ASLI KOLCU PHOTOGRAPHY
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Conceptual/Fashion
Self Portraits
Started in February 2009. In progress.
"Who am I ? Who do i portray? Am I what I seem or what i choose to show? Who sees me for what i really have? Who doesn't want to look at me? Who is hurt when they do? Who feels like they are me maybe more than I am?
Life is a play with many different parts, maybe as much as we choose. And everyone gets to pick a role. You can hardly find one that choses to be one's self but nothing else. It's easier to hide when you communicate. How can you get hurt when you aren't "you" at all? Or can you?
Haven't you seen some people when you look at them there is always something more inside that you can not reach. That they put on a grand act because of it but you know there are scars underneath their cloths. They will not show you but it doesn't matter. They will paint the town, wait for trains to wonderland, change what the clock says .Even after all that the paints go away with the rain, trains to imaginary places carry you for just as long as it to hurt hard when they vomit everything you stuffed in there and no matter how much you direct what the clock says time will always be the same.
So here i am telling you "I am here and i am me". Maybe for only the amount of time these stories stand before your eyes or maybe just for a few seconds in your mind but I am me and i will stay me in your soul for as long as it lasts.I am me and showing this to you because when you know you aren't alone when someone sees right into you sometimes it isn't as scary as it felt when you are alone."
Sign; Who you see
(Written by Asli Kolcu)
Coming soon. (November 2009)
1988 Nov: Born in Istanbul,Turkey
2005: Took my first picture
2006 August: My first online magazine feature
2007: Bought my first SLR (Olympus E300)
2007 Feb: 2 years break from photography starts
2007 April: My first newspaper feature
2007 May: My first solo exhibit in Finland,UPG
2007 June: Finished highschool in Istanbul (Koc High School)
2007 August: First printed magazine feature GeniAç Genç Soluklar project for young aspiring photographers
2007 Sept: Got in to Bilgi University Film and TV BA
2008 October: Dropped out of school because I didn't like it (Didn't attend more than a total of 3 months)
2009 Feb: Started testing again in London
2009 April: Got in to Middlesex Photography BA skipping the foundation and first year with a scholarship
2009 September: Moved to London
Today: Working on personal projects and several client shoots (designers to portfolio development)
"I always felt I had so much going on around me I had to share what I saw One smell would carry me to a memory, one simple color would leave me in tears; so i started to write I started my journey when i was ten All I knew after that was i had to create The creation did not serve a purpose it was just a fact of life As time passed i kept writing lasting in book templates Up till the point that i tried to describe a leaf but words were not enough I understood if I can't show what i was seeing there was no way I can tell people what i was feeling Words seemed too dull when i tried to go by them, drawing it was not realistic enough for my own mind About 4 months after that i took a "photograph" I was staring out of the window to the rays of light playing games above the clouds and for some reason i picked up the phone called my friend,my father's camera and ran out Rolls and rolls of film just because i felt like it I felt alive, like i was one with the world that i was air i was that ray of sunshine I got the prints a week later and stuffed them in my bag little did I know that they will fall out in the art class and my teacher will be impressed by a high school junior having the 'talent' as she named After that day I started to borrow people's cameras now and than and finally got my own film camera in 2007 and discovered what a dark room was I was self thought up to that point and got featured in many magazines online and in print,I also got offers for several exhibits national and international during these years,I started my own business in 2008 and still am working as a freelance photographer taking different clients and also pursuing my own projects As I grew as a photographer i learned that i have a really strong visual memory and as i grew as a writer i got more and more interested in people ,how their mind works and what drives our relationships This combination resulted in my photos being conceptual and model based People fascinate me I do not believe that there is good or bad people in the world, there are just people To me art is not a job but how i see I always have something to tell I need to share my dreams, my feelings, my thoughts"
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Q: What camera and lenses do you use?
29 July 2009: I use a Sony a700 with 85 mm 1.4, 50 mm 1.4, 20 mm 2.8
2007: I currently use an Olympus e300. Before it was any camera I can borrow from my friends.
. Q:Can you recommend me a camera? How much does it cost now?
I can only reccomend the camerasI have been using. I don't get to test with all the cameras available in the market. It also differs depending on what field of photography you are interested. Short version; do your research. There are some good reviews online.
At the end of the day you take the photo the camera doesn't do it for you.Know your tools but don't get obsessed about them.
Q:Did you study photography?
29 July 2009: I got in to Middlesex Uni this year from second year. I have no knowledge of the experince yet since I will e starting in September. However I think it will be very nice. Photography school is not necessary because pracitse really makes perfect but there is no harm in learning more about the medium in a school.
2008: I'm self taught. When I wanted to take photography I didn't know of any good ones in my country.
Q:What lighting system do you use?
29 July 2009: I recently learnt how to use reflectors and still shoot in natural light with the aid of them.
2007: Natural light.
Q:How did you start?
I used to write and one day I got stuck about this petal I was trying to describe. I gave some thought to visual mediums but didn't take action. Than one day I just went out and started snapping.
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Q:How long do you take to do post-processing for a photo? How many photos do you take until you get the one your wanted?
It is highly dependent on the quality of the photo. 2 to 4 hours would be the estimate I guess. However there are timesI am not sure about the edit. When that happends I let the pictures sit for a day or two and revisit them.
As for the number of shotsthat differs as well. There isn't a must number when it comes to that. Sometimes you get what you want with just a few snaps sometimes it takes 300. On preplanned and important shoots I try to take a few of each pose since what you can't see on the small lcd might ruin that one "perfect" picture. So it's always good to have some alternate version.
Q:What programs do you use for retouching / editing?
Photoshop CS4 and Lightroom 2.
Q:Where do you find models?
I work with various modelling agencies. Don't be disco¦uraged as many of you said "Well I can't pay!" When you have somewhat of a good portfolio you can start calling agencies to learn if they have models that want to test. Don't forget you might be new in this but you are not the only one. There will be some agencies that agree to test with you eventuall. Just keep trying.
Before trying agencies sites like Modelmayhem are very useful. However don't shoot anyone that agrees to it. Have your own standards. It is hard to find the gems on sites like that but there are some great models there.
Q:Who does the make up/hair/styling/prop design/art direction in your shoots?
2009 Prop design and art direction is still done by me.On the other aspects of the shoot I work with various creatives now that wants to test for personal shoots.I still do some of my own styling as I love it and I do have a huge wardrobe filled with stuff I bought for shoots.
2007 Me and my models. Experimenting with it is always fun.
Q:But I don't have a MUA/stylist etc?!!
Neither did I when I first started. What makes an image is the idea/feeling behind it. Don't worry. As you keep shooting and learning there will be people wanting to test with you.It was the way for me. I kept searching and casting as I built my portfolio. I ended up making great,lasting friendships. I kept working with some team members and did let go of some.
Q:How do you choose a team member? I can't know if they are good if they are a beginner like me ?!!
Well testing is always experimenting with new people. You can't be sure as they can't be sure of you.You can't expect someone at the top of their game to want to do their craft for free just because you can't pay them.It is their talent and their effort. One or two bad tests won't kill you but one good test will give you lasting team members you can work with Try to do less time consuming tests with new members and work your way to the harder ones if it works out.
Q:Do you have any tips for me?
"Practice makes perfect" is a true saying. Take that idea in your head and try to make it work.
My motto since I don't want to do shoots that I am not %100 dedicated is; Don't do it unless you can't live with out shooting it.
I don't think I need to mention the golden rule of "network". In todays world onlinenetworking does wonders as well. I first started making contacts on Deviantart and got my first job there as well.
On the other hand keep in mind real life is different then online communities. Try to keep it balanced. Online the audience you are adressing is the general viewer however impressing them doesn't mean that you will impress agents,magazines etc.
Basically network, because word of mouth is important but keep evolving and doing the best you can.
Q:Do you do requests?
No sorry.
Q:Commissions?
Yes, when I have the time.
Q: Can I blog/draw/slideshow your images ?
As long as for noncommercial use and credited
Fairytale Marks the Spot October, 2009
Personal Shoot with Cherry,Bukky and Dora May 7, 2009
Location; Islington
Photography,Styling,Idea; Asli Kolcu
MUA Dora Chan
Models Cherry Smirth and Bukky Ony
It was really nice.Even though the weird lil group of men making fun of us whilst playing football and occasionally almost knocking out my lenses wherever I put them. I ended up with them in my pockets ;)
This idea has been in my mind for a while and had to cancel it before in february becase Cherry was stuckthanks to the snow. Though in this last trip to London I had the chanceto reschedule it. Dora Chan stepped in for the MUA from the previous one as she was from Paris. And of course it was a pleasure to work with Dora as usual.
Our day actually started pretty boring and slightly worrying because Cherry was about an hour late and than she got lost! Bukky was falling asleep where he was sitting, snoring than waking up to exclaim "I didn't fall asleep!" Which made us gigle every time .
When Cherry finally arrived with her mom the team wasslightly annoyed because of the wait. We were feeling like the shoot was jinxed or something because I lost the dress the day before and had to change the styling as well.At least it wasn't pouring down!
After Cherry got her make up done and I ironed the dress again we went down to the basketball cage at the back of Glen's apartement. Grabbed our reflectors and started shooting.
Even though the day didn't start as we would have wished and Bukky had a very visible urge to go shoot some hoops with the guys, it was a well spent time.
Cheers
Personal Shoot with Aleks,Glen and Dora April 27, 2009
Hello everyone;
Second test shoot of this London trip
I over slept today because i sort of threw my phone away with the alarm
We were going to start a 9 am but i left the house at 9 30 Both Aleks and Dora were really understanding and as wonderful as usual
I met Aleks for the first time today but did chat to her before Turns out she was as sweet as I thought
She also kept warning me about she is a size 12 but to be honest she was great She is gorgeous, she is nice and literally crawled on the ground and walked around bear foot all day
The shoot was at her house in North Ealing
We used the huge field and this pool at an old abandoned gym
Dora worked her magic as well with the make ups and created completely different three looks for the shoots
Glen was there with me as well and took some of the backstage shots And tried staying out of the way so the girl you see with the red top is me I know it's annoying that you can't see my face but everything wasn't about me
Dora and Glen helped a lot with the sets as well from collecting and placing stuff to holding diffusers and reflectors
Oh and yea this was the first shoot i got to use my new equipment My first time with diffusers and reflectors so bare with me ,p
Also discovered something that's not so great today My 35 mm is busted ;( Don't know what is wrong with it but was suspecting it from Aiilish's shoot It doesn't focus properly
So anyways here are the shots ^^
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Limited number of 10 of each print. Comes signed and numbered.
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CONTACT
aslikolcu_gmail.com
07762320854
