ICP Teen Academy
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Marcus Bui
“You allow people to be themselves when talking to you because you put them at ease, and everyone's favorite subject is themselves. Is it because you feel more comfortable in the shadows than in the spotlight? Do you believe that you deserve to be in the spotlight in your everyday life?”
This was the criticism my public speaking professor gave me when I played the role of an interviewer for an assignment. He noted my tendency to shy away from being asked questions and sense of empowerment when I was doing the asking. I have since found parallels between my art and myself that speak to the same sentiment.
I am a light chaser, fascinated and mesmerized by the structure of light: how it bends, its comfortable warmth, and how it intensifies the subject. Light has been a crucial part of my photography since the beginning, playing a significant role in many of my initial projects. Over time, I also began using photography as an excuse. I—a mostly introverted and taciturn person—use photography to interact with people, take their pictures, and explore things I would not have otherwise.
Do I deserve the spotlight? Photography is as much about documenting others as it is about the artist. My photos are representative of me; they always have a sort of distance from the subject, a reflection of my introversion. Combining my love of light with photographing people, I want to show myself through shining a spotlight on others.
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