Friday, May 30, 2008

Month of Photo Asia

Month of Photo Asia

There has not been that much run up publicity to Month of Photography this year. The web site is now up. Check it ou.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Communication Arts Annual and The Artful Nude



My photographs of the new Lasalle College of the arts have been included in the Communication Arts Photography annual. The rest of the images were posted here. It is nice that my long term relationships with Singapore Dance Theatre and Lasalle College of the arts are giving me the opportunity to shoot such images.



This image of Jeffrey Tan and Mat Noor has been selected to be in The Artful Nude exhibition at The Center for Fine Art Photography. The biggest kick for me is that the exhibition is curated by Kim Weston, grandson of Edward Weston.

Once again, I have to thank the people working at The Pond that have helped me take these images.

Friday, May 23, 2008

The Pond Team - A parting shot



I have been very fortunate to have been working with some really great people this year, and it is good because there was a lot of demanding work. But all good things come to an end. Good people will find their own path. Thank you for helping me get into two annuals and two overseas exhibitions this year. And there have also been two local exhibitions this year. Its been jam packed.

On the far left holding the color chart is the intern from Nayang Technological University, Darren Tan. He is studying film but wants to be a photographer. Thank goodness he came on board because I am working on creating video sequences for a dance show in September for choreographer Kuik Swee Boon. I learned as much from him as he did from me I think.

Holding the focus card is Anvin Hoo. My digital assistant for a year and a half. A product photographer in his own right, this guy really shifted a hell of a lot of pixels for me while he was here. Although he got to meet and shoot some really attractive dancers, he was disappointed that I never ever got any interns that looked like Fiona Xie or Jade Seah. Unfortunately for the photography scene he is leaving it and moving to interior design. We just don't earn a lot of money in photography. And if he wants a girl like Fiona or Jade, he needs a job that has a lot more cred. It was his last day today. Good luck Anvin, with getting the glamorous girl. I'm sure earning the money won't be as difficult, muahahaha.

Then there is me in the middle with my arty farty lomo LCA.

On my right, holding the foundation and brush, is my Studio Manager Shin Lim. We both interned in Chicago for Paul Elledge and we both worked our asses off. When she said she felt like coming back east, I offered her a job. I knew that she has already experienced a high pressured, top level studio. She is a great portrait photographer in her own right. She is creating a stunning series of hair portraits on my studio floor. If you think you have a great head of hair, you should volunteer to be shot by her. I think she is going to be big in the future. Fortunately for her, but unfortunately for me, her boyfriend proposed to her. She is engaged and moves back to Chicago in October. I'm going to miss her helpful eye during shoots, but I think she will have a lot more opportunities in the states than she will here.

On the far right, holding the model release, is my office manager, Abby Chua. This wonderful woman, is the only left brained person in the office. But don't let that fool you. She is also a musician and composer. She keeps the office in order and fortunately, she is staying for the foreseeable future. I'm going to have to work hard to keep her for as long as I can.

I do have an intern in the second half of the year to replace Darren. She is a photography student from Nayang Technological University. But I am looking for a new studio manager. I'm looking for someone who is passionate about images and can work independently. There is no glamour factor in my studio. You have to love photography.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

World Press Photo Interviews

World Press Photo Interviews

It is so interesting finding more about how other photographers work. And I find that the photographers that are interviewed, even if they are not articulate, are full of interesting ideas.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Singapore, a friend indeed to Burma - Business - Business - smh.com.au

Singapore, a friend indeed to Burma - Business - Business - smh.com.au

It is interesting to see that we have such close ties to the Burmese junta. With respect to earning money, should we deal with blood money?

Climate change barely bothers wealthy, polluting nations: study | Green Tech - CNET News.com

Climate change barely bothers wealthy, polluting nations: study | Green Tech - CNET News.com

We all don't want to know. But in the end, it is like having blood money. Our comfort, is paid for by the suffering of others.

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

European Sketch Book



2902 Gallery
Old School
11 Mount Sophia
Block B, #B2-09
6th – 18th May 2008
Opening Hours: Tue -Saturday: 11am – 8pm, Sunday: 1pm-6pm, Sun - By appointment only
For General Enquiries: Email: info@2902gallery.com or call 6339 8655

If a painter sketches with a pencil, then a photographer captures the moment by selecting a portion out of the whole scene and created a new dialogue of its own. Be it wandering through the streets of Europe or setting up within a studio, Tan Ngiap Heng has demonstrated the relationship between the creator and the subjects are both intrinsic &dialectic.

Presenting 2 bodies of works, Pulse is a body of personal snap shots taken in various parts of Europe, and absorbing the culture and street scenes where great European photographers like Bresson and Doisneau used to roam. On the other hand, Tuscan Portraits reveals a distinct voice of the creator and yet preserves the essence of each person.

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After Dance Me Through The Dark in February, I was not expecting to have another exhibition for at least two years. But I was invited by Gwen of 2902 Gallery to put up an exhibition of my European photographs for a Kraft corporate event. 2902 graciously allowed me to put up the images for couple of weeks. Some of you may have seen some of the European scenes in the section entitled 'Pulse' in Citylink Mall, but the section of Tuscan Portraits are from my last trip to Tuscany. And if you are interested in the direction of my work, I think that the Tuscan Portraits is a good indication.

There has been no run up time to build up publicity for this exhibition. Please help spread the word. Thanks.