• WordPress
• Instagram

Listening to Victony – Jó Riddim

APH – What’s your name? Where are you from and where did you grow up?

Bukunmi Oyewole – “My name is Bukunmi Oyewole, I’m from Ilesha Osun State and I grew up in Ibadan, Oyo State”.

APH – Ohh Osun state, I’ve never been to Osun state but anyways how would you describe your photography style?

Bukunmi Oyewole – “Eeeerrrr… laughs My photography style revolves around documentary photography, that’s why I simply introduce myself as a documentary photographer. I’m a documentary and travel photographer”.

APH – That is so nice. What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?

Bukunmi Oyewole – Pauses Well, I wish I knew

APH – (Laughs) You wish you knew. How did you get good at photography?

Bukunmi Oyewole– “Okay, so, I got into photography 2014 and got my first camera 2015. When I started learning in 2014, my boss then – Mr. Deji Olukokun used to lend me his spare camera to practice with which later on developed a fault that I couldn’t practice again. During this period, I was reading everything about photography. I equipped myself theoretically, so, when I eventually got my camera, taking pictures became really easy for me. I just easily applied everything I’ve read which was in my subconscious into use”.

APH – Do you think the type of gear matters?

Bukunmi Oyewole – “The type of gear matters a lot, we have different kinds of camera; the consumer level camera, entry level camera and the high end professional cameras. If one wants the best result from a shoot, the best gears have to be used. Plus, the person behind the gears also matter a lot. You know?”.

APH – Yes that is really. What gear do you use?

Bukunmi Oyewole– “ I use a Nikon D750 camera”.

APH – Which lens is your favorite? Why?

Bukunmi Oyewole – “My favourite lens is 50mm, because it’s easy to use and very good for low light”.

APH – When you go out to shoot, do you take any essential items other than a camera and lens?

Bukunmi Oyewole – “Yes. My own essential item is my face towel. Lemme pack every gear that is needed, if I do not go with my face towel, I will be all sweaty while shooting on the field. I don’t even do handkerchief because it will not be enough to dab the sweat”. laughs

APH – Out of all your photos, which one is your favorite? Why?

Bukunmi Oyewole – “Haaaa! I don’t have any favourite o, but of course, for every documentary project I shoot, I always have a favourite no matter what”.

APH – “Whose work has influenced you most”?

Bukunmi Oyewole – “I’ll alway say this, Eli Reed’s works have always influenced me. Reed is a documentary photographer and the first black man to join Magnum photos”.

APH – Where is your studio located or where are you based?

Bukunmi Oyewole – “I don’t operate a studio because my style of photography does not require I own a studio. I most time work on the field, and on the go. You know”?

APH – How do you come up with such amazing stories for your photos? Is there a mood you to be in to achieve such concept?

Bukunmi Oyewole – “Most times, I would have visualized the kind of story I want to tell before actually doing the photo story. Most times, I feel propelled to tell certain stories especially if I know there is less focus on the subject matter. For everytime I shoot, I must just be in a cheerful mood, if my mood is tensed, I will not enjoy the shoot at that moment and the stories I’ll be telling in that kind of mood will sure not be good enough. The stories might be poorly told”.

APH – Do you ever get insecured or get dissatisfied with a particular shoot?

Bukunmi Oyewole – “I don’t get insecured at all when shooting, but not satisfied with a shoot? That’s very possible. Imagine me traveling to Cross River State for a personal project and I don’t get to do the shoot well after even having my storyline, even with a fixer on ground. Out of 100%, I’m able to maybe shoot 20% and then I come back to Ibadan. That’s a big time wasted trip”.

APH – Is there something you really want to achieve in the world of photography?

Bukunmi Oyewole – “My main aim, like I always say, is to tell the story of Africa; as it is. Unbiased, and not tilted. And I’m already doing that”.

APH – Do you ever turn down jobs? If yes, why?

Bukunmi Oyewole – Ha! Yes, I do o. It’s normal now, especially if the pay is not good. And also when I’m offered photography jobs that are not within my area of specialisation, I turn it down or push to colleagues who are experts in that area. I turn down jobs”.

APH – So far has it been easy being a photographer in your country?

Bukunmi Oyewole – “It has not been easy, I must say. Photographers in Nigeria are under-valued and under-appreciated. But we are getting there bit by bit”.

APH – Do you have any advice to any one starting out as a photographer?

Bukunmi Oyewole – “My advice for anyone starting out right now is for them to read wide on photography. I still read too to keep myself updated on a lot of things. They should keep themselves equipped with lots of knowledge about what they are getting into, and they should practice and practice too. Very important.

Thank you.