Seeing The World Through A Third Eye: My Lifelong Relationship With Photography
Sometimes to see more, we have to see less. One eye shut, the other wanders through the viewfinder, seeking a piece of unadulterated reality. The moment I lose myself and begin pushing the shutter button subconsciously, the 'third eye' awakens.
The third eye is a state of mind. It captures what's real, and as point blank as possible. There's no meddling with the scene. The more detached I am, the more authentic the moment becomes. I'm sure all 'invisible' photographers relate to this.
I first developed a photojournalistic approach on 19 March 2003, when Bush declared war on Iraq, and a huge protest broke loose in Melbourne. I dashed out of my apartment with a Nikon, my first camera, and realised that not only could I capture the emotions of the protestors, but I could also depict the story. Was it angry and defiant, or peaceful and triumphant? It depended on what I chose to see. That blew my mind.
In my work, I aim to create awareness on cultural and environmental matters that are easily overlooked, such as the identity of real Malaysians, the untold origin of Thailand's traditional dance, how whale sharks are manipulated as victims in a lucrative business disguised as ecotourism, and the oppression of the Aborigines in Australia who’s most likely the oldest surviving civilisation today.
If you have a story that you'd like to bring to light, please get in touch with me and my camera.