April 9, 2011

A Look Through My Lens, Part 3

I am really pleased with the consistently warm reception that A Look Through My Lens has been receiving. I want to extend my thanks once more to the 3 photographers I featured in A Look Through My Lens, Part 2: Rog Walker, King Texas, and Chris Charles. (And just a quick note to all the photographers who have contacted me, I am trying to do these features in order of when each of you contacted me so if your work has yet to be featured it is because there were some people who contacted me before you did.) I do plan on featuring everyone who contacted me so no worries! Today I have 3 immensely gifted photographers to present to you: Mambu Bayoh, Dana Shum & Brandon Hicks. As always, I have interviewed each photographer and their responses to the questions I asked accompany their photos. Enjoy!





As long as I can remember, I’ve always been a pretty visual person. So it’s only natural to think I’ve always somewhat been into photography. I really began appreciating it as an art at about 16 years old. It was in my first high school photo class, where I did a paper and presentation on a random photographer chosen out of a hat. I was in awe at his composition and the mood in his book “Into the West” and his fashion work was beyond beautiful. That photographer was Richard Avedon. I initially was drawn to the freezing of my memories or life events as evidence of existence. Time to me seemed of such essence that photography defied it. It defied time and death. People became immortalized in it.
I’m really not selective by genre or anything. I think a great photo is a great photo. You just know. It makes you stop or your eye stop. I remember the last time I was walking somewhere a few years ago and saw a painting in a window. It was like 3 am in the morning and I was just aimlessly walking. But I can tell you that I sat there and stared at the painting for over an hour amazed. Then I came back the next business day to feed that need. The painting was The Life of Marvin Gaye by Kadir Nelson. I’ve been hunting for a copy ever since. It was just good art like the way a good photo is. Freezing, emotional and draws you in.


My work is journalistic; I capture life as I know or see it. It is also laboring; it’s born out of love passion and inner struggle.
I love to capture people. The collective strength of humans is beyond amazing and the determination of an individual is prolific. I’ve been blessed to be on earth for a little amount of its history but I just want to document what I see and hear. To show the human strength, defeat, determination, culture, and resilience.


I use a working camera. If it can shoot I’ll take it. I’ll even use an oatmeal box to make a camera if I need to.  But I favor a more usable camera over a less efficient one.
The photographers I admire are Andrew Dosunmu, Boogie (amazing work), Chester Higgins, Annie Leibovitz & Gordon Parks.







I’ve been into photography for about two years. I've always loved photographs and art, so when I got a camera I thought I'd try my hand at it.
Since I still consider myself pretty new at this I would say that I haven't yet found my trademark style. Trying to find yourself in your art can be pretty tough sometimes, since you are still seeing different elements of yourself in everything around you and everything you shoot. I'm a people person so naturally I find myself focusing on people. But I take pictures of anything that catches my eye. The task is fine-tuning that eye.


Three words I would use to describe my photographic style are individuality, growth, beauty.
My favorite things to capture in photos are body, color, contour and always always always some love.




I use a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS. I'm actually looking to buy a new camera.  I love this camera though, it's not bulky or too heavy- so it is definitely something that I can take with me everywhere. As I continue to grow in this art and business I've found that it definitely does put a cap on my potential as a photographer. But the greatest thing about photography isn't the camera. A true photographer is able to make their audience see what they see with any camera really. It's more than just point and shoot and lights and gimmicks. This is truly the best part because it forces me to test my own creativity. It's almost reassuring in a way, because it makes me feel confident that I can make anything look like art.
The photographers that I look up to the most are Catherine Farquharson, Emmanuel Bobbie, Rodney Quarcoo, Steve Ababio, Teddy Dako, Thierry Le Goues, Andre Brito. I know this is a long list but I had to do it. Catherine Farquharson is a "documentographer". You should see the shots she gets. She does weddings, mostly. The idea of traveling the world and capturing the most precious and beautiful moments in people's lives is something I know I'm going to spend my life doing. Rodney Quarcoo, Steve Ababio and Teddy Dako are my mentors. Steve takes me on his shoots and I learn tons! Not just about photography, but also about the business aspect. Rodney and Teddy give me constructive criticism and teach me a lot about my camera and finding the art in my work. They are phenomenal photographers, so it is quite a blessing to have them coach me on. Immanuel Bobbie is crazy with his art. He is absolutely crazy. Have you seen his photos? I love the strength they convey. Thierry Le Goues is a fashion photographer, something that I can see myself doing and Andre Brito is a fine arts photographer. They capture a feeling, a sensuality in the simplest, most beautiful way. I look at their work and I say to myself, "I should be doing that...I should be doing more than that."



Photography was something I was always intrigued by. I started this out with just a hobby and things but didn't get real serious until maybe a couple years back.
I take ALL kinds of pictures. From everyday life to portraits, it's all love.
                        

Three words I would use to define my photographic style? Hmmm...I'm really sitting here and can't come up with nothing but..electric, brandon, dope. haha
 My favorite things to capture in photos are things that happen in life; random things that you can't make up. For example, how often do you see an elephant in the street? Things like that.


I use a Canon but I've used Nikon before. I like the way this one fits versus my old camera.
Right now I'd probably say my photog homies are the photographers I admire the most. All of our styles are different and it's always nice to see what they have new to show. shutterjunkies.blogspot.com! :)



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69 comments:

  1. Anonymous4/09/2011

    DOPE!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to be a photographer now.

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  2. Good job Dami =) Didn't realize you were a blogger until today, haha..

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  3. These photographers are so talented!

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  4. lovely photographs!!!!! Oh i really want to be a photographer nowwww

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  5. STUNNING IMAGES!!!!

    http://www.oddandchic.com

    xxx

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  6. This is really really really amazing! Each of these photographers has their own style, I love it! Really love Dana's scenery shots :) And Mambu's photos are just mind blowing! Electric Brandon's style is so cool and almost vintage. This post is very inspiring :)

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  7. Anonymous4/09/2011

    I've been looking through these images and reading these words for almost an hour lol. I love everything here.

    Très cool.

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  8. I love every photo, very well done and very detailde ^^

    www.themadtoter.blogspot.com

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  9. Lovely!! There are so many talented photographers out there. Are any of them Nigerian? Just wondering

    Adiya

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  10. Love your blog !!! I make illustrations you should love on :

    http://clement-dezelus.blogspot.com

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  11. these photos are so awesome :D

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  12. They are amazing!

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  13. my eyes are being seriously spoiled right now! I REALLY love it ALL

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  14. Thank you all so much for the feedback! I'm so glad you like the feature!

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  15. I can't believe i'm only discovering your blog until now. The photography is orgasmic!

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  16. Thank you for the lovely comment =) My weekly gratitude posts were inspired by one of my fellow blogger ( Love, Life, Lace @ http://www.lovelifelace.com/)
    And I definitely encourage to write some weekly gratitude posts, because it made me to realize that there is always something to be thankful in our life. Each day is special on it's own. It might have it's good's and bad's, but that's what makes life more interesting. I can't wait to read your weekly gratitude!
    (If you are interested wanna follow each other)
    Well, take care & hope to hear from you soon =)

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  17. oh wow!this blog is so interesting! you do such a good job with these interviews!
    Thanks for your comment on my blog :-)
    what about following each other?
    Anna

    www.followpix.blogspot.com

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  18. love your pics, i need to be in front of your lens!!

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  19. lovely pictures!
    want to follow each other?
    skirtsanddressess.blogspot.com
    xo

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  20. amazing pics, BIG LIKE :)

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  21. tanks for your comment.
    just seen your blog for the first time and already fell in love with it!!
    consider me as your newest follower :)

    xx ju.

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  22. I could look at these photos ALL DAY. So inspirational.

    btw, you can get a hat like the one I posted anywhere these days (i bought mine for like $10 at Target! hehe)

    xo//Andrea Marie
    http://peaceloveandreamarie.blogspot.com

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  23. Wow, these are very talented people indeed...
    I think it's amazing what you're doing on your blog...it's so refreshing, gorgeous and delicate.
    Follow you of course, thanks so much for your comment!

    take care and keep up the good work,

    Ber.

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  24. such an AmAzing blog :) thank you for the comment on my blog, i am now following you! i would love for you to follow me too :)))

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  25. They are all so jaw droopingly good. their individual styles are so unique, which adds so much to their work.

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  26. wowow. AWESOME,amazing PICS! loving all of them!!!

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  27. Anonymous4/11/2011

    Thank-you for the comment my lovely,
    these are beautiful pictures!
    they are all available here http://redbricklipstick.bigcartel.com/ xxx

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  28. WOW, I am so impressed about these shots!!!AMAZING!
    http://chiccastyle.blogspot.com/

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  29. awe- some!!!

    http://themashedup.blogspot.com/
    Lydz xX

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  30. Amazing pictures. I am so overwhelmed by them! beautiful <3

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  31. Amazing work :)...4 some reason I thought i was following your blog..Well I am now and these pics are amazing.

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  32. amazing pictures! <3<3

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  33. The second one picture is awesome... she look fabulous!

    xx

    www.sickbytrend.com

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  34. his work is very very good.. love it.

    plus, i'm now following you on twitter...

    www.dasiy-mak.com

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  35. Great post, lovely photos. Interesting too xoxo

    www.fashionsbeauty.com

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  36. these photos are SO beautiful, just stunning.

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  37. Thank you all so much for commenting! I'm so glad you all enjoyed the photography :) Mambu, Dana & Brandon are truly, TRULY talented!!

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  38. Anonymous4/11/2011

    I LOVE the photography. Some very talented people out there.

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  39. Anonymous4/11/2011

    Dami love ur blog!You very articulate.

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  40. I was wondering when you were going to do this Part 3 post lol. Amazing! I love this series man!!

    And Dee, your name is Dami? That's my middle name! (Damola)

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  41. Hi, Thank you for the comment. Those pictures are amazing, I think it's a great idea to show the work of other photographers.

    +I'm your new follower.

    Have a nice day and stay in touch.
    Love,
    B
    http://firstblueshoes.blogspot.com/

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  42. Loving the photography!

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  43. Absolutely gorgeous photos!
    Especially loving the third set!

    xoxox,
    CC

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  44. absolutely amazing photos, all of them :)




    myblissisthisway.blogspot.com

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  45. really amazin blog here

    great photography and style:))

    kiss dear

    keep in touch!

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  46. Great blog, relaly interesting....I do love it!

    http://fashiondoesntexist.blogspot.com/

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  47. Very cool series! It makes me feel giddy inside that they use a Rebel as I do too! It's not about the camera, it's about the photographer.

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  48. These photos are unreal, so striking.

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  49. glad you liked them! thanks for your comment. just quickly checked out your blog. you feature some very cool pictures on here! so much to take inspiration from. about to become your newest follower :)
    stop back for more music stuff-i do 8am posts every day highlighting indie bands (and all my fashion stuff goes up at 12PM, est).

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  50. all these photos are AMAZING!

    katslovefashion.blogspot.com

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  51. What a gorgeous pictures.. The black girl is beyond fabulous.
    Ps. I am so sorry if I haven't been able to read your blog lately.. I was on holiday.. but I am back now!
    Lee x

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  52. Anonymous4/13/2011

    wow such amazing works!! As a photographer myself it's great to see that you are giving them exposure on the blog!!

    xoxo
    amuseinme.com

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  53. I am at a loss for words this photography is to die for!!!! LOVE IT!!!

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  54. Love Love Love the photography!

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  55. I love reading their answers and their point of view on photography! It's such an inspiration! xxoxoxoxoo

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  56. amazing photography!

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  57. amazing finds as always hun!!

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  58. Wowowowow! What amazing photographers. Good interviews, too. I really love the fashion-but-not-quite vibe of a lot of these pics, especially the ones by Mambu and Brandon. Keep up the great work.

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  59. this is an absolutely fantastic post! i love it. so much to look at. just perfect. will save this in my favorites ;)
    xx

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  60. i love photography so much! i could look at these images for hours...

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  61. J'aime beaucoup les bijoux de la 1ère photo ! Très jolie.


    Merci beaucoup pour ton passage sur mon blog .:)

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  62. A M A Z I N G photos... They made me quiet... seriously!!

    Following you :)

    xo thefashionguitar

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  63. You always find the best photographers! Love the photos!

    -Kris

    http://thekrisbliss.blogspot.com

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  64. Anonymous4/26/2011

    As always your content manages to blow me away everytime. The work of these photographers is breathtaking to say the least.

    Love

    Tashrin
    Twitter - @ishrattrishna

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  65. Wow... Love every image!

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