Paul+Chong

“Light and subject are inseparable. But when they are well integrated， they become a fine masterpiece.”—Paul Chong

光影與主體是不可分割的，只有當這些元素一切完美和諧時，他們才能煥發(fā)出大師之光?！狿aul Chong

Paul Chong是位來自馬來西亞的攝影師，從2001年開始至今從事攝影已有十五年了。他喜歡并且善于通過攝影來傳遞生活以及生命的美感，他與攝影的結(jié)緣開始于他大學時為自己購買的一臺祿來相機，那是他人生中的第一臺相機。從小學習繪畫的他，一直鐘愛藝術(shù)。馬來西亞美麗的田間風光，以及多年來世界各地的游歷經(jīng)歷，為Paul的攝影創(chuàng)作提供了堅實的基礎(chǔ)和巨大的空間。這位年輕的攝影師，不僅在國內(nèi)外獲得過諸多攝影大獎，也曾在美國洛杉磯，中國上海、成都，以及他的家鄉(xiāng)舉辦過多次個人攝影作品展。

Early Inspiration and Journey

For me， photography is a representation medium in which a photographer perceives the world. It is also a medium that often carries more meaning than what we can see in a picture. It is an idea which I like to call it，“capturing feelings”. I have been shooting for almost 15 years now since 2000. It all started with the very first compact camera that I first bought for myself. At the first place， I believe that most of my inspiration in taking photograph came from my interest in painting at the very early stage of my life when I was 12 years old. I used to painting a lot of watercolor landscape scenery back then.But now with photography， the amount of time in creation has tremendously saved a lot of my time in creating art. Not only that， photography has offered me more freedom than I ever had in capturing and expressing my adventure when I travel. With just a camera and tripod， I can go anywhere at any time and be ready to create photograph.

早期創(chuàng)作靈感與奇異旅程

對于我來說，攝影是一種攝影師用來感知世界的表現(xiàn)媒介。它也會帶來比我們所看到的照片所傳達的更多的意義。如果有一個創(chuàng)意在腦海里浮現(xiàn)，那么我把這個過程叫“捕獲靈感”。從2000年起，我從事攝影已經(jīng)15年了。這一切開始于我為自己購買的第一臺袖珍相機。首先，我覺得我的大部分的攝影靈感來源于我從小對于繪畫的興趣，當時我12歲。我經(jīng)常畫一些水彩的風景畫。但是現(xiàn)在，攝影創(chuàng)作占用了我大量的時間。不僅如此，每當我旅行時，攝影也為我提供了更多的自由去表達我的經(jīng)歷。帶著一臺相機和一個三腳架，不論何時何地，我都準備進行攝影創(chuàng)作。

I came to love photography more as my regular “companion” when I was in my university attending one of my photography classes. Back then， the digital world wasnt as advanced as it is today. We all as student have to learn the fundamental technique in understanding the using of film. Like many others， I have learned my craft to use my camera by starting with various subjects. Covering landscape， people， architecture and day-to-dayproject. Event until today， I am still learning and there are always new things to learn. Looking back， all those years of experiences have taught me many great lessons in my growth and advancement as a photographer. After all， we are all student of photography.

我開始愛上攝影并把它當做我的一個朋友，是在我大學參加一個攝影課程時。那時，數(shù)碼攝影不像今天這樣有優(yōu)勢。我們需要學習使用膠片的基本技術(shù)。像其他人那樣，傳統(tǒng)拍攝技法教會了我開始利用拍攝的多樣性來拍攝主體。包括風景、人物、建筑和日常生活。甚至到今天，我一直在學習新的事物?；厥自?jīng)，那些年的經(jīng)歷對于我攝影道路上的成長和成就，教會我很多。畢竟，我們都是一群學習攝影的學生。

Another inspiration that makes me fell in love with photography is my appreciation of the great outdoors. Imagine the freedom and joy of exploring the unknown and discovering new places. This opportunity was given to me about 10 years ago when I first venture into the countryside along with my backpack and camera. Travelling on foot and seeing interesting places. I believe this is another one of my turning point in my photographic endeavor. Up until today， the outdoor has been a great source of life and big influence in my creativity as a landscape photographer. One of my aspirations with the nature is to be able to capture the width and breathe of the vast landscape out there. Feeling the sense of awe， surprise and marvel at the wonders of nature.And also is one of my dreams to be able to share with the worlds audience through photos.

另一個鼓舞我迷上攝影的原因是我本人對于戶外的喜愛。一想到去探索和發(fā)現(xiàn)那些未知的新地方我就覺得非常愉快和自由。十年前我背著一個背包和一臺相機開始了我第一次的冒險。那次旅行全部靠步行，但是沿途卻看到了很多很有趣的地方。我覺得那次是我攝影道路上的又一個轉(zhuǎn)折點。直到今天，戶外旅行一直是我生活中很重要的一部分，并且影響著我的攝影創(chuàng)作。對于大自然我一直渴望著去捕捉野外的美景，感受大地的呼吸。去感受一種敬畏，領(lǐng)略一種大自然的奇異之觀。然而，我的一個夢想就是希望通過照片與世界各地的觀眾分享我的經(jīng)歷和感受。

A Story Teller

Every single piece of photo taken is like workingwith individual painting from a blank canvas. When creating art， the process can never be rush. Since every single composition requires time， dedication and understanding of the subject. On any given trip， I like to stay on location either by camping or stayingin a nearby accommodation. This would ensure me plenty of times to explore while allowing myself to be immersed with the surrounding environment. Also letting all my senses to get a feel of the place. Taking the necessary time to search for the right subject， composition and lighting. I believe that each photographis to be carefully studied and marked with interesting meaning.

講故事的人

每一張照片的角度就像是從一幅空白畫布上誕生的作品。當進行藝術(shù)創(chuàng)作時，時間總是如白駒過隙般飛快。每一件作品創(chuàng)作都需要時間，以及忘我的投入，還有對于表達主題的深刻理解。每一次創(chuàng)作過程，我都喜歡一個人露營或者呆在附近的一所住處。這樣安靜的世界能夠給我更多的時間和空間去進行探索，并且使我完全沉浸在周圍的環(huán)境中。也能夠使我更好地捕捉這個地方的感覺。為了尋找一個最合適的主體、素材和燈光，找準時機非常關(guān)鍵。我相信每一位攝影師都應(yīng)該認真地學習和記錄那些具有意義的時刻。

Even though a picture can tell you a thousand words， but I would like to add that； a series of picture puts together could tell you immeasurable exciting story. Many times， I preferred to create photos by theme with sets of story line. In addition， also crafting interesting poem and writing song to go along with the story. By giving a touch of poetic to connect both viewer and the photograph. I like a quote by Ansel Adams， which goes something like this；“There are always two people in every picture： the photographer and the viewer.”

即使一張照片可以表達千言萬語，但我喜歡去添加一些東西；一系列的照片放在一起會為你講述許許多多精彩的故事。很多時候，我寧愿為照片去設(shè)定一個故事的主題。另外，也會為這段故事做一首有趣的小詩，或者譜一首歌曲。通過這些詩歌將觀眾和攝影作品之間的距離拉近。我喜歡引用安塞·伊士頓·亞當斯的一段話：“一張照片中總有兩個人：攝影師和觀眾?！?/p>

The only distance is between the viewers eyes and the photograph. How you tell the story through your pictures is vital. This is a scenario where photography becomes part of the story. Thus， the word “photography” no longer is what we think it is. From this point， we have to see ourselves as an author rather than just a photographer.

觀眾的眼睛和照片之間存在一段距離。你如何通過你的照片去講述故事才能生動，這種敘述劇情成為照片的一部分，那么“攝影”一詞將不再是我們所認為的那個樣子。因此，我們應(yīng)該將我們看作是一位作者，而不僅僅是一個攝影師。

Reaching To The Unknown Places

One of the many challenges as landscape photographer is finding the unknown places. These are the new location where most photographer and traveler have not been to. In order to get there， they often require additional effort and some homework to do on our part. There are in fact， many of these places that is still waiting for us to explore. From my very own personal experience and knowledge， the resources are out there. It demanded that you only have to dig a little deeper in order to find them.

發(fā)現(xiàn)未知的世界

作為一位風光攝影師，眾多挑戰(zhàn)中的其中一個就是發(fā)現(xiàn)未知的地方。那些新的地方也許很多攝影師和游客還未曾去過。為了到達這些新地方，他們經(jīng)常需要付出更多的努力以及做足準備。事實上，很多這種地方一直在等待著我們?nèi)グl(fā)現(xiàn)。依據(jù)我的個人經(jīng)驗和了解，那里擁有很多想象不到的攝影資源，需要你一步步地去深挖，發(fā)現(xiàn)它們。

On one of my trip， I was travelling through a small village with the intention to hike up a mountain where most tourists were talking about. But instead of taking the hike while during my stay， I came to inquire of a local farmer， who later took me through the back mountain for a better experience. Instead of heading to the tourist packed destination， I was on a track along the old Ancient Tea Horse Road where not many people have traveled. There were no forms of vehicle or transportation to reach there but only by riding on horseback. The whole trip was just two of us. We passed through the great valley covered in knee high of snow with amazing panoramic view beyond. It turns out to be one amazing experience.

一次旅行中，我穿過一座小村莊只為爬上一座很多旅行者提及的大山。中途我向當?shù)氐囊晃晦r(nóng)民詢問，他后來帶著我從后山走，從而感受不一樣的風景。于是我并沒有像其他人那樣去一處旅游目的地，而是一路沿著古老的茶馬古道前行，那里幾乎沒有人們走過。除了騎馬之外，沒有交通工具可以到達那里。整段旅程只有我們兩個人。我們穿過大山谷，那里覆蓋著可以沒過膝蓋的積雪，可以飽覽美麗的景色。那次體驗成為了一段神奇之旅。

As a landscape photographer， possessing the knowledge of technique in camera and gear is never adequate enough. Since most of my time taking picture is spend outdoor， many other forms of skills are also essential to master. Travelling outdoor requires additional sets of skill to know how the nature works. And also learning to adapt with the nature in a more friendly and effective way.

作為一位風光攝影師，攝影技術(shù)、工具層面的知識積累永遠是不夠的。我將自己大部分的時間用來在戶外拍照，掌握很多其他方面的技能也是必不可少的。戶外旅行要求我掌握更多的技能進行野外作業(yè)，這也促使我更好更有效地適應(yīng)自然。

On Location Shoot

Another challenge for shooting outdoor is the need for a little blessing sometime. Because I never know how exactly a trip would turn out to be. Talking about the long journey and weather which is something that is often out of my control. All I could hope for is to prepare for the unexpected. I was in North UK during one summer while visiting the coastal landscape at Holyhead. The day was getting dark in the evening as I was heading to see the sunset of a nearby lighthouse. Little did I know that it has been cloudy and raining for the past few days. Theres a big possibility that the sun will not be visible. None the less， I went and the hike took me about 2 hours by foot. It was a long walk and physically tired after few days of travelling. Upon arrival， and to my amazed. The setting sun was magnificently radiant at the backdrop of the light house. With vast ocean leading towards the horizon. This is one of my most memorial trips that I had ever encountered. I guest sometimes we just dont really know how things might change until we are there. But as an outdoor photographer， it demanded great faith.

外景拍攝

戶外攝影的另一項挑戰(zhàn)是有時候需要一點小小的幸運。因為我無法得知旅行中所有外在因素都是否能夠成就我所要創(chuàng)作的作品。談到長途旅行，天氣原因總是使得攝影超出我的控制。我只寄托于自己能夠準備充足。一年夏天我在英國北部的荷利赫德欣賞美麗的海岸風光。趁著傍晚夜幕漸漸降臨，我打算去附近的燈塔看落日。我知道過去的幾天這里都是烏云密布，陰雨連綿，也許今天之后再看見這樣的落日也是不可能的。但我依然出去徒步了2個小時。那是一段很漫長的徒步，加上這些天的旅途，我的身體已經(jīng)感到非常疲累。剛到，令我震驚的是，落日在燈塔的背面形成一個壯麗的光點，然后漸漸消失在巨大的海平面。這是我所遇到的最記憶深刻的旅行。我想很多時候我們都無法預(yù)知事情到底會如何變化直到這一切發(fā)生。但是作為一名戶外攝影師，攝影便是一種像是信仰的東西，令你無法抗拒。

During one time while I was in Inner Mongolia， it was late in the autumn and I was intending to capture the changing colors of the leaf. This is another incident where the weather also changed dramatically. From a bright， warm and sunny day， the next day is just pouring of heavy snow. Wet and cold， but I took the opportunity to go out in the snow. To my surprise， the scene that turned out to be amazingly interesting especially with the snow effect. Something I have never envisioned before. It was a breath taking yet exceptional experience that I would never forget.

有一年晚秋在中國內(nèi)蒙古，我打算去捕捉落葉的變化。另外發(fā)生了一段小插曲，那里的天氣發(fā)生了戲劇性的變化。前一天還是陽光明媚，溫暖和煦，第二天就突然下起了鵝毛大雪。雖然陰冷潮濕，我還是不肯放過這次機會出門了。令我感到驚訝的是，下過大雪的這里景象完全改變，十分有趣美麗。在這之前我從未想象過眼前的那片景象，令我終身難忘。

After all， the art of photography have changed the way I look at the world. It has opened a new way for me to express and to record some of the most exciting journey as a photographer. It is also a medium to which I could share with the world the beauty and wonders that we cant see in a city. Yet， it is a tool that invite us to go out and to discover the treasure out there. As artist paint with brush， I would like to add， photographer paint with light.

最后，攝影藝術(shù)改變了我看待世界的方式。它為我打開了一條新的道路，使我表達和記錄那些最令人興奮的旅程。它也是一種媒介，讓我與世界分享那些在城市中不能看到的美景和奇觀。而且，它也是一種工具，促使我們走出去發(fā)現(xiàn)那些外面的寶藏。作為一位拿著畫筆的藝術(shù)家，我想補充一點，攝影師是一位用光影去繪畫的畫家。