Name: Emir Ozsahin
Place of Residence: Istanbul, Turkey
The Portfolio HERE
PHRESH MENTALITY: I could ask why you decided to take photography and what inspires, but everyone would ask that? For starters, I have a fascination with the art of nudity, and it is quite interesting to see different artist portray this visual and apply a concept without it feeling like I'm watching a five dollar porno. You did a shoot entitled 'Bathroom', where did this idea stem from and working with the models used what was the atmosphere like during the shoot?
-Actually, when I was young I wanted to be a vet or a zoologist. I used to watch documentaries constantly (and still do). When I was getting ready for the Turkish equivalent of the SATs, I started thinking about photography and made my mother buy me a camera. I took photos constantly and passed the arts exam done by the art schools. It was very much a coincidence; I only started doing decent work after I started studying at my university.
For the Bathroom series, my inspiration was more of a curiosity. I was wondering what people we see every day were like in the privacy and comfort of their own bathrooms and I thought this would be a good chance to catch spontaneous photographs. I did all the shooting at people's individual bathrooms and told them to forget I was even there. I wanted to give the impression of peeking through the keyhole.
What was your first camera, and where do you plan on taking your photography?
Canon eos 400d. I started shooting with a digital camera; and I took a lot of pictures. Later, I decided that "quality is more important than quantity." So I bought a mamiya rb 67. I walked around with a 10 pound camera around my neck and did shoots. The analog-like results are, to me, more lively and real.
I would love to make my projects into a book; either just for me or a professional book. I just want to open that hardcover and find my photos inside.
[PICTURED ABOVE: A few of the shots from the 'Bathroom' Shoot. See more.]
Where do you like to see your work posted, just online, in galleries, households-- or just for you own personal pleasure [aka a hobby]
Any artist would be happy to see their work at a gallery or book, of course. I take these photos for myself and as long as I'm sharing them with people, the method doesn't truly matter. But there is a huge difference between printed work and looking at a piece online, that's for sure.
How do you develop/improve your concepts? Is there a method to your shoots?
I generally start with a very simple idea. I go with it without thinking. I think I'm better at the after-shoot stage than at the preparing stage. It seems easier for me to build a concept after I've taken the photos.
What is your favorite shot to date and why?
I wouldn't call it my favorite, but it's the one I care for the most. We needed to take a macro-shot for the Large Format class I took. So I shot my favorite bonzai (which my dog later ate) and a figurine close to it in size to create a Young Prince-like effect. The colors, the depth of field, the light tones and simply the feeling it gives makes me love it so. Every now and then I'll open it up and look at it just to enjoy it.
