The world through the eyes of Goy Le

Photography is the art, application, and practice of creating durable images by recording light, either electronically by means of an image sensor, or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film. This description is by wikipedia and it’s totaly accurate, but we think, there is much more to photography than just technical terms and the science behind it. We think it can translate, express or create emotion, events, memories and so much more.

This is a series about people who are pationate about taking pictures. We would love to know what they look for when taking pictures, what subjects they prefer, what techniques and styles they have and their overall aproach to this artform. In this short interview you will get answers to all these questions by our friend from Germany, Goy Le.

1. What makes a picture stand out from the average?

There are many elements in photography that come together to make a picture be considered as “good” but I think a good photo is able to transmit a certain feeling towards the viewer. A picture must be able to tell a story through light, composition, color and mood for the viewer. The most important element of a photo to me is its ability to evoke emotion. Pictures that are able to transport something like that stand out from the average in my opinion.

2. What details do you believe make the best photographs?

To be honest, I haven’t figured it out for myself yet. Of course light, color, a sense of the right moment, good composition for the image and the choice of distance of the photographer to his subject are elements that I think are fundamental for a good photographer. But beyond that, I think there are many things that depends on the context what a photographer wants to express with his/her work. Each type of expression requires its own tools. In my case, I am a very intuitive photographer. I don’t put much emphasis on how to take a picture technically correct. It is more important to me that my pictures capture a specific mood. This is very difficult for me to describe in words but I think people will understand when they see it.

3. Whose work has influenced you most?

In fact, it wasn’t a photographer who influenced my work the most, but people I met in my life like dancers and martial artists. The way how this kind of artists approach and how they practice and see over the mind’s eye influenced me a lot. They taught me to learned to start predicting motion, to see things happening before they are actually happening, to see possibilities and learn to tell stories without using my mouth. I’ve also learned to take different perspectives and observe moments with my inner eye. All this has very strongly influenced my work.

4. What is your favorite subject to photograph?

I love to capture everyday life on the street, events and people. These are my favorite subjects that I photograph.

5. What is the most difficult part of being a photographer for you?

I can’t say it’s difficult. But for me one thing I struggle with is to find a good balance with my own projects and projects for clients. Sometimes I do so many shootings for clients that I feel like I am losing my creativity for a moment. There are so many influences and information out there, clients who want to have a specific style or photograph trends in general… The loads of information and inspiration can be inspiring, but also tiring and deceitful. It’s important to know what you are doing and why you are doing it.

6. What is the most rewarding part of being a photographer for you?

To see beauty in the world around me. Photography has taught me to not only see, but to appreciate what I am surrounded by. I’ve started to learn how important it is to pay attention in the moment. I’ve learned to see the world differently and of course the people that I can make happy with my work by assisting them create new memories or restore old ones. These are the most rewarding parts of being a photographer