Hello~ This is an update from the 2007 version. (Wow it's been so long!)
I didn't want to overwrite the old ones because some of you may want to see how I progressed from the start. So I have dated each question and answer. ^^
It's a bit long, but I tried to be as detailed as possible~
What camera and lenses do you use? [1 Feb 2009]1 Feb 2009: I use a Canon 1Ds Mark III now, and most frequently with 28-135mm.
For portraits 100mm prime and 70-200 2.8. For travel/landscapes 16-35 2.8L.
20 Sept 2007: i own a canon 350D and 5D. on 350d i use the kit lens 18-55mm the most. it's light, gives a good range, and i like it.
i love the colours of my 350D over my 5D. i shot most of my earlier photos with that until about May 2007, and i still use it now, although more 5D because of better noise control and higher MP. On 5D I probably use the 50mm 1.4 the most, for low-light situations or not, 28-135mm comes in 2nd, unless I need to go in close or need a wider angle, I stick to 50mm when I can. Moving around gives me more room to play around rather than being stagnant in one spot.
some of the photos i've posted were taken with 1ds mark II or H2D or H3D... i can't tell you much about those as i don't use them very often. but once you've used a Hassleblad you don't really want to touch the canons anymore... ;_; i also have a rolleicord that i've only used twice, it's a lovely thing but i kept forgetting to wind the film...
Can you recommend me a camera? How much does it cost now? [Sept 2007]20 Sept 2007: I don't do sales and generally ain't too interested in the specs/tech/gears.
Also, I think spamming every photographer on dA out there with this message is really kinda rude. Because for me, I'd only know the cameras I use after all, and if it's bad I'd probably have changed... so do your own research. There're lotsa review sites out there. I'm happy with my canon.
Did you study photography? Can you give me more info on photography schools, art schools, books and possible careers? [Sept 2007]1 Feb 2009: I'm self taught. When I wanted to take photography I didn't know of any good courses/schools in my country.
For schools, academies, jobs in Singapore and Asia, I'm afraid I'm not able to advice much. Even though I do undertake some jobs, I'm usually contacted by clients directly, I don't immerse myself in the industry as much, or even pitch any projects at all, so my knowledge about all those things are pretty limited.
What lighting system do you use? [Sept 2007]1 Feb 2009: Didn't change much from the previous, but in studio I'm using Profoto most of the time now.
20 Sept 2007: primarily just one film/hot light (mostly that or natural light. Sometimes a mix of natural and the hotlight can be good since natural light is cold in contrast to the yellow tone from the hotlights, it doesn't always work though, depends on what is essentially needed for the shoot). occasionally i also use 1 more for fill light.
sometime point of time, some shoots, i landed with strobes with basic reflectors. i like them, but no money. ;_;
so when i use the hotlight and need softer shadows i'll bounce it off walls or ceilings.
but if you ask for my recommendation among those that i've used before, i'd say if you can save up for it, get profoto lights. broncolor's likely out of most people's budgets :
How did you start? I don't have contacts for makeup artists, stylists, hair stylists, models, can you tell me where and how I can get them? [Sept 2007]20 Sept 2007:
Makeup/hair - I didn't have any of the above when I started either. I did all makeup and hair for my models by myself when I just started, before finding some friends to occasionally help out to lighten my load. I took a diploma in makeup actually, before that I didn't even have an idea of how to apply anything, the eyeshadow first, or foundation? Hahaha.
Styling - It was almost always done by myself since I directe my own shoots. I've bought a lot of things for styling purposes, if you want it to look good, then make an effort to find it. Sometimes I sew some stuff by myself too. I just want to bring up that I've had a fair share of people I found via the internet to work together, and they just disappear on the day of the set or come a few hours late or do an unwilling shitty job (so why waste everyone's time?). So I figured the only way to ensure that it's absolutely prepared is by doing it myself.
Models - I had no contacts so I asked my friends. And before you say, "But my friends are not as good looking!" (which is mean, and not all models are good looking to begin with btw), I think of it as my job as the photographer to make them beautiful.
When you get better, with more finished images and a consistent reputation, people will find you to work together. In most countries models and networking websites are very useful too. Modelmayhem is probably the most used right now.
Who published your book? Where are you selling it? [1 Feb 2009]1 Feb 2009: My book is self-published. From design, layout, art direction to printing and packing, I saw and worked through it all.
It's available online from here -
zemotion.net/beautifulPageOne the Bookstore stocks the softcovers in their Hong Kong and Taiwan branches, Singapore's outlet at VivoCity has both the softcover and hardcover limited editions.
How long do you take to do post-processing/digital imagine for a photo? What is your workflow? [Sept 2007]23 Jul 2010: Highly dependent on the quality of the image and size to work on. Usually 3-6hours per photo excluding the selection time, which is usually 2-4 hours each time, split down into a couple days, across weeks, but stretching into months isn't uncommon.
1 Feb 2009: On the first week I just run through some basic colour processing and pick out a batch I like enough by the thumbnails, and after a while (a few days, or weeks or months) I come back to them, refine and pick the final 1-4 that I will be able to use for my portfolio out from the hundred odd photos. If it was for a client, I generally do the same, but of course with a deadline, and the final selections are usually what I advice the clients on - but the decision is eventually theirs.
I usually have 200-300 photos per session, movement shots runs a lot more (400-600) because of the rehearsing and trials. it's a lot of fun though.
Sometimes when it's really hard to make my mind up on something I feel very strongly about, to push it a little closer to perfection, I spend a couple days to work on it: basics, colours, clean up, scrap, rework the colours/croppings all over again, scrap, stop, redo. until i get the best i'm happy with... it's really painful ~_~
How did you take/light this shot? Oh FINE I know you won't tell me, keep your secrets to yourself!!! You little proud, haughty, selfish ugly useless bitch! [Sept 2007]20 Sept 2007: I get a dozen such questions a day and if I were to reply to each and everyone and follow up with further questions I won't be creating images. I mean like, really...
1 Feb 2009: So right, the answer -- experience, and trial and error.
I have bigger studios to work in now, it gives me more space for lights, but how to set something is still really up to personal aesthetics and studying light in other images to try take out what you like and recreate those portions and improvise to your own. I also shoot a lot in natural light (and I think it's a super beautiful light).
20 Sept 2007: I don't have sophisticated equipment and large studio working spaces, I shoot mostly in my bedroom or living room, the motto is make do make do and make do (you get used to it!). There aren't any secrets, it's just trying and trying and trying. Researching a lot reading a lot and seeing a lot. (and if you're not in Singapore, you likely have better/more interesting nature environment or cityscape to work with than I do, which is awesome)
Do you do requests? [Sept 2007]No.
May I draw/reference from your pictures? [Sept 2007]Yes you may, so long as it is not for profit/commercial purposes and you agree that you give clear credit and link back to me. Read my
Copyright Notice for the full details.
Anything to add? [Sept 2007]Please read the descriptions in my artist comments? It's there for a reason. thank you XD
For a list of interviews and articles
click here.
For those who had been requesting a website banner of mine, here:
Yay that's all, it's soooooo long, pardon my typos and grammar, I hope it's helpful!
