In the recent episode of Behind the Lens, The Game Magazine focused on photographer Mehmet Masum Süer, giving readers an in-depth look at the methods he has developed over the course of four decades.
Decades Behind the Lens: Insights from Mehmet Masum Süer
With a photographic career spanning the 1970s to today, Mehmet Masum Süer shared insights from his long journey with The Game Magazine. In this part of Behind the Lens, Mehmet delved into the nuances of capturing photographs under natural light, highlighted the best times for shoots, and elaborated on equipment selection. Furthermore, he provided distinctions for those planning to cover planned events.
Mehmet Masum Süer is a Kurdish photographer from Diyarbakır, Turkey. He began his photographic journey with a focus on portraying Kurdish culture, daily life, and historical landscapes. His work offers a neutral yet deep insight into the life and times of the region. His photos have been showcased internationally, and his dedication to capturing genuine moments has been appreciated by audiences worldwide.
Capturing Moments in Natural Light: Overcoming Challenges and Finding Solutions
If I’m going out to take photos when there is no planned event regarding news. I choose the day and time when I’m in a good mood. I believe in this. Especially in nature, animals, landscapes, and even portraiture, morale is important, in my opinion. If I see I’m not in good spirits; I postpone the shooting.
I pay a lot of attention to the lights in my photos. Because shooting with the light behind you makes the colors look the most natural. Of course, I never shoot when the light is harsh, and I usually try not to use lateral and reverse lights. Also, I don’t like the white color popping in the photo, and I do not keep such photos; I delete them. For me, the details of the white sections are important.
As a cultural photographer, I prefer cameras where I can get all the shades of the main and intermediate colors close to nature. Especially for culturally colored clothing items, it is important to get the original colors in folkloric works for me. I choose the equipment according to my needs. I like to shoot both nature and landscape, macro and historic buildings and areas.
“I never shoot during the hours when the light is harsh, and I usually try not to use lateral and reverse lights.” – Mehmet Masum Süer.
Capturing News and Scheduled Events: Expert Photography Tips
I also take planned news and event photos. In this case, I prefer equipment that will meet these needs. I’ve always used two cameras for years. One is my primary camera, and the other is my 24 MP mirrorless compact camera with a digital 18 mm angle, I use this one especially for street photography.
Before I start shooting, I check the shutter, aperture and ISO according to the subject I’m going to capture. There may be settings that you have forgotten from the previous shot which you should take care of. Recently, I went to shoot a pigeon auction in a cafe at night, for a documentary photo shoot. In the previous shooting, I kept the lowest shutter speed, constant at 60. I forgot to fix it. When I saw the photos on the computer, I saw that none of them were clear. I had to delete them all.
My main camera is a compact 20 MP, with a value of 24-600 mm and f2.4-4. I got backache because of the heavy camera and lenses. That’s why I can’t use heavy equipment anymore. This camera helps me with all kinds of shots, even a macro from a distance of 1 cm.
“ Before I start shooting, I check the shutter, aperture and ISO according to the subject I’m going to capture. There may be settings that you have forgotten from the previous shot which you should take care of. ”
