Photos: Siam2Nite & Pavel Khon
NIGHT PROWL – Pavel Kohn’s job isn’t for everybody – he’s that guy snapping shots of drunkards all up in the club. You’ve probably seen the nightlife photographer, camera slung over his shoulder with a gargantuan flash in tow. Chances are Pavel’s even taken your photo at some point.
Moonlighting as an English teacher by day, Pavel spends his evenings all weekend long at dance venues like Glow Nightclub, Bash and Bed Supperclub, capturing both sex appeal and stupidity until the wee hours of the morning. He moved here from Russia three years ago and only started by taking photos of friends, using auto settings and none of that fandangled, fancy equipment. Now, Pavel’s self-taught his way to becoming one of Bangkok’s best nightlife photographers for his stylish shots, portraiture and integrity. Here’s a candid interview with Pavel about Bangkok’s besmirched underbelly through the lens.
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NP: Do people like being in front of the camera?
Yes, they do. What I enjoy the most is when people ask me, when they’re not that shy. For example, even if they don’t like the first photo and they ask me to take another one.
People like to show off, but they are not necessarily confident about themselves. I’ve seen so many people who want me to take pictures but then they say, “No, I’m shy” or “I’m ugly.” It’s the most frustrating for me when a beautiful girl tells me she thinks she’s ugly.
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NP: How often does that happen?
It’s maybe 50 percent of girls say that, especially the Thai girls.
NP: Why do you think that is? Are people self-conscious?
People do care about what other people think, it’s a cultural thing. Thinking about what other people think about you… that’s something I think is not very important. People here (in Bangkok’s nightlife) often pretend to be someone else.
NP: What do you mean by that?
I think about 30 percent of people I’ve seen out are engaged, married or have boyfriends or girlfriends but they kind of hide their personal life from them. I’ve seen so many guys hanging with girls and I know they have a girlfriend or vise versa. Mostly every week, I can see that.
It’s not just about guys; it’s about girls too. I’ve talked to many friends of mine and heard so many stories. I’ve also been to so many places and after-parties that show so many things about people.
Normally, they come up to me and ask, “Don’t take a photo of me tonight.”
People often come up and ask me not to take a picture because they have a girlfriend, boyfriend or boss who thinks they’re sleeping right now. Normally, it’s about girlfriends, boyfriends and work.
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NP: What are the challenges of nightlife photography?
The light is constantly changing, people are always moving around and they’re pretty drunk. Then after 2 am, all those who didn’t want to take pictures before suddenly want to take pictures. But by that point you’ve got to choose those pictures carefully because most of them don’t look really well. But at that point, you can show the action and the real emotions.
That’s what nightclub photography should be about, not a good-looking person necessarily, but the ambience and the atmosphere.
NP: Does being around drunk people ever get annoying?
No, because I think I would look similar to them if I drank. Normally I drink water or have a couple whiskey and coke that’s it. Because I have to wake up early and go to work. If it wasn’t for my other job, I would get more crazy. It stops me from doing so many crazy things.
I think one of the key requirements of a nightclub photographer should be patience. So many people try to annoy you, or if it’s crowded then you have ten people around you and they all want a picture and they’re pulling you! I do try to be as patient as I can but sometimes I give up very, very severely.
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NP: Have you made a lot of friends doing this job?
Lots of people don’t know the photographer personally, I would say. I don’t go out so often, right now I’m only working at Glow every week, but lots of people know your pictures but they don’t really know you. Around 10 percent of people in the nightlife know me for real.
NP: Who sees more action: photographer or the bartender?
I think photographers see a lot of things and I think even more. The bartender has to stay behind the bar but photographers are hanging around everywhere. You are the eyes of the party.
NP: What have you seen? Come on, don’t be shy.
A lot, but it’s so ordinary for me now. Once I saw guys who I know to be not gay, but they were French-kissing each other. They were super drunk. They asked me to take a picture, but of course I deleted it.
NP: Why?
Well, let’s just say they don’t remember now.
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NP: So what do you love about being a nightlife photographer?
Being part of it. Being part of the events I’ve been to, having the opportunity just to be there and take pictures. I think you should never take it for granted, because not that many people have the job to go out and enjoy good music. It’s not a serious job for me; it’s more of a hobby.
I like watching people do whatever they want. Being an observer. That’s probably why I do this thing. I don’t really need to drink or have fun myself, for me it’s great fun just to sit and watch.
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