We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Winnie Su a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Winnie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
My artistic journey commenced during my college years when I embarked on analog photography. This mandatory course for photo majors unexpectedly became the cornerstone of my career as a photographer and visual creator. I began with 35mm film and progressed to medium and large format photography, eventually exploring alternative printing processes like cyanotype, van dyke, and gum printing. The allure of analog photography lies not only in its captivating visual aesthetics but also in the profound appreciation I developed for the time and effort required to create a single piece.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a freelance photographer with a deep passion for analog photography, specializing in film shooting and alternative printing processes. I find beauty in the often-overlooked subtle textures, nuanced emotions, and fleeting moments that grace our lives. The elegance and time-intensive nature of analog techniques greatly appeal to me, and my unwavering commitment to meticulous attention to detail is a defining aspect of my work. My subjects span a diverse spectrum, capturing the urban landscape, the serenity of nature, still-life compositions, and the dynamism of moments in motion; all captured with an aim to evoke relatability and convey a sense of delicacy and steadiness.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Learning photography involves understanding a multitude of technical aspects, such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO, composition, white balance, and lighting techniques. When I first ventured into photography, I was simultaneously exploring and learning these principles on my own. Consequently, these guidelines unintentionally influenced my creative process and outcomes, at times feeling like constraints. I once believed they were holding me back. However, I later realized that these technical aspects weren’t hindrances but tools waiting to be harnessed. Once I internalized them, they became instrumental in bringing my creative visions to life. It’s the understanding of how to apply these techniques effectively that transformed them from potential obstacles into invaluable assets for my artistic expression.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative lies in the journey itself. It involves the endeavor to convey the thoughts and emotions from within, which often leads to a profound self-exploration. Although this creative process can be accompanied by moments of confusion and even periods of introspective darkness, the ability to navigate through the hard times and emerge with a creation that speaks to one’s soul is immensely fulfilling. It’s the moments when I witness my work resonating with others and the realization that I’ve grown as an artist that bring the most gratification. These moments of connection and personal growth are the true rewards of the creative path.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wnnysu.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wnnysu/