portfolio | photolog (will open in new window)
My parents love photography.
One day, my mother had gotten a Yashica camera from my father as a wedding gift, and she had set her hands on that camera.
When I was born, the Yashica was around. I would play around with it under the supervision of my parents – afterall, it was important not only of its materialistic value but also sentimental value.
In my high school years, I took photography classes and enjoyed tremendously working with that Yashica and black/white films - finally I was trusted to set my hands on it outside of my parents’ presence. I developed black/white films from negatives to prints, made my own pin-hole camera, and then I had gotten my first digital camera from my father as a gift maybe when I was 17. I called it my “little crappy camera” because, well, it never snapped a picture when I wanted it to – always had to wait for at least 2 seconds – and usually the results were blurry. I don’t remember the brand or the make, but nonetheless I had created some interesting images with it and I cherished it very much.
When I went to university, I saved up and bought myself a Nikon D70 with the Nikkor 18-55mm VR lens, which is what I have been using for the past few years.
It had been a common belief among the people who didn't know much about photography when photography was first invented that the quiet little box could capture your soul and keep it in there. For some reason, I like that little sinister tale, and I feel with portraits I could always have the opportunity to capture something of a person that is not seen in the day-to-day life.
Otherwise, I take photos on the road. My trip to Tibet in 2006 had given me such an amazing opportunity for photography (and was all in all an unforgettable life's experience). Subsequently, I was very honoured to have been asked to contribute to a book that a Tibetan author was writing about Tibet, which is published in spring 2009 in China.
I enjoy taking photos for my friends and for other musicians/professionals. I've also shot for nightclubs in Toronto such as This is London, the Guvernment and the Social; worked for a graduation portrait company; and in my spare time to take on some personal projects.
My mother has always told me, what makes a good picture has very little to do with how expensive a camera or a lens it; it's all in the eyes and the heart. This is something I try to remember everytime I shoot - a great picture is like a great performance of music, only with what comes from the inside will it be received from the inside.
