Let’s start at the beginning. How did you become this awesomely creative person? What came first - design or photography? When and how? Well thats a question I can’t really answer. But I do remember I was writing novels, designing handmade greeting cards, creating handmade art, and collecting fashion images since the age of 8. Design came first in order. Are you interested in or involved in any other forms of art? Yes, music. I have played guitar in a band for 6 years and have produced two music albums. We’re in awe, not only of the quality, but also the quantity of your work! How do you keep your work fresh when you produce so much? Since I started photography three years ago there hasn’t been a single day when I didn’t carry my camera. I say, to be a photographer you have to be two things: 1. An opportunist and 2. Shameless. I never left an opportunity to be honest. I’ve shot before going to work, during lunch hours and late at night, and sometimes on the way home. I have skipped days at the beach, parties on weekends, shopping in malls, going out with friends to be able to do this. Is producing work as often as possible something that is key to your working style? I love to create and that’s where I find my joy. I don’t know if I would call it a style but working most of the time gives me pleasure. I don’t think it’s intentional or forced though but something I find quite natural in me. It’s rare we have the opportunity to meet someone so incredibly talented, and so very humble. How do you remain so grounded? I am born this way. You’re both a professional designer working at Livingroom agency and an established photographer with your own book coming out - are you living the dream? Do you feel like you’ve accomplished what you want to accomplish or are you still hungry for more? Yes I am living a dream. I love what I do, and I wouldn’t do something that I don’t love. I think we are all missing something if we don’t live our dream. I would rather not be in this life if it’s not the way I want it to be. And yes there is definitely no end to my imagination. Nothing stops me from thinking and I keep going and ideas keep coming. I wouldn’t call it hunger, but a constant struggle to satisfy the inner child in me. You have shot a lot of very interesting fashion shoots, are you particularly interested in fashion?
Yes, I like to stay more in fashion. It’s progressive and brings different dimensions in seeing things. Different styling and makeup variations give my pictures some character or some kind of uniqueness or a personality. However I am in between fashion and art. Can you take us through your ‘process’? Do you have a ritual or certain way of doing things? Yes actually I do. I shoot images that have been living in my head. Once I’ve met a model or a new face and if I like them, I get inspired and when a new idea comes in my head I start to see them fit in those pictures. Next what I do is to share the ideas with a hair/makeup artist and see if they find the idea interesting as well, if all set goes well we just go and shoot. I always restrict myself to few models and I like to work constantly with the same people.
I am very proud of the picture and it’s been the most sold from my collection. We’re very excited for the launch of your book Type & Face! Tell us about the book - how did it come about, and what is the idea behind it? The book is about two things I love the most, Typography and Photography. Many people have told me to do a book of photography but I always thought and felt that the book idea needed some kind of an edge. Type & Face is a collaboration with numerous artists (including our Gyula Deak!) - what were these collaborations like? Why did you decide to work with other artists on your first book?
How important are your cameras to the work you produce? Do you feel like the types of tools one uses are important or essential, or do you think good work be produced with any type of camera?
I have always believed in collaboration and this was another opportunity for me to showcase brilliant talent who get excited to see my work and do some magic with it. I have always considered myself as an artist but not as a photographer. Therefore for me creating a bigger idea around the book was very important, so as not to really limit myself to taking photos but to express them in a different way.
Yes definitely you can take great images with any sort of camera. A photograph is all about its content, object, the difference, the attitude, the message, or the angle. It’s not about “how many mega pixels did you use?” or “was it full frame or not?” No one gives a f**k about that. It’s creativity and the only place you have to be technically right is when the image is to be used in some sort of production.
About the artists, I would say I handpicked them, the people I knew and probably have seen their work before and they have some kind of an edge. Some of the other artists like Jana Jelovac, Lara Bizri, Rijin, and Ed Dickson I have really worked closely with and I knew what I was expecting from them, and I’ve always loved Gyula’s work and I think he’s one of the best designers in the region.
I have seen people with great equipment that can’t do s**t and at the same time I have seen great photographs taken by a phone. One of the best pictures I have shot was shot on a very basic canon camera, 400D.
Who are some of the artists you worked with and how were they selected?
How are your work and style received internationally compared to locally? I consider my style more international than local and that’s how everyone from the outside sees it. I consider myself a portrait photographer, somebody who understands faces and their power of beauty. Some of my key projects been well rewarded in international exhibitions and books. Tell us about the photograph you’re most proud of. It’s called “The Monkey”. “The Monkey” is a picture that I took backstage during a shoot. Famous top model Crista Cober was getting ready and I was working as an art director on the set. I used to have a 400D. I had no intention to get this picture but there was something that knocked my head when I saw a Che-like monkey printed on the makeup artist’s tshirt. The illusion of the monkey checking out Crista while the makeup artist was busy doing her hair. I was watching them through the view finder. In a few seconds the monkey’s face was well coordinated with Crista’s and I took the shot.
I precisely selected them based on their style. Artists: (Jana Jelovac, Ed Dickson, Gyula Deak, FaizD, Lara Bizri, Komal Bedi, Rijin Kunath, Amrit Raj, Nisreen Shahin, Umer Razzak, Mounir Harfouche, Stephanie T, Noush Like Sploosh, Liam Farrel and myself) are mix of designers, writers, and art directors. When can we get our hands on a copy of Type & Face? Is the launch happening in Dubai? How can our readers find out more about the event? The book will be published in May and I am looking to launch it at the same time. The first 110 signed copies will be given away during the event, others can be bought from local and international stores worldwide. The book will also be available at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. The launch will also include hanging art from the book itself that can be purchased. Check out more of Mansoor’s work and find out more about his upcoming book launch here: Blog: www.mannbutte.com Website: slingme.co