Tantalum: Hey Meiji can you tell us a little about the Cover shoot you produced four or 4th issue?
Meiji Nguyen: The cover shoot is all about 'breaking rules'. I wanted to use the Japanese culture as there are so many rules in there. That's also the reason why we used a Caucasian model.
Tantalum: What kind of direction did you give the wardrobe stylist, hair and makeup artists?
Meiji Nguyen: This was a fun shoot with close friends so the idea was to go as far as we could with our creativity. We've all worked together before so we all get the same vibe without having to give too much verbal direction.
Tantalum: What inspired you to do this shoot?
Meiji Nguyen: My wife and I love to explore specialty stores that sell things that you don't normally see everywhere. We came across this little shop selling everything Japanese tucked away behind this huge building. As soon as we walked in I knew this would be a great place to shoot in.
Tantalum: In general, during a session, how many pics would you say you take to find "the right one"?
Meiji Nguyen: It can vary so much. The right picture could be the first one we take or the fiftieth one we take. It's a combination of technique and luck all at once.
Tantalum: How do you decide on locations & subjects?
Meiji Nguyen: So many places and things inspire me. It could be anywhere or anything. I try not to deliberately source locations unless I have to otherwise it feels too forced and sometimes the images can carry that forced look too.
Tantalum: Some photographers say that there is such a thing as someone really having a "natural eye" for photography? what do you think?
Meiji Nguyen: I think there is such thing as having a natural eye for photography - in other words talent. However I think raw talent without experience or practice is just as meaningless as not having any talent. I think everything takes work and hard work can replace most kinds of talent.
Tantalum: I love the images with the wonderful images with the saturation of color. What makes you choose to shot something in Color and sometimes in B&W?
Meiji Nguyen: I shoot mostly in colour just because I've always preferred images in colour ever since I started painting long before I became a photographer. I feel colours give the image more dimension but sometimes the beauty of b&w suits images more. I don't have any hard set rules for choosing colour or b&w.
Tantalum: Do you have other creative outlets? Which do you get the greatest satisfaction from?
Meiji Nguyen: I also draw in my spare time as well as fiddle around with music. My wife is also a musician so when we have spare time we love to create music together.
Tantalum: As an artist do you find yourself drifting away from one form of media to another, devoting your creative forces souly to the media at hand. Or do you try to divide up your time more equally?
Meiji Nguyen: Photography will always be the main media I use but I really just go with the flow. I also do film but that takes a lot of time and when ever I do have a huge chunk of time I'd love to do more of that.
Tantalum: What is the ONE lasting impression you want to leave in your photos?
Meiji Nguyen: If people can look at my photos and like any aspect of it then I'm happy. Photos like any art is subjective so if there is just one element, what ever that may be, that people want or like to look at, then I'm thrilled!