Femi Awojide
Director of Photography, Freelance
Femi Awojide, Director of Photography, Freelance
Thinking back to his first degree in Electronics and Solid State Physics, Femi Awojide can see how the guiding principles of physics – Inverse-Square Law, Snell’s Law, Rayleigh Scattering – intersect with the craft of cinematography. “As a student of light, you’re sensitive to it, maybe even a little obsessed.” As an artist, his strengths pair the technical ability of a scientist with creative intuition.
“Our job requires that we create real and imagined worlds. Our creativity is fed by what we observe in the world, and sometimes how what we see has made us feel. I study the sun year-round, from diffused light on cloudy days to how spaces are lit in summer. I could be walking down a street and observe how buildings bounce or reflect light onto faces or how trees break up the light into patterns.” In that sense, a significant influence for Femi is what late cinematographer Conrad Hall ASC would call ‘the happy accidents’ in everyday life.
Having relocated to London, Femi has arrived in the UK with enviable DoP credits from the bustling metropolis that is Lagos. “Nigeria is all about the energy and the vibe. The industry rests entirely on the shoulders of the young creatives. Work is fast-paced, and ideas are cleverly put together. They’re designed to be executed in a day or two. Shooting in Nigeria has taught me how to make magic with little time and not necessarily a little budget.”
Femi has collaborated with an intriguing set of alternative artists, including Ladipoe, Rema and Zamir. The results have been an eclectic visual mix soaking up influences from traditional culture, the grit of city life and subcultures from dancehall to trap.
Femi’s most ambitious shoot, a feature film called City of Bastards took place in Makoko, a district built on stilts over the Lagos Lagoon. “We shot over 90 per cent of the film there. It’s an unbelievable place. Some call it Nigeria’s Venice, except it’s inhabited by some of the city’s poorest people. With that came many challenges like constant interference from the local “area boys.” We also had to move the cast, crew and kit on really filthy water. The silver lining was we had really beautiful grungy textures to work with.” When it comes to a preference, there’s no front runner. Commercials, fiction, documentary and music videos are all attractive for various reasons. “I’m a believer in being dynamic, skills and methods are transferable, and formats cross all the time. Music videos and commercials look like narrative, and documentaries are evolving. It’s about the story.”
Femi has already dipped his toes into production in the UK, with Film4 short A Response to Your Message, a blend of mobile phone collage, poetry, and dance film. “I am excited to be here. I’m meeting great people in and out of the industry. I can’t wait to work with the abundance of creative talent around,” he adds.
Interview by: Tega Okiti
