FINDING MY STYLE

Since my first days out with my daughter’s DSLR in August 2020, I have slowly become more comfortable and the early days of frustration shooting in manual mode with tons of photos made using incorrect camera settings have become less and less. After being rewarded with increasingly satisfactory shots, I had a rather emotional realization; the camera became my tool to express myself and to distinguish my creative voice. Photography became a cornerstone in my life, as well as a pathway through the loss of our daughter. Creativity challenges me to find the beauty in my every day life.

I attempt to express the people’s everyday lives by depicting them engaged in ordinary activities in a natural way as I see them. My style is to portray people from a distance as an observer or to let them walk toward me. I have learned to become an attentive, patient observer and while waiting for the right moment, which is against my nature. I noticed that the 35mm prime lens enables me to take photos quickly and discreetly, so I do not miss the perfect moment distracted while being distracted by my camera’s settings. However, aesthetically speaking, this means I must accept compromises. Nevertheless, I will always listen to my conscience, and only photograph what feels ethical and respectful.

Another genre of mine is architecture photography. However, it is much more than representing photos of urban sites and documenting its architecture. For me it is artistic interpretation and experimentation with lines, shapes, and colors incorporate abstractness into my style. Sometimes I leave it to the viewer’s perception.

As an admirer of Fan Ho, Asia’s most admired street photographer, I aim to master light and shadow to create more drama in my images. Ho once said: “You must have the precise moment to catch the spirit, the essence, the soul of the person… If you don’t have the exact moment, you have to wait for the right feeling. It’s real creative work because you have to have the feeling inside.” Light can highlight the beauty of the subject, let it stand out individually, or add elements to the composition. It requires patience to wait for the right moment when geometry and lighting come together.