Monthly Archives: August 2014
Photo Project Workshop by Zhuang Wubin
It has been a while since my last post dated on May 23th. It was month of Harvest Festival (Kaamatan) and I’m busy searching for Bobohizan’s ritual ceremonies. More to come about this in later post.
Well in June, I participate one of the most interesting, challenging and more brainstorming photography workshop. This workshop is not about technical on how to operate your DSLR or shoot a model and learn some post-processing techniques thats unique to the speaker. But it is more on what is your most important thing in your life, which not to be missed out, I’m speaking about finding your voice rather than popularity nor about monetary issues. The speaker is Zhuang Wubin.
Who the hell is he?
He is a photographer, curator and researcher. As a curator, he researches about the photographic practices of Southeast Asia. As a photographer, he employs the medium as a research tool to understand the Chinese communities within Southeast Asia. Zhuang also uses photography to visualize his relationship with Singapore.
As far as I know, he produced 3 books to date (Chinatowns in a Globalizing Southeast Asia 2009, Ten Chinatowns of Southeast Asia 2010, Chinese Muslims in Indonesia 2011). Visit his website to know more about him.
The photo project workshop starts on 5th June 2014 till the 10th. Organised by Jebat Photography Club, thanks to Jebat & Shamshahrin for recommend me this workshop which being held at Arena Belia. All participant are required to send an application prior this workshop proposing what is they going to do with their photo project. Series of interview to be done after qualified the application. He has to make sure that all his participants clear about their photo project. This was not the easy part, convincing him about your project, why do you want to do this? how important is this to you? does it has any meaning for you? what is your voice? why photography? But after series of brainstorming, the thing you should do became more clearer. I can’t express how glad I am after he allowed me to join his workshop together with 6 other participant (Kelvin Ah Kian, Paik Yin, Mark Chai, Abdul Salam, Mohd Afif & Razie). No, I don’t cry at this particular part. Another participant, Yuzie passed the interview but he can’t join the workshop due to unavoidable circumstances.
At the early stage of his workshop, he introduces work’s of other South East Asia photographer and their project. Each of them are basically giving us ideas and inspiration. This is where I get to know Rinko Kawauchi‘s work Cui Cui (published 2005). Every one of us are unique to our own photo project and we required to meet him at any time throughout the workshop individually to show our photo project progress.
Abdul Salam explaining about his photo project
In the middle stage, our photo collection being edited in every possible approach. Participant are being advised if there any missing element in their photo project and suggestion are given throughout the discussion. We also learned various way of photo editing for Wall, article, photo book and slideshow.
Freshly printed from ProArt. Zhuang Wubin having walkthrough on Kelvin Ah Kian’s photo project. For This workshop, he use medium format film on TLR.
Paik Yin given a chance to make 5 photo editing on Mohd Afif’s Project
My photo project photo edit in progress
On the last day of the workshop, participant were all ready with their final editing and closed critic session among participant being held. At the end of this workshop, the result of the workshop being presented during Open House where we invited public to visits and share their thoughts on our photo project.
My photo project is about my own family. I started with my 2 kids. This can be a long term project. In my opinion, the best part of my life is to see my kids growing up. No matter how tired you are when you’re home, it disappear when we see them running after you on the door step. I will post another entry to let you see my final edit during the workshop. This edit however my change from time to time. I named this photo project as “When You Were Young….”
You can read more about this workshop here:
PHOTOGRAPHY . TRAVEL . FAMILY 