TOP TO BOTTOM, from (“Enticement.Solitary“)
© Tanmoy Nayak, 2011

I particularly liked this set of diptychs by young and talented photographer, Tanmoy Nayak, from Calcutta. More on his flickr stream.

TOP TO BOTTOM, from (“Creatures of Habit, A Race Divided, Marked“)
© Veejay Villafranca

Filipino photojournalist Veejay Villafranca tackles serious social issues with a keen eye for dramatic compositions. Check out his portfolio here.

TOP TO BOTTOM, from (“Kee Lung“)
© Michio Yamauchi, 2007

Call it wanderlust but the mere sight of Michio Yamauchi’s street documentary incited a deep yearning to explore the world. When looking at his images, the viewer senses the photographer’s presence, exposed in stark black-and-white or muted monotone.

For more: visit Michio Yamuchi’s portfolio or join his page on Facebook.

TOP TO BOTTOM, from (“Circumgyration“)
© Chen Chin-pao, 2004

Chen Chin-Pao taught in an elementary school for a decade (while completing a BFA from SVA, New York) and his series on Circumgyration caught my eye. On first glance, you would think that these were documentary shots of daily school life in a Taiwanese school. Upon closer inspection (or rather, after reading the write up), you would come to realize that these images were staged. Nothing dramatic; just little snapshots of daily life taken out of context.

For more, visit his website. His Heaven on Earth series is also worth a look. Betel Nut Girls remind me of a time when I visited Taiwan as a young soldier. Those were funny days.

This project was commissioned by Lien Aid, a Singapore-based NGO that seeks to build a firm foundation for human development by making safe water and sanitation accessible and affordable to poor communities in Asia.

Exhibition will be held at Objectifs Gallery from Nov 19 to Dec 3. Exhibition and website contains a mix of multimedia presentations and stills.

TOP TO BOTTOM, from (“soliloquy“)© Terence Teo, 2010

Documentary photographer and long-term drinks buddy, Terence Teo, is finally having his first solo exhibition at Objectifs from Oct 29 to Nov 18. soliloquy is his conversation with nature, the result of a journey through Japan in 2010. After years of documenting disasters throughout Asia, Terence sought a quieter side of nature, to contemplate, to discover and ultimately, to answer many unanswerable questions in life.

I think that his images and travelogue made something tingle within – a need to embark on my own journey one day; when I have had enough of this life. And after that, I shall begin the next phase. Till then, I rattle my chains and smile grimly.

Visit his tumblr site for some images from the exhibition (and other amazing images from the trip) and his portfolio to throw some jobs his way. (Mention my name so I can get a few rounds.)

TOP TO BOTTOM, from (“Table for One“)
© Samantha Tio, 2009-2010

Samantha Tio, one of Singapore’s emerging photographers has completed her year long project – Table for One. Now it would be shown as an exhibition with an accompanying website for this month’s SIPF festival (more details in another post on that).

When I set out creating images for “Table for One.” I was really curious of the possibility of how art or creating something can stimulate the healing process. Its not uncommon…Taking the body as a site for memories, dreams and reflection of the environment we live in, surely its interior bears its own surfaces for beauty and its absence.

When she first showed me the beginnings of the series, I wondered how long would she go on talking to strangers. She began the series as a form of therapy for her recent heartbreak, and the resulting work is a deep evocative look at the inner world of many “lonely” Singaporeans and herself. Although unstaged, these images see influences of Hopper, Wall and diCorcia; moody, subdued, and a layer of drama hidden beneath the surface.

Using only environmental lighting and “props” (backs of other patrons, chairs, mirrors), she managed to capture that little bit of each sitter. I guess she has a personable way of dealing with people (and a lot of courage) especially in a city state where most people would balk at the idea of talking to a stranger. Kudos to her and congrats. Maybe I won’t have to dine alone very soon. :)

TOP TO BOTTOM, from (“Taiwan Workers“)
© Garret M Clarke

Focusing on manual laborers in Southern Taiwan, American-born photographer Garret Clarke has produced a body of work that looks at fishermen, ice factory workers, meat workers and farmers. From the salt of the earth cometh our daily sustenance. A rare look behind the rough and bruised hands of the men and women who provide us with the essentials that we take for granted.

More work up at his portfolio.

Aninag is to see. To be visible. It is also an online documentary photography magazine by 3 Filipino photographers – Estan Cabigas, Gigie Cruz and Buck Pago.

The first issue is jam-packed with work from the founders and a guest. Buck Pago investigates the issue of overpopulation (and contraceptives) in Manila, Gigie Cruz takes a look at the effects of humans on the environment, Estan Cabigas visits the local cock-fighting arena and Lyn Rillon presents a selection of her portfolio, accompanied by an introduction by Angelica Carballo.

It’s a herculean task to keep a (non-profit) web enterprise going and I do hope that the trio succeed in this endeavor! Visit the website here.

(via Philippine Photography Scene)

TOP TO BOTTOM, from (“UNLIMITXT“)
© Dennis Rito, 2010

In this series, Rito seeks to examine the internal world of text-messaging users. He is compelled to explore how technology affects our society and faced with more virtual than face-to-face conversations, how do we, as a society progress ahead?

I really liked these images, especially the eerie glow that is left one the subjects’ faces. It’s an allusion to how absorbed we have become with our handheld devices. Variety in the subjects also break the possible monotony that such a series is prone to.

For more of Dennis’ works, visit his online portfolio. Incidentally, he writes the Philippine Photography Scene.