Interview with the Thy-Photographer: Wilfred Wong from Singapore

Editor Note:

This is the second interview we made with our users, which we call Thy-Photographer. Wilfred Wong comes from Singapore, and his captivating street photography and heartwarming family snapshots are what drew us to him. To our surprise, he owns both Simera 35mm & 28mm f/1.4 lenses considering we've only released three manual focus lenses thus far. If you're curious about an amateur photographer's  story, dive into this interview for some inspiration.

Personal Information

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

Wilfred Wong: I'm a manager in a company carrying out drainage works, currently based in Singapore.

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

Wilfred Wong: I got my first camera in my early 20s (I'm almost 40 now). I am attracted specifically to the genre of street photography. There is something addictive about it as I wander the streets trying to capture that elusive shot. While I may not often succeed, that one keeper makes it worth the effort.

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

Wilfred Wong: Persistence and patience. I have my camera with me daily. You never know when there might be an interesting subject or great light – as long as you have your camera with you, there might be a chance you would be able to create a good or even great shot.  

Story with Thypoch

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

Wilfred Wong: I've always felt that photography should be accessible to everyone. That being said, the prices of certain brands might put them out of reach for most people. The fact that Thypoch is creating lenses with great optics coupled with a solid built quality should be celebrated – competition amongst companies is always a good thing in my opinion.

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

Wilfred Wong: I usually have my Thypochs mounted on either a Leica M11 or adapted to a Nikon ZF. When I'm out on the streets, I prefer a 28mm focal length. For capturing quieter family moments I find that the 35mm Simera works well for me.

Thypoch: What's your overall impression of the Thypoch lens(es)?

Wilfred Wong: I've been very much impressed with both the handling and image quality of Thypoch lenses. The built quality is fantastic (I own both the 28mm and 35mm Simera) and the image quality is fantastic. I dare say they are slightly sharper than the Zeiss Biogons that I use as well.

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

Wilfred Wong: I would love to see smaller 28/35mm lenses in the shape of Leica's Summicrons.

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

 Guy on skateboard

Simera 28mm f/1.4 + Leica M11

Wilfred Wong: Street photography for me is always about finding and capturing unexpected scenes. I mean - how often does one come across an amputee on a skateboard? The other gentleman behind wearing a tee shirt that reads "subjected to a beating" adds further intrigue to the scene. 

Chinese Opera

Simera 35mm f/1.4 + Leica M11

Wilfred Wong: I've always been interested in capturing Chinese Opera scenes, especially now that this is a dying art in Singapore. The lights, costumes and colors always add a sense of drama that the Simera captures perfectly. 

Pigeons / Church

Simera 28mm f/1.4 + Nikon Zf

Wilfred Wong: Silhouettes of birds. Cliched? But I guess this works, especially against the background of the church. 

More daily records with the Simera 35mm f/1.4 and Simera 28mm f/1.4 can be found on https://www.instagram.com/merely_ok/

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