Fotografas Ken Pak

—Ar esate fotogeniškas?

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

—Kaip jūs atsiradote fotografijos industrijoje?

—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.

—Jūsų nuomone, kokie yra svarbiausi geros nuotraukos komponentai?

—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.

—Ar mėgstate keliauti?

—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).

—Kas šioje profesijoje Jums patinka labiausiai?

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

—Kas šioje profesijoje Jums patinka mažiausiai?

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

—Kokia bus fotografijos ateitis?

—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.

—Kuo ypatingas fotografijos žanras, kuriame jūs specializuojatės?

—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.

—Kaip susitvarkote su kritika?

—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.

—Ar fotografijoje egzistuoja tendencijos?

—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.

—Kokie turėtų būti kliento kriterijai, kad pasirinkti fotografą?

—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.

—Kokių dalykų turi būti vengiama fotografuojant?

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

—Kokias detales, kurios paprastai būna nepastebėtos, gali pastebėti fotografas?

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

—Kas įtakoja nuotraukos vertę? Kokie yra jos elementai?

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

—Koks žmogus Jūsų manymu galėtų būti 21 amžiaus simboliu?

—Big brothers in media.

—Ką norite fotografuoti?

—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.

—Ar turite profesinių tabu?

—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.

—Su kuo norėtumėte kartu fotografuoti?

—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.

—Dėl ko nerimaujate ir kodėl?

—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.

—Kas yra įsimintiniausias dalykas nutikęs Jūsų gyvenime?

—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.

—Jeigu būtumėte animacinio filmo, knygos arba filmo veikėju, kuo norėtumėte būti ir kodėl?

—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!

—Kas ir kodėl Jus įkvepia gyvenime?

—Jesus Christ who keeps me being a better person.

—Kaip Jūs apibrėžtumėte sėkmės terminą? Kaip ją "matuojate"?

—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.

—Geriau būti mėgiamu ar gerbiamu?

—I would rather be liked.

—Kokia yra didžiausia klaida kurią padarėte darbe?

—Encountering a media failure by using cheap media card.

—Kuomet keliaujate, ką ir kodėl imate su savimi?

—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.

—Ar tarp turimų prietaisų yra tokių kurių geriau būtumėte nepirkę? Kodėl?

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

—Kaip mokotės gauti kokybiškesnes nuotraukas?

—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.

—Kieno darbas jus kaip fotografą įtakojo labiausiai?

—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.

—Išskirkite vieną dalyką kurį būtumėte norėjęs žinoti prieš pradedant fotografo karjerą?

—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.

—Ką norite pasakyti savo nuotraukomis?

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

—Kas motyvuoja Jus toliau fotografuoti?

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

—Jūsų tėvai turėjo būti labiau ar mažiau griežti?

—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.

—Jeigu galėtumėte grįžti į praeitį, ką darytumėte kitaip?

—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).

—Ką manote apie gyvybę kitose planetose?

—I am going to ask God about it.

—Kas yra jūsų herojai?

—Whoever influences me to become a better person.

—Kam nejaučiate pagarbos?

—People who commit sins without repent afterwards.

—Ką veikite laisvalaikiu?

—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.

—Kokia yra Jūsų pusė, kurios visuomenė niekada nemato?

—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.

—Kada esate visiškai patenkinti savo darbu?

—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.

—Ar tikite tradicinėmis vyrų ir moterų rolėmis?

—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.

—Ar lengvai randate draugų?

—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.

—Kur norėtumėte gyventi?

—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.

—Koks yra kvailiausias dalykas kūrį buvote padarę?

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

—Ar gyveimas tęsiasi po vedybų?

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

—Ar turite mėgstamą anekdotą? Papasakokite.

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

—Labiau mėgstate šunis ar kates?

—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.

—Ko nekenčiate?

—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.

—Geriausias dalykas gyvenime yra:

—When my son was born.

—Labiausiai erzinantis dalykas gyvenime yra:

—Dealing with business partners and friends who betrayed me.

—Ar yra kas nors aplink jus, ką norėtumėte pakeisti?

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

—Ką norėtmėte pakeisti savyje?

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

—Ką norėtumėte pakeisti pasaulyje?

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

—Ar galite duoti keletą patarimų tik pradedantiems fotografams?

—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.

—Jei į žemę atvyktų ateiviai ir jūs būtumėte pirmas jų sutiktas žmogus, ką jiems pasakytumėte?

—"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

—Jei filmuotumėtė filmą, koks būtų jo žanras?

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

—Rytoj aš eisiu ir darysiu...

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