Usman Zubair is a photographer who has amassed a lot of respect and recognition in the Pakistani photography scene. His work is from the perspective of a traveler and wanderer, and he has a unique way of playing with spaces and colors.
He has also taken several trips around the world and several photography expeditions to Iran.
His Instagram feed is a visual treat and his prints are also available on order.
You can follow and his work on Instagram @usman_zubair
The Interview
How are you today?
I am good, thank you.
What makes a good photograph?
I think there are a lot of factors to a good photograph, first and foremost for me it should make you feel something.
Ignite an emotion in you, about the landscape, architecture or the person whatever is your subject in the photograph, to me grading matters a lot too. I grade my photos in warm tones mostly which appear as overwhelming, happy and cozy.
How much have you traveled since professionally taking up
photography?
I have been traveling for 2 to 3 years now after taking up photography
professionally. I have traveled internationally to Nepal, Iran and Egypt and I usually go locally every year to north on my bike, solo exploring the wilderness and remote places, there is still a lot of valleys and treks that remains on my Wish-list in Pakistan.
Our country has a lot to offer.
What’s the hardest thing about your work?
I think the hardest this is to set your work apart from all other photographers in this ocean of photographers. Now a day’s everyone is a photographer but you got to make your space in this huge market which is not easy, you have to stand out and be creative, make your work unique,
and your style personal, only then you will be successful and grow.
Moreover, I think it’s hard to carry all this heavy camera gear during my travels, sometimes the lens get damaged during travels and its very expensive gear so you can’t feel good about that.
What do you wish to achieve?
Travel photography in Pakistan is no career, people tell me to stop expecting to make any money from this genre.
Because no one wants to pay you for the photos here, they want to get your photos for free in return for recognition or credits, and if you say no, there will always be some new photographer who will give them photos for free.
I want to make it my career and to earn full time from it. I know it will take
time and a lot of effort but I’ll get there one day. I have other means to
support myself and my travels which can pay my bills in the meanwhile but this is the one genre I am most passionate about; I want to travel around the world and take photos capturing the little details and soul of places.
Maheen Ahmed – Writing to create culture
@lahore_la_notte
