An Exclusive Interview with Ismawan Ismail

To know that people appraise my work is already pleasing, but to recognize that my photographs have been rated above the works of other talented & respectable photographers, it really is exciting. This honor fires me up and encourages me to keep growing, improve my skills, raise my own bar and create better photographs in the future.

Both photographs were taken at famous tourist destination in my country, Indonesia. It is a challenge itself to find and own a spot to take pictures when people – sometime lots of them – are around you trying to have better view of the sceneries.

To negotiate such issue, I always do at least two visits to the place where I want to take pictures, and that was the case as well for both location, Penanjakan for the first photo and Kelimutu for the second.

First visit was always the ‘tourist visit’ like other people, and I used this opportunity to try recognizing the interesting objects to capture and the best spots to take them. On the second visit the following day, I went earlier than anybody else, claimed the spot and executed my shot.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="330"] Sunrise at Tengger, by Ismawan Arief Ismail[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="330"] East Flores Mountain Layers, by Ismawan Ismail[/caption]

Yes of course. It has been a long journey and full with learning experience. I want to take every opportunity to share my works and gain as many constructive feedback as possible in order for me to grow and improve my skills. I really appreciate all people and especially my fellow photographers who have recognized my works so far and provided constructive feedback that allow me to keep growing.

Indonesia is a beautiful country. However, there are still lots of places in this country that have not really been explored and people yet to know about those places. This has driven my passion and shoot landscape pictures more, to make those beauties eternal in pictures and share them with people all over the world. I love travelling, and I want to visit as many places as I can, introduce those beautiful places to my children to grow their love to nature, and at the same time.

I enjoy exploring all genres of photography. I love experimenting with lighting in studio. However, what I mostly love is being outside of the room and capturing the beauty of landscapes everywhere, as well as human activities.

As I mention before, I always visit the location prior taking the pictures. During the first visit, I am trying to identify the interesting object that I can capture, identify as many factors that will affect the process as possible – i.e. sunlight direction, sunrise time for landscapes - and then determine on how I would like to capture it.

Not yet, have been busy with work. But I have already planned to have one, soon..

I was the chairman of photography community organization in the company where I work, back then. I am still active in all its events although not as the chairman. I think it’s good for everybody to get involved in such community or organization, because by seeing many people with different styles and genres will definitely widen your exposure about photography in overall. It is also an opportunity for me to learn and gain feedback from other people who are far more experienced, and on the other side sharing what I have to other people as well.

Don’t stop learning, don’t stop exploring anything that interests you. Believe in yourself, but don’t be too proud to take any constructive criticism and feedback because it will only do you good.