As a busy professional commercial and stock photographer for in excess of ten years now, I have been involved in virtually every significant aspect of the art and science of photography. My travels have given me the benefit of having used a wide range of photographic equipment from a number of different manufacturers and under many interesting and challenging circumstances.
I had the privilege of learning photography at the hand of my older brother, Joe Chan, one of the finest and most-respected photographers in Southeast Asia. Assisting him, studying with him and going on countless photo shoots under his supervision were an amazing experience.
A truly great photograph is not merely a picture - it is a fully sensory, emotional experience captured -- frozen -- in time; it is a form of immortalizing the moment.
Starting from actually evaluating, planning and arranging the content elements of the ultimate scene to be shot, to actually positioning and rigging the lights, baffles, reflectors and filters required to draw forth the best attributes of the subject which I'm shooting, I've also improvised countless special effects in order to create the best artistic presentation of the subject in my sights.
I have actually constructed my own light boxes, filters and reflectors, and have invested quite a substantial amount of time in experimenting with and combining these various tools in order to create dramatic photographic effects which not only express the essence of the subject and arranged content of the resultant photograph -- my efforts have also been dedicated to creating almost tangible texture and emotion in each photo. Every photograph ultimately must be fully engaging in order for the beholder to be either emotionally moved, or compelled to act. It is as if every finished photograph has the depth of a complete statement or story embedded within it, waiting for the captivated viewer to discover it.
It has also been fabulously educational expanding and enhancing the possibilities of constructing special effects using the ever-changing and advancing tools of digital computer programs and technology. Sometimes the results can truly trick the viewer into thinking that he is seeing a portrayal of something impossible. In the best of these photos, the viewer might feel as if his eyes were paradoxically deceiving his mind. This added production and post-production technological alteration can, if used with great care, produce stunningly memorable images. And these images are largely sought after by advertisers and other presenters who need to not only capture the prospective client's attention, but want the image to be indelibly etched upon that person's psyche.
I am dedicated to creating greater knowledge, exposure, networking interaction and business opportunities for both enthusiasic photo hobbyists as well as for the more experienced photographers who are interested in sharpening their artistic skills and increasing their income opportunities through licensing or selling their best work. When I am not shooting and cataloging pictures of objects, capturing special scenes, doing darkroom work or computer refinement, I conduct group seminars to aspiring and practicing photographers on different specialized subjects within the photography field. It is a great joy to teach what I have learned, and to see my seminar attendees marvel at the results which they are able to produce by incorporating something that I have just taught them.
Since I am situated in Malaysia, it is my intention to expand my seminars into webinars so that I may reach a growing international audience. At present my time is divided between taking photographs and instructing others about photographic techniques. I have accumulated a vast portfolio of my work at Dreamstime Studios, where my stock photos frequently win Editor's Choice Awards, and where many of them (relating to many subjects, from holiday celebrations to pictures of various products, foods, drinks and nature scenes) are licensed or sold.
There can be nothing in this life as truly fulfilling as earning a fine living while doing what you love the very most. For more than ten years, photography has been my driving passion -- I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of creating illusions that are so believable that they actually defy the senses. As you will find out, a truly great photographer is part artist, part scientist, part inventor and part magician.
You can find more about me by going to either of my two brand-new blogs, located at http://HongChanPhotography.blogspot.com and http://FreezeFramesFotos.blogspot.com, and you can see some of my stock photo portfolio at http://www.dreamstime.com/HongChan001_info .
Thank you for your interest.
