摄影师Ken Pak

—您上相吗？

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

—您是如何进入摄影行业的？

—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.

—在您看来，一张好的照片最重要的组成部分有哪些？

—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.

—您热爱旅行吗？

—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).

—对于您的职业，您最喜欢什么地方？

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

—对于您的职业，您最不喜欢什么地方？

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

—摄影的前景如何？

—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.

—您专长的摄影风格有什么特别？

—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.

—您如何应对批评？

—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.

—摄影有什么趋势？

—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.

—客户选择摄影师时应该遵循什么标准？

—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.

—拍摄时绝不允许什么事情？

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

—有哪些摄影师可以捕捉的通常会被忽略的细节？

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

—什么影响照片的价值？它的元素有哪些？

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

—在您看来，什么人可以成为 21 世纪的代表人物？

—Big brothers in media.

—您想要为谁拍摄？

—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.

—您有职业禁忌吗？

—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.

—您想与谁一起拍摄？

—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.

—您担心什么？为什么担心？

—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.

—在生命中，给您印象最深的时刻是什么？

—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.

—如果有机会成为一个动画、文学或电影人物，您想成为谁？为什么？

—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!

—在生命中谁鼓舞了您？为什么？

—Jesus Christ who keeps me being a better person.

—您如何定义成功？如何衡量它？

—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.

—您非常受人喜欢或尊敬吗？

—I would rather be liked.

—您在工作中犯过的最大错误是什么？

—Encountering a media failure by using cheap media card.

—当您准备去旅行时，要携带什么？为什么？

—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.

—在您拥有的器材中，是否有一些是您后悔购买的？为什么？

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

—您如何提高自己以拍摄出更好的照片？

—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.

—谁的作品对您作为摄影师的影响最大？

—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.

—开始拍摄时，您最想知道什么？

—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.

—您想对自己的照片说什么？

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

—什么激励您继续拍摄下去？

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

—您的父母是否应该更严厉或变得温和一点呢？

—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.

—如果能够回到过去，您会有什么不同的举动？

—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).

—对于其他星球上的生命，您有何看法？

—I am going to ask God about it.

—谁是您的英雄？

—Whoever influences me to become a better person.

—您不尊重谁？

—People who commit sins without repent afterwards.

—您在业余时间会做什么？

—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.

—公众从不会看到您的哪一面？

—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.

—什么时候您对自己的作品完全满意？

—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.

—您主张男人和女人的传统角色吗？

—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.

—您很容易就会交到朋友吗？

—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.

—您想生活在什么地方？

—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.

—您答应做的最愚蠢的事情是什么？

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

—结婚之后生活的质量高吗？

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

—您有最喜欢的玩笑吗？请告诉我们。

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

—您喜欢狗还是喜欢猫？

—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.

—您讨厌谁，或者厌恶什么？

—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.

—生活中最美好的事情是：

—When my son was born.

—生活中最让人烦心的事情是：

—Dealing with business partners and friends who betrayed me.

—您是否想改变周围的一些事情？

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

—您希望改变自己的哪些方面？

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

—您希望改变世界什么地方？

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

—对于刚入行的摄影师，您能提供一些建议吗？

—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.

—如果外星人来到地球并且您是他们见到的第一个人，您会跟他们说什么？

—"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

—如果您被邀请去拍一部电影，您希望是什么流派？

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

—明天我会去做...

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