Lagos-based photo artist, Akinolu Oludiran, speaks on his romance with the camera as he plans his first major exhibition, AKEEM LASISI writes
In these days of smart gadgets, nearly everyone has become a photographer. All you need to do is to take out your phone and begin to capture whatever you desire.
But professional photography is far more than that. Despite the fact that conventional ways of doing it have largely been demystified, photography is still an art, science and business.
The typical professional photographer – like Lagos-based Akionolu Oludiran – believes this is the truth.
His photography interest started in 2001 with some of his father’s disposable cameras.
He says, “I realised I like to snap people and made efforts to make them look their best, hence I pay attention to how they are positioned and things that appear in the picture. Over time, I take interest in snapping people and often want to capture them in my unique style, experimenting with different angles.”
What may, however, be a challenge to Oludiran is in getting some people to understand that the art goes beyond fun and passion. Communicating the spirit of photography is, for instance, one of the top jobs he has to do each time they wonder why he is so much committed to it.
He explains, “My major challenge has been on selling my vision to people as many wonder what I will do with these images until they begin to see them in frames. Of a particular note was a discouraging reaction from someone I’d thought would be my No.1 promoter but the overwhelming endorsement of others have been a great source of motivation for me.”
His adventures in photography will be put in perspectives this October when he will stage his first major exhibition. He plans to exhibit 50 framed images and over 100 pictures on screen. The exhibition is themed The Word’s World – not unconnected to the theme of the Bible in John 1:1-5.
“I am exhibiting images that represent some creations of the Word (God) by His word and the colours that His creation (man) has added to the works. I’m exhibiting shots of sunrise/sunset in different places in Lagos, Kano, landscapes, cloudscape, cityscape and marrying with a bit of people and culture. These shots truly connect with our immediate environment and seeing them in frames will make you struggle to believe if we truly have such beautiful pieces around us,” he adds.
He adds that photography has really helped to challenge his creative mind and it got him to appreciate his world better.
Oludiran says, “It has taught me that there are different sides to everything in life and you must discover your own best ‘perspective’, ‘angle’ and ‘exposure’. I draw inspiration from nature as it highlights the awesomeness of God and more to sunrise/sunset because it lights our world. You will notice it doesn’t always appear same way but some appearances are so beautiful that they get me marvel at God’s works and the beauty it adds to our world. Hence, you’ll often see my sunrise/sunset shots combined with our world – plants, water, structures, people and all.”
The photographer currently uses a Canon EOS 6D with a 24-105mm lens. He notes that he started with a Canon EOS Rebel T1i in 2010, which he bought for $1,000 and was using mainly as hobby, covering personal, friends and office events where I earned the name ‘AK Shots’.
He believes photo art is coming up in Nigeria but still far from where it should be.
“It’s not so popular yet and I believe it can get really better with some promotions. Projecting the works of our great photographers as valuable works of art, will be a good start point in my view,” he adds.
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