This week we have interviewed group member/artist Mohsen Bayramnejad

1. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your equipment?

I’m a serious amateur photographer who believes “seeing” and getting back the “feeling” from subject. These two factors are the most important ones for each photographer.

I have worked as a writer and translator for some newspapers and magazines, mostly with Doorbin-e-Akkasi (CAMERA), a magazine about amateur photography in Iran. I would like t say that the Editor-in-chief of that magazine, Mr. Esmail Abbasi have worked so much for me and I learned a lot by listening to his advises and theories.

Now about my equipment, I have to say it’s not so important for me because I mostly think about the photo itself. Not that your equipments are NOT IMPORTANT. All those cameras, scanners, lenses and other equipments are just our tools to translate Light into our Photographs.

I’ve worked with both the traditional Film and “the newcomer” Digital (yes, not so new!). The most important thing for me about your equipment is the way to become comfortable with it. We should treat a camera like an old friend and a lens as our third eye.

2. What first inspired your interest in art? What continues to inspire you?

I loved photography because it has something magical you can capture time and people!
What inspired me the most were 2 books, about principles of film photography, when I was a teenager. I loved to read them because that was something new and special for me.

But what encouraged me to love photography; I worked with photography and graphic students in the high-schools as their trainer, and when I saw their new view points! You should see and feel their pure arts, just because they don’t clearly understand our dirty world; they are as pure as they are.

3. What type of art do you enjoy the most and why?

I think I have said it all by now! But anyway, I love all types of artworks. If I remember the work for awhile they’re successful for me!

4. Where is the most spectacular place you’ve ever been?

Everywhere, whenever I am in the mood! I will find every spectacular place when I train my eyes to “look” at it.

5. What are your dreams, goals and aspirations as an artist?

First of all, I will train myself to think not about Art and calling not myself an Artist. Then, maybe I could create something new from the real life viewers so they could think about it.
When I could create something original from the real life, I will compliment and call myself: AWESOME! lol

6. What has been your greatest accomplishment as an artist up to the present date?

Oh! It’s so hard to answer this one. I love all the things with me. All my exhibitions, all the times I spend to talk with artist friends, people etc. to learn from them. I hardly believe that Artists should not be proud of their awards and the compliments they get, they should try to make it continue.

My exhibitions:

I’ve had a solo-photo exhibition in my country and also participated in several National and International group exhibitions. My photographic works were also submitted in several National/International photo contests/festivals, such as; The 10th Iranian Photo Biennial, 29th & 30th Belgium’s Knokke Heist photo contest, 32th Zagreb/Croatian photo festival, Turkey’s 1st B&W Photo festival, Turkey’s Chahev photo salon and some more.

7. Do you have an inspirational message you would like to share with other artists?

No, who am I to send an inspirational message!
But if I should say something here to my photography friends, I would love to ask them become more familiar with your equipments, and treat people normal and try to become a friend with their subject. Whatever it is, a person or a still life subject.

I also love to ask you to “look” in different ways and when you find something special, try to teach that to others… it’s the only WAY that will take us to a better place!

I would like to thank Kevin Skinner again, he’s a great photographer and he was the one who invited me to join this group! And also Brendan Schoon for his very kind welcome and b-mails.

Congratulations, I really enjoyed your interview too.