The September 2014 Edition of the IPA Mentorship Program begins this week with a diverse group of participants. Here is one preparatory note to kick things off.
#1. IDEAS HAVE TO BE INVITED.
As mentioned in Che’ Ahmad Azhar’s article, ideas have to be invited. You pick a door that may perk your interest for some reason. You open and walk in. The glitter of the chandelier in the living room may first draw your eyes. Then the scent of an almond cake baking in the oven may then lead to the kitchen. The worn and weary father ringing the door bell after a hard day’s work may pull you back out towards the front door. You watch how he interacts with his family. He then gestures his wife to the bedroom away from the children. You follow behind, quietly. Behind closed doors, he tells her the news. Your story unfolds, in the room next door, where the kids are listening in.
It is okay to not entirely understand or know what you’re pursuing or photographing in the beginning. But the curiosity and urge needs to be there, and the willingness to accept discovery.
“Type is a beautiful group of letters, not a group of beautiful letters.” Matthew Carter.
I love typography as much as photography. And this quote on typography I find has kinship to the Photo Essay.
So we have just concluded the first-ever IPA Mentorship Program. I am extremely proud of the pioneering batch of 8 mentees from the program. Over the course of 3 months, I’ve gotten to know each one much better and more intimately. Walking the path of discovery with each almost feels like living 8 unique, distinct lives simultaneously, briefly. Here are previews of 7 projects made during the program, most of which I believe will be journeys that have only begun.
Photography is an excuse to live life more intensely.
View Full Photo Essays on IPA.
• Waiting for Lele, by Zeng Liwei.
http://invisiblephotographer.asia/2014/08/06/waitingforlele-zengliwei/
• The Carpark, by Shyue Woon
http://invisiblephotographer.asia/2014/08/07/thecarpark-shyuewoon/
• 05-856, by Chia Aik Beng
http://invisiblephotographer.asia/2014/08/06/05-856-aikbengchia/
• Turf Dreams, by Jeffrey Liam
http://invisiblephotographer.asia/2014/08/08/turfdreams-jeffreyliam/
• Forty and Some Things, by Peter Teh
http://invisiblephotographer.asia/2014/08/08/fortyandsomethings-peterteh/
• Selamat Datang, by Scott Chung
http://invisiblephotographer.asia/2014/08/07/selamatdatang-scottchung/
• Hands Of Kalinga, by Nikka Corsino
http://invisiblephotographer.asia/2014/08/07/handsofkalinga-nikkacorsino/
In the seventh month of the lunisolar calendar, Singapore – considered by some as the most haunted city in Asia – celebrates Ghost Month (鬼月). Ghost Month also falls at the same time as a full moon. During this time, the gates of hell are opened for the deceased to walk the earth and visit the living.
Ann Siang Hill, a trendy hill spot in Singapore, was once the traditional home of clan associations and social clubs. Now all but one remains. 25 Ann Siang Road has been home to Keong Wai Siew Li Si She Shut since 1954, after the Japanese Occupation of Singapore. Keong Wai Siew Li Si She Shut, is an association for Li clansmen founded in 1874 by several Li sailors during the reign of Emperor Tongzhi of the Qing Dynasty.
Work in Progress. Photographs © Kevin WY Lee
portraits
Singapore
