'Since childhood, I have loved colour photography. I feel the vivid colours in the picture can communicate with us," said Ekkapon "Ken" Panpat, a former steward and freelance photographer.
His strong passion for colour photographs motivates him to step out and explore the world outside. Now, Ekkapon shares his travel memories through his photographic showcase titled "Juicy Vibrant And Hello" at WHOOP! at Seacon Square on Srinakarin Road.
Before Ekkapon became a full-time photographer, his previous career as a flight attendant led him to visit many countries such as Belgium, Sweden, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.
"When visiting another country, there are so many incidents that I want to record. I try to capture all moments because people living there, the way they dress, the way they talk, and locations in different times look unfamiliar yet charming," he said.
As Ekkapon aspired to capture all the colourful dimensions he experienced on his journeys, he picked up his film camera and snapped defining moments when he met new people from different cultural backgrounds.
The exhibition at Whoop!
"Like this picture, a couple kisses each other on the beach. We don't often see Thai people doing such a thing in public. This allows us to see human relationships, to experience different cultures from our hometown," he noted.
Apparently, Ekkapon turned a journal of his nine-year travels across the globe into a photobook. Later, he selected more than 30 brightly-coloured images from this photobook to display at his solo exhibition.
The new collection highlights his candid and street photography. Ekkapon defined his preferred style as "documentary" since he likes to randomly snap a photo when wandering the street without "spending too much time on one scene. Otherwise, a feeling of freshness and newness in that photo might be lost".
This unique technique for capturing photographs is seemingly a rich source of inspiration behind the main theme and title of the "Juicy Vibrant And Hello" event.
Ekkapon explained that the term "Juicy" means succulent as when we drink fruit juice or squeeze juice from fresh fruit. It is the same feeling when people see his works. The term "Vibrant" refers to the light, summery colours in his photos.
'Juicy Vibrant And Hello' collection of Ekkapon Panpat (Photo: HOP Photo Gallery)
Meanwhile, the word "Hello" is the key heart of this exhibition as it is friendly greetings from new friends or small talk with strangers after Ekkapon took candid photos of them. This collection also features a series of Ekkpon's digital photos that he shot for life events such as a wedding in Japan and a fashion show in Thailand. The photographer hopes that visitors will indulge in the exciting sensation and the dazzling beauty of life from his works.
HOP Photo Gallery offers the cosy photography space WHOOP! for new artists to share their styles, creativity and experience. Ekkapon's exhibition is running on the 3rd floor of Seacon Square until Jan 30. Visit facebook.com/hubofphotographybangkok for more information.
