Daring Youth through Kwabena’s Lens

Featuring Kwabena Appiah-nti Words by Nastasia Khmelnitski

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Kwabena Sekyi Appiah-Nti is a young photographer from Amsterdam, the Netherlands. He shoots fashion for commercial projects, and for his personal photo sessions, he chooses topics like relationships, extreme sports, nature resorts, and city life - under the mutual name of Club Paradise. Kwabena captures the reality of the surrounding atmosphere, people on and off the streets of the city, the current mood, and moments of his off set life, a small window to the person behind the lens.

We speak with Kwabena about his daily routine, love for sports activities, and he reveals on which film he based one of his favorite shoots. Kwabena is focused on working towards his first solo expo and continues traveling and meeting people.

‘I also really liked Philosophy because it gave me the insight - that there is almost no absolute truth and that most things are subjective.’

Hey Kwabene, how did your day start?

I woke up, slept out a little, brought some film I shot yesterday to get developed, and then went to the gym.

Tell about your studies at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. What were the lectures that enabled you to understand better the visual sphere, in your opinion?

I got some design courses in which I had to research design choices one makes. I used to hate it, but knowing it, now it comes to use. I also really liked Philosophy because it gave me the insight - that there is almost no absolute truth and that most things are subjective. That helped me to just make the things that I like and give them the meaning that I want.

‘The more I travel, I notice that a lot of youth and youth cultures do and love the same things. Probably because of globalization.’

As a person who worked as a graphic designer (which is a profession that often leads to photography), how do you think this knowledge guides you with the current aesthetics you choose in your creations?

Well, I never really got a job as a Graphic Designer, but I think it’s my appreciation/knowledge of colors.

Your works speak about youth through the documentary lens that always has a twist to the world of fashion. Tell about youth in Amsterdam, how do you think they are special when compared to other countries or even cities in the Netherlands?

They are really not special compared to other countries. The more I travel, I notice that a lot of youth and youth cultures do and love the same things. Probably because of globalization.

Let’s speak about the editorial ‘The Panther’ and its symbolic connection through fashion elements to the Black Panther Party. What was the main atmosphere you wanted to create with this shoot?

I wanted to create a feeling of brotherhood, which was an important part of the BPP.

What can you name as your favorite work among your own and why?

I really still love an older shoot I did, inspired by one of my favorite movies, La Haine, in which, I tried to create a modern-day version of the shots in the movie.

What is the best place for you to chill and relax?

At home on the couch!

What was the last film you saw that inspired you or surprised you in a way?

I’ve just seen Malcolm X. I was really surprised how good the movie visualizes what's being told in the book.

Other themes you cover in your works are extreme sports as motorbike and bicycle stunt rides and as in an absolute contrast the sea and the paradise life. Could you share one of the experiences you had while photographing these themed works? 

Not really a noteworthy experience, but I just love the reckless and youthful feeling you get while documenting bike-life.

What is the tool you often find yourself using in post-production of the photos? 

Always Photoshop, and in batch post-production - Capture One.

What is your additional passion except for photography? 

I really like sports activities, so I also skateboard, kickbox, and love to surf on vacation.

What’s next?

I want to do a first solo expo next summer and some zines with personal work! I also hope to travel a lot more and shoot personal work.