If you’ve been reading my blog for the past few
months it’s been around, then you probably have noticed its revamped new look
(yes those photos!)
While I’ve been meaning to put more effort in
designing the blog (I’m a graphic designer after all!) the lack of time and
good photos stood in the way. And although I’m more about content than look,
still a fashion blog has to reflect the blogger’s taste and style. My blog was
never meant to be taken too seriously (coz I don’t take myself seriously for
that) thus the little me-icon; but it is supposed to be fun, informative and
reflective of my love for fashion and everything colourful!
In the past 2 week, I’ve been approached by a
couple of media outlets for Q&As (one of them is just out here on Jakarta-based AsianFashionLaw.com) and where I had to supply some photos of
myself to go along. And since the last
good professional photoshoot I had was over 2 years ago, it seemed like perfect
time to have another one.
Luckily I found someone who gave me just what I
wanted and captured my passion for fashion and my character very well… and made
me look good on top of that; Cornelyus Tan.
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| Cornelyus is the guy who finally made me look good in photos :-) |
Cornelyus is a young Singaporean fashion
photographer who also doubles as an accessories designer for his label ScarletCarlson which I’ve mentioned in a previous post.
Here’s a small Q&A with Cornelyus so you
get to know more about the man who finally made me re-think my potential late
modeling career after my last failed attempt ;-) and if you are as vain as I
am, book yourself a session and plaster all those flattering photos on your
facebook!
Q1: How did you get into fashion photography? why
fashion and not anything else?
Cornelyus:
I got into Fashion Photography when I had to give art directions to the first
editorial campaign for my label’s 1st jewelry collection: SHIPWRECKED. During
the shoot, though it was my first time, I fell in love with the feeling of
being able to control how the final image looks like: from the concept to
location planning, makeup to curating the clothes and gathering the crew (
Makeup Artist/Hairstylist/Model/Stylist). Being a fashion photographer gives me
the joy when it comes to the planning process. It felt like painting an artwork
on the canvas and at the end of the day seeing how people loved your final
image. So, in any way, i never imagined myself as a fashion photographer to
start with.
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| From Cornelyus' first shoot for his label's collection Shipwrecked. |
Q2:
How is the fashion photography scene in Singapore?
Well,
if you are talking from business point of view, it is rather difficult to break
into the scene, because there are so many photographers (amateurs, intermediate
and pros) fighting for the same "rice-bowl". And it is rather hard
sometimes too, because a lot of them are doing free jobs, hence posing a problem
for people who are making a living out of photography out there.
As for
local difficulties, I would say Singapore is rather short of exotic locations
for this kind of photography as well.
Q3: Tell
us more about your style in photography?
Well I
would say I’m still seeking a style in general, but sometimes I guess I just
want to be versatile too. I tend to stray away from being mainstream, I love my
work to be quirky, ethereal and surrealistic. All in all, I love doing
something that people would not expect.
Q4: what’s the most important thing to get a good
fashion photograph?
There
are few elements that help to get a good photograph (be it fashion or not) and
that is to stop being busy snapping and forgetting the small elements that make
a good picture. One must know where the light is coming from and know how to
frame the picture in such a way that eliminates the unwanted or uncomplimentary
elements from the picture.
Q5: About my shoot, what was your inspiration and how
did you come up with the styling and why?
Before
I do any shoot, I must do some background research on the subject ( what kind
of stuff they like or whatever feeling/mood the client wishes to be
captured). So I found out that you love shoes and colours and thought why not
make you like a very happy crazy shopper surrounded with lots of colorful stuff
(shoes, bags and clothes..) :-)
Cornelyus
Tan is based in Singapore and available for fashion shoots/editorials, events,
advertising and personal photoshoots.
He can
be contacted on Cornelyustan.gmail.com or you can also check out more of his work on his facebook fanpage and website.
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| Cornelyus vision has succeeded: I do look a little crazy/happy in this one, which is what I am when surrounded with my shoes :-) |
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| And yes, sadly all these colourful props and clothes are mine... |
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| Just had to borrow this beautiful necklace from Cornelyus' label Scarlet Carlson as I had nothing so sober to match my dress :-) |