Interview with TJ Letsa
As promised, here is my interview with TJ Letsa (creator of The Shuttered Ghanaian). In our interview, we talked about his passion for photography, The Shuttered Ghanaian series, thoughts on creativity, plus more. Enjoy!
Please introduce yourself to readers.
My name is Jonathan T. Letsa, I am currently getting my post graduate LLB degree. Photography is a passion I have and I am on a journey with my creative self to portray my heart. I believe in the art of photography and not the science of it. It is my desire to document my time, in a way which would be remembered even in the minutest way or through the most simplest ways. I do not even think about school as much as i think about photography.
When was your first photography experience?
I started photography couple of years ago, but my good friend Kwaku Gyabaa sparked my interest. He started 6 years ago, and I always gave him critical analysis of his photography and shared ideas with him. He encouraged me to also start my photography, I asked my dad to get me a regular camera to play with it, and he did. I have been going non stop ever since.
How are you growing as a photographer?
I once thought my photography was not good enough, I was one of the first Ghanaian photographers to use tumblr, I shared a lot of random pictures and after a while, I deleted them because I thought they were not good enough. Now with the Shuttered Ghanaian series, I am more brave, I am growing and evolving. I think to be an artist of any sort, you have to believe in yourself.
What is your photography bringing to the table?
My photography is bringing a refreshing vibe to Ghanaian photography.
I only shoot with natural light, I try to connect more with my subjects, add a spice of story telling and make my portraits stand out.
Tell us about The Shuttered Ghanaian series.
The Shuttered Ghanaian is my first collective of a miscellany of unique Ghanaian portraits and documentation of my era of living in Accra (Ghana). With time, there'll be so many other collective to come and in that process, I find myself as a visual story teller.
What are some of the challenges you face?
I think explaining my photography to the regular Ghanaian. I tell them all the time I do not take photographs, I try to make an image. I think photography is an artistic rendition of a person not a reflect of a person. One other challenge, is trying to make a business out of my photography.
Who are the photographers that inspire you one way or the other and push your creative boundaries?
I get inspired all the time. My good friend, Lawrence Agyei, we come from the same background and started around the same time. Anytime he posts a new work, he will email me and say " yo you need to keep up". We have that friendly challenge and that motivates me to take my work further.
I also like Rog Walker, Andre Wagner and legendary photographers like Richard Avedon and Vivian Maier.
Their work stand the test of time.
What do you think is unique about Ghana that sets it apart from any other country?
The people are amazing, the refreshing cultural scene. Though, Accra is pretty western now, it has not lost its African sense. I am trying to put all that in my photography.
What is your take on creativity. How will you define it?
Creativity to me is anything your mind insists on doing. Insists as in repeatedly thinking, your mind makes you want to share something inside. It dwells inside you, for me I find myself always wanting to make something out of nothing. Something tangible, physical in whatever form, you just have to find the right medium to express this inward feeling.
What do you like most about what you do?
The documenting aspect. Having a solid background of work.
