August 7, 2011 « Vincent Tsang
Vincent Tsang, currently residing in Canada, is quickly clicking himself up the photography ranks. From shooting his favourite clothes at home, Vincent has since shot several beautiful lookbooks, which earnt him a call from Nike. He is now touring with them - a project of which details are secret - but he takes time out to talk to me about his photographical journey.
What would you say led you into fashion photography?
I started photography and got introduced to the Adobe family (Photoshop, Illustrator) when I was about 16. I was working in a local clothing boutique.
There was a camera laying around and we had just started a blog, so the whole photography thing basically began at work.
It was through the website that I would get to experiment with photo taking and the editting process. I was blessed to have a great employer who allowed the trial/error process to elevate my skillset. It soon became somewhat of a hobby, which is when I moved away from only doing product and commercial shots to doing portraits and landsacape photography.
From there, photography itself just grew on me, really. Being a student of style it was an inevitable transition and I think I've found a home in fashion photography...
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What has been your greatest achievement so far?
I guess signing my first contract with Nike was pretty intense for me...It was always a dream to work for them. When I first got the call, it was a pretty unreal feeling that I will never forget.
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You're currently touring with Nike, I know it's a secret but can you tell me how that came about?
Nike sportswear was in town for an event, and through the boutique I work for, I was able to land a position as the event photographer...the photos traveled and the head office in Portland was quite impressed, so a week later, I got the big call up from the minors!
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While you're travelling, what three things can you absolutely not live without?
I have a Baxter travel kit which I always bring with me, unless the hotel is giving me malin+goetz shampoo, I will most likely not use it! haha
I always bring my pair of Nike Free 5.0 sneakers, they're the most comfortable all-around shoe, sometimes you just need a pair of runners in case you need to walk alot. No pain on the plane!
Last, but most important, is a camera...that one was a given. I'm a photographer, so if I'm travelling and get to see nice things, I feel naked without my trusty buddy.
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What has been your favourite shoot?
I recently shot a Lookbook for 3sixteen's fall 2010 collection. I've always loved the brand from their inception when they were doing graphic tees to presently being a full cut&sew collection. And to finally be able to work with them is quite fulfilling. The team they put together for the photoshoot was also one of the highlights; everyone did their job to perfection, from the stylist to the models, everything clicked.
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What do you love most about your job?
From what I remember, since I was a kid I've been in love with all types of visual arts, from comic books to classical films. I've been into illustration ever since I knew how to hold a pencil, and at one point, this "love affair" slowly evolved into photography... I always say that photography is for the lazy artists...people like myself who like to see beauty in just a click of the finger rather than spending hours on a canvas.
I can't say that there's a deep connotation to my work. I simply love creating beautiful things and it just so happens that photography is my current medium of choice. I might be doing something else to satisfy my thirst in 2 years from now. Why do I enjoy it? Simply because I'm busy with other work, and photography is like a dry cigarette, it burns fast, but its still satisfying...for the moment at least, until you need more.
I guess its that instant satisfaction that I am addicted to...