Name: Richard Nguyen
Instagram handle: @nframes

How did you get into film photography?
It all stemmed from watching Youtube videos, I remember it being one from Faizal Westcott. I sort of spiraled down a rabbit hole from there watching all sorts of stuff about film photography. I have a bit of an addictive personality so I naturally started to scour the internet to look for a camera.

Did you shoot much digital prior to shooting film? 
I shot a fair bit of digital using a Canon M50, it was mostly auto setting point and shoot  hoping for the best, had no idea how exposure works (I still don't really know how it works hahaha). I was really into making videos at the time and I was studying film as well but I quickly gravitated towards enjoying photography more.

Have you studied Photography?
I didn’t study photography at all, I learnt everything I know from Youtube and just going out and practicing

What draws you to shoot film? 
It might be a bit cliche but it's just the process of it all and the way it ‘feels’. I really love the way film cameras operate, loading the film, advancing, rewinding, the mirror slaps, all the noises along with the manual operation feeling is just super satisfying to me.

Do you shoot much digital?
I used to but not anymore. I was shooting primarily with a Fujifilm X-T3 but I got rid of it to fund the medium format dream haha, film really hits different.

Which Medium Format Camera did you get?
I managed to get my hands on a Mamiya RB67! Mechanical goodness, it’s been an absolute joy to use every-time I take it out although lugging it around is a bit of a workout, well worth it though I reckon.

Have you noticed much of a difference between the transition of shooting digital - 35mm film - medium format?
Yeah for sure, the transition between them all required me to slow down with the process a lot. With digital I found that I would fire off shots without too much thought and I would be checking to see if I was happy with the photo or not, there was a certain disconnect I felt often. 35mm made me more observant and patient while walking around and I would factor in lighting conditions more, learnt more about exposure and still am learning about it, it definitely made me appreciate the art form more. Medium format is a whole world of a different process to me and makes me feel a lot more connected to the process of what I’m doing, extremely slow paced and methodical, it feels like a bit more of a meditative process, I’ve been really enjoying that.

Your instagram features a lot of street photography, do you go out with the intention to take photos or do you carry a camera on you?
I usually go out with the intention to take photos but I do also have a habit of carrying my camera with me just about everywhere, never know what could happen out there these days so it's always nice to have it on me for whatever may present itself.

Your insta also features a lot of cars, what is it about cars that you like to shoot?
I used to work within the car industry, was really into car culture in the past and always had a soft spot for car photography as it was quite a prominent thing showcasing a build. I also had some friends that did some really nice photography work for the community who I draw some inspiration from. I guess its only natural that I find myself taking photos of cars that interest me when i see them out there.

Any plans to further your photography? Or any projects in the future?

I’m just enjoying going out and taking photos at the moment! It's a really enjoyable thing for me to do after work, just going out and exploring. Much better than sitting in traffic haha.
Currently in the midst of collecting some photos to put together a zine of some sort but other than that nothing really. Will see what happens in the future, things are always changing so it makes life very unpredictable. I'm just stoked that I can go out and do what I do and share it with others!

Quick fire ten questions: 

1. 35mm or 120? I'm on the fence with this one 
2. Colour or B&W? Colour 
3. Zoom Lenses or Fixed? Fixed 
4. Portrait or Landscape (Orientation)? Landscape
5. Flash or Natural Light? Natural
6. SLR (or TLR) or Rangefinder or Point and Shoot? SLR although i am curious about the rangefinder life
7. Must be razor sharp or more about the aesthetic? Aesthetic  
8. Favourite Camera? (Currently) Mamiya RB67 
9. Favourite Photographer? Way to many but here's a few - Paulie Baldonado, Willem Verbeeck, Faizal Westcott, Trevor Wisecup, Jason Kummerfeldt, Joey Lee, Angel Fonseca, Jeremy Paige
10. Favourite Photo Book? I sadly don't own any photo books yet so can't answer this one