Everyday Through the Eyes of Singaporean Street Photographer Aik Beng Chia (ABC)

Singaporean street photographer Aik Beng Chia (ABC) embodies Lomography in more ways than one. Literally going out there to shoot, ABC is self-taught and considers himself a late starter in the field of photography.

In this interview, let ABC's work with the Jupiter 3+ Art Lens speak for his skill and passion.

• Name: Chia Aik Beng
• Website: aikbengchia.com
• Instagram: @aikbengchia
• Twitter: @aikbengchia
• Country: Singapore
• Lens: Jupiter 3+ Art Lens
• Camera: Fujifilm XPro 2

How did you get started with photography?

I’m a late starter when it comes to photography, still pretty new in the scene. I only got into it five years ago, I’ve never had any formal training in photography — these were skills that I taught myself over the years.

How would you describe your style as a photographer?

My style of photography is pretty simple, I am interested in finding mundane, unexpected and singular moments which I steal through snaps everyday. I attempt to introduce myself and convey stories to my viewers through my photos to form some kind of understanding. Its all about capturing everyday life wherever I am and in all types of photography too -- be it street photography, landscape, street portraits, still life etc.

Being a photographer also allows me to have personal and intimate moments in a public space. Which is precious because it allows me to know myself and my world better. This sensation of seeing the beauty in the mundane is like my "quiet time" and it characterises my photography.

What subjects do you particularly like to take photos of?

I would probably say that the theme is "The Space Between Us." It is a musing on the bond between human social behavior in public spaces, adjoining or linked together by multicentric municipalities. This space forms a connected whole. It's a continuous project I have been working since I started photography.

What would you count as your greatest achievements or favorite projects?

It's hard to pinpoint what my greatest achievements or favorite projects are because it's still ongoing and the challenge I face is always capturing life as its own without staging it. Everything happens organically in my photos and I'm enjoying that organic process, including all the learning along the way.

Digital or analogue? Does it matter which?

It doesn't matter. Just be comfortable with the medium that best suits you. It's the context of the photos that speaks and not the medium used.

Digital or analogue, they both have its each beauty and charm to it. Just focus on your personal preference. Don't get too caught up thinking about it or reading too much. You just missed a photograph or two while reading what I have to say right now, get my point?

Can you tell us a little more about your Jupiter 3+ experience? Any interesting things you encountered or challenges?

I mounted the Jupiter 3+ Art Lens with M-Mount on my Fujifilm XPro 2. First impression is that it's heftier and made better. The build quality feels good in my hand and the results are just what one would expect; sharper, dreamy, creamy but with better color and contrast. It is the kind of lens that will appeal to sharpness and bokeh lovers and rangefinder enthusiasts.

Please choose your favorite photo(s) from the Jupiter 3+ shoot and tell us about the images, and why they’re your favorites.

Overall, I like how the colors and the black and white images turned out. The narrow depth of field from the lens gives a very smooth and soft-focused image to the defocused areas of the shot.

What is your favorite feature or what do you like most about the Jupiter 3+ Lens?

The close-focus of 0.7m.

For what kind of projects would you recommend the Jupiter 3+?

In my opinion, the Jupiter 3+ Art Lens is not for street photography or landscape. Perhaps, it is more suited for portraiture shots.

Any tips for first time shooters?

For portrait, look for backgrounds with textures and high contrast like busy streets, trees etc. This will give you interesting and incredible texture in the images.

If you want your image to be sharp overall and to achieve a very smooth and soft focused image, shoot at f/5.6 and f/8. It will give you a very creamy, beautiful bokeh on the defocused area.

Go as close as 0.7m with your Jupiter 3+ lens, you will be taking full advantage of the narrow depth of field from the lens.

Any advice on how to fully utilize the Jupiter 3+?

When it comes to portraits, in order to get good subject contrast from the background, I discovered you don't need to shoot wide open and still expect nice subject emphasis.

Focus and aperture controls are both very smooth and consistent in their rotation. So if you want closer focusing, the Jupiter 3+ will allow you to focus down to 0.7m minimum focal distance from your objects or subjects.

Do you have ongoing or upcoming projects that you would like to tell the community about?

Currently I'm collaborating with a creative director based in Hong Kong. We are curating a series of everyday random uncles we photographed in Singapore and Hong Kong. You can check it out here @unclevsuncle. We are planning to kick off the exhibition in Hong Kong later this year or next year, followed by one other exhibition in Singapore.

written by Crisselda Robles on 2017-02-16 #gear #people #street #white #black #singapore #abc #jupiter-3 #aikbeng