Fotoğrafçı Ken Pak

—Fotojenik olduğunuzu düşünüyor musunuz?

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

—Fotoğrafçılık endüstrisine nasıl giriş yaptınız?

—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.

—Sizce iyi bir fotoğrafın en önemli bileşenleri nelerdir?

—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.

—Seyahat etmeyi sever misiniz?

—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).

—Mesleğinizle ilgili en sevdiğiniz şey nedir?

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

—Mesleğinizin en zor tarafı nedir?

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

—Fotoğrafçılığının geleceği konusunda neler düşünüyorsunuz?

—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.

—Uzmanlaştığınız fotoğrafçılık türünü özel kılan şey nedir?

—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.

—Eleştiriler karşısında yaklaşımınız nasıl oluyor?

—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.

—Fotoğrafçılığı ile ilgili yeni trendler var mı?

—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.

—Müşteriler fotoğrafçı seçerken ne gibi kriterleri göz önünde bulundurmalıdırlar?

—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.

—Fotoğraf çekimi sırasında kesinlikle izin vermeyeceğiniz şeyler nelerdir?

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

—Bir fotoğrafçı diğerlerinin görmediği hangi detayları yakalayabilir?

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

—Fotoğrafın değerini belirleyen şey nedir? Ne gibi unsurları vardır?

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

—Sizce 21. yüzyılın sembolü kim olabilir?

—Big brothers in media.

—Kimi fotoğraflamak istersiniz?

—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.

—Mesleğinizle ilgili tabularınız var mı?

—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.

—Birlikte fotoğraf çekmek istediğiniz birisi var mı?

—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.

—Hangi konularda endişeleriniz var ve neden?

—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.

—Hayatınızda sizi en çok etkileyen an?

—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.

—Çizgi film, edebiyat veya sinema karakteri olsaydınız nasıl bir karakter olmak isterdiniz, neden?

—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!

—Hayatınızda size ilham veren birisi var mı? Neden?

—Jesus Christ who keeps me being a better person.

—Kısaca başarıyı tanımlar mısınız? Başarıyı nasıl ölçersiniz?

—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.

—Beğenilmeyi mi yoksa saygınlığı mı tercih edersiniz?

—I would rather be liked.

—Bugüne kadar işinizle ilgili yaptığınız en büyük hatanız nedir?

—Encountering a media failure by using cheap media card.

—Bir seyahate giderken yanınıza alacağınız şey nedir? Niçin?

—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.

—Kullandığınız cihazlar arasında keşke satın almasaydım dediğiniz bir cihaz var mı? Neden?

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

—Daha iyi fotoğraflar çekmek adına kendinizi nasıl geliştiriyorsunuz?

—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.

—Bir fotoğrafçısı olarak çalışmalarından en çok etkilendiğiniz kişi kimdir?

—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.

—Fotoğraf çekmeye başladığınızda bilmeyi istediğiniz en önemli şey nedir?

—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.

—Fotoğraflarınızda neleri anlatmak istersiniz?

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

—Neler fotoğraf çekme arzunuzu motive ediyor?

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

—Ailem daha otoriter veya daha özgürlükçü olmalıydı diye hiç düşündünüz mü?

—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.

—Geçmişe gidebilseydin neyi değiştirmeyi isterdin?

—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).

—Diğer gezegenlerde de yaşam olduğunu düşünüyor musunuz?

—I am going to ask God about it.

—Herhangi bir kahramanınız var mı?

—Whoever influences me to become a better person.

—Kime saygı duymazsınız?

—People who commit sins without repent afterwards.

—Boş zamanlarınızda neler yaparsınız?

—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.

—Diğer insanların hiç bilmediği farklı bir yönünüz var mı?

—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.

—Şu ana kadar tam olarak tatmin olduğun bir çalışma oldu mu?

—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.

—Kadınların ve erkeklerin geleneksel rolleri hakkında neler düşünüyorsunuz?

—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.

—İnsanlarla hemen arkadaş olabilir misiniz?

—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.

—Nerede yaşamayı isterdiniz?

—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.

—Kesinlikle yapmayı kabul etmediğiniz en aptalca şey nedir?

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

—Evlilik sonrası hayat konusunda neler düşünüyorsunuz?

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

—Çok sevdiğiniz bir fıkra var mı? Eğer varsa bizimle paylaşır mısınız?

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

—Kedileri veya köpekleri sever misiniz?

—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.

—Kimden veya ne yapmaktan nefret edersiniz?

—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.

—Hayatınızdaki en iyi şey:

—When my son was born.

—Hayatınızdaki en sinir bozucu şey:

—Dealing with business partners and friends who betrayed me.

—Çevrenizde değiştirmek istediğiniz bir şeyler var mı?

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

—Kendinizde neyi değiştirmek isterdiniz?

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

—Dünyadaki neleri değiştirmek isterdiniz?

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

—Fotoğrafçılığına yeni başlayanlar için birkaç ipucu verebilirsiniz?

—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.

—Uzaylılar dünyaya gelse ve onların karşısına çıkan ilk kişi siz olsanız, onlara ne derdiniz?

—"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

—Sizden bir film çekmeniz istenseydi, bu ne tür bir film olurdu?

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

—Yarın yapacağım...

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