Queer Love Through The Lens Of Jaihang And mynegativefeelings (NSFW)

Even with similar subjects, it's impossible for two photographers to have the same outcome. Experiences, culture and taste, among many other things shape how we interpret certain ideas and subjects. Sean (also known as mynegativefeelings) and Jaihang are two photographers who showcase the softness and tenderness of male bodies, and the intimacy of queer love in their own respective styles.

Sean's pictures involve tender photos of men, usually with his signature butterfly origami. Jaihang on the other hand captures more intimate moments of couples and lovers. During the pandemic Sean decided to send out his iconic butterfly origami to different photographers and this is what led him and Jaihang to collaborate.

We talked to the duo about the work they’ve created with one another, how they capture such personal scenes, and the importance of making art that presents men in ways we don’t often see them portrayed.

Hi, can you please introduce yourselves and tell us how you started film photography?

Jaihang: Hi, I'm Lin Jaihang from Taiwan. I started taking pictures when I was in college.

Sean: Hi! I’m Sean Olalo, aka mynegativefeelings, from the Philippines. I got my very first camera (A SuperSampler) in 2011 but I’ve always had an affinity towards photography since I was a youngling. There were two instances back then that I got a toy camera from my relatives but was unlucky since my films were always exposed prior to getting them developed. These experiences scarred me and made me promise myself that I’ll get myself a film camera when I’m older.

As for doing portraits, aka shooting hot boys in origami butterflies, I only started doing this in 2018. I was in limbo with my photography journey and I wanted to do something that would help me process my feelings after my relationship of six years ended. Then I saw Ren Hang’s works and that pushed me to start shooting queer bodies.

You both shoot similar subjects. How would you describe your style of photography?

J: I describe myself as an ambiguous photographer.

S: I badly struggle at describing my photography style but I would say it’s rage given back to the world in a softer and tender way. I say this because I started shooting queer bodies wanting to discover more about my queerness.

How did you guys meet and what did you want to achieve with your collaboration?

J: We have known each other on Instagram for many years, and I have always liked Sean’s photos and concepts. At the beginning of the cooperation, we didn’t think about what it would become. After when we implemented it, it became more and more fun, so we made it into a small zine and added different designs. Hopefully, it will be a sort of "butterfly" between me and Sean.

S: I forget how we started chatting but we’ve always been chatty with each other. There wasn’t a solid discussion about the collaboration. Everything just sort of happened suddenly! From me sending the origami butterflies, to the chats we’ve had, and then the zine idea just came into Jaihang’s mind and we were like – let’s fucking go!

Tell us how the collaboration went.

J: Once he asked me if I would like to cooperate, he sent some butterflies and said that I could take selfies or take pictures that I am good at. I learned about his meaning of butterflies and then tried to add my own ideas to extend the concept. I hope this work shows both of our styles well and showcases the charm and beauty of the subjects and the whole project.

S: When the pandemic struck in 2020 and we weren’t allowed to go out, I had the urge to collaborate with people overseas by sending them butterflies for them to shoot with. Because we weren’t allowed to travel back then, the thought of sending people origami butterflies felt like a nice way to show comfort to my fellow queer creatives during a horrifying time. It took me almost a year to finish the 100 origami butterflies but I was so amazed at how Jaihang translated the butterflies and turned them into his own vision. For me, the butterflies were just a way to showcase the so-called fleetingness of everything. Just a symbol of how everything can be temporary.

Most of your photos revolve around NSFW photos of queer men. How do you make them comfortable to pose for you?

S: I try to create a comfortable environment, put on some music, chat with the subject like a friend, and make the camera less intrusive in the whole space.

J: It’s very important for me to have a connection with my muses since I’m a bit awkward in real life. So I try to strike up a conversation with them whenever I see something funny on their timeline/stories. It all starts with these little interactions online! I treasure these little interactions so much because it eventually turns into trust and with that comes comfort.

As part of the LGBTQIA+ community, how important is it to document or photograph queer bodies and faces?

S: The realities and lifestyles of the LGBTQIA+ community being recorded and immortalized at this moment are important messages for the future to make sure that we were here and still will continue to be here.

J: It’s important to photograph queer bodies because it allows us to take up space, be seen, and be appreciated. It’s essential to impart a piece of me to the future generation, to let them know that it’s okay to be vulnerable and that there’s no shame or guilt in feeling your feelings.

As we celebrate pride month this June, what does pride month mean to you?

J: I am very grateful for the efforts of the predecessors so that we now have more freedom and tolerance. Luckily In Taiwan, besides getting married, we can now also legally adopt children.

S: As a PLHIV gay man, Pride has always been incredibly important to me for various reasons. It gives me the opportunity to reflect on my experiences, celebrate the community, and consider the difficulties we still face to this day.

As queer photographers how important is it for people to see your work, especially in a straight male-dominated industry?

J: Just in a normal way. I don't want someone to use labels to define what kind of photographer I am, I just shoot what I like, about love.

S: Our identity as queer individuals allows us to give a different point of view on things and it’s fascinating to see how these are shown in the images that we take. Most importantly, our stories need to be told, too!

Is there anything you would like to share to the rest of the Lomography community?

J: I often see many creative and great photographers on Lomography, and I am very honored to be interviewed by the magazine. The best shooting technique for me is to keep shooting and keep trying.

S: Keep shooting and do those photo projects you want to do. To the queer Lomographers who are too shy or afraid to start their projects, pick up that damn camera and take photos for yourself!

We'd like to thank Jaihang and Sean for sharing their story and photos with the community. Be sure to check out Jaihang's Instagram and Sean's Instagram in order to keep up with their work!

written by rocket_fries0036 on 2023-06-19 #culture #people #philippines #taiwan #portrait #gay #pride #bodies #nudes #queer #nsfw #pride-month #lgbtqia #apac #lomocolor-800