Portrait by Aisha Khan (@ashykay17)
"I like to think of myself not only as an artist of the photographic craft, but more to the lines of representing or better yet expressing the way I perceive our blue planet, and the intriguing people that walk upon it."
Follow Moegammad on Instagram
Our featured Instagrammer for the month of May is Moegammad Thaakir Abrahams, i.e. @mthaakir21. The youngest photographer featured on our blog and at a past exhibition, his work varies from portraits of intriguing individuals and the vivid morning skies of our beautiful Mother City to self-exploration through visual representations of the inner workings of his mind. Possesing talent, creativity and an insatiable desire for all things photographic, we're very excited to see Moegammed's progress within the industry!
The Interview
1. What gear do you use? What do you use most: DSLR or Smartphone?
I use a Nikon D3200 coupled with an 18-55mm f3.5-5.6, 55-200mm f4-5.6 and my lovely bokehlicious 35mm f1.8 (for digital) and a Pentax k1000 with a 50mm f2 (for film). I plan to buy myself a Sigma 10-20mm f3.5 hopefully by next year, and maybe upgrade to a Nikon D7200.
I use my DSLR for most of my photography but, if forgotten at home, I'd make do with my smartphone. I have a firm belief that the gear you use is only a tool for your creativity. Some, however, might be more efficient than others.
2. When and why did you start taking pictures?
I started taking photos roughly around the middle/end of 2013. At the beginning I never took photography as serious as I do now. I think the day my passion sparked was in the middle of December when I decided to go outside in our front garden and take a couple of photos of the flowers. With the sun gleaming in the background, I noticed a flower protruding from the rest. Composing my frame I took a photo of it and went back inside, connected the camera and displayed the photo on the computer. And in that moment, looking at the screen, sitting there, I felt this sensation sweeping over me. I can't really describe it but inside something just clicked - and looking at the photo I took, I questioned myself and asked, "If I can take a photo like this, what is going to stop me from taking another one?" From that day on I never put the camera down. Half a year later, my dad bought me my first DSLR (the D3200) and that changed everything for me.
3. When did you start your account and why Instagram?
I started my account in March last year. At the beginning of last year, Nikon hosted a photo walk in Seapoint promoting the release of the D5500 (absolutely stunning camera in my opinion). The camera features built-in WiFi and the whole idea was to take photos and afterwards (using your smartphone) upload them on Instagram with Nikon-specific hashtags. At the time I never had a smartphone so I asked one of my school friends (who had a more advanced phone) if I could make myself an Instagram account to upload the photos I took. Long story short, he let me do so and I uploaded so much of my work. I have to say that social media, with all its flaws, allowed me to share my work and gave me so much opportunities to connect and meet new people.
4. What's your favourite image you've posted and why?
I have way too many, but I would choose my image "Financial Insanity". I like this photo for many reasons but the main one is what it represents - "the Hustle of Life". We live our lives in such a rush that we don't stop to just step back and appreciate what's around us. In the photo you'll see that the people lead directly into the banners of the models, representing how we want to be with the trend and be like the people we see on television and on magazines (my teacher actually pointed that out to me).
5. Are there any photo apps that you would recommend?
I don't use photo apps as much to quick edit my images, but if I do I use the built in editor on my phone (Huawei P7) for basic adjustments on the colours etc. I mostly use Lightroom and Photoshop to retouch images because I enjoy the wide variety of tools at my disposal. But, at the beginning, when I started photography, I used the free editing software that came with my DSLR - ViewNX. Though on very rare occasions I would use the filters Instagram has because, let's face it, some of them are super cool!
6. Have you had any formal photography training?
I can't say I have, but I've attended various Nikon workshops (the free ones they gave last year haha) one at Cameraland actually (on Nikon Day) where Seagram Pearce gave the workshop on creative lighting (back in the day before I had any knowledge of the Content-Aware Tool and exactly what Lightroom was) and the wildlife workshop by Nathan Bezuidenhout (also on Nikon day).
7. Would you classify yourself as a hobbyist or pro? If hobbyist, what's your 9-5?
I'm a hobbyist. But once I'm done with school I intend to study photography and hopefully turn professional after I graduate - with the big dream of shooting for companies like Vans SA, Element, RVCA, Billabong and Redbull. The very thought of shooting for Redbull and being able to work with such inspiring creatives gives me chills. I don't have a day job but I've got a weekend job at a really cool photographic company filled with awesome people.
8. Instagrammer you most admire?
Way too many to list, but the main guys would undoubtedly be:
Aaron Brimhall (@aaronbhall) | Mike Blabac (@blabacphoto) | Tyrone Bradley (@tyrone_bradley) | Davy Van Laere (@dvlphoto) | Jason Halayko (@jason_halayko)
9. Any advice for those just starting out?
Read. read as much as you can whenever you can. Read blogs, articles, reviews, tips, tutorials, books, photography magazines... I cannot express how much I've learnt from the internet. Buy a photography book, research how photography started. You are an artist so take pride in your art form.
Don't be hooked on the fake idea that "better gear will make you a better photographer", because, quite frankly, it won't. If you have no knowledge on how to use a camera then don't waste your money on an expensive one, start small and work your way up.
Practice your knowledge of the Big 3 (Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO) by looking at a scene and mentally calculate your settings without having a camera with you. I can't deny that the technology in photography is becoming so advanced, though nothing is more powerful than the human mind. That's what I love about photography - the holism in it.
Appreciate and enjoy life, and in that, let your emotions mold the next photograph you create. Photography is art and art is expressing yourself, so do that. Never give up. I can't count the times I've sat down and wondered "what am I doing?". As a 16 year old teenager who wants to do photography for a living I think it's safe to say that I'm scared of the future - I'm absolutely terrified. But with that fear comes the drive to push further. So, whenever you have photographers block, stop, take a break and reflect. Look back at what you've achieved and tell yourself "I am human" - Accept the fact that you're not perfect and you are beautifully flawed and that's what makes you special.
10. 3 Photos | 3 Stories Feature
"Cigarette Daydreams"
I was in town with my bud standing in line at Burger King and, for the people who go there, we all know that dude who plays really catchy guitar songs. Well, he was sitting on his crate having a smoke, so I walked up to him and asked him "Hi, is it okay if I take a photo of you?" (this was one of the first times I've actually asked a stranger if I can take their photograph) and kindly enough he agreed. So I took six but, out of the lot, this one speaks to me the most.
"The Lone Feather"
One day, I was walking on Hout Bay beach and came across this little hump of sand - lying down on the hump was this coarse feather. So I picked it up and placed it upright and I really liked the way it looked. Of course, being me, I took a photo of it. But what I value about this image is the symbolism of independence and motivation and I relate a lot to this picture for the simple reason that it represents us humans - we'll be down on the ground, lost and hopeless but all we need is just a little push and we're on our feet once more. And regardless of life seeming the worst, somewhere along the path, you realise that everything will be okay.
"Breaking Boundaries"
Before I got my DSLR I visualised pictures that I would try to create, and when I got it I worked from those visualisations - this photo is one of them. I actually asked my mom to drive the car down the road, around the corner and back (haha, thanks mom!) to get this photo. I tried to get the shot and succeeded after the eighth attempt. But what it represents is going above and beyond, pushing the limits of what you have and what you can do. Breaking the boundaries of the subtle incarceration we place ourselves in daily. To break free from a threshold that we created ourselves only unlocks our true potential to greatness.
