Interview with Pini Hamou

Seeing his works for the fist time, I was mesmerized by their complexity, artistry, refinement, visual richness and abundance of meaning. Pini Hamaou is a brilliant photographer from Israel. He has kindly agreed to do an interview with me. To see more of his works visit his website.  

1. As a photographer what do you find most challenging?

As a photographer, it's important for me to move forward and to find new ways and techniques. I don't want to repeat myself. Usually we humans like to stay at our comfort zone, at places we know. The will to change is very important for our personal development.

http://www.pinih.co.il/

2. Many of your photographs seem to have a message of some kind. What do you think good photography should convey?

In my view a good photograph must create interest with the viewer. It must tell him a story, or pass an idea. The aesthetics of the picture is important, but more important is the idea behind it. 

http://www.pinih.co.il/

 3. In your experience,  how much of what happens in front of camera is spontaneous and how much is the result of what has been previously envisioned?

I shoot pictures of various subjects. In documentary photography every photo is spontaneous, and my role as a photographer is to catch a moment of interesting happening. But with conceptual-artistic photography I try to share an idea. And that's why all my pictures are pre-planned. I come to the shootings with sketches I drew, I choose the right location, I organize the props and cloths before the shootings, and I choose the model I think will be most appropriate for the idea and expression I want to share. Of course during the shootings I change certain things, for example, I usually shoot in natural light and sometimes I have to change the positioning in order to get better lighting or background.  

http://www.pinih.co.il/

4. Do you think that photography is different from other art form and if so in what ways? What are the main advantages of photography?

Photography, painting and cinematography have a lot in common. In my photos I try to blur the differences between these arts.

In a story the reader's role is to imagine how things look like. In my photography I bring my imagination and present it to the viewers.

Photography's advantage on painting is in the quickness – in one click there's a photo. A work on a picture can take months.

http://www.pinih.co.il/

5. What would be your advice to young aspiring photographers?

I advise young photographers to enjoy the experience of taking a picture, and then try to improve from one session to another, to see what needs to be improved and implement it in the next session. Self-criticism is vital to our personal development.   

http://www.pinih.co.il/

http://www.pinih.co.il/