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#CRACK360MEETS Thompson [@Thompsonphotog_]

interview

We have youths who are presently doing well for themselves in their various fields, previosly we had a rapper by the name Haywire [CLICK HERE TO SEE THE INTERVIEW]. Today's edition features photographer by the name Thompson.S.Ekong. Check it out below:

Can you tell us a little about yourself? What is Thompson about?

My Name is Thompson Sam Ekong , I am Photographer Based in Africa, Studying Mass Communication at the Babcock University , 19yrs old . I'd say I'm very weird and different from a lot of people. I like to goof around, explore and abstractly deconstruct everything around me which as helped me as an artist. I'd like to say I'm very creative and conceptual about everything in my life and I try to establish that with the people close to me, the culture I'm trying to create and that which I follow. There's a lot to really say but I guess I just try and show the many variations of who I am and how I see the world through my art, so I'd to know me more is to follow my work.

How did you get involved with photography? Did you go to any photography school?

Photography started for me when I was in High School , I captured images with my mother's Sony film camera when I was in high school , then became a habit and since then I never could eg enough of the camera, always wanting to tell stories and send messages of conceptual and provocative meanings through the flick of a cam. I go about capturing things that stand out for me .  Went to Art School At a point, That really influenced me in everything. 

A list was released a while back about top teen photographers and you were included in the list. How do you feel about that? I Never expected it , hahaha was excited in a way, I was ecstatic really (not to downplay anything). It really boosted my confidence and it was happy to know I was being appreciated for the hard work I've put in over the years. I hope to be recognized more, maybe the next time on a bigger platform. It also helped my background, gave me more networks to be able to share and create. Thank You City People

What field of photography are you into right now? 

Lifestyle and Conceptual. Mostly I like to tell stories (like I mentioned earlier) with my work. I want you to feel like you see your everyday pain, emotions, struggles in my pictures. I want to identify with the ideologies of people, I want to break boundaries of what should be said and what should be left unsaid. Push the mind of the thinker and immerse them in my world and my life but also giving the medium for them to be able to picture themselves and have that front row seat in my images. It's like being the star of another life's cause the actions are so relatable. Also like life in general which draws me to lifestyles, how humans basically exhibit and express themselves, this allows me merge my art with other forms of creativity. Like music, fashion, anything basically.

How did you get involved with the type of photography you’re doing now? 

Really I had my ideas on what I wanted to create, I was naturally drawn to some themes and subjects so over time it kinda built me into this mental state. Gradually growing, around last year I Meet a creative agency called Baroque Age they really influenced me and allowed me explore my ideas even more, pushing them and giving me more thoughts on how we could expand a simple picture to an entire conceptual catalogue, got affiliated with them, and it tuned my style and everything. Photographers like Andre Wagner, Bruce Davidson, David Uzochukwu, Lawrence Agyei and Rog Walker  Lakin Ogunbanwo influenced me 

Can you tell us what your go-to gear would be on a shoot?

I love my lights. 

What do you deem to be lighting requirements for your work? 

Natural & Artificial 

How do you gather models for a shoot?

If your the right subject will call you or message you , to help me bring out my vision 

What is your dream gear (camera's ,lens e.t.c)

Don't really have, but 70-200 

On the topic of gear:what do you think it matters when trying to make that great picture?

Lighting 

How do mix up school and photography? Are your parents in support of your aspirations?

Yes they are , and just make it 50/50 . 

Are you presently in any 'photography clique' or you're on your own

On my Own 

How much do you charge for a regular shoot?

Depends though

Who's your inspiration presently in the world of photography?

Rog Walker 

If you could do a photoshoot for any celebrity right now, who would it be?

k

Kanye West 

Thank you for your time, we here at crack360 really appreciate.

CHECK OUT SOME OF HIS WORK BELOW

Also Check Out His New Picture Journal Titled 'The People Of Ilishan Remo' [HERE]

More Interviews soon, also check out theseunbadejo.com

- sb