reframing the world one picture at a time
Just a gentle reminder in case you happen to be in Hong Kong from 11-17 June – my first exhibition of 2015 and first exhibition in Hong Kong will be showing at the Hong Kong Arts Centre, Wanchai, in conjunction with Chun Wo Development and Engineering. I should be there most days, so please drop by and say hi! MT
More information can be found in this post.
Today’s photoessay is something a little different: the curated results from an assignment last year where I had an open creative brief; I was to document and photograph everything and anything at the given locations. The client was a heavy engineering/ construction company with everything going on from schools to subways to airports; it was both one of the most interesting assignments I’ve undertaken as well as one of the most satisfying – and simultaneously challenging.
Some of these images will be part of the larger exhibition in Hong Kong in June, so if you’re around, please come and say hello.
I am very pleased to announce my first exhibition of 2015, in partnership with Chun Wo Development of Hong Kong: Connection. The theme is “constructing bonds to improve life”, and it features a body of work that is largely documentary in nature which celebrates the efforts and labours of the workers who create the places in which we as people live and work. They are more than buildings or roads; they are enablers that bring people together and provide a conducive environment to build relationships with others – the connection. It features my work on 102 large canvas prints made by printmaster Wesley Wong, some of which are up to 6x9ft in size, together with a special contribution by fellow photographer and company chairman Derrick Pang. The purpose of the exhibition is both a showcase as well as a charitable effort in support of LifeWire, Chun Wo’s children’s medical foundation, and the Hong Kong Construction Workers’ Charity Fund. There will be a charity auction of one-off signed prints during the opening night, and individuals or organisations may sponsor a print (please contact me for details). The exhibition will run from 11-17 June at the Pao Galleries, 4/5th fl, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wanchai. I will be in attendance for most of the days, so if you’re around, please drop by and say hello! MT [Read more…]
This is a continuation from an earlier post with one image. The back story is not quite what you’d expect: I was killing time at a culinary academy in Singapore while waiting for one of my classes to start (I was teaching food photography, not cooking, though at some point I’d love to attend a proper cooking course, however, I digress) and happened to notice a building site out of the window. The 6th floor was a great vantage point to get far enough away to see the entire scene, but not so far that you’d miss out the details. Add in that wonderful directional light that comes immediately after rain when clouds just clear and the sun starts poking out (plus the textures and wet reflections) and the light was utterly gorgeous. Colors were still muted, and this was one of those occasions that just screamed ‘B&W’. Just another example of one of those times when you don’t plan to shoot, but somehow an opportunity presents itself – enjoy the results for yourself. On an unrelated note, I’m really loving the square format, too. Or maybe I’m just lazy to turn the little camera sideways. MT
This series shot with a Leica D-Lux 5 Titanium.
The unacknowledged cost of development. Leica M8, 35/2 ASPH
One from the archives. Whilst this photo was taken in early 2009, the sentiment is as relevant today as ever – perhaps more so. An old village near the center of town – that’s the Petronas Twin Towers in the background – was demolished to make way for a new commercial complex. I also see the image as a metaphor for development: first take the easy bits, then when that’s not enough, move on to encroaching on nature; finally, end up with a soulless concrete jungle. Who knows what happened to the people who used to live here? If they’re lucky, they’ll be compensated a fraction of the value of their land, and forced to move on elsewhere, splitting up the community and probably creating a gambling or drinking problem because they don’t know what else to do with the money. Most of the traditional way of life is already waning as a consequence of the modern societal drive for ‘more, better’ – the vast majority of people I work with and encounter today are happy to sacrifice plenty in the quest for riches.
Curiously though, the younger generation seems to be rediscovering the importance of passion in work, ethical values and sustainability – or perhaps it’s just the same rebellious antiestablishment thing done by youths everywhere. I think it’s a good thing. People aren’t machines (though many big companies secretly wish they were so, even if they publicly proclaim otherwise) MT
Work in progress. Condominiums under construction at an expat enclave in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Ricoh CX4
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Ming Thein | Photographer 