Eric Guo 美撒大怪 interview

Can you introduce yourself and tell us briefly how you broke into photography? Is it your profession?

I am a Chinese photographer, I studied painting in college, I feel that photography is like painting, but with different tools.

What does the rural China mean to you? How do you feel with the growth of China during these last years?

I have talked to most of the very poor in rural China, the transportation is very convenient, so they maintain a relatively primitive state, they are very kind and very hard.

What is your photography equipment? Any special camera/lens/roll film?

I use the Mamiya 120 camera c330 and a very old black and white film produced in China.

The people in your photos seem to trust you when you photograph them – how do you make them relax for you?

I do not disturb the subject, who is always in a free state.

What I really like of your photographs is the « foggy » light,  they seem to be taken ages ago. Is it true, do you retouch the film negatives or are you looking for this special fog effect in every picture? What does make you click the shutter?

I just concentrate on playing the position I need for the viewfinder shutter at the place I like, I retire and sit with them while we are talking to know each other, they are a minority living at an altitude of 3,000 meters in the mountain.

If you could photograph anyone for a day anywhere else – who/what and where would it be?
You can find many fascinating places in the land of China. I wish I could shoot them more often, however that will be an issue without enough money.

Any book or photographer/artist who have influenced your art?

Around the world there are many excellent photographers that have influenced me and I learn from them every day!

Do you want to add something else?

Thank you for your interview.

Special thanks to Joe Zhou for his translation tips.