Please introduce yourself to my readers:
My name is Ben Turkson affectionately called Bidoe by my friends and clients. I’m a photographer, a digital artist and eLearning professional. CEO of both Bidoe Photos and Teacher Bentum Online Geography Tutorials.
What inspired you to go into photography?
Photography has always fascinated me. Photography is an amazing art medium through which I express myself, my thoughts and feelings. The ability to capture “The decisive moment”, there is that one split second moment that captures the essence of a person or moment and to me that is such a powerful thing. I love being able to create images that show who someone really is, real life images that capture a slice of what was going on in that one split second of someone’s life. I also love the creativity and endless potential that photography has. I am inspired by just about everything around me. The world seems to revolve in a series of snapshots for me and capturing these moments before they go pass us by is what drives me on.
Does the price of a camera matter in ways that it affects the quality of the picture?
In photography, equipment matter nearly as much as the vision and talent of the person operating it. To make great images you need good tools. You can’t learn to write with a crooked pen. This does not guarantee that if you have the most expensive camera you’ll make the best images, it’s about the ability and skills of the person using it. If you’re not talented, it doesn’t matter if you buy the most expensive camera; your work will still be uninspired. The camera in your hand today will always capture better shots than one you don’t have. The best camera is the one you have on you. It’s always better to spend your time and money on learning art and photography, not by spending it on more expensive cameras.
What camera and lenses do you use?
I own a couple of cameras and lenses. The choice of what camera I use is dependent on what am photographing. If am shooting a wedding I usually go with two camera bodies that perform well in low light conditions and some fast lenses. If am shooting smaller events like christening or “outdooring” I usually carry a camera and a lens. Usually my Nikon D90 and Tamron SP 28-75mm F/2.8 lens is my workhorse in such instances.
What impact has social media had on your career?
Whether you and I like it or not, social networking is changing the way we connect, communicate, share, develop relationships and thus, the way we conduct business as well. I often used Facebook and LinkedIn to facilitate connection and collaboration with individuals, groups and clients.
What tips do you have for aspiring photographers?
Simple. Practice, practice and practice. Every talent needs to be nurtured. No one will become the best photographer overnight and its very natural to make mistakes along the line, never be disheartened just focus on becoming a better photographer by reading books, joining photography clubs, taken on photography assignments, being a critic of your own work and building a portfolio. I am still learning my trade and believe me I still make mistakes. The only shame in being inexperienced is if you pretend you’re an expert. Aspiring photographers should resist that overrated urge to validate themselves by trying to be something they are not. They should remember there’s always something to learn.
Where can readers find you on the web?
A lot of your photos have amazing lighting. Do you use flashes or mainly natural light? If it’s mostly natural light, how do you find such a great lighting conditions?
At the heart of photography is lighting. Personally, in my photography my emphasis is on quality of light and not the abundance of light. Plenty of light does not always guarantee good images. The effect of quality of light is as important as the subject itself. Unfortunately, I don’t get to choose most of the venues that I shoot as an events photographer. So, over the years I have learnt to make the most out of every lighting condition. If I’m at an event where the lighting conditions are great it’s a bonus but it’s often not the case. And in instances like that I use light modifiers to supplement the ambient light.
What is your take on the expression “A picture is worth 1,000 words”?
The very reason why I like photography is ability to convey stories to those that view them. A photograph has the ability to convey emotion, mood, narrative, ideas and messages – all of which are important elements of storytelling. As humans we are largely responsive to visual cues. Pictures have the ability to make us feel happy, excited, disgusted, and curious among other things. Once we put our work out into the world we wouldn’t be able to follow it around explaining our intent, it does behoves on us to capture as many words as possible into our images. Do you remember the famous akwaaba photograph of the lady in kente holding a pot and a calabash? Yeah! It tells us about Ghana, its people and culture it even has the ability to reminisce 10, 20, 30 years into the past. Good images create an atmosphere that people want to invoke themselves into and be a part of. If your clients and customers can relate to and connect with your images you’ve increased the likelihood that they will return.
Do you think that a person must possess talent to capture emotion and expression in a picture?
Not necessarily. Anyone can capture emotion and expression in a picture every now and then; you need to be at the right place at the right time. However, to consistently do that is a skill. To evoke emotions out of a subject that is emotionless is also a skill. Certain aspects of photography can be taught but creating a picture that speaks a 1000 words requires creativity and inner vision – that cannot be taught.
More pictures Here
I am particularly inspired by this interview.i am definately going to follow all the hings i am passionate about.
