Wow Mikayla, is this your full interview with that awesome dude you interviewed? Yes. Yes it is.
(All the bolded questions are the ones included in the final zine)Â
website: https://www.liamwong.com/
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liamwong/
1- What factors influenced your decision to buy that first DSLR and branch out from game development to photography?
As I began travelling through my game development job - I became interested in photography, I saved up for a while so that I could get a DSLR.
2- Your series 'Neo Tokyo' has a heavy science fiction aesthetic, were you inspired by the cyberpunk movement? What design movements and styles have inspired your photography and design practice?
I am massively inspired by the work of Syd Mead and Hideo Kojima, and movies like Blade Runner and Enter The Void. Also animation such as Ghost in The Shell and Akira. I love the colors and style and at some point pushed my photography into that direction.
3- What tricks do you use to achieve the neon affect in your photography? Are there any tricks of the trade you can share with me?
As I have an artistic background I use Photoshop/Lightroom and also occasionally lens filters and gels on flashes.
A simple trick I use on my smartphone is to place a coloured gel (plastic) over my lens to achieve cooler tones. I do a similar technique with remote flashes to introduce contrasting lights.
4- What have been your favourite projects to work on throughout your career? Why?
In video games I worked as a director on a series called Far Cry, which took me for the first time to Japan.
For photography I just really like anything which enables me to connect with people - it has been the most fun part of having a camera. From fashion shoots to hanging with strangers and other photographers through Instagram in different cities.
5- Where to next? How do you see your practice growing and changing in the future?
I am currently freelance and in-between mediums. I just finished up my book and Iâm now looking at my next photo series. I like just learning new skills and seeing where they take me.
Lastly, do you have any words of wisdom for beginning designers such as myself?
Surround yourself with talent - itâs the quickest way to learn and make progress at any skill.
1- What drew you to design in the first place? Was there an event in your life, a teacher, or even a family member that introduced you to it?
I became interested in making digital artwork from around age 10 or so when my older brother would play games and make art. If anything I found that the teachers I had would say art was not worth pursuing as a career. Graphic design became a good path because of how easy it is to find a job in any major city, in comparison to something like animation. I think what I love most about design is encountering problems and finding solutions, I am a very visual person and so visual communication sat well with me. I became interested in 2D, UI, Concept Design and UX - I would learn a lot from online communities and art groups. It wasnât until after university that I moved into pursuing a career in video games and eventually art direction.
2- We live in an era of ever advancing technology, how do you see photography changing in the future because of this?
I think an artist is capable of executing on their ideas regardless of technology - some of my biggest inspirations come from a time where they had many limitations and ultimately produced great work (Fan Ho, Henri Cartier Bresson, Saul Bass).
3- If you could collaborate with anyone - dead or alive - on any project, who would it be, and what would it be?
I am always keen to learn more about portraiture - thereâs a musician who has followed me for a while and I looked up to them ever since I was a kid but I am too shy to ask if I can take their picture - I will once I practice a little more and if we are in the same place.
4- What is something you have learnt through making mistakes in your career? What was the mistake?
As someone who is very hands-on, I found it difficult to break out of that early on in my career particularly as I moved into leadership positions. Over time I was able to work on communicating a vision to others and helping teach/mentor them in any skill gaps that they had, rather than taking the work on myself.
