RM : What does Tzen mean and why did you choose it?
TZEN : Haha damn. I don't know what it means really. It came from the game Final Fantasy VI; it's the name of a town in the game. I liked the town.. so yea. Yea, it's lame, heh.

RM : That's okay, its beautiful. When did you start experimenting with photography?
TZEN : Around the time I first joined deviantart in early 2001, with a Nikon Coolpix 990 camera.

RM : What kind of camera do you use now?
TZEN : I use two cameras now, the Nikon D100 for digital shots, and most of the images I post on DeviantArt. Then for school and other film work I use the Nikon N80.

RM : You're attending art school in Seattle, right?
TZEN : Yeah, I'm going to The Art Institute of Seattle.

RM : What do you think of this place?
TZEN : Well I was originally born here, and visited many times during my childhood. It's all new to me again though, seeing as how I'm living here instead of just visiting. So far it seems really nice and I like it.

RM : From looking at your photography it looks like you travel around a lot... if you could go anywhere right now where would you go?
TZEN : Hmm I'd want to visit Tokyo, Japan. The architecture and streetscenes are insane, I'm sure I could spend quite a while there shooting and such.

RM : Many artists find that music goes hand in hand with their work. Does this apply to you?
TZEN : Yes, very much so. I'm always listening to music when I'm out shooting, and it often inspires ideas and such when I'm just at home listening.

RM : What kind of music do you listen to?
TZEN : Ahh.. almost everything except country music. My favorite artists are Denki Groove, Bonnie Pink, DJ Krush, Hed Kandi compliations. But yeah, I listen to everything from classic rock to Japanese techno and acid/lounge jazz music.

RM : Hey! There's some good country music!
TZEN : Hahah maybe.. but it's not for me. Oh yea, I also listen to game and anime music quite a bit.

RM : Big gamer?
TZEN : Yeah, very. I haven't had much time lately, but I'm usually playing Squaresoft/Enix games. The Final Fantasy Series, Xenogears/saga, many other rpg's. Also ,i'm a big fan of first person PC shooter games online.

RM : Counterstrike?!
TZEN : Hahah yes, I was very into that game for a couple years before i was into photography. I just stopped playing it maybe a year ago, but was thinking about starting up again. I'm currently hooked on Battlefield: Vietnam.

RM : Ooh that's good fun!
TZEN : Yes yes!

RM : What other hobbies do you have asides from games and obviously, art?
TZEN : Hm not much really.. I was a complete gamer before I was into photography; now I've just been doing both. I don't really have any other hobbies, besides listening to music and going out and such.

RM : I see! What have you accomplisehd that you are most proud of?
TZEN : Hmm I haven't accomplished much really. I am proud of the fact that because of my photography, I inspired others to get into the art as well, and/or better themselves. Also proud that I found something I like and I'm going to school to pursue it.

RM : What are your goals or aspirations for the future?
TZEN : As of right now, to become a professional photographer and make a living from what I love to do. But going into the details of what sort of photographer... I'm still trying to figure that out.

RM : Is there a certain type of photography that you like the most?
TZEN : I've always loved war photojournalism. I know it's something I could never do; same goes with most people, but it's by far my favorite type.

RM : Who are your main influences?
TZEN : Ah i'm horrible with names. My mind is drawing a blank right now heh.

RM : Haha, that's okay. In that case, how would you describe yourself?
TZEN : As a photographer?

RM : Sure. Well, or as a person.
TZEN : Hehe. Well as a photographer, an amateur who likes to take photos of buildings, industrial scenes, and everyday events or things caught in a different light. As a person, shy, and not very good at social gatherings, heh.

RM : What does the color yellow remind you of?
TZEN : The california sunsets that I got so used to seeing and bored of, although now I do miss them. And the first thing that popped in my head when i read 'yellow' was this yellow flower photograph i saw a couple days ago in a coffee table book.

RM : Well, that's about it... any last comments?
TZEN : Hmm.. if you haven't seen Kill Bill 2, go see it =) And the Big Lebowski! But yeah, that's all I got.. heh.

VIVIAN HUA.