The 5 Questions from JiaLiang
Q1: When did you start as a photographer, and what’s most challenging for you when you started.
A: I started taking the picture ever since I was a child, I always liked documenting things happening around me, people, events etc. But I became a full-time photographer 4 years ago after I realize Economic isn’t really what I want to do for life, and since I switched I have never looked back.
The challenging thing for me was really getting the aesthetic of a professional photographer. Though I never stopped taking photos, becoming an artist using photography as a medium is totally different, thus it was really hard for me to switch from snapping for fun, to ‘snapping’ seriously. Once I learned that I think the rest of it won’t be too much of a problem.
Q2. Are there a particular project you did that’s really memorable to you, can you explain to me about it?
A: Well, I think every project I do, they all have some connection to me, could be personal, could be emotional. I see all of my photographs as my inner self, it’s reaction to the world I live in. Although I don’t consider one that’s more superior than another, they all do hold a special place in my mind.
‘Chinese Market’ is a project I did last year during Chinese New Year time, I went to this old bargain market, and documented what it was like, bargain market in modern China, I wanted to see how many people still shops there, and what’s the seller’s life like in there. It wasn’t any special at the beginning, but the more (photographs) I took, the more story I find which were really heart touching to me. I see little children who are holding their own booth at the market, I see people bargain for cheap prices, buying goods to celebrate a new year. All those characters in there, was very shocking to me, what they do, how they live, it was very new to me. Thus I think it was a really unique experience I had.
Q3. Which photographers, or artists, that you find very inspiring?
A: For me personally I don’t tend to follow one particular person, people make mistakes, great photographers make bad pictures sometime. I wouldn’t say there’s anyone, who I have always loved all of their work. It does depend on what they are doing, what I’m doing, maybe my mood too. Though I really enjoy talking to artists, I find people’s opinion, their voice very inspiring. I like the way Bresson take photos, how to concentrate he is on the street, and how he uses photography as a sketchpad. I like Marc Riboud and Matt Stuart’s passion photography, how they always take photographs, always carry a camera, and always looking for interesting things in life.
Q4. If you can only give one advice to people who just joined photography, what would you say to them?
A: I would tell them to think first, practice their mind, rather than spending too much attention on the technical perspective. A good thinking is always the most important.
Q5. What’s your plan next? What you want to do in the future?
A: I never think too far away as a photographer, I know later I want to go out and take some more photos. But as in my career, I try not to think about it, I don’t like to plan it, I want to see where life guides me to.
This is some photos which are taken from Guo.
-----The link is on the bottom.
(All Images from guojialiang.com)
