Album Visuals for Wijaya 80

Wijaya 80 is a band project by Ardhito Pramono that came together thanks to a connection from a previous shoot. Back in 2020, John shot the album cover for White Shoes & The Couples Company (which will have its own spotlight soon). For Wijaya 80’s new album, visual conceptor Sisilia Virgana asked her father, Ricky Virgana (White Shoes’ bassist), who had shot the 2020 album. Interested in a similar style, Sisilia recommended John as the photographer, and this is how the project started.

The trio wanted a strong Asian vibe for the album visuals, something that felt like it came straight out of a Wong Kar Wai film, to match their ‘80s-inspired music, and that’s exactly John’s forte. Beyond just taking photos, John also helped with styling by bringing vintage microphones, watches, and glasses to complete the look. Most of the shots were captured in real, working places, like the Chinese restaurant where they had lunch, and a “pay-to-sing” karaoke spot where they had to keep dropping small bills into the tip jar just to stay on stage a little longer. The result is a set of natural, candid images that perfectly capture the band’s energy and mood, blending authentic moments with a nostalgic, cinematic feel.

Camera: Sony A7, for its full-frame quality
Lenses: Leica Summicron collapsible, which gives that soft, dreamy ‘80s feel,
paired with a Sima soft focus lens that adds an even more glowy, low-contrast vibe (John got it from eBay).