The Mac Weekly

Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: Spotlight

Media Credit: Joe Van Eeckhout Phong Tran catches us while we're not looking.

You may have noticed someone in your time at Macalester who always seems to be prowling campus with a camera. You may have been tagged in an album by someone you didn't really know. Or, you may have received an anonymous SPO message with simply your name. We've tracked down the culprit responsible for it all. Meet Phong Tran, the self-described "weird Asian kid who takes photos and does SPO projects." Phong talks about his transformation from Biologist to Graphic Designer, his casual interest in photography, and why Asian 'fros aren't cool.

You have a bit of a reputation around Macalester for being a photographer. How did you first get into it?

PT: My parents got me a camera for Christmas my sophomore year. Maybe it's the Asian brain, but I knew I had to take as many pictures as possible and get my money's worth.


What's your favorite photo subject?

I like to take pictures of candid subjects - friend and acquaintances. I have a really poor memory. The irony is that by taking pictures, I take myself out of the situation.


We remember your photo project a few years ago in front of Olin Rice. Can you tell us a bit about it? As we remember you arranged individual photos of Macalester students to make one face.

I wanted a use for all of my photos so I decided to do a project. I initially wanted to do a whole series, but I got lazy. I wanted to do it in front of Olin Rice for visibility reasons - I had just transitioned out of the science department so I had a lot of pictures of friends in that area.


Was this a Macalester-sponsored project?

No. Talking to Macalester doesn't get me anywhere.

You mentioned that you transitioned out of the Science department. What is your major now?

I have 20 credits in natural science. I was originally a Biology major but switched to Studio Art. One day in class I realized that I had more doodles than notes - it was a revelation of sorts. I just have a casual interest in science. I wouldn't mind my work being featured in a magazine, but I don't really want to look at science stuff all day.


What kind of Studio Art?

Graphic Design. I spent last fall abroad in London at a school for studio art.


How was it? Anything about the British that stood out?

British kids are pretty nice. I grew my hair out a lot while I was there - I refused to pay for a haircut. At one point it got long enough to do the emo sweep, but I mostly put it under a hat. Asian 'fros aren't cool.

It seems like all of your latest projects involve the SPO system.

I like to abuse the SPO system as much as possible. Mainly it's for Graphic Design practice - Macalester doesn't actually have a Graphic Design program. I also like to change people's days.

Do you have any projects for the future?

Well, I've actually created the design for the next student IDs. It's nice because in little ways I'll know I'm still here after I graduate.

What about photography - any plans for that?

Who knows - my camera is always in my pocket.

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