Manifest Monday: Photographer Mel Arthur

By Shavonne Taisha

I can’t tell you where I was when I first checked my email and received a press release for Mel Arthur. All I knew was that release couldn’t suffice the pride in our connection. Whether it’s my internal need to dive deeper, or my sickening obsession with Ghanian art. I felt the need to explore the man behind the lens and the team that supports his life’s work.

Shavonne: Who is Mel Ekow Arthur?

Mel: Mel Ekow ARTHUR is a young Ghanaian creative with undying love for memories. He explores photography with the concept of light to capture his images. Growing up, Mel has transitioned from graphic design, typography, animation, currently photography and aims to pursue film making. 

Shavonne: Tollo, How has working with Mel Ekow Arthur impacted your own artistry?

Tollo: Mel’s uncanny knack for creating art around his family and those around him has impacted my own artistry because I’ve become more self-aware and understand that inspiration is all around you 

Shavonne: Mel, When did you first discover your love for photography?

Mel: The first time I held a professional camera was after high school, preparing for Uni. It was a gift from my one and only Uncle T. I completely fell in love with the tool. It was a faster way of capturing moments in high resolution for digital use.

S: How has photography transformed the way you add to history in your community? 

Mel: Photography through the years has helped improve my confidence. It allows me to step into rooms I don’t belong in. It’s my superpower, so I add to the history in my community by uplifting others. To let everyone feel safe and part of something bigger 

S: Which is your favorite lens? Why?

Mel: I enjoy using the 50mm 1.8, which gives me enough room to get a good frame. The lens is just on target.

S: What’s one lens you take with you on all of your travels? Why?

Mel: 50mm. Why, I love prime lenses and what makes me pick the 50mm as my go to on a full frame sensor camera is just the amount of room it allows you to grab a full body shot and just a few steps to grab a medium shot. I take photos of people around me and things happening. Fits my ambience. But if I could cheat I would couple it with the 16mm-35mm.

S: When scouting locations for shoots, how do you decide which setting fits your subjects?

Mel: One thing that always gets the shoot in one direction is a moodboard. I always use one, makes you know what feel, look, ambience, set to shoot for. I outline my moodboard before scouting my locations for shoot.

S: What role does Accra play in the way you view the world?

Mel: Accra is on the move, lol. You always gotta wake up and go chase your dreams. Dreams don’t work unless you do, Accra gives me that drive and zeal to express art through photography. 

S: Among the gadgets that you own, is there something that you wish you hadn’t bought? Why?

Mel: I plan towards my purchases so there’s always a budget or purpose for the purchase. Example, replacing a damaged trigger or getting fresh reflectors. I wouldn’t say there’s any purchase I have regretted. 

S: What kind of tools do you use for post processing? Explain your work flow.

Mel: My workflow is pretty simple, I use Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop to process my images. LR-PS-LR. Lightroom for adjustments and cataloging. Photoshop for retouching and color grading.

S: How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

Mel: I took a first degree course in Filmmaking and Animation. I studied photography through my four years of university.

S: Among your works for the MELARTHUR EXPERIENCE, which one is your favorite? Why?

Mel: Nyɛ Kɛ Wɔ (Yesterday and Tomorrow) is my favorite. It talks about the revolution of fashion, where old fashion trends are adopted and transitioned into new refreshing trends. I took inspiration from my mother’s closet ;)

Recycling her old clothes into beautiful frames. A set of 7 beautiful images and 5 exclusive portraits.

S: What would you like viewers to take away from your exhibitions?

Mel: I would like my viewers to understand the value of the various topics I develop my concepts from and the stories I’m telling. Photography is a way of capturing memories. That’s all I’m creating. Everlasting memories.

S: What are some responses or reviews you’ve received since your exhibition launched? 

Mel: My friends are constantly pointing me in the direction of art competitions and exhibitions. Their comments fuel my motivation.

S:How does your work influence the tradition?

Mel: My new work ‘Celebration of Life’ highlights burial and widowhood traditions as well as birthday celebration traditions performed within my family. We are Fante, from the Central Region of Ghana. 

S: Whose work has influenced you most?

Mel: A traditional wedding gown designed by Melissa Arthur influenced some of the photos from my debut.

S:What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?

I wish I knew that memories last forever and I had taken time to capture more memories.

S: What is one myth you’d like to break in the way people view Ghana?

Mel: Ghanaians are very hospitable people!

S: Last year many African Americans returned to Ghana after 400 years, how did that influence your work?

Mel: The year of return in Ghana helped me widen my creative network and also made me understand that my work is appreciated internationally as much as it is  admired locally.

If you’d like to keep up with this phenomenon in the making, follow Mel Arthur here.