Nhiếp ảnh gia Ken Pak

—Bạn có ăn ảnh không?

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

—Bạn bước chân vào nghề chụp ảnh như thế nào?

—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.

—Theo ý kiến của bạn, những thành phần nào là quan trọng nhất của một bức ảnh đẹp?

—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.

—Bạn có yêu thích du lịch không?

—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).

—Điều bạn thích nhất trong nghề của mình là gì?

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

—Điều bạn không thích nhất trong nghề của mình là gì?

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

—Tương lai của nghề chụp ảnh sẽ như thế nào?

—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.

—Bạn có chuyên môn đặc biệt về thể loại ảnh nào?

—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.

—Thái độ của bạn trước những lời phê bình như thế nào?

—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.

—Có bất kỳ xu hướng nào trong ngành nhiếp ảnh không?

—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.

—Khách hàng nên có tiêu chí nào để lựa chọn nhiếp ảnh gia?

—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.

—Cần tránh những điều gì khi chụp ảnh?

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

—Những chi tiết nào thường bị bỏ qua mà một nhiếp ảnh gia lại để ý?

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

—Cái gì ảnh hưởng tới giá trị của một tấm ảnh? Giá trị gồm các yếu tố nào?

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

—Theo ý kiến của bạn người nào có thể là biểu tượng của thế kỷ 21?

—Big brothers in media.

—Bạn muốn chụp ai?

—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.

—Bạn có bất kỳ điều gì cấm kỵ trong nghề nghiệp không?

—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.

—Bạn thích chụp ảnh cùng ai?

—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.

—Bạn lo lắng điều gì, và tại sao?

—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.

—Khoảnh khắc ấn tượng nhất trong đời bạn là gì?

—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.

—Nếu bạn là một nhân vật trong một bộ phim hoạt hình, một cuốn sách hay một bộ phim thì bạn muốn là ai và tại sao?

—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!

—Ai truyền cảm hứng cho bạn trong đời và tại sao?

—Jesus Christ who keeps me being a better person.

—Bạn định nghĩa thành công là gì? Bạn đo lường thành công như thế nào?

—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.

—Bạn muốn được yêu thích hay được tôn trọng?

—I would rather be liked.

—Sai lầm lớn nhất của bạn trong công việc là gì?

—Encountering a media failure by using cheap media card.

—Khi đi du lịch, bạn mang theo những thứ gì và tại sao?

—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.

—Có bất kỳ thứ gì mà bạn ước mình đã không mua trong số các thiết bị của bạn không? Tại sao?

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

—Bạn tự học cách chụp ảnh như thế nào?

—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.

—Tác phẩm của ai gây ảnh hưởng nhiều nhất với bạn khi làm nhiếp ảnh gia?

—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.

—Có điều gì bạn ước mình đã biết khi bắt đầu chụp ảnh?

—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.

—Bạn muốn nói điều gì với những tấm ảnh của mình?

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

—Động lực nào khiến bạn tiếp tục chụp ảnh?

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

—Bố mẹ bạn nên nghiêm khắc hơn hay bớt nghiêm khắc đi?

—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.

—Nếu bạn có thể du hành ngược thời gian, bạn sẽ làm điều gì khác đi?

—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).

—Cuộc sống trên các hành tinh khác như thế nào?

—I am going to ask God about it.

—Ai là người hùng của bạn?

—Whoever influences me to become a better person.

—Bạn không tôn trọng ai?

—People who commit sins without repent afterwards.

—Bạn làm gì trong thời gian rỗi?

—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.

—Khía cạnh nào trong con người bạn mà người ngoài không bao giờ thấy?

—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.

—Khi nào bạn hoàn toàn hài lòng với tác phẩm của mình?

—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.

—Bạn có tin vào các vai trò truyền thống của nam giới và phụ nữ không?

—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.

—Bạn có dễ dàng kết bạn không?

—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.

—Bạn muốn sống ở đâu?

—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.

—Điều ngu ngốc nhất bạn từng đồng ý làm là gì?

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

—Sau hôn nhân còn gì đáng sống không?

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

—Bạn có câu đùa yêu thích nào không? Hãy kể cho chúng tôi.

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

—Bạn thích chó hay mèo?

—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.

—Bạn ghét ai hay cái gì?

—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.

—Điều tốt đẹp nhất trong cuộc sống là:

—When my son was born.

—Điều khó chịu nhất trong cuộc sống là:

—Dealing with business partners and friends who betrayed me.

—Bạn có muốn thay đổi bất kỳ điều gì quanh bạn không?

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

—Bạn muốn thay đổi điều gì trong bản thân mình?

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

—Bạn muốn thay đổi điều gì trên thế giới?

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

—Bạn có thể đưa ra vài lời khuyên cho các nhiếp ảnh gia vừa mới bắt đầu không?

—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.

—Nếu người ngoài hành tinh đến Trái đất và bạn là người đầu tiên họ gặp, bạn sẽ cho họ biết những gì?

—"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

—Nếu bạn được mời quay một bộ phim, đó sẽ là thể loại nào?

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

—Ngày mai tôi sẽ đi làm...

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