Creative ebb and flow: Photog Steven Vigar

Photographer Steven Vigar started with his father’s Olympus in Canada’s frozen mid-west. He now calls the warm Asian island of Taiwan home and shoots freelance for many publications. Meet Steven on this week’s Photog Friday. How did he get started? How does he work? What does he shoot? Read on…

Photographer Steven Vigar

Brief Bio:
Taiwan’s photographer of the year, Steven Vigar was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada where he studied photography at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. He has worked as photo editor for The Nugget and is a regular contributor for the Firstlight Associated Photographers. Currently, Steven is traveling Taiwan, Asia and beyond while working freelance for several publications. Vigar’s most recent work can be found in the Taipei Times, Adbusters, JPG, Taiwan Photographers, BUNK, Taiwan Nights and Waakao. He specializes in documentary, travel and portraiture.

How did you first get interested in photography?
At an early age my father used to let me play with his old 35mm Olympus camera. Loved the creative outlet it gave me the minute it touched my little hands.  I would return after two minutes with the camera looking for more film. “you used it all taking pictures of the cat?!”

What do you like to shoot?
Everything. Although, my natural tendencies lends themselves to portraits, I really admire photographers that can be a bit of a Jack-of-all-trades.  If there is a theme or weak spot in my portfolio, I always like to try my hand at it and see if I can fill in the gaps.  Instead of being amazing at one particular genre I really strive to become half decent at everything.

© Steven Vigar

What’s your approach to photography, your philosophy? What do you look for? How do you set-up a shot?
I see photography as a fickle beast. As long as it’s fun and creatively rewarding I will always keep doing it. Some times I get super inspired to go out and capture an over-the-top assignment. Other times I need to lay low and take some time for myself and wait for the next surge of inspiration to hit me. It’s a constant creative ebb and flow.  Either way, I believe every human needs some kind of creative outlet, whether it be crocheting scarves or taking apart kitchen appliances. I know 100% that I have found mine with a camera in hand.

What is the best photo you have taken? Why? Background and details, please…
Its very difficult to choose only one image. There is one photo I do like enough to hang on my wall. I have printed Yenshui as large as possible as it is a huge achievement for me. In the past I always daydreamed of being in the battlefield capturing important images of the day, trying to use a camera an as instrument to see the world. Although I have since put that goal on the shelf, this image is the closest I have come to that goal. The town of Yenshui, Taiwan is known for its annual firework festival insanity – whereby fireworks are sent raging into the crowd. Bruises and adrenaline ensue. Heart-pumping, to say the least.   This one image was captured whilst using the camera to  shield my face. If I hadn’t had it in front of me the whole time I likely would have taken a few firecrackers in the face… ouch.

© Steven Vigar

What gear are you using? What else do you want to buy?
Recently upgraded to a Nikon D700. The difference between the “cropped” sensor and the full-frame are simply staggering. I would like to overhaul my lens artillery in the next while. Get some longer lenses that would be useful for a whole plethora of subjects, like surfing, live stadium rock shows or stalking public figures.

© Steven Vigar

Which area of photography would you like to explore further (macro, landscapes, portraits)?
I would like to focus a little more on my studio / commercial work. After shooting night clubs all night, night after night after night, its nice to settle down during the DAY and do a little more deliberate set-up shots in the studio for thankful clients.  If nothing else, its less drinking… maybe.

Where do you see your photography 5 years from now?
I am still working on taking over Asia. That will probably last throughout the next five to fifty years.  Just keep on keeping on. I am lucky to have a large following on this side of the ocean, just see where that leads. Either way, I know where I wont be, making babies and struggling to make my car / mortgage payments in the frozen north. *shutter

What’s the best advice you would give to fellow photographers?
play play play…. no stress. Shoot as much as you can and have as much fun as is humanly possible with the medium, make mistakes, learn from them and try to develop your own style. Don’t obsess about other photographers images and what equipment they are using. Ensure that you grow into the equipment you do have and move up from there.

Where can we find your images?
www.stevenvigar.com
Steven Vigar on Facebook