Overlord X

January 5, 2010 by iCandy Mag
Filed under Feature Content, iCandy Lifestyle

BJ aka Overlord X is a music producer, film director, writer, rap artist and founder of multi-media company, MO-AM Masters, but it is his electrifying photography that has caught iCandy’s attention. Here he tells us about his style, his inspiration and what it’s like working with the beautiful ladies…

How would you describe your photographic style?
My style is like a colourful graphic novel. I love super hero comics as well as the films. I would always picture in my head what kind of shots I would take if I was a photographer… and my style is just that.

You began photography as a hobby, were you surprised at the attention it began to attract and the direction it has taken?
Yeah, I was kind of surprised but the few people I was taking photos for at the early stages were telling me that my photos were out of this world, so I kind of prepared myself for the hype. Because I was working with Peeks and Bambi from Fresh as Tommi I did a lot of photography for them. Other people saw them so I started to get hassled by them to take their pictures, which is not a bad thing!! It just grew from there.

You are a music producer and an award winning film director as well as a photographer, do you think you will focus on any one area in particular in the future?
Believe it or not I am focusing on one thing: entertainment arts. I have been doing the arts a while through MO-AM Masters and I have been inspired by famous film directors who do photography but it’s just that I also produce beats. The main reason I took up photography was because it gave me a better understanding of film cinematography and the main reason I took up film was because I was a music producer with a craving for creating something visual to go with the beats. They all fuse together very well, for example, a big job came in from a client who I was doing some photography for, they also wanted a video promo done for an event they where putting on, which I filmed, and the final film needed original background music which I also produced.

What’s the best thing about being a photographer?
As well as being creative… I can’t lie… it’s taking amazing photos of the most beautiful ladies! Capturing a moment in time through my eyes.

Where do you find inspiration for your shoots?
I get a lot of inspiration from God and the subject that I’m shooting. I read a lot of magazines from the UK, Europe and States and I see a lot of photos that give me ideas. I strive to out do my last shoot so that also inspires me.

What is your most important consideration in a photo shoot?
The most important thing for me is lighting and the lens. If the two are not functioning properly then that’s a wrap, it’s not going to work for me. Lighting is important because that’s what creates shadows and allows the camera to get all the information needed for a great shot but you have to be careful you don’t over or underexpose. The lens creates the depth and the quality of the photo taken which is why I invested in a few different lenses.

As a photographer, what do you look for in a model?
I love models who generally want to model. It sounds obvious but too many people love the idea of modelling but when it comes to the work ethic…expressions, getting experience and learning the craft…it’s a different story. There’s nothing better than a model turning up who is ready and enthusiastic to do a great shoot.

What’s next?
I’m building my portfolio and I’ve already done work for various models, Apple Bottom, Armani Exchange and Boudi who stock Ed Hardy. I would like to start taking photographs of celebrities and to combine even more of the arts of entertainment, so watch this space….

www.mo-am.com
www.myspace.com/moammasters
www.twitter.com/moammasters
www.youtube.com/moamfilmz
facebook/moammasters

Armani