It’s one thing to be able to receive the same data-driven suggestions as someone else living a completely different part of the world, and another to come across novelty that transcends even today’s global reach of the Internet.
The democratisation of the photography via the smartphone camera has allowed images — universally understood yet infinitely complex as a language — to become the glue of the global online community. Greater reach and accessibility means a greater likelihood of fruitful and exciting creative collisions, but the warm glow of this multiplier effect somewhat wanes when the committing to the game of social media instead constantly overwhelms and encourages performative action, leading to echo chambers and a stifling of individuality and creative expression.
Inside jokes are no longer inside jokes if everyone is in on them, but this creative crisis is more than a coincidence to make light of for some of the world’s biggest professional image-makers. How does one stay relevant while being their most authentic self? If social media is always perceived to prescribe more than describe, how can creatives share their work without the application of the wrong labels — art or content? Or does it no longer matter?
Men’s Folio speaks to a special line-up of six image-makers — Peter Ash Lee, Rala Choi, Monika Mogi, Nikolai Ahn, Poyen Chen and Wing Shya — to find out. Here is what Rala Choi has to say about creating images in a social media era.
Lovers (2022), Rala Choi
If you were to describe your photography style to someone who has never seen your works before, what would you say?
Visualisation of emotions expressed by people.
What about photography do you love the most? Has that reason changed over the years?
I think it is an act of looking into what I love. Nothing has changed. As time passes, I feel that the objects of my love are becoming more diverse and bigger, regardless of whether they are humans, nature, animals or plants.
How has the smartphone camera changed photography for you and as a creative medium?
It is very useful when you are traveling and want to see the location of the photo. As there are location information in the photo data, you can look at whenever you need it urgently.
What is the creation process of a photo like for you?
I take photos of the things I experience and express my feelings and emotions with colours and characters. My process begins with contemplation, then sketches, before a scene materialises, likely illuminated solely by natural light, in which feelings are expressed through colour, character. Currently, I am looking for the bends and distorted poses of the male body and am fascinated by the intuitive appeal they provide.
So, in the past, I sketched first and photographed but these days, I photograph the movement of models that I see.
Love (2023), Rala Choi
Which part of that process is your favourite? Why?
The conceptual stage of the work. In fact, the idea of what to express is more fascinating than the act of taking a photo.
Fundamentally, photography is about recording — turning a fleeting moment into something permanent. Is there something you recorded but wish you didn’t?
I don’t think there was a moment that I didn’t want to record. That’s because I only took pictures of what I wanted to see and record at each moment.
What about vice versa? Is there something you did not record on photo but wish you did?
Oh really, I feel this every moment. There have been many times when I wished I had a camera attached to my eyes. I miss the one second I saw with my eyes, and I want to capture everything I see, such as the sunlight, the afternoon light, and people’s expressions on their faces.
What do you think is the biggest difference between taking photographs in your early career and now?
In the past, I took a picture and then made it meaning, but now I have to have a clear reason before taking a picture.
Lovers_distance (2024), Rala Choi
Given that we are living in a social media age where images make up a big part of communication (that has transcended the boundaries of time and space) and cultural exchange, how has social media affected your career?
I think it has had a huge impact on my career. I think it is most important as a promotional marketing tool.
Does the prevalence of social media pressure you to create for the platform? Why or why not?
I don’t feel pressured. I just want to show what I personally think is definitely good.
On that note, do you feel like the speed of image production on social media encourages an echo chamber of material and inspiration that limits cultural diversity? Is it necessary to make a conscious effort to keep your point of view authentic and original?
I am a thorough empiricist and I think that in order to have your own originality, you have to make a conscious effort. You never know the fun of surfing just by looking at it.
Everything has to be faced with reality, experienced, and felt. I think the expression that the current social media is not really clear is correct. In fact, I don’t really want to know.
Last but not least, what advice would you give to creatives
I recommend you read ‘Patrick Suskind: drei geschichten und aine betrachtung’. It is short and easy to understand, so it is quick and simple. As an artist, it is a book that helped me clarify my relationships with others.
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