This is the second installment of my three-part Aspire > Perspire > Inspire Blog series – Perspire!
After you have that qualified, doable Dream (Aspire), you must now get out of bed and put your two feet firmly on the cold ground and get to work! To transform Your lofty dream into Your Reality – Perspire!
From the standpoint of photography, I shot, shot, shot and shot some more.
Until my photographic style emerged.
I photographed everyone and everything.
The following are some samples of my wide-ranging photography subjects. Hint: none are rock star subjects.
I see beauty in street scenes, in mundane things, in interesting objects.
Keep that camera busy.
I tell my kids, when in doubt along the Road of Life, always choose the Higher Road.
It may be tougher and sweatier but it’s much better than going downwards. The view at the Summit is spectacular, the air is cleaner, it’s more serene, and there is lesser crowd.
Plus you are now amongst like-minded Finishers.
You are the Master of the Camera, not the other way around. It awaits your command and adventure!
“Life is a Journey, may your Mind be alert, your Camera ready.” (above image).
See the Beauty in what’s in front of you.
Shoot What’s In Your Heart. Not What You Think Others Want To See.
When you see something compelling, pick up your camera or iPhone, and capture the Moment.
They say the best camera is the one in your pocket!
The moment’s more fleeting than you may think.
You snooze, you lose!
My watchword is PONDER. I think and wait for the right moment, then I pick up my camera (above image). In the meantime, I’m soaking in the soundcheck moment. Picture shot by concert organiser.
New York Subway (above image).
Scene at Concert Venue (above image).
The Keys To The Kingdom (above image).
The Iconic Flatiron Building, New York City (above image).
Bob Dylan in Subway Train (above image).
Self-Portrait (above image).
CD Shelf at CD Shop (above image).
Calm Before The Storm (above image).
Journey Towards The Light (above image).
Heavy Metal (above image).
Wooden Pegs at Popular Restaurant – A (above image).
Wooden Pegs at Popular Restaurant – B (above image).
Vinyl Records (above image). Can you smell the old and wise record sleeves?
Sonic Monolith (above image).
Exit Strategy (above image). Image working title: “The Extremely Long Queue For The Restrooms.”
Closure Of The Last HMV Store In Singapore (above image).
Tribal Frenzy (above image).
Steel Jungle Undergrowth (above image).
Flight Cases (above image).
The Devil’s Tower, Wyoming, USA (above image).
Feeling The Glory (above image).
1,500 Drones – Day (above image).
1,500 Drones – Night (above image).
Below are some Fruits Of Your Labours if you keep at it.
When you keep on keeping on, at some point along your Creative Journey, you will see some flowers blossoming, some encouragement, some “pats on the backs” coming your way.
Keep Going, Do Not Stop.
It’s just a Sign, not your Finishing Line.
Malcolm Gladwell in his “Outliers” book exhorts that after 10,00 hours at persistently honing your Craft, you should be a genius or at least be an expert. I say keep going, aim for 100,000 hours!
There is No finishing line if you are enjoying yourself. Who knows, it may keep you Young.
You may have discovered YOUR Fountain of Youth.
When you are doing something Creative, it’s a God-given Gift. Keep going forward.
Age is not a consideration in the world of Creativity. I take my cues from my rock heroes – Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Blondie, Beach Boys, Kitaro, Buddy Guy, Bruce Springsteen, Alice Cooper, Joe Elliott, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Sir Cliff Richard, etc.
Soon, your Works will be Noticed by “Others”. Young and old admirers, amateurs and professional photographers, gallery owners, media agencies – from at home and from around the world!
Canon Advertisement (above image).
Me at the 2006 Lucie Awards (the Oscars of Photography) Ceremony in New York City (above image). My date was none other than May Pang of John Lennon Lost Weekend fame. I had won the first, second and third prize the the Non-Pro Music category.
May Pang is an ardent and talented photographer in her own right, with solo photo exhibitions and also being guest-of-honour at Beatles festivals all over the world.
Canon Trophy (above image).
Hard Rock Cafe Trophy (above image).
Write-Up in Leading Local Newspaper (above image).
I like the poignant heading “Life!’ just above my head.
Front Page Write-Up in Business Times (above image). Before taking the off-ramp (at 44 years old) into the exhilarating World of Rock Photography, I was a corporate head honcho in the business world.
I was interviewed by Business Times on numerous occasions on my views on upcoming business trends and industry updates.
My Beach Boys CD Cover in HMV (above image).
“May You Find Your One Thing!” (above image).
As per my Alma Mater, St. Andrew’s School motto – “UP AND ON!”
