Kuala Lumpur based photographer Rahman Roslan’s work possesses sensitive and cognitive styles. He is one of the few young and emerging Asian photographers chosen to attend the prestigious free workshop at the Angkor Photography Festival. In his personal capacity, he is currently investigating the impact of urbanization on South East Asia's communities and the placement of private spaces. He is available for challenging assignments.

How did you teach yourself photography and what was the first object you shot?
The first object I shot was buildings. I studied Interior Architecture and one of the processes was to document site information using photographs. I started by referring to other photographers’ works for guidance and inspiration. I was lucky to have the chance to learn under the guidance of few mentors in the past 4 years, and am still learning from them today.

What motivated you to pick up the stream of social and humanity photography in particular?

James Nachtwey in ‘War Photographer’ moved me immensely with his photography and stories. What on earth is it that drives a man to such an extent that he goes to the war fields, risking his life, and coming back with powerful photos, that shows the world what was happening there, and moves people like me, who lives thousands of miles away, in a completely different environment. I think he did it, because he believed it was an effective way. I know well myself that I am not a writer, or a poet. But I can take photographs, and well, somehow, I am always drawn to the power of having a voice/opinion using photography and I feel that it is the best way to utilize photography to its maximum potential.
 
When you photograph people, do you feel some sort of emotional exchange?
Oh yes, definitely. It’s the relationship with my subject that makes the whole difference. As a photographer, I think that it is crucial to get to feel the emotion when I am photographing, or else, I would lose the focus.

“…I am always drawn to the power of having a voice/opinion using photography and I feel that it is the best way to utilize photography to its maximum potential.”

You were a few of the lucky photographers chosen to attend the prestigious Angkor Photography Festival. Could you share your experiences with us?
To attend the Angkor Photography Festival free workshop was one of the most important steps in my journey as a photographer. The workshop opened up my eyes and heart to another level of understanding of photography. To learn from the masters like Antoine D Agata, Kosuke Okahara, and to be around some of the world's most promising young photographers, are just simply refreshing and rejuvenating. Ideas and views were discussed at length, pushing my boundary of philosophy and understanding. Now I try to come back every year to the festival to contribute in some way. The festival team has become my family.

Your works have been published extensively in famous journals like Reuters, New York Times, to name a few. You have also won numerous awards. How has the journey been so far?
I still feel like a newborn child to be honest. The more I learn and experience, the more I feel stupid. I always feel that I need to shoot more, work harder, because there are so many stories to be told out there. We just have to listen carefully.

“I still feel like a newborn child... The more I learn and experience, the more I feel stupid. I always feel that I need to shoot more, work harder, because there are so many stories to be told.”

Could you tell us something about your research on the impact of urbanization on South East Asia's communities and the placement of private spaces?
When I decided to embark on this project, I was traveling in Jakarta, and had the chance to visit one of the slums just outside central Jakarta. I realized that urban dwellers tend to morph their lifestyle according to urbanization which is fast taking place. When I travel to few other big cities like Phnom Penh, Singapore, and my hometown, Kuala Lumpur, the same thing happens. The pattern is that it is almost too expensive to live in the city, and middle and lower class citizens are pushed to live within the outskirts. But at the same time, you could observe a massive human migration towards the city as it is regarded as the melting pot. These migrants settle in a box-like apartment or in a crammed low cost flat, to pursue their dreams. It fascinates me that this process happens at the same time, and it is the cause by human hunger for progression which causes urbanization to take place.

Your work has led you to travel to the remotest of places. Which has been the most challenging till date?
The most challenging place I’ve ever been to is to Long Lama, in Sarawak. Long Lama is the most remote place in Sarawak, the largest and the most under populated state in Malaysia. There are two ways to get to Long Lama, one is by a 1 hour helicopter ride from the town of Miri. Second, is by 10 hours of treacherous journey through some of the worst jungle roads in Malaysia, by a 4WD off road vehicle. Due to the requirement of the assignment, we took the second option, and it was the hardest journeys I’ve ever been through.

“Be easy, be stupid, and always work hard…and don't forget to embrace the life.”

You have worked on various interesting projects over the years. Which is your favourite till now and why?
My most meaningful assignment was to photograph an Indonesian maid, Nur, and her journey going home after 7 years after being abused in Malaysia. Indonesian maid abuses are common cases in Malaysia, so to have the chance to witness one soul who was a victim of this problem, and to have the chance to contribute towards her recuperation with my photography was just priceless.

As a photographer, do you find that you see photographically all the time or do you turn it off and on when you are shooting with a camera?
Honestly, I do see photographically all the time. But whenever I am on an assignment/shooting my personal work, I am in a totally different level of focus. During leisure, photography is just for fun.

“It’s the relationship with my subject that makes the whole difference. As a photographer, I think that it is crucial to get to feel the emotion when I am photographing, or else, I would lose the focus.”

Is there a word of advice you would like to give to the young photographers of today?
Be easy, be stupid, and always work hard…and don't forget to embrace the life.

	Quick8: Your Favourite Camera: whatever camera that is in my  hand Your Favourite printer: Epson Your Preferred Location: Anywhere beautiful Favourite Photographer: Antoine D Agata for his honesty, and My dad for all the old photographs of mine. Favourite Photographer: Richard Avedon Most memorable story: photographing Nur and her journey home Current photographers you like: Abbas from Magnum, would love to have a cup of coffee with him one day. Toughest day at work: So far, I have enjoyed every single day.

More Photos by Rahman Roslan / Fotosocial

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