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Personal Information

Thypoch: What is your profession? Where do you live?

Hongjing Chung: I am from Singapore and work in the field of R&D planning.

Thypoch: When did you get your first camera? What attracted you to photography?

Hongjing Chung: I started taking pictures in my teens, mainly capturing moments of family life. After completing my undergraduate degree, I traveled around Europe with a film camera in my backpack, creating many wonderful memories. However, the busy work life forced me to put down my camera. Time silently passed amid the hustle and bustle of work, but one day, on a trip away from the daily hustle and bustle, I rediscovered my love for photography. The weight of the camera in my hand felt like a sense of homecoming, and in that moment, with clarity penetrating time, I realized the truth: photography is not just a hobby; it is a passion, a flame that refuses to be extinguished.

Thypoch: What is your secret to capturing impressive photos?

 Hongjing Chung: For me, the interplay of light and shadow is the essence of photography, transforming a two-dimensional plane into a world filled with depth and emotion. But light is just the first stroke. It is the harmonious interaction with interesting subjects, colors, and patterns that truly makes the photo come alive. This exquisite interaction fascinates me; it is a symphony of visual elements that touches the soul.

The Story with Thypoch

Thypoch: Why did you choose Thypoch? Is there a story you can share with us?

Hongjing Chung: I first learned about Thypoch's lenses through a YouTube channel, and later it was recommended by Singapore Rice Balls. The more I read, the more interested I became in Thypoch lenses. In fact, I was choosing my first lens for a newly bought Leica camera. Once I felt the quality of the lens in my hands, I decisively chose the Thypoch 35mm f1.4 (also because my 28mm lens was unavailable at the time, which is the focal length I am used to when using the Leica Q).

Thypoch: When do you take the Thypoch lens with you?

Hongjing Chung: I use it every weekend when I go out for half-day photography walks, exploring different areas of Singapore. It really calms me down and allows me to enjoy a very slow-paced weekend life.

Thypoch: What is your overall impression of the Thypoch lens?

Hongjing Chung: The lens quality is top-notch, the weight and size are perfect, and the focus ring is smooth as butter.

Thypoch: What are your expectations for Thypoch in the future?

Hongjing Chung: Yes, I hope that Thypoch's business can thrive in the coming years (I believe that with their quality products, Thypoch can achieve this), and launch more lens options in the next two years, such as the 50mm f1.4, as well as the f2 series for the 35mm and 28mm. Perhaps one other option to consider is the M43 lens; I think it has a lot of potential, especially for compact high-quality prime lenses (and I am currently using an M43 camera as well).

Thypoch: Can you provide three of your favorite Thy-photos and explain why?

Hongjing Chung: My choices here are indeed what I have been looking for every time I press the shutter. It's always about the interplay of light and shadow, subjects, colors, patterns, and so on. For me, the first photo was actually a bit tricky. I stood at a distance and noticed the scene across the canal, with the light spots reflected on the water surface and in the shadows. I knew I had to crop the photo because 35mm would be too wide, but I wasn’t sure if the cropped scene would still be effective. I waited for a while, looking for a subject with stronger contrast; in this case, a woman in a pink shirt and hat walked through that little light spot. This is definitely one of my favorite photos taken with the Simera 35mm.

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

In the second photo, I was again drawn to the warm light of different shapes. This photo was taken from the stairs while I was exploring an old neighborhood in Singapore.

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

In the third photo, the composition of the subject is closer. I observed the beautiful light in the alley one morning, waiting for someone to walk through the lit area. But when an elderly man opened the door and moved back and forth in the light beam, I got a better return. At that moment, he was facing the sunlight, using scissors to trim something at the edge of the door.

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

More everyday recordings using the Simera 35mm f/1.4 can be found at https://www.instagram.com/hjchungphotography/.

Feel free to share your photos taken with Thypoch lenses on social media, @ us, and add the tags #thypoch or #thypochlens.