A Look Through My Lens, Part 1

I am someone who is greatly inspired by photography. The power that a single photo possesses cannot always be put into 1,000 words, although the infamous saying states otherwise. There are some photos that you see that are just so striking, you can’t even find any words to describe the way that they make you feel. Unfortunately, I was not born with the amazing photographic skill that so many individuals out there are born with. However, I do have this lovely blog here where I have the opportunity and the privilege to display all kinds of amazing people who are so skilled at their craft, including photographers. I feel that photography is such an important art form and that there are so many amazing photographers whose work does not get the attention that it deserves (which makes me sad).

Since it is a brand new year and since I am continually trying to switch things up and incorporate a wide variety of posts, I have decided to start a new set of features entitled A Look Through My Lens. The goals of this initiative are simple: to provide a platform for photographers, both professional and amateur, to showcase their work & to inspire. I am so pleased with the first 2 photographers I have to present to you all, their work is truly incredible. I asked them both about 6 questions and their responses to those questions will accompany their photos. 
So without further ado, here is A Look Through My Lens, Part 1: Nakeya Brown from New Jersey & Shako Oteka from the DR Congo.

I have been doing photography for about four years. I took an Intro. to Photography class my senior year. I wanted something that was fun and didn't require any drawing. After the class ended I still continued taking photos. I would post them on my Facebook, Blogspot, and Flickr pages. Before I knew it people started to recognize me as a photographer. It wasn't until I was in undergrad did I start to recognize myself as a photographer. 

The bulk of my work is portraiture with fashion undertones. I shoot a lot of women. Most of them are my friends who are gracious enough to be my muse. I also shoot documentary photography.  I like to go out and shoot my environment, the people I encounter, the places I see.

It’s difficult to select three words to classify my style. I do think my photos have certain elements that help identify them as a photo created by Nakeya B. One would be my use of natural light. I rarely use strobes, flashes, or any other sort of artificial lighting. Two would be my subjects. Most of them are women of color. Three would be the absence of a studio setting. I shoot primarily on location.

I really enjoy photographing people. Landscapes and architecture are beautiful but working with people is far more interactive and exciting. Ideas are constantly being bounced between myself and my subject.

I admire Carrie Mae Weems, Lorna Simpson and Renee Cox. Although they don't shoot fashion, their work brings the hardships they encountered as black women to the forefront. Their work stands for something and for that reason I have an immense amount of respect for them.

I shoot with a Nikon d80. I work with one lens a fixed 50mm. I'm comfortable with the hardware and it gets the job done. I also have a Minolta Maxxim which is my 35mm film camera.

To view more of Nakeya Brown's stunning work, visit her website by clicking here.

I have been a photographer for 5 years. Actually, I think Photography chose me. To be honest, I wanted to be a fashion designer. I started a T-shirt line about 5 years ago and needed photos for them. I bought a camera to photograph the shirts. Everyone loved it and Oteka Photography was born.

I like fashion editorial photography. But what I love the most is to do conceptual shoots that engage social issues, challenge stereotypes, and push me creatively.

My work is minimalist, conceptual and artistic. 

I love contrast because it shows how unpredictable beauty is, and I strive to capture the capricious nature of beauty found in the subject at hand.

Hands down my favorite photographer is Gordon Parks. I think this quote illustrates why. “I saw that the camera could be a weapon against poverty, against racism, against all sorts of social wrongs” Gordon Parks' photos reflect how I feel about empowering those with no voices and challenge common ideologies. I also love Lope Navo. His creativity pushes the envelope and provides new and interesting interpretations to common themes.

The main camera I use is Nikon D300, but I also use a medium format camera Mamiya 645. I like Nikon the most because of the sharpness of the image and the speed, plus the D300 was my first camera. I try to stay faithful to my first love. Since I’m somewhat of a purist, I use the medium format film camera to give me a more raw and organic image.

To view more of Shako Oteka's stunning work, visit his blog by clicking here.

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If you are a photographer who would like to be a part of the 'A Look Through My Lens' series, please contact me at thatgoodtimes2@gmail.com and we will go from there.