
Twenty-one-year-old Keris Phua says that she is "till searching" for her "goals in life". If she keeps up with what she is doing, I think she will turn out just fine.
Under the guidance of former photojournalist Lim Seng Tiong, the second-year Visual Communication student, who used to have a bleak outlook on life, is now pursuing passionately a documentary photography project about Toa Payoh.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Inspiration for photography, well... Due to my pessimistic view of life, I used to hate photography in the past until one module (photojournalism) in school forced me to walk out and choose a topic to work on. And ever since the very first photo-shoot of the backstage scenes at a Teochew Chinese Opera, I have fallen in love with photography.
Why? What did you see there?
Two words: Cultural Extinction!
I felt disturbed.
I was earnest in wanting to express admiration and respect for the crew/opera singer.
Renowned French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson is regarded by many people as the father of modern photojournalism. He spoke extensively of “the decisive moment” in photography.
"the decisive moment, it is the
simultaneous recognition, in a fraction
of a second, of the significance of an
event as well as the precise organization
of forms which gives that event
its proper expression."
What do you consider as your decisive moment?
It depends on my state of mind or feeling as I am an intuitive person.
My decisive moment could be triggered visually, something that makes me want to capture it without self-consciousness.
You said Seng Tiong taught you "lots" about life and photography. What do you consider the most illuminating tip that he's given? Can you talk more about it?
Life: Error in life. He was still a student at a time where pictures were still processed in a darkroom using chemicals. It was really dark inside and he was not yet familiar with the chemicals. And he accidentally mixed up the chemicals, causing the picture to turn out strange. The unexpected error was a complete surprise for him because he would never have mixed it up deliberately. The picture was entered into a competition; if I am not wrong, it won the first prize. (Try to be a little "wilder", you never know!)
Photography: Life applied to how a person sees things differently.
What were you doing right before answering your emails?
In the midst of "Branding and Developments" lesson.
If you were to give out awards to your favourite photographers, who would they be?
Every photographer. All images can be good or bad; a good picture might not appeal to you but it might to another.
Where do you see yourself after this apprenticeship programme?
Discovering what I can do other than what I have done so far. As I'm new in photography, I am trying to discover what, in a person's mind, can freeze time.
















mudd's
ArtworkEric C says
ooo.. cool
Brujh's
ArtworkBrujh says
Exploring my character into logo.
Brujh's
ArtworkBrujh says
MASCOT - That is this saying in chinese: "Dogs and Pigs are friends!". Meaning that if you mix with the bad company, you'll end up having friends like dogs and pigs.
chuckles's
Artworkchuckles says
a small small birthday gift for a friend whos dynamism and character is just insane.
you rock dude.
Artography's
ArtworkNYL says
Cute catch here!
Brujh's
ArtworkBrujh says
Inspiration came from my friend saying this: "Total Freedom is to shout it out shout it loud!"
Brujh's
ArtworkBrujh says
To celebrate the 44th birthday of Singapore, my artwork represents 5 rabbit each means of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality. They each hold the singapore flag as one, which match the theme of this year's NDP'09 "Reaching Out - Reaching Up".
Brujh's
ArtworkBrujh says
Trying to create something which will bring the style of my own. T-shirt for example.
Brujh's
ArtworkBrujh says
A charater that i created. To fill up the streets with this little rabbit name "Hare". Hope that everyone will feel the obsession.
chik_AAGGHH!!!'s
Artworkchik_AAGGHH!!! says
itz simple but i like it
Alvin Teo 's
Artworknoizewerkz says
Sweet little sunset pic. Absolutely the only time in SG that I truly appreciate. Big up to you!
HAO's
ArtworkHAO says
thank you!