Background Info
1. What's your full name and how are you known as in the photographic community?
Amri Ginang
2. How old are you and where are you from?
56 years old from Semporna, Sabah
3. Are you a full-time or part-time photographer?
Full-time professional
4. When did you take up photography and where did you get your formal knowledge in photography, if it wasn't based on your own?
19 years old, St Martins School of Art, England-Graphic Studies/Fine Art
5. What equipment do you currently use and what's your favorite camera body and lenses?
Commercial
Medium Format - Analog Hasselblad with digital back and four lenses(favorite 40mm Distagon) and Canon 5D Mark II & III
Everyday/Fine Art
Leica M6
Lumix GF1
Fuji X-Pro1
Sigma DP2
iPhone
6. What genre or category of photography do you consider yourself closely associated with?
People/Portraits. Then commercial and fine art photography.
Photographic related or specific
1. What does photography mean to you?
Everything. I give my heart and soul into it. My job, hobbies & passion is photography.
2. What attracted you to photography(street photography), and how did you discover it?
Visualization of things. Since young and first encountered it during my studies in England. Its a lifetime journey.
3. What do you think makes a memorable photograph?
Finding a good subject. It cannot be just a "photo" with no soul in it even if technically done correct.
4. Who are some of the classic photographers that you admire and how did they influence you, if they did?
Imogen Cunningham, Yousuf Karsh, Richard Avedon, Peter Lindbergh, Paolo Roveri. I was able to work with some of them and this gave me not just the photographic knowledge but the necessary high work discipline needed.
5. How do you know your photos are good? What do you think makes a great photograph?
When people recognize your work.
Develop your own style. Don't think of competitors but how I would want to do it - for the people.
From a commercial client - technically we must be very good. We must also reach a level that client wants.
Interview with
AMRI GINANG