{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Leonard Suryajaya on Humor and Confrontation in Photography and Growing up in Indonesia","description":"Leonard Suryajaya creates lush, harrowing, and hilarious images in his photography, and I was fortunate enough to be a part of his process for his recent work with The New York Times. While I initially wanted to talk to Leonard about his creative process, I couldn\u2019t help but indulge and take a detour into the history of Indonesia. Leonard\u2019s story of immigrating from a repressive culture in Indonesia to a theater department in California is fascinating, as are his insights about American and Indonesian society. He also has an enlightening perspective on how people can use fitness to \u201cpunish themselves,\u201d and his own learning about being gentler on himself in training. If you haven\u2019t seen Leonard\u2019s photographs, please spend some time on his website at www.leonardsuryajaya.com. Learn more from Leonard here: Website: www.leonardsuryajaya.com Instagram: @leonardsuryajaya The New York Times: \u201cThe Comforts of Clutter\u201d If you're enjoying the show, the best way to support it is by sharing with your friends. If you don't have any friends, why not a leave a review? It makes a difference in terms of other people finding the show. You can also subscribe to receive my e-mail newsletter at www.toddnief.com. Most of my writing never makes it to the blog, so get on that list. Show Notes: [01:22] How God initially disapproved of and then finally approved of Leonard\u2019s name [08:47] The history of conflict in Indonesia\u2014and how it impacted Leonard\u2019s ethnically Chinese family [13:26] Leonard\u2019s drive to leave Indonesia, and what surprised him about moving to America. [25:59] How the repression of the Indonesian government created tension in Leonard\u2019s family [41:09] Getting your family to do absurd things in the name of creating art [49:47] How Leonard incorporates humor and confrontation in his photos [01:00:30] How does one improve at photography? What skills are necessary? [01:04:44] How did Leonard create his photographs for his recent New York Times piece? [01:14:10] What are the challenges of being into both art and fitness [01:20:19] Learning not to always push through and punish yourself in the gym [01:35:54] How to learn more from Leonard and check out his photos Links and Resources Mentioned Indonesian mass killings of 1965\u201366 Chinese Indonesians The Act of Killing The Look of Silence List of islands of Indonesia Dutch East Indies What is ISO? (And Why ISO Matters in Photography!) Bulldog Rubber Mat Scrubber ","author_name":"Todd Nief's Show","author_url":"http:\/\/toddnief.com","html":"