Interview with Sean Lotman- Photographer, Traveler Author.
“A native of Los Angeles, California, I’ve been in Japan since 2003, mostly Tokyo, lately Kyoto. I started taking pictures after leaving the United States, mostly for documentary purposes. It wasn’t until I found the right cameras and film that I became a “photographer” in the sense of having a greater purpose with picture-taking. Since coming to Asia, I’ve traveled a bit, especially The Middle East, Southeast Asia, and India. In addition to photography I write fiction, essays and poetry. More of my work can be viewed on my website at www.seanlotman.com.”.
You are a writer and traveler. What persuaded you to get up and move and could you describe the process?
Writing prose is as solitary an exercise as one can imagine. It is almost anti-social in its demands, because accessing one’s imagination requires some considerable thought processes. Ironically, writing about the world often involves isolating oneself from it. Photography thus counterbalances the loneliness of the long-form writer. I enjoy the physicality of photography. Picture-taking naturally complements traveling, which for me is about engaging with my society or an alien one.
Unlike a lot of photographers I don’t bring my cameras everywhere. I am also mostly a daytime shooter since I use 100ISO film, which doesn’t work in bad light. So when I go shooting it is usually an all-day process, in which I step out and go for a long walk. I often have an itinerary, especially when I’m traveling.
The photographs you take are documentary in the sense of recording the natural state of man. Would you define these images as street photography or travel snapshots? Or would you call these a personal diary, a collection images for the stories of cultures?
It’s a little bit of all that. Nearly all my photography comes from the street and much of it is shot while traveling. That I am an American living in Kyoto, Japan, adds an exotic dimension to the work that wouldn’t exist had I remained in the Californian suburb I grew up in. The images are excerpts of an unwritten diary as well. Because I use a film camera I tend to shoot sparingly— thus I can recall nearly every single one of my shots. They have talismanic power, reminding me where I was at certain periods of my life, what mattered to me, and what I was fortunate enough to encounter and capture on long walks. I don’t set out to collect disparate cultural scenes— it is simply a matter of course, the end result of loving a particular moment so much I had to shoot it. If I have an artistic agenda, this is probably it.
How has literature influenced your work?
The most important way literature has influenced my photography is reinforcing the power of narrative in an image. It doesn’t need to but I prefer photographs ought to suggest a story. This inspires our curiosity, thus adding depth to the image. We ask questions. For example: Who is this guy? What is he doing? Why is he here? Is he upset?
Your images seem to give a surreal- almost painterly effect. Could you explain why you shoot film in the digital age?
It’s mostly a stylistic choice that enhances the substance of my work. I call my brand of photography “psychedelic humanism.”If I could get this textural depth with contemporary cameras, then perhaps I’d shoot digital. But probably not. I don’t like the mechanics of shooting digital. I don’t like the way people use cameras today. They carpetbomb their subject with ten, fifteen trigger-finger shots. And they don’t trust their instincts. Film-shooters have a more engaged relationship to their physical environment. I don’t think this point can be argued. They’re not removing themselves from the scene to look at an LCD screen. Their eyes never leave the scene.
Why did you begin to take pictures and what photographers motivate you to this day?
As I mentioned before, photography gets me out of the house and out of my head. I like taking pictures because it’s fulfilling and I feel I’m learning about myself (perhaps the most important purpose in any artistic endeavor).
I love looking at photo books and I have my share of heroes. Jakob Holdt, Danny Lyon, Mary Ellen Mark, Leiko Shiga, and Alex Webb have all made strong impressions on me, as has my wife, Ariko Inaoka. Without her influence and inspiration, perhaps I wouldn’t be answering your questions right now.
Are there any long-term projects you are currently working on? Would you ever consider crossing your writing and photographic talents into a book?
I’m working on a book about Japan. One of my side-projects is more personal— I’ve been very lucky to have a number of very interesting friends. For years, I did not photograph them, failing to appreciate that their presence might look beautiful in a photograph. By way of photographing my friends I am learning more about myself and the life I have chosen for myself.
Regarding your question on artistic fusion, I have cross-pollinated my writing and photography with my haiku project, I Do Haiku You. (www.idohaikuyou.com) I pair medium format Diana f+photos with haiku and senryu poetry. Already it’s been an ongoing three-year project, but I’m about ready to secure a publisher.
If you had any advice for those who wanted to follow in your footsteps what would it be?
Develop a personal style. Of course, substance is important too, but you want your work to be instantly recognizable. I hesitate to use the word because I despise marketplace psychology, but as a photographer it is important for you to build your own “brand,” as in, only you and you alone could have taken such a photograph. There are so many photographers these days, but so few with really memorable signatures.
How do you see your work evolving within the next few years?
I’m quite interested to see what happens myself.
And lastly what advice would you give to not just photographers but people in general?
Give yourself enough time for doing something you truly love. This will get you through the day.
Thanks Sean!
You can check out more his work at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fondandfiend/
Haiku’s & Photographs: www.idohaikuyou.com
and personal website