Soon Tong is one of the leading visual artists in the world. His craft: experimental photography that captures "sublime images of liquids frozen in a fleeting moment.” His Aquatic series caught the attention of our readers and we asked him for a few short answers to some of your more pressing questions.
FF: Would you tell us a little bit about your style of photography?
Soon: Experimental & innovative. I like to try new shooting methods on varied subjects.
FF: What are you currently working on?
Soon: Underwater Photography
FF: How did you get started in photography?
Soon: My 1st camera is a point & shoot compact camera that I used to shoot animals at the zoo almost every week. After secondary school , my dad encouraged me to take up a basic photography course, where I learned how to process film and print my own photos. That got me really hooked on photography.
FF: What are your favorite cameras (digital and film)?
Soon: My favorite film camera is the Nikon F90 which I still have . What I love about it is that I can use different film stock in it to give me very different effects. ( B/W, infrared red, colour slides, etc )
Digital will have to be Phaseone system and the DSLR for hi speed motor drive actions
FF: What inspires your work?
Soon: Interesting images that I come across or interesting articles read. These inspire me to come up with my own concepts. Its really exciting when I get something different and interesting out of it.
FF: What inspired you to make liquid photography your signature and where did it start?
Soon: I was working on a series of liquid images and I was experimenting with the dynamics of impact on liquid. I was most fascinated with the interesting shapes that liquid form. It's a bit like film where you
never really know what to expect until it's be processed , in this case after it's been shot.
FF: How important are touch-up programs like Photoshop in your final product?
Soon: Photoshop is essential to achieve a conceptual look that the client require. For example forming a word make up of liquid.
FF: Who are your favorite photographers and why?
Soon: Steven Meisel and Paolo Roversi for their lighting techniques, and the connection they make with their subjects.
FF: What do you do when you are not behind the camera?
Soon: I'm always keen to learn something new. Recently I took up salsa dancing which thoroughly enjoy. Next on my list is horseback riding.
FF: Any tips you could share about macro photography?
Soon: A good sharp lens is key, especially when shooting close up (i.e. jewelry)
Soon: Cheers!
Links to Soon's work:
Filter Foundry Pad: /SoonTong/
Official Website: http://www.calibrepics.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Soon-Tong/131030140306221