August 16, 2004 - This week, we interview Jasmin Wong from In the Rain:

Please tell the folks a little about yourself:
I'm an 18 year old student, about to graduate next June with a diploma in Biomedical Science. All my life I've grown up in an urban jungle, which I try to get away from by going bird watching and on nature walks.

So it's safe to say you're more of a nature shooter?
I prefer flowers to insects; abstract to literal; black and white to colour; mountains to buildings; morning and twilight to night; and film to digital. I tend to capture solitary subjects. I feel that my theme is, "beauty" in everything, but lately people have been commenting on the peacefulness they feel whenever they see my photos.

Have you ever considered trying out other styles?
I don't really like photographing people much. It is apparent in my photos because I'd rather shoot inanimate objects than to focus them on people - most of whom aren't very interesting anyway. You can attribute this particular style to graphic design, I suppose, because I enjoy looking at abstraction in form and shape, and I therefore tend to shoot those more than others.

So is the point of your photography to give a therapeutic process for both you and your readers?
It's a therapeutic process for me as it requires so much concentration and consideration. I don't know about my readers, but I hope that when they see my photographs, they feel that a careful composition was the key to creation.

Do you remember the first time you handled a camera?
Hmmm, that would be when I was 12. It was a Minolta and very exciting to use. There was no zoom, and the camera had to be turned on by opening the lens cover.

You already mentioned you like film more than digital. Why?
Because I only have a 2 megapixel camera (which has served me extremely well) and an analogue SLR - I love shallow depth-of-field because it gives the subject a more three-dimensional look so I try to use the SLR more. I like film because it's the older medium, not splashy as anyone can pick up a roll of Kodak Gold and take pictures. Besides, film cameras cost less and produce better quality pictures.

Do you feel your young age and being a full-time student makes it harder to be a photographer and photoblogger?
School is demanding as I have many deadlines to meet. It hinders me from going out and exploring new places as I spend too much time meeting those deadlines. As for age, I hope to make up for my lack of experience with more exploration and photo-taking.

Going back to cameras: Which has been your all-time favorite?
I love my Minolta X-300. It's not a gadget, but a real camera.

Why does photography interest you so much?
Elementally, I am a writer. I'd once believed that I would write for a living, and I never expected photography to play such an important part in my leisurely interests. Initially, it interested me because I could make beautiful places last in a photograph. Later on, I discovered the joy of its creative process, which boggles as well as excites me.

What do you mean by the 'creative process'? Why does it boggle and excite?
"Creative process" as in the whole process of exposure and the ways it can be tweaked. I don't work well with technical things so it confuses me a little. In my semestral holidays, I spent about two weeks reading books that described photography technically, e.g. the Zone system. Because my SLR has a built-in spot meter, it evaluates the conditions for me and I end up following its "advice" most of the time. Some of the results were boring, flat pictures that made me realize that I ought to exercise more control over how I want a photograph to look. I still am boggled by the Zone system because I cannot remember all the tonal values, but it feels good to try.

Other hobbies other than photography? Do they mix with it?
I also like to write, take walks and travel. They definitely mix very well.

Do you have any memorable photographic experiences?
Last April ('04), I traveled alone to Tokyo to visit my cousin who was studying there. I'd wanted to leave Singapore to recharge as my exams had just ended. I'd also wanted to photograph the place I'd been reading about in books and watching on television. The 10 days I spent there weren't enough. Though the weather was moody most of the time, I loved the place with its atmospheric bustle. I had a camera with me all the time; everything moved so quickly, I couldn't be bothered to compose correctly and just let instinct take over.

Sound amazing. Any negative?
My most memorable was also my most negative. Because of the weather! Imagine all your expectations of fair weather and vivid colours going down the drain when you open the door and see a flat, gray sky.

Why did you start a photoblog?
Because it was just starting to boom at the time I got a camera, I suppose, and also because I wanted constructive criticism to help me learn.

Do the comments and/or criticisms advance your photography?
I'm sure you understand that in photoblogging, the majority of comments are positive one-liners. Some people were kind to point out what they thought should be improved in some of my photos posted. I'm grateful to them for highlighting them because I'll definitely take note of what they said and use it in my next photo shoot.

What have been the biggest joys in running In the Rain?
The feedback, definitely, and the amazing community that is PhotoBlogs.

The negatives?
Definitely the updating part. There was a period of time when I was away from home for 5 months and had no access to my hard disk. I found it extremely difficult to upload new photos and eventually, I stopped for those 5 months and continued where I left off, afterward. Layout is also a factor because it is an important aspect in web design, whether you have a photoblog or not. I find it difficult to combine all the factors (e.g. thumbnails, recently uploaded pictures, galleries, main page layout) so that the result is simple and easy to navigate.

Do you think photoblogging has affected your life at all?
There's a "frame" in my head now, with which I compose pictures when I find myself without a camera or not having enough time to capture a perfect shot. I've definitely enjoyed participating in memes and looking at other people's photographs (which are so unique) via links and features. It's definitely changed my life significantly.

Last question for you: What's the best photograph you've ever seen?
"Giraffes Silhouetted" by Chris Johns for National Geographic. It's a simple photo, but so very surreal and alluring.

As always, we thank you for both this interview, and best of luck with your photoblog...
Thank you very much for this interview, Jessyel. :-)