1. Could you tell us about your recent works of creation?
How's people's reaction to the work?
My jobs are mostly fashion editorials for magazines and advertising for fashion brands. I have recently done a few shoots for Vogue China which has been a meaningful experience. I remember when I was a kid I went to China with my parents. I remember the people wearing only navy and grey colors. Each time we went, we would visit my relatives and we would give them our clothes and food. Ten years ago, I wouldn't have imagined there being a Vogue magazine in China. Many international fashion magazines have since launched China editions, showing that China has changed quite a bit from what I recall seeing as a child. I am happy to see that people's lives have improved, that they have more freedom to choose what they like to do and wear. By working for a China-based magazine, I can show people what is happening in China, and I am glad I can do something here.
I have also done non-fashion assignments with an HK design company, AllRightsReserved, which has been an interesting experience.
I love all kinds of photography, not just fashion photography - there are other types of photography besides fashion.
2. When did you start creating any artwork? Is there any special reason you choose photography as your media?
I have loved arts and crafts since I was a kid. I used to do a lot of drawings, watercolor painting, wood crafts and even made my own toys.
One time my primary school had a school trip to Ocean Park and my mom gave me a very simple camera. I remember taking a lot of pictures of the aquarium. When I looked at my first roll of film, I found photography were inspiring. Even though the photos were shot with a low-tech camera, and that the photos weren't very sharp or clear, they were nonetheless interesting. So from about the age of 10 or 11, I liked taking photographs and found that photography suited my personality.
I like to go out to see things and watch people. With a camera, I can go to different places, walk around and capture what I observe on the streets.
3. You have worked mainly in fashion field internationally.
How did you start your career as photographer?
What do you especially like/dislike about fashion shooting, compared to photography in other genre?
After I bought my own camera during high school, I dreamed about working as a photographer. After high school I went to university at the San Francisco Art Institute and later at the New York Pratt Institute to study photography and film making. Even while I was studying in San Francisco, I started working as freelance photographer and shared a studio with another photographer. When I headed back to HK, I started working in the TVC film making industry. But I think its fate - I started working as a photographer again.
I love all kinds of photography, documentary, fine art, and commercial. I think taking pictures is a fun thing to do, so I don't especially have any dislikes about fashion photography.
I like photographing people but I am also interested in fashion. So it feels natural that I like fashion photography as my job. It is an interesting job.
4. You have made lots of works other than fashion shooting, too. Your works taking people around you or scenes of Hong Kong, which give us rather straight and warm atmosphere, are also attractive. What do you mind when you take such kind of photos?
Fashion photography is a combination of art and commerce. I am not doing it just for myself but also for the brands, magazines or clients. Fashion is interesting but there are far more important things than fashion in my life, so I when I do personal work, it is just for myself, to satisfy my desire to express my emotions and my thoughts.
I like to watch and observe people all the time; inside trains, in restaurants, on the streets in Mongkok, Shibuya, Chinatown etc, places that have lots of people. I am curious about what other people have gone through in their life. I am interested in their stories. During my observation, sometimes I feel a connection with them and with the camera I capture the connection between the subject and myself.
5. What would you like to share with your audience through your works?
I think when you look at a good photo, you see something but you actually don't. It's not about the thing itself but about what the artist is thinking and seeing. When people look at my work, I like to share my own world with my audience, what I'm seeing and thinking. I hope they can see it.
6. Who is your favorite artist (in any genre)?
There are too many artists I like, so I can't choose any favorites. Each artist is unique.
7. What kind of things or moments turn to be the source of your inspiration? Is there any event inspiring you lately?
My inspiration comes mainly from the observation of my everyday life - the sunlight that reflects on a wall through a piece of broken glass, the emptiness expressed on a man's face who was looking outside the window of a train, the kid who looks so lonely while he waits at the bus stop and the sun light on his face…it is from a lot of these moments and memories that had touch my heart.
8. Could you choose one from your work especially you like or very impressive to you? Please tell us reason, too.
I have one photo of an old man standing on the street of Chinatown in San Francisco. He is wearing a suit, with a hat covering the wrinkles on his face. From his face, I saw a lot of history and memories. Even now I'm still wondering what he has gone through in his life.
9. What do you think of creative scene in Hong Kong now? As you have worked also in other countries, what do you think is different or the same as them?
How do you want to be involved in Hong Kong creative scene?
HK is a small city and has a much smaller market compared to other countries. Other countries like Japan and in Europe respect good art and design. In America there are a professional systems to promote and market creators and artists. HK has less support and pays little attention to designers and artists. People in HK don't pay enough attention to art and design.
But there are good things about HK, there are many opportunities for new people if they are good, because HK people are quite open minded for new things and companies are willing to try new people.
I think in the future China will be an important market. It's a good platform for HK's creators to present their work because a lot of people are paying attention to what is happening in China.
I am always interested in sharing my works and philosophy of art with others, sometime I teach photography in schools. I also hope I can have more opportunities to work overseas and collaborate with overseas artists. I think this way, somehow I can create an opportunity to promote HK, let more people know the art scene in HK.
10. What kind of works would you like to create in the future? Is there any plan for next creation?
I hope I can do less commercial work and have more time to do my personal works. There are a few personal photography projects I have in mind. One of them is about China. I think during this economy booming period, it is important to think and remind ourselves about the important things we have lost. For instances, customs and culture - if we lose that, we can never get it back.
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| 2006 Mensuno |
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| 2005 Mensuno |
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| 2006 UNA |
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| 2002 San Francisco Chinatown |
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| 2004 Mongolia |
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| 1997 San Francisco Chinatown |
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| 1993 San Francisco Chinatown |
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| 1993 San Francisco Chinatown |
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