Interview with the Thy-Photographer: Hongjing Chung from Singapore

Editor Note:

Hongjing Chung isn't a professional photographer, but his knack for capturing the beauty in everyday life is rare. He credits his impressive work to patience and practice, especially in mastering light. Let's explore his passion for photography and why he's a fan of Thypoch in a quick interview.

Personal Information

Thypoch: What’s your job and where are you based?

Hongjing Chung: I am from Singapore and work in R&D planning sector.

Thypoch: When did you get your first camera and why are you attracted by photography?

Hongjing Chung: I started to take photos in my teenage years, mainly capturing moments of family life.  After completing my undergraduate degree, I backpacked through Europe with a film camera and have made many wonderful memories with it.  Yet, busy work life forced me to set down the camera. Years slipped by in a blur of work, but one day, on a journey far from the daily grind, I rediscovered my love for photography.  The weight of the camera in my hand felt like a homecoming, and in that moment, with a clarity that pierced through the years, I realized the truth: photography wasn't just a hobby, it was a love, a burning ember refusing to be extinguished.

Thypoch: What is your secret to capturing an impressive photo?

To me, light and shadow weave the very essence of photography, transforming a two-dimensional plane into a world brimming with depth and emotion. But light is just the first brushstroke. It's in its harmonious interplay with interesting subject, color and pattern that a photograph truly takes flight. This delicate interplay is what I find endlessly fascinating, a symphony of visual elements that resonates with the soul.

Story with Thypoch

Thypoch: Why did you choose Thypoch? Any story to share with us?

Hongjing Chung: I first came across Thypoch's lens through YouTube channels and subsequently was recommended by Riceball Singapore. The more I read, the more interesting the Thypoch lens is to me. In fact, I was trying to pick my first-ever lens for the newly bought Leica camera. Once I felt the quality of the lens in my hand, I took a leap of faith to choose Thypoch 35mm f1.4 (and also because the 28mm was not available during that time, which was the focal length I was used to during my Leica Q’s days).

Thypoch: When will you take a Thypoch lens with you?

Hongjing Chung: I am using it now every weekend when I go out for half-day photo walks and explore different areas in Singapore. It really calms me down and lets me enjoy a very slow-paced weekend life.

Thypoch: What’s your overall impression for the Thypoch lens(es)?

Hongjing Chung: The lens quality is top-notch, perfect weight and size with smooth buttery focus ring.

Thypoch: Do you have any expectations for the future Thypoch?

Hongjing Chung: Yes, I hope Thypoch business prospers and flourishes in the years to come (and I believe Thypoch can with their quality products) and push out more lens choices in the next 2 years, perhaps a 50mm f1.4, and f2 series for 35 and 28mm. Maybe another possible consideration is the M43 lens, which I think has lots of potential with small compact quality prime lenses (and also because I am also using a m43 at the moment ).

Thypoch: Could you please provide 3 Thy-photos that you are the most satisfied with and explain why?

Hongjing Chung: My selection here is really what I have always tried to look for when I clicked the shutter button. It is always about the interplay between light and shadow, subject, color, patterns and so on. To me, the first photo is actually a tricky one. I was standing some distance away, noticing the view across a canal with patches of light under the shadow and through reflection from the water surface of the canal. I know I will have to crop this image as obviously 35mm will be too wide, but I am not sure if the scenario will work after I crop it. I waited sometime for a subject with a stronger contrast, in this case, a lady with the pink shirt and hat to walk past the small pocket of light. This is definitely one of my favorite shots with the Simera 35mm.

(Leica M11-P + Simera 35mm f/1.4)

In the 2nd one, again I was attracted to the different shapes of warm light. This was taken from a staircase when I explored an old neighborhood in Singapore.

(Leica M11-P + Simera 35mm f/1.4)

In the 3rd one, with a much closer framing of the subject. I observed the beautiful light in a back alley one morning and waited for someone to walk through the lighted area. Yet I got an even better reward when the old man opened the door and started doing his thing in and out of the light. Here he was facing the sunlight, using a scissor to fix something at the side of the door.

(Leica M11-P + Simera 35mm f/1.4)

More daily records with the Simera 35mm f/1.4 can be found on https://www.instagram.com/hjchungphotography/

Welcome to post your photographs shot with a Thypoch lens on social media, tag us, and add the hashtag #thypoch or #thypochlens.