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Have you ever wanted to travel abroad? Learn a new language? Submerse yourself into a new culture? Could you imagine moving across seas and getting an education? SCAD Atlanta has enrolled many international students to whom English is their second language (maybe even third) and are now here to learn new skills and use some of the best resources available. This week, we look at international student and M.F.A. prospect Kreerath Sunittramat, who is simply known to most of his peers as “Donut.”
Lawren Gabrielle McCord: How did you become interested in photography? Did you have any experience taking photos?
Kreerath “Donut” Sunittramat: My father is a photographer. He took pictures as a hobby and he collected pictures as a hobby. He collects everything from Nikon to Canon [cameras] and has a lot of lenses. I like to use his camera and his lenses as much as possible because I do not want to waste my own (smiles). I studied cinematography and my thesis is about fashion photography in cinema. I did an internship at a fashion magazine in Thailand. I do not just want to shoot simple photography of fabulous clothes — I want to create a new way of communication with my stories that I bring to the fashion set.
LGM: How did you learn about SCAD?
KDS: I was working at a fashion magazine. I felt I lacked knowledge about photography, so I decided to pursue my master’s degree in photography. A SCAD representative came to an education fair in Thailand. The recruiter showed me a catalog, I applied and I was awarded a scholarship.
LGM: How do you compare your learning experience in the United States to your education in Thailand?
KDS: In general, learning in the United States is tougher. In Thailand everyone is very chill. We do everything as a group, as friends. In the U.S. everything is up to the individual. You need to be able to do everything by yourself, a one man show. It is good, it is tough; it’s taught me how to prepare for the real world before I graduate.
LGM: How do you define your approach and aesthetic?
KDS: The reason why I take photographs is to make good fashion photography. When I think about my subject I always come up with a story. Having studied cinematography in undergrad, I always think about a story to narrate my photos.
LGM: Where do you look to for inspiration?
KDS: I like Surface and Wallpaper magazine.I think they have their own identity. Fabulous clothes but very simple and elegant. Vogue is ok but it is not my style. It is very commercial. In Thailand, because we are a small country and a small market compared to America, our projects are short term. We prepare very quickly and our production is smaller.
LGM: Do you consider your undergraduate education an advantage?
KDS: It is my advantage that I can see you don’t have to have a big production to get a fabulous photo. I know what I need and that is enough. You just need to prepare. Think about everything…and I can do everything (smiles and laughs). I can be a stylist, I can be a photographer, I can do light setting. I think it helped me a lot when I moved to the U.S. I have been here for one year.
LGM: With all of these resources available to you, what do you consider the necessary elements for a perfect photo?
KDS: My style is pretty standard. In my opinion, everyone has the same standard of beauty — we know this is beautiful, that is not beautiful. It is the magazines that define the standard. I try to appreciate every person with my photos. So my style is pretty simple, elegant and beautiful. The thing that makes my photos unique is their story.
LGM: Who are your influences?
KDS: Steven Meisel, because he has created a lot of stories and he is a great photographer. In a contemporary context, Tim Walker. He is fantasy and you can see how he creates. I like how he uses original film and no Photoshop. I also like Richard Avedon and Duane Michals.
LGM: What do you think is the future of photography?
KDS: This is the never-ending question. As time has passed we see film dying, compared to digital. I think digital is going to overtake film. I admire the characteristics of film. But you cannot challenge the time of the consumer. Magazines, they need to complete everything fast. Now we have iPad that makes everything even faster so right now time is the most pressing issue. I think film might be a hobby, but not for professionals anymore.
LGM: How do you feel about the Internet and making images available in real time? Are certain moments exclusive anymore?
KDS: I think the Internet is good. You can learn a lot from Google. Actually, you don’t even have to come to SCAD (laughs). You don’t have to study! But you need to have passion.
LGM: What’s your dream career?
KDS: I want to be a good fashion photographer and a good, fine artist. I don’t want to just make a lot of money. I want to improve the country and people. I want to have a good living. Quality over quantity. I believe quality is the best. After I graduate I plan on working in the U.S., traveling some and one day going back to Thailand. I love Thailand.
