Featured Photographer - Daniel Cheong

Our next featured photographer is Daniel Cheong who currently lives in Singapore. His work is always inspiring. He lives in a part of the world that we, the Westerners, do not often see, and Daniel has a talent for being in the right spot at the right time. His work is about light, color and shapes, and he's doing a tremendous job with finding great relationships between the three. After you read an interview, please take a minute and visit his photostream to see more of his amazing work.

-- How did your interest in photography started?
I got my first camera when I was 10 (that was back in the early 70's). I've always liked to take photos, mostly when I was on vacation.
I then switched to digital in 1998. But my approach towards photography really changed when I bought my first DSLR and joined flickr in November 2006. From just a hobby it has become almost an addiction now!

-- Why do you do it?
I take photos because I enjoy sharing it with other talented and passionate photographers that makes flickr such a great community. Taking pictures without sharing them does not make sense to me anymore.

-- What are the goals you have that relate to photography?
Mostly trying to capture the beauty of things and places, try to make them even look better by means of post-processing. I really don't mind digitally altering the photo to make it look better.

-- How would you describe your style?
I would say very classic in terms of subject/composition. I mostly take landscape and architecture shots. May be it's because I really enjoy my ultrawide angle lens. I also mostly use HDR (High Dynamic Range) processing which I think is best suitable for the kind of subjects that I photograph. I still have many fields to explore (portraits, macro, abstract).

-- How do you get the inspiration in the creative process?
My inspiration mostly comes from the photographs I see on flickr. And now, wherever I go, I always look around and try to figure out what could be a good subject to photograph.

-- How do you define a successful photograph?
The one that makes me say "I wish I was the one that took it".

-- What is the future for photography?
Very bright I think! I don't think there's a need to go for even more megapixels, specially if we share the photos online. I hope there will be improvement in increasing the dynamic range of the cameras (without having to do it by post processing).

-- What has been the craziest act you did to take a good picture?
Trespassing a private property to shoot inside an abandoned house. Not really crazy though! Waking up one hour before sunrise to take photo is also a very big commitment for me!

-- What has been your favorite location to be at with a camera?
As a big fan of cityscapes and architecture shots, Hong Kong is my favorite location. I did not have the chance to go back there with my DSLR, but will certainly do soon.

-- What’s one location you would love to shoot at?
In a country which is the total opposite (landscape, climate) from where I live now (Singapore), Iceland for instance!

-- What’s your favorite piece of equipment and why?
My current equipment:
- Sony DSLR Alpha 100
- Sigma 18-200mm lens
- Tamron 11-18mm lens

This is my first DSLR, so I cannot really compare with the competition. I am extremely happy with that equipment.
The Super Steady Shot of the Sony Alpha really works well and allows me to benefit of image stabilization without having to pay for very expensive optical stabilized lenses. My favorite lens is the Ultrawide angle (11-18mm). I think that it really gives to the viewer the impression of being immersed in the photo.

-- What are your favorite techniques of processing an image?
I discovered HDR (High Dynamic Range) with flickr. First I was impressed by the surreal look of those HDR photos, due to the tone-mapping process. Now I try to create 'realistic' HDRs, either by using a very soft tone-mapping, or using another technique called Digital Blending. I also enjoy post-processing all my photos with Photoshop, mostly to improve the exposure, light, colors, and sharpness.

-- What are your favorite three images?