Photographer Interview:
Howe Sim
By InsideGraphics.com
1.
Great pictures! Congrats! Tell us about yourself. How did you get
interested in photography?
Unlike most photographers, I first
developed an interest in the field at a relatively late point in my life. I had
just completed medical school and was already doing my specialty training in
Internal Medicine & Gastroenterology when I acquired my first digital
point-and-shoot. Initially, I only used my camera when on vacation. Once I
finished my postgraduate training, however, I found myself with a lot more free
time on my hands. At the same time, digital camera technology was starting to
advance at a much greater pace. These two factors led to my growing interest in
photography. Before long, I was spending every spare minute shooting or
learning how to see the world through the eyes of a photographer.
2.
You have tried almost all types of photography. How did you manage to do
this?
This is due in large part to all
the spare time I have. Rather than work full time in an office-based medical
practice, I chose to moonlight part-time as a medical consultant. The rest of
the time I am working as a photographer. Through my desire to improve my
photographic skills, I have tried my hand at many forms of photography: nature,
landscape, wildlife, portrait, black & white, infrared, macro, Lensbaby,
etc.
3.
What kind of photography do you like the most? What type of photographer
would you like to be called?
I most enjoy travel photography, as
it combines my dual interests in photography and in seeing the world. And I
strongly believe that it is through seeing how the rest of the world lives that
we come to appreciate how much we as North Americans are lucky to have but
often take for granted.
4.
How much do you emphasize photography gear? What kind of equipment do
you use?
I personally use Nikon bodies, and
have a D200, D70s, and a infrared-converted D100. I also generally stick with
Nikon lenses, but also have a couple third-party lenses (eg. Sigma, Lensbaby).
I don’t place too much importance on gear as far as the quality of one’s
photography is concerned. Much more important is being familiar with whatever
equipment you use, particularly its limitations and weaknesses. Having said
that, I strongly believe that any serious photographer should be shooting with
an SLR, rather than a much more ‘restrictive’ point-and-shoot.
5.
Please tell us your opinion on film versus digital photography.
Having never owned a film camera, I
cannot personally comment on the pros and cons of traditional film-based
photography. I owe my interest in photography to the development of digital
camera technology. I believe that for the most part, digital photography is a
natural progression from film-based photography in our technology-rich society.
The fact that almost all professionals have made the switch to digital
equipment supports my contention. And even those who stick with film-based
equipment still end up scanning their slides or negatives into a computer on
which they later edit and manipulate their images. So in a sense, virtually all
imaging these days is to some extent ‘digital.’
In addition, I feel that the advent
of digital cameras (as well as the proliferation of the world wide web) has
allowed many fledgling photographers to showcase and advertise their work
globally, something not previously available in the pre-digital era.
6.
You seem to think a lot before taking a picture. Every photograph has
some thought behind it. What kind of preparation do you do before taking a
picture? What are your thoughts before deciding on the subject?
Actually I try not to think too
much before taking photos. I agree that a certain amount of mental preparation
is important before a photo shoot, whether it be a portrait session or a
theme-based project shoot (eg. decay). Based on sales of my prints, I have come
to know what kinds of images sell well, and therefore know to keep an eye out
for these types of shots. At the same time, however, it is important not to
limit yourself to only these shots. If you place limits on your creativity, you
will miss subjects and perspectives which may later prove even more interesting
and fruitful.
7.
What is your philosophy about photography? Has it affected your life in any ways?
Photography is different things to
different people. For many casual shooters, it is a way of documenting life:
photos of your kids growing up, photos from family vacations abroad, and so on.
For me, photography is an art form. As a photographer, I do try to capture
reality, but in a way different from others. I try to shoot a scene in a way I
consider artistic and creative. Sometimes this means shooting from an unusual
angle or with a non-conventional f-stop, other times this may require me to use
my infrared-converted camera to capture light from the invisible end of the
spectrum.
Through photography, I have
discovered a wonderful creative outlet previously absent in my life. In recent
years, I have successfully turned this hobby into a business venture, with most
of my work derived from print sales and portrait sessions. I hope in the near
future to be able to retire fully from medical practice to work full time as a
photographer.
8.
I would like to know how you decided to select ‘Abandoned’ as a subject
of your photography.
I believe that the art of
photography allows the viewer to see and appreciate the beauty of things where
it is not immediately apparent. Beauty is a subjective quality: what one
considers attractive may not appear as such to others. One of the things I have
always been drawn to (though others may not, at first) is the eerie yet calm
beauty of abandoned spaces, places where few venture. Many such places are off
limits and illegal, from abandoned tunnels to residential and commercial
structures. I try to convey through my images the haunting and disquieting
sadness of these long forsaken places.
9.
What attracted you to ‘Decay’ as a photographic subject?
Similar reasons as with my
‘Abandoned’ images. For me, it is all about finding and showing to others the
beauty of things normally considered unattractive. I love the sadness of
rusting objects, the loneliness of peeling paint, and the emptiness of things
no longer useful.
10.
What tips do you have for beginners who wish to master photography?
Shoot, shoot and shoot some more.
Go to your local library or bookstore and read everything you can get your
hands on: books, magazines, whatever is available. Surf the web and see what
images others are taking. Then go out and shoot some more. Experiment with
different techniques and approaches. And familiarize yourself with the workings
of your gear: know what it is and is not capable of doing.