This is a series of portraitures that seeks to explore the individual’s reaction to life’s many uncertainties. Faced with an infinite number of choices daily, how does one progress from the Present to the Future? How does one make sense of an abstract concept amidst the surrounding chaos?
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!
9 Comments
I really like this picture.
Are full of future…
I love these – even without knowing their exact stories, I can see so much in their eyes.
i think the first picture made sense to me. are these all the portraits? hope to see more!
i like this series a lot dude. good work. i love the light fall and dedication on each subject. quite shiok! =)
Portraiture is one of those genres thats been around since the inception of photography. From the loose style of Arbus to the more formal approach of Avedon and Penn, the connection that makes these photographers stand out is the fact that they developed a unique style. Most well known portrait photographers work for many years developing that style. I went back and looked at some of the other portrait photographers that you showcased on your blog, such as Jongchul Lee and Muge. Do you feel that your work represents your style and is distinctly your’s? Regardless of the words used to explain your theme the work is the final result. Randy
Thanks for all the kind words folks. I’m just wondering what kind of visceral responses these set of images would evoke from viewers, beyond the aesthetic level.
Randy: I’m actually just beginning to explore the genre of portraiture and don’t think I have yet to develop a particular style yet. I employ a few techniques I have learnt over the years on lighting but that’s the least concern of mine. I think the most difficult part is the interaction between photographer and subject, which I need to spend more time working on!
Hahaha… I think the Slow Moving Train Of Panic can be more panicky if we superimpose another picture of the depressed man in Shenton Way or some graphs of of the bearish market… That is real panicky for expats in Singapore I think…
But I like Typing Spaces On Empty
wow good stuff…strong and emotive images…
Hi, thought I’ll drop by to take a look. Sometimes life not so sad la.
Not just trials and tribulations.
It could simply be matters to reconcile and work on too. Though I understand sometimes if it hurts, it just hurts…
Take care la