TOP, © Ch’ng Yaohong, 2011

Hello, I’m back.

Lost my soul somewhere along the way but I think it’s time I reclaim something that’s mine. Lots of life changes this year and I’ve been busy adjusting to things.

Seems like the blogosphere has changed somewhat with the proliferation of Tumblr, Twitter and even Facebook. I can’t possibly compete with all the awesome content aggregators out there. A new approach has to be taken; at least one that is not too time consuming for me.

So, how have you been? I hope you missed me!

It did strike me though, after these years of running this blog, what kind of value have I contributed? And what do I foresee ahead?

I didn’t have much of a plan when I started writing, I just wanted a platform to share some of the amazing works I came across and hopefully allow these artists to reach a wider audience. Obviously back then, I was still in the industry and everything in my life revolved around photography. I had lots of opportunities to meet new people, had enormous amounts of drive and energy. These days, life seems like a panel from Dilbert. Perhaps that’s why I couldn’t see or find any interesting stuff to share lately. I would like to believe that my relative was wrong about the state of staleness.

Hence, I am now looking for contributors to the blog. You need to be passionate about photography (obviously), write well (I’m a grammar nazi), preferably based in Asia. There will be no deadlines, no screaming editors and obligation of any kind. Well, if you’re interested, do drop me a mail or leave a comment here.

TOP, from (“I Am Here“)
© Ch’ng Yaohong, 2009-2010

December got really busy for me and I ran out of time to update. I finished an exam, took up a new hobby, caught up with old friends and fell sick twice. I managed to edit out a short series of images which I have uploaded here.

Anyway, here’s wishing you and your family a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Naturally, the actual amount spent on the latter (things that brighten our souls) is so short that we end up passing through life with our eyes glazed over. I’m absolutely glad that I finally gotten down to some shooting last weekend though.

This weekend, I’m going to spend heaps of time doing what I really want. (Updating the blog, catching up on my readings, working on some personal projects.)

TOP, from (“We Don’t Live Here Anymore“)
© Ch’ng Yaohong, 2008

Click here to see the full series.

Into The Unknown

The Unbridled Freedom After

Slow Moving Train Of Panic

Typing Spaces On Empty

The Book Of Questions

A Part Wants To Stay, A Part Wants To Go, 2008

TOP TO BOTTOM, from (“Future“)
© Ch’ng Yaohong, 2008

Basically, I first interviewed the sitters and found out more about the trials and tribulations in their lives. Next, I went back to work out how I would like to shoot them and returned on another day, trying to get all these ideas/impressions to gel into something coherent. I don’t think I was very successful for all the images. It was definitely a very ambitious attempt! However, would like to thank everyone who helped me out for the project especially the sitters!

I realized how ephemeral projects can get. This is the second iteration of the main basic idea that I’ve been working on since last October. An evolution took place and I’m either going to take this current iteration a little further or stop it out right now (because one should always cut the crap).

Oh and that’s me under Typing Spaces on Empty. I’d be showing this first cut at my school’s Arts Festival this week. Gonna head down to set up the images!

However, not many people came down for the session and I probably would have to do it again. I guess that being in a business school, most people are generally not concerned with the arts (plus it’s mid-term week, I forgot about that, doh).

Nevertheless, I learnt a bit more about myself during the entire process, how I was concerned not so much with the photographing part but more towards the actualization of a concept. Not sure where I’m going with this though. All I wanted to say was that despite shooting something I wanted, I did not feel that exhilaration that I experienced two years ago.

Back then, I just discovered photography’s ability to transcend aesthetics and how each piece of work could say/mean something else. Everything I shot was suddenly bathed in a golden light of higher meaning (compared to sunsets and snapshots of my feet).

Now, it’s has reached a stage of struggle. I’ve been trying very hard to find that spark in my work. Perhaps it’s the commercialization, perhaps it’s the constant pressure that I place upon myself to create meaningful work. Random street shots had to say something, that abstract shot is no longer cool because someone probably shot it before…and then I find myself not touching the camera at all.

I wish I could go back to that high, to that excitement of a new project; something that will spur me on to create better work. I feel that I’ve walked into a mental block. So I’m wondering how do I get out of the rut and back into the game?

I’m thinking that it could also be that I’m shifting my focus on life away from photography; to my impending graduation and potential career path. In the end, I’m pretty much spent with nothing much left… It fills me with a sense of regret when I think about it. And this is the main reason why I’ve seriously considered not going into the industry. I do not want to end up without a job and a passion if I fail. But still, this begs the question. I still need to find a way to reconnect with myself and you know, be happy shooting again.

Help me, anyone?

Wow. I don’t know how to put this but time really flies. It has been a year since I started the blog!

I would like to thank all you readers for your support, despite not posting as often as I wish I could. I don’t know how the others do it but trying to juggle school, freelancing, family, friends and blogging hasn’t really been easy for me. However, the blog has allowed me to make many friends from all around the world. I truly appreciate it!

Here are some statistics for the blog that I’m rather proud of: 83,000 visitors, 253 average subscribers for the RSS feed, 185 posts and 233 comments in twelve months. I’ve received random emails from people around the world thanking me for writing. These really make my day!

It’s always nice to know that I’m being appreciated all around the world. =) I have visitors coming from Iran, Netherlands, Iran, Germany, Korea, Japan, France, Switzerland, Argentina, Spain, Portugal, UK and USA…the list goes on!

I’m not sure how long I can maintain this blog but so far, it’d been an interesting experience and opportunity. The best thing is that I’ve managed to keep it free of advertisements or any other commercial venture. I do want to keep it untainted, purely a work of passion. However, I wouldn’t mind if anyone wants to donate some money/gear.

Thank you once again for your kind attention. Please leave more comments and let me know if you would like to see any changes around here. Also, please send me more links. It would make my work that much easier.

Alright, I’m heading to bed now. First day of school tomorrow and I’m totally unprepared as usual.