Photography Insights

Recently, I got the opportunity to hear two photographers share their profession, dedication, and passion. We have an insight on how gurus make their decisions, their motivations, and their beliefs.

One theme came through from both photographers, Sincerity and Simplicity.

Tay Kay Chin
He keeps emphasising about being truthful to ourselves, follow our heart, and identifying our objectives. Kay Chin’s photos make you pause, wonder, and try to figure out the story behind.

He shared why photographing your own family might be the most challenging assignment.
You cannot be objective, you cannot be detach from emotions.
He was sharing this in the context of bereavement, when he was “in charge” of capturing and documenting death, while family members mourn.

We could feel Kay Chin’s hearfelt pain when he describe how he could not comprehend the loss of his dad. I was touched when he shows us how he document his nephew last few months with his terminally-ill dad. Maybe I am a parent, a father, I cannot, but feel sad, that such a small child would soon lose his father’s love, forever πŸ™

Kay Chin reminded us not to assume that people do not want to remember sad espisodes. In fact, his relatives were grateful that he was there to document their moment of anguish.


Other pointers
:
Kay Chin showed us some blur photos. His point was photographs (sharp and blur) capture the moment and sometimes, milestone. As long as Photos can freeze a moment, or trigger some emotions, it is a good photo !

We did not hear talk about techniques or hardware performance from Kay Chin, when he critiques your photo, he wants to see your sincerity and heart.

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Danny Santos II
Photography is Danny’s passion, and he became super famous after his Orchard-Strangers series. I prefer his wet rainy album. Maybe it is unconventional, maybe it is the pedestrian’s vulnerability, or the unpredictable weather. I just love the Rainy photos.

Street photography is very challenging, as you need to be thick-skin to ask strangers to pose for you. Frankly, if someone ask me to pose, I would feel awkward and smile wryly infront of the lens. Look at his “strangers portfolio“, every pair of eyes look so soulful.

Besides capturing strangers, Danny has recently started a project to photoshoot local families. We were so honoured to have Danny with us on Sunday afternoon, over 20 to 30min, he got our kids to run up and down, make silly poses and facial expressions.

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SengkangBabies is recommending Danny to families because :
– He is not charging for his professional service. Yes, Free !

– Danny gives you 100% commitment ! We were his fifth family on a Sunday, but he still work his charm on the kids, even when he was drenched in perspiration

– Danny will let you keep 5 photos and one digital print
– every house needs a family photo
– we love his awesome portfolio

Email Danny at DannySantos@gmail.com for an appointment.

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Credit. Above group photo credit to Belinda

–> Do drop by Geng Hui’s blog for his interpretation of Kay Chin’s knowledge-sharing session

Author: SengkangBabies

I am a Blogging Daddy of four. Our kids are roaming Singapore to bring you FUN, This blog is use to capture our kids' growing up phases, and we want you to leave our blog with a smile :) View all posts by SengkangBabies

4 thoughts on “Photography Insights”

  1. Interesting post on the first one. I once attended the wake/funeral of a very respected person. I seldom attend funerals, much so being there for the entire process of saying prayers and then watching the body being sent into the furnace to be cremated. There I witness a few people which I supposed is the relatives taking photos of the entire process and even of the dead person himself as his face was shown through an opening in his coffin. It was a weird thing to see as photography of a very sad event and in this case of death has never really come across my mind. Too bad I missed the event. I would have been really interested to hear what he has to say about this type of photography.

    1. No right or wrong answer or perspectives.
      Some will say “no respect”, even “exploitation”.

      But what surprised me is relatives are sometimes understanding, when we document the last journey.
      Saying that, if I am the photographer, I might not be able to control my emotions.

      As you snap away, the memories will keep going through your mind. Not easy.

  2. Nice write up! I missed out Kay Chin’s post on photographing his nephew and his dad, who is terminally ill. That was also very touching and emotionally draining, while at the same time, it’s very noble with kind and loving intentions.

    I think it will take all of us (photographers) more time to break through that emotional barrier/obstacle if we have/plan to take photos of sadness and bereavement. Maybe we will, maybe we will not.

    GengHui
    http://www.photojournalist-tgh.tv/

    1. thanks Geng Hui,
      we will never know how we will react, when the time comes, let nature take it’s course.
      But if I should be selected to be the one to “document”, I must take it as my “duty and honour” (my own pov).
      cheers,
      andy

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