写真家Ken Pak氏

—写真写りは良い方ですか？

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

—どうして写真撮影業界に入ったのですか？

—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.

—良い写真を撮影するにあたって最も重要な要素とは何であるか、ご意見をお聞かせいただけますでしょうか？

—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.

—旅行が好きですか？

—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).

—あなたの職業について一番好きなことは何ですか？

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

—あなたの職業について一番嫌いなことは何ですか？

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

—未来の写真撮影とはどのようなものでしょうか？

—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.

—あなたが専門とする特別な写真撮影のジャンルは？

—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.

—批判に対処するには？

—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.

—写真撮影でトレンドはありますか？

—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.

—写真家選択の際に、お客様が基準とすべきことは何ですか？

—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.

—撮影の際、絶対に受け入れがたいことは何でしょうか？

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

—写真家が気づくことができる普段は見過ごさせる細かい点は何ですか？

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

—写真の価値に影響を与えるものとは何でしょうか？その要因は？

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

—どのような人物が 21世紀を象徴する人物になり得るとお考えでしょうか？

—Big brothers in media.

—どんな人を撮影したいですか？

—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.

—プロとしてタブーとしている事はありますか？

—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.

—誰と一緒に写真を撮りたいですか？

—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.

—心配事はありますか。またその理由は何でしょうか？

—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.

—人生において最も印象的な瞬間とは何でしょうか？

—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.

—もしあなたがアニメ化されるとしたら、文学または映画の登場人物のどちらになりたいですか。またそれは何故ですか？

—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!

—あなたの人生においてインスピレーションの元となるのはどんな人ですか？また、それは何故ですか？

—Jesus Christ who keeps me being a better person.

—あなたによって成功とは何でしょうか？また、それをどのように評価していますか？

—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.

—好かれたり、尊敬されたりするほうですか？

—I would rather be liked.

—これまで仕事上で犯した最大のミスは何ですか？

—Encountering a media failure by using cheap media card.

—旅行に出かける際には何を持っていきますか。また、それは何故ですか？

—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.

—所有しているガジェットの中で買わなければ良かったと思っているものはありますか？また、それは何故でしょうか？

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

—より良い写真を撮るために、どのように腕を磨いていますか？

—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.

—写真家として、誰の作品に一番影響を受けましたか？

—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.

—写真撮影を始めた頃、知っていればよかったと思う事は何でしょうか？

—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.

—自分の写真に対して何かコメントはありますか？

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

—写真撮影を続けさせる動機は何でしょうか？

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

—ご両親は多かれ少なかれ、厳しい方だったのではないですか？

—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.

—過去に戻ることができるとしたら、違ったようにやりたいことはありますか？

—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).

—他の惑星にいる生命体はどうでしょう？

—I am going to ask God about it.

—あなたのヒーローは誰ですか？

—Whoever influences me to become a better person.

—あなたが敬意を払わない人はどんな人ですか？

—People who commit sins without repent afterwards.

—オフは何をしていますか？

—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.

—人前では絶対に見せない、あなたのもう一つの側面とは何でしょうか？

—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.

—自分の作品に十分に満足するのはどんな時ですか？

—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.

—男性と女性の伝統的な役割の正当性を信じていますか？

—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.

—簡単に友達になることができますか？

—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.

—どこに住みたいですか？

—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.

—今までにやることを同意した事の中で、一番くだらない事は何でしょうか？

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

—結婚後に人生は存在すると思いますか？

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

—お気に入りのジョークはありますか？教えていただけますか。

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

—犬や猫が好きですか？

—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.

—嫌いな人物や物はありますか？

—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.

—人生における最高のこと：

—When my son was born.

—人生で最も厄介なこと：

—Dealing with business partners and friends who betrayed me.

—何か変えたいと思っていることはありますか？

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

—自分を変えたいと思っていますか？

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

—この世界の何を変えたいと思いますか？

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

—新米の写真家にコツを教えていただけますか？

—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.

—もし宇宙人が地球にやってきて、あなたが最初にその宇宙人に出会うのだとしたら何を話しますか？

—"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

—もし映画の撮影を依頼されたら、どのようなジャンルを撮影しますか？

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

—明日、これをしにいくつもりです...

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