Minitar-1 LomoAmigo: Quiet Tales by Kadin Tiu

Kadin is an artist who speaks in hushed tones through her work. There’s a certain quietness to her visualization; her paintings are never obtrusive, but there seems to be a story tucked somewhere underneath.

Her photos evoke the same kind of stillness that can be found in her paintings. What may initially appear as a simple snapshot may eventually unfold into a tale –however cryptic—about the subject.

Kadin creates visual tales out of basic objects and everyday scenarios with paintbrushes and cameras. She recently collaborated with Lomography on a series of photos using the Minitar-1 lens.

Kadin’s photos, shot with the Minitar-1 lens, showcase the lens’ versatility, as the artist was able to capture a variety of subjects in different scenarios. She talks about the experience in this short interview.

Please introduce yourself to the Lomography community and the readers of the Online Magazine.

Hi! I’m Kadin Tiu, a Manila-based painter and photography enthusiast. I love discovering new things and find the experience of seeing something in an entirely new perspective exhilarating. I especially love just walking around, taking pictures of scenes or objects that inspire me and that which I feel most connected with.

How did you get started with photography?

A thing I’ve always loved, and found inspiration in, is photography. It started when I stumbled upon my dad’s old Nikon SLR and I would use it to capture whatever interesting things I come across and document moments that I want to keep. Photography has not only helped me remember moments but it’s also been a mode for me to explore and see things and places from a different perspective. I also shoot photos for references and studies for my paintings.

How would you describe your style as an artist?

As a painter I am concerned about spaces and how lines, forms and movement inhabit that space and create a new environment. Same goes I believe in my photography habits. I love seeing how things relate to each other through form and how they can create an amalgam of something entirely new. Seeing things intimately and in new ways is a constant experience I strive for.

What subjects do you particularly like to take photos of?

Nature has so many unexpected forms that inspire me and affect my work greatly so I love taking pictures of anything nature-related. I take a lot of photos of fabrics for work too. I also love taking pictures of my dogs and any objects or scenes that strike me.

What would you count as your greatest achievements?

I think my greatest achievement is being able to do what I love most in life which is creating works of art that is recognizably my own while sustaining a happy relationship with my family. It never occurred to me early on that I will become an artist by trade; I just went out and did it and I’m lucky to be doing it still.

Digital or analogue? Does it matter which?

Digital is far more convenient than using analogue but there’s an unmatched quality in film that I like. Highlights and colors blend better in film, and grain looks more natural- adding more depth and texture to the picture. I think what I love most when shooting analogue is the process itself. It has taught me to slow down and think more about what I want to shoot, which encourages me to compose first and take less but higher quality photos.

Are you familiar with Lomography? Have you used other Lomography products? Any favorites?

Lomography has been around for quite a while now and has had a huge impact on photography in general so it’s very easy to say that it is inevitable to stumble upon it. A ton of my friends use Lomo cameras and I make sure to tinker with them whenever I could. Although my work as an artist requires me to use regular cameras for documentation, I will definitely grab one for myself or maybe a couple (knowing my shopping habits) during my next break from painting so I can fully dive into it. I’m thinking of starting with the LC-A.

What camera did you use with the Minitar-1 Lens?

I used a Fuji XA-1 camera.

How would you compare your experience of shooting with the Minitar-1 Lens with using other Lomography products or with other lenses?

I am a big fan of Russian lenses and have a couple which I use in and out of the studio. The lenses that I use (Helios 44-2m 58mm, Jupiter 8 50mm or the Mir 1b 37mm) force me to slow down, compose, and consider what I am capturing before I take the shot. With the Minitar-1 lens, shooting became easier because of its friendly zone-focusing system. I can set the desired aperture and just adjust the distance my subject is in. Although it’s not as sharp and crisp and tends to vignette and distort around the edges it still delivers when you need to take a shot quickly. The effect though is fun and interesting so I hope a lot of people check it out.

Can you tell us a little more about your Minitar-1 experience? Any interesting things you encountered or any challenges?

It is very easy to use as it is a very basic lens but offers a wide range of results. It’s compact enough to have it with you all the time but built like a tank so you know it’ll accompany you wherever. It took a bit of getting to know the lens but even the initial fumbling with it is so much fun and interesting. Once you got it all figured out all went smoothly. I think it is something I would definitely recommend for people to try out because it is a standout experience for me. The lens is both fun and serious at the same time so I think it will fit to any type of photographer’s gear out there.

Please choose at least 5 of your favorite photos from the Minitar-1 shoot and tell us about the images, and why they’re your favorites.

I grew up in the province, surrounded by nature. And this photograph reminded me of how much I missed spending time in far-off places away from the busy city. It is very important to me that I spend time away from the city, as it puts things in perspective.

Eddie is our dog. He is a solid ball of energy and spirit especially after his baths like on this day. He usually runs and rolls around the grass but on this instance, I called him and he paused long enough for me to catch this great pose. It is as if he knew I wanted a great shot of him.

I’ve known this band for ages and I never thought I’d catch them live again. This is their first set in ten years. I caught a rare still, rather serene moment in their mostly chaotic and highly energetic performances. They are called HUH!.

I love the proportion, space and composition of this photograph. The colors too are something I might consider using in a painting.

I love the light and tonality of this photograph. There is a certain luminosity and depth that reminded me of Claude Monet’s paintings.

This is our dog’s nemesis. He stalks our backyard daily, most likely looking for food or trouble. He has a cute villainous appeal that I love.

What is your favorite feature or what do you like most about the Minitar-1 Lens?

First thing I noticed about the lens was its tiny size and well-built structure. I mostly use Russian lenses like the Helios 44-2m 58mm, Jupiter 8 50mm or the Mir 1b 37mm and they’re a bit of a strain to carry around especially when I have other things to carry and I would be walking around with it the entire day. With the Minitar-1 lens, I can easily bring it wherever I go. Also because of its tiny size, I can walk and shoot without people noticing. It’s I think the most discreet lens I have ever used. Another great feature I like is the lens’ zone focusing system. Once I got the hang of using it, it became easier for me to shoot instantly, great for capturing moments.

For what kind of projects would you recommend the Minitar-1?

I think the Minitar-1 lens is best suited for street photography because of its discreetness, ease of use and lightweight set-up.

Any tips for first time shooters?

When using the lens especially in daylight, users may probably want to stop the lens down a bit to have a bit more depth of field with which to work. I noticed that at aperture less than f/11 the photo tends to create a vignette effect and slight distortion around the edges. But if you’re after this effect and would add character to your photos, then shoot away. Also, make sure you always have fun shooting.

Do you have ongoing or upcoming projects that you would like to tell the community about?

I’m currently at the end of my break from my last exhibition so in a week or two I will be preparing for a new series of paintings. So the coming weeks will just be a ton of prep work, research, reading and making tons and tons of studies for paintings. The boring but most important stuff. I will put up the show most likely early next year depending on the gallery’s calendar.

Learn more about the artist and her work on her website, kadintiu.com and Instagram page.

written by Jill Tan Radovan on 2016-07-07 #minitar-1 #kadin-tiu