Photo artist interview #32 - SEHER SIKANDAR

• In 1-2 words, what do you shoot?

Bulletproof Souls

• What’s your weapon of choice?

Nikon D300 primarily. At times my Holga and Polaroid SLR 680.

• Where is your favorite place on earth?

The next place I have yet to fall in love with – hoping to find it in the near future. In the meantime, I love the Bay…and the weird spaces inside my head.

• Why do you take pictures?

To connect, to paint what I can’t draw, to share, to learn. As I grow, to unmask the masked, to stagger, to provoke thought and discussion.

• What would be your replacement Hobby/Profession if photography was dead?

Assuming being “dead” means ceasing to exist: graphic design, writing, singing, handcrafts, perhaps something with textiles…I decided textiles interest me recently. I’m also ADD. Serial entrepreneurialism, marketing, anthropology, working with the chilluns and community. Occasional dramatics. Do I have to choose? I’m making it all work together one day – watch.

• Sleep, Eat, Sleepwalk while eating?

Both are my lovers – it wouldn’t be fair to take sides.

• What do you favor:

B&W or Color? B&W makes me giddy. Color when it really pops or adds to the mood. Depends.

Film or Digital? Digital is what I primarily use. But I want to get down with film more.

Studio or Location? Location at this point, but I’m looking forward to experimenting in studio.

Night or Day? Night. Nothing matches the mood.

Portrait or Landscape? Portrait for subject as well as orientation.

Captain Hero or Cartman? Cartman got cheesypoofs on his side, yo.

• What is your most treasured possession?

My life. I know it sounds mad cliché and maybe it is – but I’ve been thinking a lot recently about how blessed I am to be alive and well and able. Really grateful to exist as I am – even if I’ve got a long way to go.

• Favorite photo book and/or Favorite movie?

I am the suck at picking favorites of this sort. I’d drive myself nuts trying to pick. Also might become stressed and/or depressed.

• Photographer/s that inspire you?

Off top – Gordon Parks, D-Nice, Laretta Houston, Natassia A. Davis, Mel D. Cole, TONE, Gary Ventura, amongst others. Always coming across dope folks.

• Advice for the younglings out there looking through their first viewfinder?

Just go for it. Keep trying and trying and trying – it’ll always get better. Don’t be afraid to experiment. And don’t be too proud to learn from your peers or crack open a book (or website) every now and then.

• What’s the story behind the photo below?

Yukimi Nagano of Little Dragon at The Independent in SF – May 2009. Love the band and I think the desaturation really suits the mood of their music, especially in this pose with her eyes closed. The glow of her backlit hair and the speckled light behind her remind me of a starry night. It’s moments like these – that capture an artist stripped down, really in it – that not only make the viewer feel like he or she was there, but also makes it all worthwhile. The image speaks.

• Any future projects or travels?

Setting up photo studios in SF & the East Bay. Talking to a couple visual artists right now who want to create derivative works using my photographs; public murals of some dope musicians could soon be in the works overseas – pretty frickin dope. Plotting on a photo book, still tossing around concepts. More street documentary on the way – photos from Pakistan to develop, photos in SF and Oakland to take. Will be designing a poster or two for sale from my live music images. Also looking to try my hand at some nature photography as well as fine art photography. Traveling to Belize next spring to shoot a wedding. Hopefully some more work with film. Trynna diversify son!

• Where can we see more of your work?

www.rehescreative.com and www.flickr.com/photos/rehes

• In 1 word, last thing you’d say if time stopped right NOW?

Peace.



Photo courtesy of the artist "Seher Sikandar"

Thank you

T2