攝影師 Ken Pak

—您上相嗎？

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

—您如何開始從事攝影行業？

—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.

—您認為一張好照片裡最重要的元素有哪些？

—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.

—您熱愛旅行嗎？

—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).

—您最喜歡這個職業的哪個部分？

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

—您最不喜歡這個職業的哪個部分？

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

—攝影的前景如何？

—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.

—您擅長的攝影類型有什麼特別之處？

—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.

—您如何應對批評？

—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.

—攝影有什麼潮流？

—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.

—客戶選擇攝影師的標準有哪些？

—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.

—拍攝時應該避免哪些事項？

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

—通常不會被注意，但攝影師卻能留意的細節有哪些呢？

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

—什麼事物會影響照片的價值？它包含了哪些因素？

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

—您認為哪個人可以被視為21世紀的代表人物？

—Big brothers in media.

—您想拍誰？

—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.

—您有任何職業禁忌嗎？

—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.

—您想和誰一起拍攝？

—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.

—您會擔心什麼？為什麼？

—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.

—您人生中印象最深刻的一刻是什麼？

—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.

—如果您是個卡通、小說或電影角色，您想成為誰？為什麼？

—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!

—誰能在生命中激發您的靈感？為什麼？

—Jesus Christ who keeps me being a better person.

—您如何定義成功？您會怎麼衡量它？

—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.

—您是希望被喜愛或是被景仰呢？

—I would rather be liked.

—您在工作上犯過最大的錯誤是什麼？

—Encountering a media failure by using cheap media card.

—當您要去旅行時，您會帶什麼？為什麼？

—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.

—在您擁有的物品中，有任何您希望沒買過的嗎？為什麼？

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

—您如何學習拍出更好的照片呢？

—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.

—身為攝影師，誰的作品對您影響最大？

—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.

—哪件事是您希望從開始拍照時就知道的？

—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.

—您想用自己的照片說些什麼？

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

—讓您持續拍照的動力是什麼？

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

—您的雙親應該更加或是更不嚴厲呢？

—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.

—如果能回到過去，您會有什麼不同舉動呢？

—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).

—您對在其他星球上的生命有什麼看法呢？

—I am going to ask God about it.

—誰是您的英雄？

—Whoever influences me to become a better person.

—您不重視誰？

—People who commit sins without repent afterwards.

—您空閒時會做些什麼？

—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.

—您的哪一面是公眾不曾看到過的？

—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.

—您什麼時候會對自己的作品完全滿意？

—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.

—您認可男女性的傳統角色嗎？

—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.

—您容易交到朋友嗎？

—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.

—您希望在哪裡生活？

—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.

—您曾同意嘗試過最愚蠢的事是什麼？

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

—結婚後還有人生嗎？

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

—您有最愛的笑話嗎？請告訴我們。

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

—您喜歡狗還是貓？

—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.

—您討厭誰或什麼？

—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.

—人生中最棒的事是：

—When my son was born.

—人生中最煩人的事是：

—Dealing with business partners and friends who betrayed me.

—您的周圍有任何您想改變的事情嗎？

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

—您希望改變自己的哪一點？

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

—您希望改變世界的哪些方面？

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

—您能為新進攝影師提供一些建議嗎？

—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.

—如果外星人來到地球，而您是他們第一個遇見的人，您會跟他們說什麼？

—"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

—如果您被邀請去拍攝電影，那會是什麼類型的電影呢？

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

—明天我會去做...

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