Aditia ‘Adeet’ Nugroho

I have strong interest in Photography. I am still a  “N00B” . I had been taking photograph using camera pocket a year before I met Aditia ‘Adeet’ Nugroho (see that smiling guy on the right – that’s him!) – a talented photographer based in Jakarta – Indonesia now. He answered all my stupid questions about photography even took him with when I bought my a better camera Fujifix S9500.

He is amazing photographer and I decided to ‘peel his brains out’ by throwing some short questions to him via  facebook ™ and share it with you.

When were you interested in photography?
Aditia: My interest started when I was in year 7 of school (Sekolah Menengah Pertama Re: Indonesian School). My cousin  is a photographer and I always tagged along every time he had shooting session. His work was a major influence that makes my interest kept alive and getting stronger as time went by.

What does photography mean to you?
Aditia: It is part of life. Being honest, I make a living out of it. Ha ha ha! Photography is the source of beauty, dramatisation, sense of art and skill. Mind this – many says “In order to produce an extraordinary photograph, you need extraordinary tools (expensive camera and accessories).”

That’s totally wrong!

We can produce good photograph using – only – pocket camera. As long as you have a sense of art – that includes composition, balance, and so on.

What was your reaction when you saw your first photograph?
Aditia: I think, when I took a photograph using analogue camera I got for the first time and I said to myself  “Hey I can do this.”

Do you have a formal education in photography?
Aditia: Everything I know about photography is non-formal study. Self taught. I learned from friends (photographers), mistakes I made, magazines. I had a quick training with a well-known photographer in Indonesia – but I would say that wasn’t really formal.

What is your opinion about photoshop enhancement in photography?
Aditia: No doubt, photography is inseparable with photoshop. Because of it, many photographers or photography enthusiasts don’t do their best when taking photos.  They say “Relax, we’ve got photoshop . We can do something with it.”

I am not saying, I am anti using the software – to be honest, photoshop helps me a lot enhancing my photographs – but we shouldn’t rely on it.

What is beauty to you?
Aditia: Beauty is something ‘comforting, mesmerizing,’ seen by eyes – what you see is what you get. I think.

What makes you upset during the photo shooting?
Aditia: Gears don’t work like they suppose to, swing-mood model, client who breathes on my neck during session, arrogant security guys of the location where the photo session is held, unpredictable weather.

How do you convince your model or client that you will produce great photograph?
Aditia: Just by being my self….and also…good portfolio, he he he..

Any words about failure?
Aditia: Obviously, I’ll be upset and ‘down’, disappointed. But I keep thinking positively.. behind every failure, there is a delay of success. Right?

Who is your favorite photographer that inspires you?
Aditia: In my country – Indonesia – obviously cousins of mine (Ceka and Bayu Heraldi), Hari Subastian (Harpers Bazzar, Indonesia), Hadi Cahyono (Harpers Bazaar, Indonesia), Darwis Triadi (the maestro).

Others are Chase Jarvis, Dave Hill, David Lachapelle and finally James Nachtwey. From all these names mentioned only James Nachtwey is not commercial or fashion photographer – he is a professional journalist photographer. I love journalistic photography, and I love James Nachtwey’s works.

What is your favorite photograph and why?
I love candid-photography. Example, back to James Nachtwey’s works – Journalistic Photography. See his facebook page. Don’t get me wrong, I like fashion photography as well. I just prefer ‘Journalistic Photography’.

What is your favorite object to photograph and why?
Clearly – human (person) . Every person has a unique character. And people can be easier to be directed, don’t you agree?

Tell me your experiences – may be scary, funny, weird, or anything – during photo session.
Funniest thing was when I had to take photograph of people who had never been photographed – boy it was hard to tell them to pose, do this do that – but but that was stupid thing to make them posing. I should had let them pose naturally.

Scary one was on shooting a block of massive land (site location) in Newcastle – NSW (Australia). I was doing Aerial Shot from 300 meters above the ground on a Forklift. That was scary.

Strange thing happened not so long ago. I had a photo session at really spooky location in very old city. During session, all presetting of my gears kept changing constantly. We’re so uncomfortable for a while.

Sentimental one was on wedding assignment when the groom was crying. I asked if he’s alright. He said he’s not ready to commit. I feel terrible and didn’t know what to say.

Ever thought about quitting photography?
Aditia: To be honest – yeah.. I have. I have been thinking to be an actor instead, ha ha ha. (Joking)

Have you ever experienced ‘Block Mind or Uninspired’? If yes, how do you deal with it?
Aditia: Yes. I bet every photographer has this problem – we all do – that’s common. I simply have a break. I don’t do any photographing activities for couple of days. I’ll watch movies on DVD or read magazines. Or I visit the book shop.

What kind of assignment do you love to do?
Aditia: Journalistic or documentation. It’s candid. I like it ‘cus it’s simple and no need to direct anyone (like models).

What do you think about black and white photography ?
Aditia: Black and white photography is perfect and great for creating dramatic impact. The colour of black and white themselves are dramatic. Agree?

Who and what would you like to photograph, maybe movie star, or anything in particular ( you’ve never done before) ?
Aditia: At heart I want to be a war photographer.

What would you do differently than before in your career as photographer that can be an inspiration or tips for amateur photographers like me to learn?
Aditia: Hm, what can I say? I always try my best to do ‘One Shot, One Kill’. Meaning, what you see on the photograph what you get right from the early stage of photo taken – with less enhancement with photoshop. And aways use your gear the max and do it the best way you can. Otherwise, you waste it.

What do you think about digital manipulation and do you use it?
Aditia: I do use it – not much though. The key is 95% original, 5% digital imaging.

Any last words you want to throw?
Aditia: For photographers, keep on shooting and producing great works, respect and appreciate other photographers. For beginner or ‘wannabes’, remember, out there so many great photographers who have been working in this industry before you, and respect them, learn from them, appreciate them.

Never assume that good (expensive) camera will produce good photograph. Fact is: not quite correct! Whatever camera you use, you must remember that it’s only a tool. How you do with it, is the most vital and important in producing good photograph. I can’t remember the name of someone saying this quote “Owning a top end DSLR doesn’t make you a better photographer, but it makes you a top end DSLR owner.”

That’s it. I hope in anyway give you inspiration and becoming a better photographer.  Please do leave a comment about this post, share it or retwitting. Read related topic on how to sell your photograph online.