We had the chance to chat with the man behind the blog Seoul State of Mind. Ken Kum Lee was born and raised in the UK. He is addicted to photography and food. His pictures are just breath taking. No matter what the topic is you can be sure that the result will be stunning.
KALTBLUT: Hi Ken, can you please how did to come you to photography?
Ken: My sister always bugged me to take pictures for her successful fashion and lifestyle blog. After a while I moved to Korea and decided to start my own travel diary to keep my family and friends back home up to date and to tell them passively that I am OK and not starved. From then on I became addicted and it kind of snowballed into something I could never have imagined.
KALTBLUT: Has growing up in London and moving to Seoul influenced your work?
Ken: I guess in a way. If I never moved to Korea I would never have started photography or even taken it seriously. It’s quite scary if I think about it…
KALTBLUT: There is clearly two different subject in your photography : architecture and landscape, how do you approach each?
Ken: For architecture I specifically focus on the patterns whereas landscape I like to make it minimal to give it that fresh and ‘clean’ look.
KALTBLUT: Do you prefer natural or industrial landscape?
Ken: Both. As a person who gets quite bored with the same theme easily I try to mix up the theme now and then to get a new and fresh perspective on each.
KALTBLUT: Do you use post-production? What do you think about it?
Ken: Yes I do! Almost 100% of the time the camera itself fails to capture the feeling I get when I am in that particular moment. Post production enables me to restore that. Now that it is available on your smart phone it acts like a therapy session for me whenever I get bored or stressed. I also think the way you post process your photos really marks your signature style and is one of the determining factors that sets your photos apart from other photographers.
KALTBLUT: Who or what is inspiring you these days?
Ken: Instagram! There are so many amazing and emerging photographers nowadays with fresh new concepts and styles!
KALTBLUT: How you support yourself as a photographer?
Ken: I actually consider myself a teacher…photography is still a hobby. Maybe one day I can turn things around?
KALTBLUT: What’s your favourite part about living in Korea?
Ken: The strong cultural presence. Its traditions and history is so fascinating and the cuisine is particularly delicious.
Interview by Nicolas Simoneau
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