I’ve long heard about the breathtaking scenery of New Zealand, but words and photos don’t quite prepare you for it. These three photos were taken on the road to Taupo.  We were heading north because the setting sun was off to our left (that much I know about cardinal directions).  Although the sun was already …

Waimangu, New Zealand

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 …