In art school, I was never a particularly a good sculptor or painter, but I absolutely loved all the art history classes. Having done the Nespresso Pixie photo, I thought it’d be fun to pretend I’m in art school again and create something interesting. From a product design POV, the Nespresso Vertuo is that introduces …

I was going to sell my Nespresso Pixie the normal way. You know the “meh, it’s clean, it works” (lowballers stay away).  An iPhone snap in dim kitchen lighting with a sad little caption like “Used. Still works. $80. Self-collect only.” Done in 14 seconds. But no. I made the mistake of having one cup …

This portrait of Kelly was using Fujifilm GFX 50S II on the 63mm f/2.8 lens. Not every portrait session goes as planned — and that’s often when the magic happens. When Kelly walked into the studio, I’ll admit I wasn’t sure what to expect. He’s not someone who’s naturally drawn to the spotlight. No flashy …

Let’s talk about a legend: the Tascam Portastudio 424.And how I lit it like it was about to drop the hottest lo-fi EP of 1995. A Brief Ode to the 424 If you were making music in the 80s or 90s — in your bedroom, your basement, or your bandmate’s garage — there’s a good …

I took out my Thermomix for the first time in a long while.  Not to use it.  But to take photos because I’m selling it.  That’s when it occurred to me: A Thermomix has a lot in common with the Fujifilm GFX 50S II? Yes. That all-in-one German kitchen robot that can sauté onions, knead …

Sometimes the Journey Is the Reward We were between locations — hours into yet another drive across the volcanic desert of southwestern Bolivia. The kind of place where the road is barely a suggestion, and the landscape shifts from black rock to golden dunes without warning. We weren’t chasing a shot. We weren’t expecting anything. …

There’s light. And then there’s Bolivian light. I’ve had strobes accidentally popping off in my eyes, but I’ve never known light, bright light, until I was here.     Photographing the salt flats of Bolivia — Salar de Uyuni — was one of the most disorienting and visually surreal experiences I’ve had behind a camera. …

These photos was taken in the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve in the southwestern highlands of Bolivia, near the Altiplano region.  I can’t remember specifically, which scene is from Laguna Hedionda or Laguna Colorada, both of which are known for their high-altitude salt lakes and large populations of Andean flamingoes (along with James’s and …

I’m selling a bunch of gear, so I’ll be posting some of my fav images shot with that equipment, sort of as a farewell or a homage. This one is shot using the budget XC 50-230mm lens.  It is a very underrated lens, doubly so because it suffers the ignominity of being the mk I …

I love portraiture. It’s the kind of photography that I keep going back to, again and again — because people are endlessly fascinating. The flicker of emotion. The in-between moments. The quiet tension. The laughter right before it spills. But let’s get one thing straight: A portrait cannot capture someone’s soul. I know that’s the …

Let’s be real: if you’ve ever tried to earn a living as a photographer, you’ve basically signed up for your own version of Squid Game. You may not be wearing a green tracksuit (although, hey, comfy), and there may not be a giant robot doll shouting “Red Light, Green Light!” — but emotionally? It’s basically …

Cameras are like pets — some are Labradors — loyal, helpful, but absolutely everywhere. Others are like cats — fussy, high-maintenance, and kind of judge you for existing. But the Fujifilm X-E3? It’s like a Schnoodle — small but sturdy, clever, quick and also very good looking. This little thing might just be my favorite …

Portrait of Mr. Phua: Making Space Where There Is None — with the GF 50mm Some portraits stay with you long after the shutter clicks. This one — of SK Phua, the master craftsman carpenter in his impossibly packed workshop — is one of them. The space was tight. Every inch of wall, floor, and …

When people think of medium format photography, they usually imagine something big, heavy, and slow. A tripod kind of camera. A “set it up and wait” kind of experience. And sure — medium format can be all those things. (I have a Contax 645 that I love) But what if I told you there’s a …

Ode to the Pentax 645: The Quiet Romantic of Medium Format In the world of medium format photography, some names shout. Hasselblad — the status (or dare I say it, pretentious). Mamiya — the muscle, the dependable workhorse, all business. But then there’s Pentax.  Humble, earnest, quietly brilliant.  And among its creations, the Pentax 645 …