Listening to Maleek Berry – Kontrol
APH – What’s your name? Where are you from and where did you grow up?
Obabu Victor – “Thank you for having me. My name’s are Obabu Victor A. I am a Nigerian From Kogi state, I was born and brought up in Zaria, Kaduna state”.
APH – How would you describe your style in photography?
Obabu Victor – “Well I would describe my photography style as artistic, fun and innovative”
“When creating I try to be open minded as possible and I try to leave My images open to interpretations in my attempts to convey a personal impression”.
APH – What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?
Obabu Victor – “One thing I wish I knew first hand was the understanding of light most importantly, colors and composition. No good image is ever produced without the right amount of light”.
APH – How did you get good at photography?
Obabu Victor – “I started photography 3years ago under the tutelage of Adinoyi a renowned photographer in Zaria, Kaduna state and who is a close relative of mine. He inspired and still inspires me. My initial year with Adinoyi was challenging because I didn’t seem to get a hang of what photography entails (laughs). But I was relentless in my passion for it. I’d spend hours on Pinterest and Instagram admiring works of several creative’s; the likes of fabolous banji, Big H, Bedge, Aham Ibileme, Amazing klef and many others then silently wish I could create images the way they did. This further fueled my passion. As time went by I focused on studying the basics like the exposure triangle and lighting. I am still a work in progress because I’m still trying to explore the numerous ideas to developing better images. I’ve always loved shooting even if I wasn’t getting my framing, lighting and composition right most of the time(laughs). There was criticism from different angles but one thing I never stopped working towards was the originality of my art. So it somehow pushed me into going harder. I would look at other creative’s work and try to resonate with it and that’s how I develop my own ideas. Sometimes i just shoot with nothing on my mind and while I am shooting ideas start to surface. Consistency and self development is key. Never satisfied with what I was doing. I always feel there is something I could have done to maķe the images better.
APH – Do you think the type of gear matters?
Obabu Victor – “Hahaha. Anyone who tells you gears doesn’t matter is not telling you the truth. Gears doesn’t make a good photographer because ofcourse understanding the elements of photography and putting it in effect is key to producing good images not the gears itself but you will be limited in creating certain images without good gears. There is the part of knowing how to use the gears to its maximum too; But saying gears doesn’t matter is like saying no to good innovation. There are certain kinds of images I would have achieved if I had the kind of gears I need. I usually tell my colleagues. “Look at the kind of amazing images you create with the basic gear you have and compare it with the art you will achieve if you had better gears”.
APH – What gear do you use?
Obabu Victor – “For now I’m a Nikon photographer”
APH – Which lens is your favorite? Why?
Obabu Victor – “I love the sigma 24-70mm f2.8 the ideal ready for anything”.
APH – When you go out to shoot, do you take any essential items other than a camera and lens?
Obabu Victor – “Camera and lens and any other thing I might need for the shoot”
APH – Out of all your photos, which one is your favorite? Why?
Obabu Victor – It’s hard to pick a Favorite though there are the exceptional ones for me. But I love all my pictures
APH – Whose work has influenced you most?
Obabu Victor – “Fabulous Banji, I love the simplicity and feel of his images”
But I have also been influenced by the likes of AhamIbileme, Bedge and Big H.
APH – Where is your studio located or where are you based?
Obabu Victor – “I am based in Zaria, I don’t have a studio space of my own just yet. I work with Adinoyi studio. That’s where I create most of my images. I’m also a freelance photographer for now but given the right gears I can manipulate a living room to give a studio setup”.
APH – How do you come up with such amazing concepts for your photos? Is there a mood you to be in to achieve such concept?
Obabu Victor – “I’m inspired by art paintings first, music and the works of other creatives. I try to look at ways to recreate images differently and most of my ideas come from my quiet times and meditation”.
APH – Do you ever get insecured or get dissatisfied after a particular shoot?
Obabu Victor – “Ofcourse. It’s a challenge for most creatives. But it should be a driving force not a limiting force”.
APH – Is there something you really want to achieve in the world of photography?
Obabu Victor – “Yes. I want to be a source of inspiration to as many that come across my work. Let people see the beauty of life and memories differently when they look at my work and above all let God be magnified through my art. I would love it if my name is engraved in the hearts of many as the world’s best photographer”. I want to pass my knowledge across to as many that encounter me that even while I’m no more it will live on. Let my art be a guiding light to as many aspiring photographers in the later years”.
APH – Do you ever turn down jobs? If yes, why?
Obabu Victor – “Of course, if we don’t agree on the pay and conditions of the job I’d have to turn it down”. Also if the time frame of the job is too short or sudden I’d have to turn it down. And if what you require from me regarding the job is against my principles. I’d turn it down”.
APH – So far has it been easy being a photographer in your country?
Obabu Victor – “To be honest it has not been easy. Photography is very demanding and for this part of the country Where you always have to go the extra mile to maintain your game and break grounds, more is often expected from you with so little. But thank God We still surge through”.
APH – Do you have any advice to any one starting out as a photographer?
Obabu Victor – “Yes my advice to anyone starting as a photographer is to avoid being pressured”.
“Work at your own pace and focus on self development. It is not a competition”.
“Learn the basics thoroughly and work with mentors till you find your niche”.
The 54th 