Interview With Photographer and Filmmaker Josh Ghana

SA: Who is Joshua Yao Gbadago?

Joshua, known by most people as Josh Ghana is a Ghanaian photographer/filmmaker, fusing his art with distinct styles of photography to deliver spectacular images.

SA: What inspired you to pursue photography as a career or a hobby?

Photography had always been a hobby to me for most of my high school life in Kamuzu Academy, Malawi. Building it into a career was fueled by two Burmese creatives, Ye Naung (@yenaung_ryda) and Mr Arkar (@arkar_akp), who interned me in their company, Arkar Productions.

SA: What, in your opinion, makes an excellent photograph? How do you decide when something you create meets or exceeds your expectations?

An excellent photograph can be determined by many factors. For me, it’s the story the image tells. Most of the projects I’ve worked on almost always exceed my expectations, so I wouldn’t say it is always purposive.

SA: What are your goals as a photographer?

Every photographer, inclusive of me, would want to be the best known photographer or the best at what they do. I also aim to someday be able to share and spread what I have been able to learn with young and upcoming creatives.

SA: How do you educate yourself to take better and better photographs?

Through research and exploration, I am able to cook up new ideas. I also make sure to seek advice from the people that mentor me, as well as people with more experience in the industry.

SA: What is your biggest challenge as a photographer?

The challenges photographers face are many. From the cost of equipment to marketing and pricing issues. Regardless, results are always delivered.

SA: What do you like photographing most?

One of my favorite fields of photography is street photography. The challenges faced are immense, but the results always carry many stories, and it also helps train your adaptability to getting quicker shots in different environments.

SA: What, in your opinion, is more important: a shooting itself or post-production and editing?

A shoot and the post-production or editing all work hand in hand. Bad shoots may tamper with the results during post-production, and bad post-production could obsolete a good shot.

SA: What’s been the biggest highlight in your career so far?

I have had many moments which have really shaped or boosted my career. I will mention a few:
*Meeting the founder of New Saint Inc., Chris Saint.
*Exhibiting at the Giving Shade Art Exhibition

SA: What inspired your “MEGBE” project?

The ‘MEGBE’ project was inspired by multiple accounts of tribalistic behaviours towards people of the Ewe tribe. It was curated to highlight the issues the people face and also to express their cultural beliefs and heritage.

SA: How many projects have you worked on?

Quite a lot, and the good news is there is more exciting ones coming up I can’t wait to share with everyone.

SA: How do you find inspiration? What motivates you the most to work on these projects?

Stories. I always find inspiration from the stories I want to tell to the viewers. I am motivated by the energy from the person or people I work with. Positive vibes always.