For photographer Azul Adnan, however, rainy nights are something to be celebrated.
Particularly in a bustling metropolis like Kuala Lumpur, whose hectic streets are transformed by drizzles and downpours into a reflective, living canvas.
The bright lights and neon signs of the nation’s capital are mirrored in puddles on its pavements, creating vibrant and stunning images.
The beauty of this oft-unseen side of Kuala Lumpur is highlighted in ‘Rainy Nights’, one of the three sections of Azul’s new photobook “Jalan: Volume 1”.
The photobook is a collection of about 69 striking photographs of scenes from all over the city, especially the areas around Bukit Bintang and the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).
“This is not meant to be just a book of beautiful images, or nicely composed shots. At the end of the day, it’s about capturing a mood, a vibe. I hope that when you go through the book, you feel as if you’re experiencing the streets for yourself,” Azul told FMT Lifestyle in a recent interview.
A photographer and educator, Azul’s photographs have been exhibited at the National Art Gallery Malaysia and at exhibitions and photography festivals in London, Jeonju, North Carolina and Zurich.
He currently lectures at the One Academy, and frequently organises and leads photo walks around Kuala Lumpur.
Azul said the idea for a photobook came after he realised he had a huge collection of images of the city’s streets, compiled from his many years behind the camera.
He was also inspired by Japanese photographer Daido Moriyama and his magazine “Record”, as well as the style of the late American photographer Saul Leiter.
“I believe that seeing and touching photos in a physical format is more meaningful and satisfying than just viewing them on a small screen,” the seasoned shutterbug said.
“I like to capture different angles, perspectives of things. I always believe as an artist, you can take inspiration from other people, but you should try to be creative and unique.”
Apart from “Rainy Nights”, the photobook has two other sections: “Black and White” and “Transit”.
The former section plays with light, shadow, shapes and patterns to create stark, thought-provoking images of the city and its denizens, while the latter captures candid moments on public rail transport.
“I love trains,” Azul said with a laugh. “Whenever I take the LRT and MRT, I like to take lots of photos. I use a slow shutter to capture motion blurs: people walking, trains coming and going. I’m fascinated with the freezing of time in a busy environment.”
One of his favourite images from the book is that of a man stepping over a puddle outside the Pavilion mall here. This, Azul said, paid homage to a famous image by artist Henri Cartier-Bresson, often considered the father of street photography.
According to him, one of the most important parts of street photography was capturing the right moment. As you couldn’t pose your subjects, you had to keep thinking on the go, and adapting to new circumstances all the time. This was even more so when taking photos at train stations, where people were constantly on the move.
“I guess that’s the beautiful part of street photography. Sometimes, the unexpected happens and makes a great image. It’s very challenging, but it’s also very exciting,” Azul said.
“Jalan” is the first volume in a proposed series, with the second planned for next year. Azul said he hoped to publish photobooks every year, depending of course on how well his inaugural effort is received.
“I hope that people who look through the photos in ‘Jalan’ will be encouraged to look out for images like these, which they may not have noticed before when they walk the streets. Some people think KL is boring. But that’s nonsense, there is so much to appreciate here,” said Azul.
“Beauty is everywhere around us. We just need to be able to see it,” he concluded.
‘Jalan’ can be purchased via Azul Adnan’s Instagram or from selected stores such as Riwayat or Zontiga.
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