8

Key Cbeng's Words of Pbotogragby:

A 5tory of Passon and
Adventurous Exgoraton
9
Kelly Cheng is one of Asia`s leading travel
photographers. She has been taking her lens,
and through it her admirers, to places some of
us haven`t even heard of. The need to capture
the exciting moments and sensational memories
during her travels sparked her desire to
photography. Over the years and during her
travels to all continents and tens of countries, she
has been capturing some of the most sophisticated
details of genuine beauty found in nature, faces
and places. Mountain peaks, islands, waterfalls,
lakes, glaciers, oceans, rivers and safaris are just
some of what her marvelous collections contain.
One of her most spectacular secrets is the ability
to transform the ordinary and familiar into
the astonishing and extraordinary by revealing
the genuine beauty of the scene that has been
somehow 'hidden` and unseen by people and
photographers.
By: Mobamed Aabas
10
In this interview, we will enter her worlds of
photography to explore the philosophy and
vision behind their creation. We will look
into some of her very best stories narrated
through her smart lens.
The Road to Photography
With great interest, I started asking her
about the beginnings. She explained that
the defning moment was following a trip
she made to Koh Phi Phi, one of Thailand`s
beautiful islands with wonderful beaches,
when she saw how photographs could
eternalize travel memories. Kelly says: 'I
have never stopped since.
Are you a self-taught photographer or did
you study photography?
The only class I took was black and white
photography as I wanted to learn how to
develop a photograph in the darkroom. That
was after I was already quite profcient with
the camera. Witnessing the appearance of an
image on paper was magical, but at the same
time, very complicated and needed so much
dedication. If I have my own darkroom one
day, I may try it again. I am a self-taught
photographer, but I asked questions and
sought advice whenever I could.
How were you attracted to travel
photography in the frst place?
My geography lessons taught me the
characteristics of landscape and how they
are created by forces of nature; and how
settlements are affected by geography.
For someone who grew up in a city,
geography lessons opened my eyes to the
countless wonders on this planet and ignited
something inside me to explore them all.
It was the desire to capture what I saw
during my travels and preserve the memories
that motivated me to work on photographing
them well. When I started travelling and saw
how the photographs of my friends turned
out to be better than mine, I was inspired
to learn and improve my photography
skills. There was no reason why I could not
achieve what they did.
Unbounded Passion for Beauty of Nature,
Culture and People
Kelly has her photostream on Flickr, http://
www.fickr.com/photos/kellyphotos/, and
some of her images are licensed exclusively
through Getty on: www.gettyimages.com.
When you look into her photographs, you
always get the feeling that she masters
the secret of identifying the part of the
scene that most reveals its ultimate beauty.
Every image urges you to halt, observe and
discover a new story.
It seems that Kelly has developed a brilliant
and unique new language in which her
images convey untold stories.
I asked her about how she developed her
photographic and artistic sensibility, how
could she turn pictures into touching
stories, what is the main key to creativity,
and what inspires her most when she
decides to shoot?
Kelly says: 'Well, I must have a passion
for the place that I want to visit. Being in a
place that I like is more important than just
going there to take pictures. To get touching
stories out of pictures, I believe that the
photographer must be moved frst by the
scene or subject, before his pictures could
move people.
Beauty of nature, culture and people inspire
11
12
me most. The key to creativity is to love
what you do. Be passionate, take time to
take in the scene, move around, think and
experiment as you shoot.
It is very well indeed the passion for the
beauty of nature that enables her to spot the
splendor, capture it and make photographs
that steal minds. Kelly`s photographs
undeniably tell how she is cherishing life
passionately.
How important is culture, language
and traditions to a photographer, and
how importantare they to what is being
photographed?
Culture and traditions are important to a
photographer not only because that they
add colours and diversity, but because they
keep evolving too, thus a photographer
plays an important role to document them.
In addition, sharing images of culture and
traditions helps with fostering a better
understanding of humanity.
What is the secret to making others feel so
comfortable in front of the camera?
Be sincere and respectful. Treat a person as a
human being, not a subject. If by taking the
picture, I risk losing the connection with the
person or missing the conversation, I won`t
take out the camera.
13
A World that Seems Amazingly Different
Mastering an image is a joy indeed, but it
has never been an easy task. It`s absolutely
astonishing to see how a photographer,
who is restricted by a scene, can still make
you feel that everything in the portrait
has been specifcally made to fulfll her
creative vision, express her emotions to
share with others and convey a message. It
is here where a picture is certainly worth a
thousand words`.
Kelly`s message that speaks for itself in
her images is that beauty lies in everything;
it just needs a different approach to be
recognised, explored and revealed.
Do you believe in something called a
natural eye for photography?
Yes. It is an intuitive sense of visuals and
emotions that gives the defning edge to
produce a better photograph than that of
others who are present in the same scene, at
the same time.
Does Kelly Cheng look for leaving a lasting
impression in her photos?
I guess that I am leaving impressions
among people who view my images. I have
received messages of appreciation from
people who enjoyed browsing my travel
14
photographs and got an opportunity to
see places that they have not or could not
have been to. I have also received words of
gratitude from people who were doing some
research for their trips and get inspired by
my photos; and even try to replicate them
during their travels. It is heartening to know
that my images have an impact on the lives
of people whom I have not met.
What is Kelly Chengs ultimate goal in
photography?
I don` t have an ultimate goal; I just wish
that photography remains to be a continuous
journey of exploration.
What turns you on creatively, spiritually or
emotionally?
Passion and nature. It is hard to explain
that swell of emotion when I get to a
place I love. I could love it because of
the majesty and awe of mountains, the
timelessness of culture, the hospitality of
the people, the sincere look in the eyes,
the cold, clean breeze, the whisperings of
trees, the movement of wildlife, the fow
and transparency of water, the greenness of
a forest and the aqua colour of the sea; so
many things!
Ansel Adams, one of the greatest
photographers of all times, once said:
'Landscape photography is the supreme test
of the photographer - and often the supreme
disappointment. Kelly`s fascinating landscape
photography perfectly demonstrates the type of
photographer she is.
Three most preferred shots that make you
feel happy and proud, why?
15
They are all like my babies, always hard to
make a choice. But these are the three off
the top of my head:
1. The balloon over Bagan - Myanmar
where the shape of the balloon mirrors
that of a temple. The pink pre-dawn light
was soft and perfect. It was those once in a
moment shot that you only get one chance
and when you get it right, it was a very
satisfying feeling.
2. Portrait of a kid in Pakistan. His
dirty face and beautiful eyes were full of
sadness beyond his years. When I took the
16
17
shot, he was indifferent to my attention,
as if he was in his own world, without
the curiosity of normal kids. I have taken
many portraits of people I met on the
road. His eyes were the most haunting and
unforgettable.
3. Star trails at Annapurna Base Camp,
Nepal. It was taken on Christmas night.
It was my favourite star trail shot with
the mountains in the foreground. It was
freezing. And one has to walk for almost one
week to get there. I must be bias.
If you had the ability to fy and be invisible
for one day with your camera, where would
you be shooting?
Afghanistan, to photograph the women without
the veil, to photograph the men without them
knowing there is a woman in their midst.
Do you go for exhibitions?
I participated in On the Road Again
Photography Exhibition at 2902 Gallery in
Singapore. Two series of my works were on
show: The Disappearing Sea and Spring in
Hokkaido.
Beautiful Yemen Startlingly More Beautiful
It was browsing Kelly`s astonishing
pictures of Yemen that amazed me frst,
seeing places that I have been familiar
with for ages in a very different way. I
have never seen them look so amazingly
different and beautiful. From those set
of pictures, the 'Kelly brand was not
just obviously distinct to me, but at that
point, I started understanding that new
unique language that Kelly uses to make a
different story out of the places that have
been seen and photographed by people
for ages. You could spend long hours
browsing her photos and enjoy every
minute. Kelly`s photostream provides
another opportunity to prove how little
our eyes permit us to see`.
I asked her what attracted her most in
Yemen.
'Oh, how time seems to stand still!
Love the old town of Sana`a, the unique
architecture, how people are still dressed in
traditional clothing and carrying the Janbiya
(a Yemeni dagger with a short curved
blade that is worn on a belt), the beautiful
landscape and the Wadis (valleys) which are
out of this world, said Kelly.
Did Yemen and what you got to see inside it
add anything to you as a photographer?
Yemeni people were beautiful because of
their warm hospitality. I was particularly
taken with the beautiful eyes of Yemeni
ladies. Usually, I only saw their eyes, but
they were like windows to their souls
conveying curiosity, sadness, warmth and
spirit.
18
Do you think that there are still many
places in Yemen that your lens would love
to shoot? Are there any plans to come back
to Yemen soon?
Yes, I would love to visit Socotra one day. I
want to see the dragon blood trees, the sand
dunes and the coast. I love how remote and
unique it is. I would love to visit the villages
around Sana`a and Hadhramout again.
What kind of advice would you give to
aspiring adventure photographers touring
Yemen?
Be open to engage people, be adventurous
and fexible in schedule.
What kind of logistics do you think would
make a photographers mission easier in
Yemen?
Get a good driver and guide, for safety
and information about the local culture and
situation.
What do you think that a photographer can
show about Yemen that is still unknown to
the world?
The life of women in Yemen.
Kelly has been to Yemen once, and she
hopes to return one day to get more out of
what she believes Yemen has to show.
Yemen is steeped in living history. This
charming country has so much to keep you
astonished all the way. There are so many
enchanting places to see; the mountain
ranges of unsurpassed beauty; breathtaking
landscape, incredibly impregnable castles
towering over hills and terrains with valleys
falling away behind; scattered villages on
peaks and mountainsides and the spectacular
scenes of intricately fashioned terraces
climbing up all the way to mountain tops.
The architectural heritage that is one of the
richest in the world is another separate world
itself.
Beaches showcasing their unique splendidness,
massive golden desert lands and sands, islands
boasting their own natural unrivaled beauty
and trekking and paragliding areas are just
some of the options.
That is not all. Like in landscape, diversity
is also in customs, traditions, dresses,
handicrafts, souks, architecture, food, songs,
music and dance.
All that and more provides plenty of
picturesque and stupendous views that are
not replicated elsewhere.
As an admirer who cherishes Kelly Cheng`s
great works, I can`t wait for her return.
That`s because in such a setting and with a
photographer of such a genuine class, there
19
will be a lot to satisfy an appetite for more
of the amazing beauty that her photographs
reveal.
Technically Speaking
What do you rely on most: lighting or dark-
room/computer manipulation?
I never own a fash so I rely on whatever
light is available. There are techniques to
use the available light to make good images;
however, it may not be feasible to apply
every time. If it is not viable to shoot with
the limitation of my equipment, I will let it
go. In digital photography, post-processing
is a very important and necessary process
for a photographer to demonstrate his
creativity and to optimise an image. I fnd
that there are four aspects a photographer
should get right when shooting: sharpness,
aperture, composition and exposure. Though
one can fne tune the exposure in the digital
darkroom, but it remains diffcult to recover
highlights.
What advice do you have for photographers
looking to sell their work?
Do process the images to optimise the
quality; you are shortchanging yourselves
if you just submit images straight from the
camera.
What is your most preferable walk around
lens and why?
Canon 24-105mm F4, for being a good
range for landscape and portrait.
What is the most common mistake you see
photographers make that keep them from
being successful?
Obsession with the technical aspects of
photography and not observant enough of
the surroundings.
What is the practical shooting advice that
you would like to offer for starters?
Get what you can afford and bring what you
are comfortable with carrying around. It is
not the camera that makes the picture. Know
the limit of your equipment. Even a basic
camera is capable of producing great shots.
It`s just a matter of choices on how to make
the best out of it.
A Truly Admirable Character
Towards the end of this interview, I tried
to ask Kelly a couple of questions that
reveal her admirable, decent and splendid
character.
If you have one wish to make, it would be
To love and be loved.
Are there moments when you fnd that you
have to put your camera aside and forget it
for some time?
Of course, when I am not on the road. But
these days, the iPhone is all I need when I
do not have my DSLR will me.
List 3 photographers you admire.
Eric Lafforgue is one whom I would have the
privilege to meet. His passion about photography
is infectious and evident in his images.
Something that few people know about you:
I am more emotional than I look.
What is the biggest mistake you have ever
made?
I wished I were more flial to my father
while he was still alive.
What is your greatest fear?
To be blind and immobile. If I can`t see, I can`t
learn, I can`t read people; I can`t see the beauty
of light and life in the world. To be immobile
would be like living in an open coffn.
What would you like to be doing in 20
years from now?
Just to follow my heart to do whatever I like
to do.
Which fve words describe you best?
Bold, passionate, creative, reliable, direct.