Michael Tamzil...
Article by: Anastasia Dorohova

Michael Tamzil applied olive oil all over my body and used the leftovers of his girlfriend’s makeup to paint long blue lines from my outer eye corners to my ears. He then proceeded to place me on black garbage bags and demanded that I hold two fluorescent lights in my hands.

I was practically crying while looking in the mirror before that photoshoot – it was not a typical modeling experience.

A week later, when I saw the results of Tamzil’s work, I was already calling the photographer, begging to shoot me again. His pictures are still among the favorite ones ever taken of me. Tamzil’s creations are unique and moving, they strike the viewer as intense, bold and original.

With clients such as Nickolodeon and MTV Latin, with major publications, awards and a new magazine in the works, 24-year old Michael Tamzil seems to be doing quite well. The artist agreed to answer some of my questions between numerous photoshoots and creative projects.

Q - You specialize in design and photography. What made you choose your occupation?
A - I don’t think I specialize in anything. I am a visual person – that’s the bottom line. Whenever you start specializing, you limit yourself to that specialization. I consider myself an image-maker, with design and photography as tools of choice to create and capture my vision and what I see in my head.

Q - Do you have a favorite visual presentation of yours? A favorite photo you took? What makes it special for you?
A - Hmm, I don’t think I have any favorite. I am never satisfied with what I do and that is why I keep on creating. Every piece that I did has some meaning to it. It all is special in a way, because I am able to capture time, freeze it and share it with others.

Q - Where do you mostly shoot?
A - If I could do it all in my head that would be perfect (smiles.) I shoot where my ideas take me - supermarket, parks, studio, my house, public bathrooms, streets, buildings, clubs, etc... I try to stay as far away from beaches as possible, though. It all depends on the idea and the concept.

Q - May I ask what is it that makes you stay away from the beach?
A - Hmm, about the beach... No, I have nothing against that at all. It’s just so common here in Miami. For example: a beautiful woman, a bikini. What kind of a location comes to your mind first? The beach, right? So, I guess, we are all shooting the same old boring things, while with me, I’m trying to bring or create something new, about a beautiful woman. Like, bikini in garbage box, or street, or church. All of us as artists have gifts to create something new, so why don’t we? ...

Q - Tell us about working with your girlfriend. Does your personal involvement complicate things?
A - Do you have to go there? She’s lovely! She helps me see beauty from a female perspective. We make a great team (sometimes), and by the middle of this year we will have the best creation that we ever did together.

Q - Last year, you made a visual story, inspired by Indonesia, where you are from. Tell us about shooting the story and what influenced its creation.
A - You really do your research, huh? I think people must not forget where they come from, because when they do, they will never know where they will be going. Just like the title "My People" its all influenced by them, the people, the culture, the environment.

Q - How do you come up with ideas for your creations? Do you plan ahead or do you decide on the direction as you go?
A - This one here is personal. I will never do anything without any concept. As I always say - I don’t like to shoot for just shooting. It’s all about planning, discussion, sketches and working with the whole team.

Q - Do you work with film or a digital camera? How much retouching is involved in your photos?
A - FILM! Even though I have digital, there’s nothing better than film. You don’t have that feeling of excitement in the final process, when the images that you captured is what it will turn out to be as with retouching. If the image needs to be retouched, then I do it. It all depends on the final presentation and the usage of each visual.

Q - We heard you were planning to launch a magazine. What is it going to be about?
A - ONE Magazine is a high-end lifestyles, fashion, art and culture magazine that appeals to the purist in us all--one that celebrates the essential components of living with style. As a monthly magazine publication and showcase of new talent, it is ONE'S desire to share insight with our readers to the ever-evolving world of fashion.

Focusing on the latest social and cultural dynamics, we have devoted sections pertaining to local trends in dining, shopping, cinema, music, local personalities, businesses and industry related web sites. Each month new talent will emerge, new trends will develop, and new creative personalities will move to the industry forefront. Our goal, simply, is to keep you informed, entertained, and in style ...

Q - What are your goals, your plans for the future?
A - Goals, plans, future...That I leave it up to God to decide. As for now, I am here and will keep on creating and living my live with my creativity to the fullest, and to continue being able to share that with others. The world has enough of bad news, its up to us as talent, artists, writers, directors and people to change that!

Web Site: http://www.tamzdesigns.com/