Photographic Journey leading up to now

The following is an excerpt from my life and in particular, my journey to becoming a photographer.

My passion for photography began when I was just a child living in Malaysia. I had a Kodak Cameo that my parents bought for me. Many years later, and after borrowing many of my parents cameras, I purchased a Canon IXUS V2. I had a lot of fun with this camera, even though it was far from being a manual SLR. I was still able to gain an understanding of shutter speeds, ISO and also play with photo composition. During the later months of 2005, I purchased a Canon 350D so I could photograph my cousins wedding. Since then I have acquired a Pentax ME Super 35mm camera, and an old Minolta with a whole lot of dark room equipment and lenses. Nikon Digital SLRs have also fallen within my grasp while I was working at Locksmith Supply Company aka LSC photographing their various products for the better half of 2007.

I studied at Mercedes College and finished in 1998 and then proceeded to spend many a day practicing my computer skills which would potentially be a career path for me. After studying Information Technology at Adelaide TAFE for 3 years, I needed to learn more. I then went to study a 2 year Diploma of Multimedia at Prides Business college before they went into liquidation. Torrens Valley TAFE brought on board all the stragglers with half finished diplomas and we were given the opportunity to complete our Diplomas at the end of 2005. The feeling to learn more and more took over, so I enrolled into Animation and Interactive Media at Melbournes RMIT. I failed the first enrollment. Whilst I was waiting to enrol for the second time around, I studied Photography at the CCP. I applied for RMIT the second time round and I got in. 2007 was the beginning of my life in the big smoke. Melbourne. I studied what most kids watch on ABC after school. It was great. I lasted 6 months at RMIT. Photography called out to me.

My first "real" job was delivering Pizzas for Pizza hut. Before that, I attempted door to door sales (2 days) and car washing (1 day). I applied for a position at Telstra Bigpond Internet and as I was studying Information Technology and they were just happening to looking for people with computer knowledge, the job was given to me. I was in the call centre telling people how much they owed Telstra. I then gained employment at Optus Mobile Billing before moving to a Westpac Call centre. From there, I moved to a mortgage processing position. My next place of employment was Adelaide Bank before working at Australia Post. In Melbourne, I got my first photography job at the Lock Smith Supply company followed by regular event work on the weekends, and also a job assisting a photographer with school photographs. After moving back to Adelaide in 2007, I worked as a casual laborer. Working behind a desk was not an option for me so I didn't bother to apply for any. I did such jobs as moving furniture, shovelling fertilizer around and even sorting plastic stuff at a plastics factory.

I completed a Small Business Management course through NEIS run by Mission Australia and began Benjamin Liew Photography in May 2008. I also became actively involved with the AIPP and entering into photographic competitions. After winning a few awards in both state and national competitions and also making the Finalist in an international competition, I believe that I am becoming a better photographer and providing a high quality service.

It's been a roller coaster ride to get here but it is far from over. Every day something new happens. A new project arises, a challenge is put in front of me.

Bring it on!!!

-Benjamin Liew

SAPPAs 2008 II

I finally got the prints back from Studio 177 and the final results for the prints. The above photo's both received Silver with Distinctions. 87 for the tree roots and 85 for the dog silhouette.

Here are a couple of stories about the background of these photographs.

Tree Roots

Mt Kinabalu is South East Asia's fourth tallest mountain and the 20hh tallest in the world at 4101 metres above sea level. The highest peak is ironically called Lows Peak. The ascent can take anywhere up to 14 hours split into two separate climbs and spans over two days. Descending can take around 6 hours or so.

In order to scale Mt Kinabalu, climbers must choose which route to take. One can either ascend the front and descend back down the same way, or they may choose to climb the back and go back down the normal quick way which is the front. Jaime and I decided on the latter. The back trail is called the Masilau trail and is a couple of kilometers longer than the normal trail but is more scenic and not quite as steep. The image you see of the tree roots was taken on this very trail. It was the only section between the Masilau Resort and where it meets the normal trail that had such an amazing natural occurrence such as this. Heavy rains have washed away the dirt to reveal what hides beneath.

Dog Silhouette

The Tip of Borneo (aka Simpang Mengayau to the locals) is the northernmost point of Borneo. It is located near to Kudat which is a 3 hour drive north of Kota Kinabalu (KK).

In order to take this photograph, I had to clamber down the sandstone rock face to the rocks and the waves smashing against them below. Initially I planned on getting some scenic photographs of the amazing rock formations... that was until a stray dog came wandering along.

I have had experiences in the past where stray dogs have chased after me. Perhaps I look like a good meal to them, so my first reaction to this dog descending the rocks towards me were similar to the reaction one would have of a wild animal approaching them during feeding time.

It wasn't until after this photograph was taken that the initial feelings of threat disappeared. The aura that this animal had was much like that of a humble old man living out his final years in peace. He simply walked down the rocks near where I was standing and watching him. He just stood there and surveyed the area around, looking towards the sea as if looking for something, waiting for somebody or longing after a lost love. After a few minutes he slowly walked back up the way he came and back to wherever he lays his head and calls his home.

-Ben