Have you looked at the CSUMB sports catalog lately? If so, chances are you have seen some images captured by local artist and Cal State Monterey Bay sports photographer Malik Ross. Malik joined me for an interview with LowPass Podcast about his experience with the artistic medium of photography. As a fellow artist, I find myself fascinated by the way other artist’s minds and creative energy flows. I exercise my creativity through my writing, as well as visually through mediums such as sculpture, and paints like acrylic and watercolor. I am intrigued by the ways that other artists express themselves through their own mediums.
Malik became a good friend of mine when we met in a Mixed Media art class we took together. Malik enjoys photography as his main medium of art, and has done many different kinds of photoshoots from editorial content to portraiture.
I wanted to know how Malik knew that photography was his calling. He opened up and told me that he struggled with traditional forms of media due to his shaky hands and tendency to be down on himself when a piece does not come out as intended. He says that one of his favorite freedoms of photography is being able to take as many shots as he wants, as well as editing the photos after, allowing him to turn potential mistakes into uniquities and strengths in his work. Being able to edit, manipulate, and reshoot a scene to his liking is a part of what makes photography so appealing to him.
Subjects play a vital role in an artist’s vision, and Malik finds his favorite content to capture in nature. Its vastness and detailed beauty make it a fitting background for most shoots. Ross intends to make the models of his piece appear “larger than life”, using unconventional angles and dynamic poses. A key part of his style is making highlights pop as well as blurring certain areas to create a dreamlike feel.
Recently, he was employed by our school, California State Monterey Bay, to be the official photographer of the sports teams! In our interview, he tells me that it is quite different from his usual photography in which uses still scenes and models, because sports photography entails action shots. He says that this makes it all the more satisfying when he gets that “perfect shot”. He also says that he has received a lot more recognition from families who had their loved ones photographed, and that this brings more humanity into his work.
Ross draws the most inspiration from his artistic friends from fellow photographers to DJs. What he appreciates most about all mediums of art is its ability to bring people together. As an introvert, it can be difficult to connect with people on the surface, but connecting with people through art feels more meaningful. When I asked who he hopes to reach with his work, he told me that he hopes to inspire his own friends to pursue their passions more than anything else. He says that all too many young people lose sight of their desires, and this motivated the idea behind his current project. He wants to have a series of photoshoots of young adults with their passions- young adults specifically because this age group tends to lose touch with their passions due to getting stuck in the business of work life. We get caught up in higher education, internships, and low paying jobs to support ourselves for the future, but this makes us lose track of the present and the things that truly bring us joy. Malik wants young adults to get back in touch with the things they love and enjoy their youth to the fullest.
Written by Alyssa Phillips 3/15/22
Check out the Lowpass Podcast Interview on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/lowpass-magazine/alyssa-x-malik-ross-interview?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
Check out Malik's work: https://www.idkmjr.com/
Comments