Meet Gen.t

Photojournalist Samsul Said

As a photojournalist for 15 years, Samsul Said has covered international news around the globe. His coverage on the Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh and Malaysia in which he highlighted their dire living conditions had won him recognition and the top prize in the 2018 Sony World Photography Awards in the Professional Current Affairs & News category. As he told the New Straits Times, “I hope the reality of the misery depicted in these pictures will draw the attention of the world to these people. The Rohingya are human beings just like us, who dream of a perfect life.”

Here he shares what his work means to him.

For me, photojournalism is a chance for me to explore the world.

Even though we’re brought into situations that will put our lives at risk when covering a story, it has never brought me down as the world still amazes me and I try to depict the differences and uniqueness in the story I am covering. This job has really brought me closer to cultures around me, and that is the most important element that a photojournalist should have in their heart at all times.

On role models,

I don’t have a name to be specific, as everyone has different styles to begin with, but I do like to see photos from international photojournalists to help me develop my own style of photography. Collecting all this data helps me to point out which style suits the project because every angle will give a different impact.

My most memorable project would be the Rohingya ethnic crisis

in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh and in Malaysia which has been awarded first place in the Sony World Photography Awards in London. This year, the Covid-19 outbreak has had a huge impact on us as we risked our lives every day on the frontline as we covered everything that has been happening.

A good reportage can make a huge difference on a particular social issue.

We live in interesting times; the goal of reportage is to inform, so the intention determines the outcome. But the fast-paced media has evolved in such a way that it has affected the way it is received, so it is now up to the reader to adapt and make informed decisions.

The amount of research you do will predetermine your impact.

I usually go through different media sources to look out for stories to tell. I always tell myself to be patient in this part of the process, and learn to enjoy it.

I would approach the work based on the type of stories I cover.

I don’t actually like to put a style to my work as it tends to put my creativity on a leash.

A good photojournalist must be

punctual, goal driven, open-minded, optimistic. Good planning and self-reflection are also essential.