By coincidence we discovered some photos on Facebook, what were convincing in a way, that we immediately contacted the photographer, if he is interested to publish some of his photos in Streetfashion MagZZine. He was, so we asked him in addition for an interview to learn more about his work. So now you have the possibility to learn about Fadli Bohari, who is a professional photographer based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Read our interview with him and take a look at his amazing photos. |
My name is Fadli Bohari. Currently I live in Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia. I’m doing photography for full time. My major areas are fashion, editorial, portrait and documentary. I was born in Ampang - Selangor in a village named Kampung Berembang. Due to state infrastructure development our village need to be demolished to build one of the states big projects. As I remember at the age of 17 I was assigned to take pictures of several houses before they got turned down. That was my first assignment of photography and I was in the opinion, that photography is interesting and i would like to learn more about photography.
Have you been involved in the arts in some form other than photography?
I’m a part time musician. I play drums, guitar and I can sing :D I’m always relating music with photography since i started with photography.
Seeing your remarkable work, I am curious where your creativity comes from? I worked as an art decorator at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur and I believe at that time I learned many things about art; To identify, what is called fine art, how to get audience attention through our artworks and many more. I never took any class about arts/photography before. So I can say, that it was a kick start. And as I mentioned, that I’m a musician and therfore always relating music with photography since i started with photography. Could you share with us how you first became interested in photography? At first I was really amused with the features in DSLR, like how close you can get the shots by using zoom lenses. How details you can go by using macro lenses and how big the shots can be printed out such in billboards. That is where my interest comes from. I wanted to learn more about cameras and how to make good shots. |
Now im using a Nikon d7000 and d90. My first camera was a Canon 1000d. Some time ago I was having a Sigma 30mm f1.4 lens. It is my favorite lens. Unfortunately i need to sell it because of financial problems. But I plan to buy it back.
Can you tell us about your work flow from the point you first step onto the street until you showcase the developed picture?
My major areas are editorial, fashion and portrait. I have to find a good concept / theme for the session. For sure every session will have a different concept, not the one, that I’ve done before. Then I have to find a model, outfits, location and material, that is related tot he session like props, a team such as a makeup artist and an assistant. Normally every shot is planned upfront to get the visual idea first for the mood, emotions, pose, light, set, styling, model’s look and so on. Most of my shots were planned because it is more satisfying for me.
Do you see a particular influence, be it a photographer or school on your work? Any subject that attracts you? I can say, that I’m a big fan of Charles Lucima and Vadim Stein. I like the mood, tone, feelings, model’s posture and the characters on each shot. Actually I’m flexible and universal. I like many other photography genres such as landscape, street photography and many other photographers. Some by their work flow, some by their idea of the shots. What would you say characterizes your work in comparison to other photographers? Full of attitudes. On my shot I will never let my model look loose, she/he must look in a mood. To provide an emotion is my priority. Among your works, which is your favorite and why? I can say, that it is the session I did in the last two weeks, because I got precisely, what I wanted. It is well planned and everything went smooth and I’m satisfied with the results. It was done in an abandoned house with a model from Brazil (Kaoana Mari). It was a fashion editorial session and we finished earlier than expected, cause I got everything I wanted. Tell us your funniest or most awkward photography story. Hahaha.. photo bombing by mosquitoes. For me it is funny, because my model is already in the mood with the best pose. When I rechecked the settings, she got mosquitoes biting her in face, hands and feet. |
Identify what you want to do. Put more efforts on it. Learn, what is a good shot, what elements you need to put in your shots. “The creative adult is the child, who has survived.”- Ursula K. Le Guin.. so fight to survive.