Get cosy with Yuhsin from tinydot photographyas he shares more bits about himself and of the ‘klutz’ in him.
Let’s start by telling us a bit about yourself. For privacy reasons, age is not required.
I’m by nature a reserved person and am certainly not expressive in a big sort of way. The problem is – words and creative writing aren’t my forte either. So that kind of left me with expressing myself through imagery. Since drawing and painting weren’t my thing, I figured photography was next. I would be what some would call a late bloomer in the photography. You’d want to know that I don’t take life very seriously – I prefer to laugh things off and see the better side of people. So if we’re to go out for a movie, comedies are a better bet.
What got you started with wedding photography?
Being a photographer didn’t start out that way. I’ve always been kind of the geek – math, computers et all – and ended being an IT consultant for a larger part of 10 years after graduating from the university. Work became mundane when you *ahem* became good at it, and corporate politics just didn’t jive well with me. Wedding photography gave me an avenue to create things that made people happy. The other option was going down the path of Deuce Bigalow, but I quickly dismissed that thought since most people have good taste. Seriously though, helping people with documenting their memories gave me an immense sense of satisfaction. I can’t think of many other jobs that lets you be around happy (and drunk) people celebrating one of the biggest days of their lives all day long.
What’s the brand of that fuel that you use to keep the passion burning?
Family: They are my inspiration for all the work that I do. Having them behind me 100% of the way keeps me going like an energizer bunny – an old one at that! Having said that, the match stick that sparks it off would have to be the many wonderful clients that I’ve had, who drive me to better my work day-in, day-out.
If it was not photography as a profession, what would it have been?
Some kind of corporate executive maybe? If I can’t do what I love, might as well make loads of money doing something else.
What was the first wedding image you shot that made you decide you were born a wedding photographer?
I was born a geek.
Do you prefer to talk about yourself or your pictures?
I enjoy talking about other people more – but that would be gossiping. My pictures aren’t earth-shattering. We are documenting people’s memories after all. A lot of times, the simplest of images mean the most. I hate to talk about myself too, that would be so egoistic but that’s unavoidable when I meet with clients.
What’s the love/hate relationship like with the wedding photography business? What’s to love, and what’s to hate?
I love that clients love what I do. Hate that a lot of people still think it’s a cushy job and money comes easily.
What’s a typical day like shooting a wedding?
Tiring. It’s like taking a 10-hour fitness and psychological test. You have to be alert every minute, be on the constant lookout for things that are happening. Moments don’t just drop at your footstep – you have to go hunting for them. There’s a lot of running around, crouching, bending or whatever it takes to cover different angles, getting the good light, capture different people, all this while trying to keep incognito. Ninja-tsu is a difficult art to master.
Have you ever created a scene before – tripping over, cracking glasses, breaking a lens in the middle of a ceremony etc? What was THAT like?
I’ve tipped over a vase once at a church I shot at because there was really no room when I got cornered. It didn’t happen during the ceremony – so I was really thankful for that. Given that I can be quite a klutz, I’m amazed nothing major has happened in the past couple of years (knock on wood!). My head is too big to hide in a hole.
In 5 words, what’s the most surprising reaction you’ve ever had from a client who’s seen their wedding day pictures – i mean – memories?
Absolute silence followed by tears (of joy).
Name 3 subjects you would photograph at a wedding if you had no choice.
The bride, the groom and the wedding entourage.
Now name 3 subjects you would photograph if you totally free rein.
I would photograph everything that caught my eye.
Do you see the world in Black or white, or colour?
Colour mostly. Except on days when I don’t get enough sleep.
When you hear the words “Wedding Cake”, what’s your first reaction – foam or cream?
Foam.
Do you ever run out of photography ideas at a wedding?
Every wedding to me is different. I don’t generally prepare myself by having pre-conceived ideas of what the images will look like. Since each wedding in itself is unique, I’ll document each scene as it makes sense to. So the long and short of it is – no.
If the bride tells you that they’ll have another friend photographing their wedding, what’s the first words that come out of your mouth?
Nothing. I’d be speechless. Seriously though, I think friends should just be that – have them enjoy the wedding and let the photographer do his/her work without having to worry about blocking shots, tripping over etc.
Finish this sentence. My photography style is…
Something that’s not loud and results in an end-product that you will cherish for years to come.
Who would you say best influences you when you look through the viewfinder?
Many greats at photojournalism but none as much as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Robert Capa. One for how he frames and captures images in a decisive moment and the joy of photography, and the other for teaching me that if the image is not good enough, I’m probably not close enough.
What’s the one thing that you cannot stop thinking about when you’re shooting a wedding?
Sitting down.
What’s your dream wedding destination?
I don’t have A dream wedding destination. I find destination weddings interesting because of the environments they are usually held in. Besides, everyone is generally more calm and relaxed, and are able to enjoy their wedding when it’s held away from Singapore. That makes photography a lot more enjoyable too!
Are you a photoshop extremist?
Photoshop doesn’t fix bad images. I make it a point to do things right in camera.
If you were a colour, would it be Shocking pink or luminous green?
Luminous green. How did you guess my favorite colour?
5 words of advice for aspiring wedding photographers.
Have passion, work hard, Godspeed.