. I wanted to create art, be it through painting or photography. I chose photography because I liked the process and also it takes less time for me to create than painting. I think if you know yourself, what you want to create, and the message you want to deliver through your images, then regardless of the genre or niche - your own personal style will shine through.

Does having a wider variety of styles and genres give you more creative freedom to express yourself, experiment with, and interpret what's around you?

Definitely. It opens more doors to explore yourself and the environment around you, and helps you to stay inspired. Art is a vast world and I never wanted to limit myself. When I was shooting only still life, at one point I felt uninspired and too comfortable with my work. So, I tried something new on the streets and it was very refreshing. I love the lack of control in the streets which is in complete contrast to still life photography where I can control every single element. It also gives me the opportunity to try new things and see things with different perspectives.

I think that this interview would be a great opportunity to explore and broadly break down each of your styles and interests and get your opinion of them all. Let us start with floral and still life photography. Flowers are consistently used in your still life compositions and are often the focal point. What draws you to frequently use them? Can you offer any advice for those wanting to improve their still life and floral photography?

I have always been fascinated by the beauty of flowers. When I was a student of fine art, I got to study symbolism and it was really amazing to know how different flowers symbolize different meanings! I feel like I can tell stories and portray emotions through them easily. The kind of concepts I work with, for instance; fragility, beauty, or strength can be strongly portrayed through the use of flowers. All the different shapes, varieties, and the colours… there are so many ways you can use them in photographs.

Still, life is about storytelling through inanimate objects. Every object has a connection with human emotion; for example, an old photograph can take you back to so many memories and make you feel nostalgic. So, having a clear concept about what and why you’re doing is the key. My advice is to concentrate on what you really want to portray through your images and think about the subjects that can help you to achieve that. For instance, if I want to show fragility, I would probably use a flower with soft, fragile petals and pastel in colour. I’d use the same approach if I wanted to show strength, I would use one with more bold, vibrant colours. So, you really need to think about and consider everything. Also studying a bit about symbolism can be a great way to really help you form your ideas.

Flowers are often incorporated into your cinemagraphs as well. Can you give a brief breakdown of how a cinemagraph works? How did you first get into making cinemagraphs?

A cinemagraph is basically a hybrid of a still image and a video. The idea is to create the impression of a living photograph. The most common way to create a cinemagraph is by taking a short video with a continuous movement in a loop. Next, you need to create an endless loop by matching the first and last frame of the footage. And finally, take a still frame from the video and place it on top of the video as a layer and mask out the parts where you want the movement to be visible.

My first idea came from the moving paintings in Harry Potter movies. Later I saw some cinemagraphs on Behance and tried to create one. I watched a few tutorials on Youtube by PHlearn and that really helped me to understand the process.

Your miniatures are also very creative and unique! How do you go about selecting your props, creating your set, and getting that beautiful bokeh effect in your compositions?

Thank you! I always try to have a clear concept about what I am going to create and what my purpose behind creating it is. I also think about different things like the kind of story and emotion that I wish to portray and the colours that I want to achieve. Once I know what I want rest becomes easy. I select props, subject material, and everything else according to my concept. For example, I love to use old rusty toy cars. The dents and rust make you wonder about their journey and what they have gone through.

For the bokeh, I use a large aperture like f/1.8 and a longer focal length like 85mm or 105mm. This separates the subject from the background and creates that beautiful bokeh effect.

Street photography gets you out into the city observing the vibrancy and capturing all the little moments that catch your eye. What is it that draws you to shoot street photography? What are you looking out for to create a good composition and find an interesting subject? Taking strangers photos can be daunting for some people, what is your approach to this aspect of street photography?

I think what inspires me most to street photography is capturing the raw, unfiltered moments and people. And knowing that those split-second moments are unique and won’t happen again. The first thing I look for is light. I am totally obsessed with light and I think good light can turn any ordinary scene into something amazing. I location scout a lot and look for the streets with interesting light, background, etc, which helps to compose a scene. Next, I’ll wait there for someone to pass by. When selecting the subjects, I look for expressive faces, also I see if the light I am working with is complimenting my subject or not. Mostly I focus on capturing emotion and expression in a person.

I can totally understand how intimidating taking people’s photos can be. Even I was scared when I started shooting the streets. But I think a positive attitude and a smile can go a long away. I always try to be friendly and if any curious person asks why I am taking photos I explain to them and most of the time they don’t mind. Staying confident and friendly will help immensely.

Your love of street photography has also spilled out from your home city of Dhaka, Bangladesh, into other cities around Asia. What drives you to first select, and then travel to certain cities and photograph its people and culture? What are some of the most rewarding things about street photography in your eyes?

There are some places I always wanted to travel to. India and Nepal were on top of the list and luckily both are very close to my country. I like to explore cities where I can see the old-world charm and traditions. And it’s always great to see how different other parts of the world can be in comparison to yours. It provides you with a fresh new perspective on your own city.

I think street photography brings you closer to the people and gives an opportunity to experience their daily lives. You get to observe life as it is; real and raw. You start to appreciate more about your surroundings and the people whom normally you wouldn’t pay any attention to. For me, the best parts of shooting streets are making a connection with people, the little moments and interactions you will come across, and exploring new parts of the city.

Maeklong Rainlway Market, Bangkok, Thailand - Ashraful Arefin

From the complexity of cinemagraphs and miniatures to the relative simplicity of phone photography. You are more than happy to document all aspects of your life with your iPhone it seems, Nature, travels, architecture, etc. What do you like about using your phone in this way? Do you use any phone apps for editing images?

I like the idea of having a camera with me all the time. Sometimes I just want to document the moments without thinking much and using a heavy camera. A phone camera serves that purpose perfectly. I usually don’t edit images on my phone, but when I do, I use Adobe Lightroom mobile. Also, I use Moment app to take raw photos with my phone.

Dhaka, Bangladesh (iphone) - Ashraful Arefin

The relatively recent advancements in technology now mean that almost everyone can go out and enjoy photography, even children get introduced to it at a younger age than ever before possible. What are your thoughts on this? How can one stand out from the crowd when everyone around them also has a camera of some sort and post pictures on social media?

I think there are both good and bad sides. There are so many resources available and the technology is getting better rapidly which is great! But at the same time, it may get oversaturated with too many photographers. I think the key is to stay true to yourself and photograph only the way your heart wants. Because it doesn’t matter how crowded it gets, the ones with a uniquely personal style will shine above. So instead of running after the trends or creating what’s popular on social media, people should always focus on what they personally like to create.

Is there a certain style of photography that you find particularly challenging? What has been the most rewarding for you on the whole as a photographer and a creative?

I have been shooting still life from the beginning and yet I find it most challenging. The most difficult part for me is to come up with a new concept and turn it into a photograph. It has happened many times that I am trying different setups again and again but nothing is working. This can be a bit hard sometimes to create something meaningful as you are working with inanimate objects which are not going to give you any expressions like a human model. So, creating a connection with the viewers is always going to be difficult.

Whenever I think of the most rewarding part of my photography journey, I think it’s the whole process and being able to see your visions come to life. Photography has also opened my eyes and heart. It has made me appreciate all the simple things in life and I know now that to create something beautiful I don’t need fancy things. I think as an artist it’s very liberating and rewarding.

I would like to finish up with a couple of aspects of photography that carry across all of your work. Lighting is something that every photographer must always consider. Does your approach differ much between working with natural light and artificial lighting? Can you share a few tips for working with them both?

Well, light is just light, doesn’t matter if it’s natural or artificial. Of course the artificial light will give you more control and time to work with. I tend to use natural light always, especially for my street images. In most cases, except night shoots, I am utilizing and working with sunlight. For my still life shots and cinemagraphs, sometimes I do mix up natural light with artificial light like an led or Speedlight.

I’d say use the kind of light you like and that is most suitable for your style of imagery. Studying light is important. If you are shooting with natural light pay particular attention to the time of day. Each kind of light has a different purpose. For example, harsh mid-day light would create a more contrasty and graphic look whereas warm afternoon light would be more suitable more soft, romantic images. It gets a bit easier when you are using studio lights as you’re in full control of it. Lighting totally depends on the kind of mood and emotions you are going to portray. So always try to have a clear idea about the kind of result you want and go for the lighting setup which will help you to achieve that result.

Camera gear and editing software is also a constant and integral aspect of your work. Can you give a brief overview of your go-to camera gear and editing software?

Right now I am using the Nikon D850 with the NIKKOR 105mm F/1.4E ED, NIKKOR 85mm F/1.8G and NIKKOR 50mm F/1.8G lenses. And for the editing part I use Photoshop.

Thank you very much for your time Ashraful! Where can people follow you on your socials and go to see your website? Could you offer up a final piece of advice for someone aspiring to improve as a photographer or get into photography?

It’s absolutely my pleasure! If anyone is interested, they can follow my works on Instagram @monsieur_arefin and @ashrafularefin. Also, my website www.ashrafularefin.com.

And sure, I’d like to say to anyone interested in photography: just enjoy the process. Do it from your heart without thinking about others. Make mistakes and learn from them. Photography is an expressive art form and everyone does it differently. So, there’s no right or wrong way, there’s only your way. You may watch and learn from others but follow only your path.

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Jamie Mackrill 3/7/20 Jamie Mackrill 3/7/20

Hong Kong based freelance photographer Harimao Lee discusses urban photography, travel, and Instagram

Harimao Lee is a freelance photographer based in Hong Kong. His creative take on urban photography sheds a unique perspective on life in Hong Kong and beyond. After starting a photography Instagram account in 2013, Harimao has amassed a following of over 370,000 and has worked with a large range of clients all over the world. Harimao shares his story with us and gives out some invaluable advice for hobbyist/aspiring photographers and travelers alike!

“I like to think of photography as an art of subtraction; don’t try to cram everything into the frame, the simplest thing can be the most significant”

Hello Harimao, we really appreciate you giving us your time to do this interview! How and when did you get into photography and have you always been a creative person?

I originally began experimenting with photography as a hobby in high school. It was only by chance that I was asked to help out with photography at a school event. I had no idea how to operate a camera at the time. I started learning, then persevered as it provided me with a creative outlet. My passion continued to grow and I built a solid technical grounding. I was also lucky to have access to professional equipment,

After I started my Instagram account in 2013, I began developing myself as a ‘photographer’ and exploring my style. Hong Kong is home to a vibrant community of photographers from whom I was able to learn new skills, exchange ideas, and collaborate with on projects.

I owe a lot to those who helped and inspired me in the beginning. I am forever grateful for the opportunities that I have had as a result. I was able to quit my full-time job in 2018 and focus on working as a photographer which has allowed me to balance my commercial and personal projects more evenly.

Although not exclusively, your Instagram feed is dominated by the street/architectural genre photography. Do you think that living in Hong Kong influenced your style of photography? Is photographing your local area a good place to start as a hobbyist photographer?

Hong Kong is my home and I have always been fascinated by the landscape of the city. I look to all sorts of things for creative inspiration, but I often find myself reaching within; Building on past experiences and memories, and coming up with a way of exploring those themes within my work. I am passionate about sharing my side of Hong Kong (beyond the guide books and postcards); The crowded markets, diverse architecture, rolling hills, the concrete, the glass, the neon.

The architectural diversity of the city will never bore me, I am drawn obsessively to the lines and structures of the buildings, the mismatch of new and old. I am always chasing the perfect angle and I don’t think I will ever be satisfied.

I think that Hong Kong photographers are very lucky that we live in such a vibrant environment. We have towering buildings, crowded streets, rolling hills, etc. The landscape caters to multiple styles and it is easy to find inspiration and experiment in this city. That being said, I would encourage anyone interested in photography to explore their local area. Try to picture it as if you were a stranger, and rediscover the environment.

Are there any other photography genres that you are interested in? Which one challenges you the most?

The more challenging aspects of my work usually arise when I’m doing commercial jobs, shooting products, or working with new models in an unfamiliar setting. I try and prioritize building a rapport between me and the client so that I can effectively channel their vision within my work.

Though I usually explore urban environments, I am fascinated by portrait photography. I am used to manipulating the natural environment, seeking out the best angles and lines, and drawing focus to my subjects from a distance. The challenges of portraiture involve interacting with the subject closely, finding the ideal pose, guiding the light, and accentuating the features of your model. I think it is important to continually push the boundaries of your ability, and engaging with new forms and styles is a crucial part of growing as a photographer.

How do you find the right building or skyline view to photograph? How much researching and planning goes into a location before you go there?

If I am shooting a popular skyline, such as Hong Kong or New York (somewhere people are familiar with) then it is crucial that I find an original way to capture that environment.

Planning and research are essential when chasing that perfect shot. I can spend hours getting lost in Google Maps jumping around on Street View, scouring YouTube, and searching on Instagram. Anything I can use to help familiarise myself with the location.

Whether I’m browsing online, with a guide, or exploring the area on foot, I think it is important to explore your environment thoroughly. Doing this allows you to find a unique perspective away from the crowded viewpoints and tourist sites. It also opens up the possibility to notice something that you (or others) may have otherwise overlooked.

Flatiron Building, Manhatten, New York City

How long do you spend at a location usually? Do you have in mind the type of shots that you want to get before heading to the location and do you have a good idea of what gear you will need to use?

It depends on my schedule for the day. If I have a lot of time, then I can spend anywhere between 1-3 hours in one location. I try to remember to tell myself “chance favours the prepared mind”. I always have some basic ideas from my research on what I want to explore. Though, of course, I cannot predict every variable, such as a change of weather or a sudden crowd. I often have to be flexible and adapt to whatever happens in the moment.

My prior research is key to streamlining this process, I should know what gear I need to bring and how long roughly I should be spending in each location. For every shoot, I bring my essential full-frame camera and my three go-to lenses, which usually cover all sizes of images I intend to shoot; the 11mm-24mm, 24mm-70mm, and the 70mm-200mm.

My current gear list includes:

Canon EOS R

Canon EF 11-24mm F/4

Canon RF 24-70mm F/2.8 IS

Canon RF 70-200mm F/2.8 IS

Canon EF 35mm F/1.4

Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM

What does your editing process look like? How long do you typically spend in post-production to get a result that you are happy with and what programs do you use?

When I sit down to edit my work, I usually use Lightroom Classic and Photoshop CC for most tasks. I start by importing and (crucially) backing up all of the files.

I will then look to work with the best angle on each shot, making basic adjustments, tuning the colour and adjusting the orientation. This is particularly important for architectural photography, as I want to find the best way to accentuate the lines present in the structure and draw focus. I will often do further tweaking in Photoshop when I need to remove unwanted objects, format to HDR, combining shots into a panorama, etc.

Is there a certain image that you are particularly proud of? What was involved in getting the final result?

I wouldn’t say that there is a specific image that I am most proud of. I take pride in all of my work. Though some shots are more challenging than others, I am ultimately concerned with the end product more than the process. My biggest concern is whether I am personally happy with the outcome.

I think it is important not to be too self-critical, especially in the beginning. It is important to understand that you are constantly developing and learning. The more technical or challenging that a shot is or isn’t does not automatically correlate to it being a better photograph. Sometimes the simplest of circumstances produce the most striking evocative images.

I can happily say I love every photo that I have taken.

How do you approach your photography in regards to your mindset? Have you always approached it with a career/business attitude? What has been your perspective throughout your journey from beginner to a professional photographer?

I didn’t get into photography with any preconceived ideas about one day making it as a professional, or to attract a large following, or to get commercial work. I started the same way as most people, from an initial interest in capturing the way I looked at the world. This is the same thing that drives me to this day. I have always tried to express myself through my work and to provide a lens for my audience to see the subject through my eyes.

Obviously, it is important to be professional and conduct yourself appropriately in a business environment. Though I never expected to be able to do this as a career, I am forever thankful for those who have helped me on this journey and allowed me to realise my passion. It is this passion that I believe is central to keeping myself grounded and humble from the very first time I picked up a camera, to today.

What are your views on using Instagram as a photographer? Is it a viable way to get noticed and find work in 2020? Do you/would you use your Instagram page as a portfolio for prospective clients?

Instagram is definitely a great tool for inspiration and exposure, it is second-to-none as a platform to connect with other photographers/creatives and collaborate on a project. Especially when you are starting out and finding your feet, Instagram can be an excellent place to examine and analyse the work of others. It is important not to become too reliant on it, however, as it is only one of many great platforms to share your work and explore the work of others.

While it can give a great introduction to your work, I think it is essential if you want to stand out from the crowd, and show that you are serious as a professional, to keep an external portfolio of both your commercial and personal work outside of Instagram.

MahaNakhon skyscraper, Bangkok, Thailand

We are also interested in how you work with the models you shoot as a lot of your shots include them. Do you try and control as much of the positioning and posing as possible or does it work better for you in more of a casual setting where you let them walk around and try different poses on location for example?

Different photographers work in different ways with their subjects. Most of the time the models in my pictures are my friends, I will usually give some guidance on clothing, positioning, and posing, but I always try to keep things feeling natural. I will also let them freestyle and express themselves freely, and try to capture their personality in the shot. My role is to capture the best image I can and this can come from either method. Experimenting in this way means that if a shot isn’t turning out as planned, I can switch things up and try a different approach.

As a freelance photographer accustomed to traveling a lot for work, how do you adapt to unforeseen situations such as the current COVID-19 pandemic? Has it affected the amount of work that you are getting for example, and what are you doing to keep up your photography and stay busy in general?

I think it is important to stay grounded in times like these and to evaluate our relationships with social media. I always remind myself that Instagram is not the only thing in my life, it is just the platform that enables me to share my work with my audience. Things change fast in Hong Kong and it is important to be ready for any possibility, so it is inspiring to see the way creative communities have come together to cope with this disruption.

With the ongoing pandemic, I am currently unable to travel while things remain uncertain. I am lucky that I can still operate locally, as I know this certainly isn’t the case for many around the world. Architectural photography is my strength and there are still some clients requesting interior and exterior shoots for their properties.

What are some of your favourite cities to explore and photograph so far? Have you had any bad experiences when travelling?

I have been fortunate to travel to many countries that I wouldn’t have dreamed of when I first picked up a camera in high school. I am often drawn to places that don’t get as much interest. Most recently Iran is one my favourite places, the Persian domes that sit atop of the great mosques and the intricate detailing on the walls and ceilings make these sites architecturally fascinating to shoot.

When seeking out these exciting new destinations, planning is once again crucial. It is important to err on the side of caution in an unfamiliar environment and to pay close attention to the cultural norms and customs of a new country. There will always be bumps on the road and challenging situations while travelling, but I try to take everything in my stride and keep an open mind.

What advice could you offer to someone wanting to take better images of their local city or take better travel photos?

Set an alarm! Sunrise is undoubtedly the best time to get out and avoid the crowds. Remember that everything else can fall nicely into place but you cannot account for human behaviour. So, if you’re not looking for crowds then it is best to capture an environment at its most restive.

I like to think of photography as an art of subtraction; don’t try to cram everything into the frame, the simplest thing can be the most significant!

Where can people go to follow your journey on social media and what's the best way to contact you for prints? Thank you for your time Harimao and we wish you all the best for the future!

Of course! Thank you for having me!

You can find me on Instagram: @harimaolee

For prints or general enquires send me a message at harimao@ymail.com

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