Jurufoto Ken Pak

—Adakah anda seorang yang fotogenik?

—I never thought I was photogenic and never wanted to be photographed, however, I look pretty cute in the photos from my early childhood.

—Bagaimanakah anda mula menceburkan diri dalam industri fotografi?

—It was a pretty natural transition for me becoming a wedding photographer as many of my friends were getting married when I started taking photos. Because of this, I never attended my friends' weddings as a groomsman or guest. Rather, I always photographed their weddings.

—Apakah komponen paling penting sekeping foto yang bagus menurut pendapat anda?

—Although most of photographers would talk about light, composition, creative approach, subject, emotional impact & etc. as vital components of a good photo, I think preparation for the day and understanding of the flow , environment and subject would help yielding a good photo. Although there are moments I take photos with anticipation, however, I love when I get good photos without anticipation.

—Adakah anda minat mengembara?

—Yes, I love traveling for the photo projects including weddings, fun activities, personal inspiration by the life of the other side of the world, and to see the family (I am from South Korea).

—Apakah yang paling anda sukai mengenai kerjaya anda?

—Photography career can be highly rewarding. I feel truly blessed when I receive compliments and appreciation from the happy clients and people.

—Apakah yang paling anda tidak suka mengenai kerjaya anda?

—Dealing with difficult personalities and awkward characters can be most challenging to me. However, I would rather stay positive and supportive to those nature.

—Apakah masa depan fotografi?

—For the next 5 years, another convergence of the medium will be coming like stills will be culled from 8k video footage. After another 5 years, I am pretty sure that there will always be needs for wedding photography regardless of the medium convergence.

—Apakah yang istimewa dalam genre fotografi yang anda sedang mengkhusus?

—In technical term, I believe wedding photography can be practised as the collaborative work of wide range of photography types and styles. In human life, it is one of the greatest lifetime celebrations among families and friends, and I am so glad that I can capture many different levels of emotional impacts.

—Bagaimanakah cara anda menangani kritikan?

—I would rather be modest and listen to the criticism if it is the matter of your growth and development process in your photography career and human relations. If you stay honest, humble and positive, there will be lesser criticism.

—Adakah wujud sebarang trend dalam fotografi?

—Yes, there are trends in wedding photography just like fashion industry, however, I also see there is a range of diversity in wedding photography trends depending on traditions, lifestyle, regions & etc.

—Apakah sepatutnya menjadi kriteria untuk seorang pelanggan memilih jurufoto?

—As a person photographing someone's lifetime event, trustworthy, fun and flexible nature in my personality come highly valuable and appreciative among my clients and people in the industry.

—Apakah perkara yang patut dielakkan semasa penggambaran?

—Unprofessional, snobbish & egoistic manner in professional & personal aspects.

—Apakah perincian yang selalunya terlepas tanpa disedari namun boleh disedari oleh seorang jurufoto?

—Artistic & creative approach. Also, freezing the moment, framing & composition.

—Apakah yang boleh mempengaruhi nilai sekeping foto? Apakah elemen nilai itu?

—Cherishing the memorable moments and people from generation to generation (or among generations). Also, capturing and archiving the history of person's life.

—Siapakah individu yang boleh menjadi simbol abad ke-21 menurut pendapat anda?

—Big brothers in media.

—Siapakah yang mahu anda rakamkan dalam foto?

—I would like to continue photographing weddings, however, it will be interesting to photograph traditionally unique weddings in remote area not affected by the western culture.

—Adakah anda ada sebarang tabu profesional?

—I would not want to spoil those wedding photographer wannabes. It takes so much of professional practice, thinking, attitude, training, study and experience. Don't believe in yourself as a professional shooter by just buying a good camera and shooting a few of your friends weddings.

—Siapakah orang yang anda mahu merakam foto bersamanya?

—If I get a chance, I would love to shoot with those pulitzer winners who have not shot the weddings before. Also, shooting a wedding by side of any big names in the industry will be my great honor.

—Apakah yang merisaukan anda, dan mengapa?

—Bridezilla and Groomzilla. Depending on the situations, people with difficult & demanding personalities to accommodate can be a real challenge. Also, theft and robbery (although I have not experienced before) during the sessions in uncontrolled areas. Being sick can be another big worrisome.

—Apakah detik paling mengesankan dalam hidup anda?

—Three of my most tearful moments showing my love to my parents. I cried so much at the airport when I saw my dad leaving the state after seeing my college graduation (He supported me for 7 years in US for my high school and college, and returned to Korea permanently). I cried so much when I hugged my parents during my wedding ceremony. I cried so much when my dad was being cremated after the funeral ceremony.

—Jika anda ialah karakter dalam kartun, buku atau filem, siapakah yang anda ingin jadi dan kenapa?

—I would love to be Iron man, just to simply get the aerial shots. Also, seeing myself in the Iron man armor which is retrofitted with multiple super cameras will be amazing!

—Siapakah yang menjadi sumber inspirasi hidup anda dan mengapa?

—Jesus Christ who keeps me being a better person.

—Bagaimanakah anda mentakrifkan kejayaan? Bagaimanakah anda mengukurnya?

—In human perspective, if I have six good men who can carry my coffin at my own funeral, I consider that as a successful life. In business perspective, if I have no haters and no debt, that will be a successful life.

—Mana satu yang lebih penting bagi anda, disukai atau dihormati?

—I would rather be liked.

—Apakah kesilapan terbesar yang pernah anda lakukan ketika bekerja?

—Encountering a media failure by using cheap media card.

—Apabila anda pergi mengembara, apakah yang anda bawa bersama anda dan mengapa?

—I will take my free & open spirit with me to enjoy the true traveling experience. If it is allowed, then I would love to travel with my wife and son. Of course, a small travel camera will definitely be accompanied with me.

—Adakah sesuatu yang anda harap anda tidak pernah beli antara banyak gajet milik anda? Mengapa?

—Lytro Illum camera. I never use it. Is there anyone who is interested in this camera? ;)

—Bagaimanakah anda meningkatkan diri untuk merakam gambar yang lebih baik?

—I try to read/watch/visit photography related or partially related magazines, books, movies, videos (I love watching K pop music videos to learn techniques), art galleries/museums & etc. From these experiences, I love incorporating my new ideas and creative thinking in the actual shoots by hopefully getting faster spontaneous responsiveness to the moments. Also, I go to conferences and seminars, and get connected with a wide range of cool photographers from different parts of the world. Also, I shoot together with a few of my local photographers time to time for cross-inspiring and training purposes at the real weddings.

—Hasil kerja siapakah yang paling mempengaruhi anda sebagai jurufoto?

—Hmmm... I would say photographers in WPJA Winners Collections, Fearless Photographers Award Collections and ISPWP Award Collections have influenced me the most. I am sorry to tell you that I love all the winners, not the single one, as I admire their work so much! Also, I give a full respect to those photographers who push themselves to the infinity over creative limits.

—Apakah satu perkara yang anda harap anda telah tahu ketika mula merakam foto?

—I really wish I knew a real good mentor when I started taking photos. I have had neither a mentor nor had worked for a studio during my photography career. Also, I did not have any good friend photographers until I met most of them during the past 1.5 years.

—Apakah yang ingin anda sampaikan melalui foto anda?

—They are fun, animated, compassionate, witty, unique, hardworking, modern, artistic, imaginative, quirky, and yet most importantly, story telling with my true spirit.

—Apakah yang memotivasikan anda untuk terus mengambil gambar?

—My family the most. Also, undiscovered world of photography intrigues me to challenge myself in the upcoming future. Accolades can be bonus.

—Bukankah ibu bapa anda pada satu tahap patut bertegas?

—Less strict. Matter of fact, my mom bought me my first point-n-shoot camera when I was the fifth grade. They are always supportive and respectful to my decision, but I had to be very responsible to my decision.

—Jika anda boleh kembali ke masa lalu, apakah yang akan ada lakukan dengan cara berbeza?

—I would go to a renowned college of art to inspire myself with in-depth fine art. I studied Environmental Science instead. Also, I would continue playing badminton, so I could have competed in Olympics (one of my teammates from the same school team won a gold medal in Atlanta Olympic games).

—Bagaimanakah kehidupan di planet lain?

—I am going to ask God about it.

—Siapakah hero anda?

—Whoever influences me to become a better person.

—Siapakah orang yang anda tidak hormat kepadanya?

—People who commit sins without repent afterwards.

—Apakah yang anda lakukan pada masa lapang?

—Planning something ahead that would or would not happen, but it is always fun to do it. I do normal things that the normal people would do during the spare time.

—Apakah sisi diri anda yang tidak pernah diketahui umum?

—When I am doing post production work at home, I am normally in underwears as it happens to be very comfortable and free to myself.

—Bilakah anda akan benar-benar berpuas hati dengan kerja anda?

—When I hear back from my clients with lots of compliments and appreciation after they get the final release. Also, accolades are bonus to my satisfaction, but I consider myself always being in learning curve.

—Adakah anda percaya dengan peranan tradisi bagi lelaki dan perempuan?

—Yes, I am in terms of marriage and family, however, roles are always subject to change based on the modern lifestyle. As long as we love each other, traditional roles are not biggie in our lives.

—Adakah anda mudah berkawan?

—Yes, however, it can take significant amount of time to become their best friends. I would rather be their best friends than making them my best friends.

—Di manakah anda suka untuk tinggal?

—I would like to live in one Korea upon unification of North & South Korea. Other than US and Korea, I would also consider living any parts around the world needing any of my contribution.

—Apakah perkara paling bodoh pernah anda bersetuju lakukan?

—Sharing a studio space with a wedding dress/floral shop. I would never do a business with anyone in the same space.

—Masih adakah kehidupan selepas perkahwinan?

—Sure thing! Your lifetime companion and kids are enough to make a dramatic change in your life after marriage.

—Adakah anda ada lawak kegemaran? Beritahu kami.

—My wife and my son give me all kinds of silly talk, and I always return with a joke. Too many to list.

—Anda suka anjing atau kucing?

—We used to have a jack russell terrier and a mix dog for over 12 years. They both passed aways a few years ago, but they always stay remained in our hearts. We are planning to have one soon.

—Siapakah atau apakah yang anda tidak suka?

—Business partners with betrayal, lies and unacceptable manner. I can't tolerate those people, and can't deal with them anymore as it happens to be the worst time in my life.

—Perkara terbaik dalam hidup ialah:

—When my son was born.

—Perkara paling menjengkelkan dalam hidup ialah:

—Dealing with business partners and friends who betrayed me.

—Adakah sesuatu di sekitar anda yang anda ingin ubah?

—I would like to redesign my website, restart blogging, and keep up everything in timely manner.

—Apakah yang anda mahu ubah pada diri sendiri?

—I need to put something on when I am working at home.
Seriously, I need to reshape my body.

—Apakah yang anda ingin ubah di dunia ini?

—Get rid of terrorists and dictators, and provide aids to those who are in desperate life situation.

—Bolehkah anda berikan beberapa petua untuk jurufoto yang baru saja bermula?

—Learn, practise and gain lots of experience to become a true artist, not a person with a good show-off camera. Most importantly, try to understand what this day means to the wedded couple and people at the wedding, and your role there.

—Jika makhluk asing datang ke Bumi dan anda ialah orang pertama yang mereka temui, apakah yang akan anda beritahu kepada mereka?

—"Do you need a photographer to document your landing and presence? The session will be free, however, you need to sign a media release form." LOL

—Jika anda dipanggil untuk penggambaran sebuah filem, apakah yang akan menjadi genrenya?

—I would like to photograph an epic love story, war and drama.

—Esok saya akan pergi dan melakukan...

—Tomorrow, I will go to a wedding and photograph the most amazing day of someone's life.