Preview: Five highlights at photography exhibition, 'Connection'

Shooting Home taught me to manage expectations and work under pressure. I constantly reminded myself that I didn’t have to prove myself to anyone as I wasn’t there to impress. I was there to learn.

Since graduating from Shooting Home I have been working on two long-term documentary projects. One is on maternal and neo-natal mortality in Cambodia, and the other looks at urban poverty in Singapore through a working class family and a community of dancers.

This image was taken outside a one-room family home. The subject’s family were spring-cleaning their house, so all of their belongings were shifted outside to the lift landing. There is an air of defiance in the way the subject blows the smoke and in his posture. He tends to portray himself as a strong character, but this image reminds me of moments where I’ve seen him all tender, soft and broken-hearted. That’s the beauty of long-term stories – you get to photograph another side to the story.

Shooting Home taught me how not to approach a photographic subject with preconceived opinions. When shooting a project, have an open mind and let the subject guide you.

Since graduating from Shooting Home I haven’t done as much photography as I would have liked – work has been busy and we just welcomed our first baby daughter into our family. Whatever free time I get with my camera, I spend it exploring the streets of Indonesia, as they have offered plenty of insights into life in this beautiful country.

This image was taken last year at Kembang Jepun in Surabaya. Dusk was fading into night, and I had finished my exploration of the historic Chinatown. I was heading towards the main road to hail a cab when I heard the sounds of children’s laughter. These four kids were playing just a few metres away from me. To me, this photo shows the best part of childhood: the carefree joy of simply being children.

Shooting Home taught me that by repeatedly examining a subject, new and sometimes surprising insights can be found. Do you think you have really seen it? Look again.

Since graduating from Shooting Home I have continued to produce art based on the results of use and wear and tear, and the unintentional beauty of everyday objects. I have also had my work shown at the Affordable Art Fair and installed in a prominent local hotel.

This image was taken in a car park along Joo Chiat Road. It shows the side of a truck depicting the results of ‘connections’ it makes every day. What I love about this one is the sense of other worlds that it gives me.

Shooting Home taught me to trust your own heart and question your mentors as much as you question yourself.

Since graduating from Shooting Home I have relocated to Tokyo. I’m a resident artist at Youkobo Art Space and I’ve been working on my book, titled No Purpose.

This image was taken at a friend’s son’s bedroom, [like the rest of the photos from this series]. This one is of Godzilla as it celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

Shooting Home taught me how to rethink the way I translate certain ideas into a tangible visual narrative.

Since graduating from Shooting Home I left my full-time job to focus on my photography. One highlight was the opportunity to collaborate with local fashion designer Ong Shunmugam on her FW13/14 collection, which was exhibited in the National Museum as part of the Singapore Heritage Festival.

This image is a representation of how we can feel displaced wherever we may be. The phrase ‘We’re not nocturnal, we just don’t belong here’ was conceived based on the thoughts that keep us up at night – like wondering if we truly belong where we are now. The signs were created by 3D artist Nikolas Ardeley, who loved the idea of how this work aims to metaphysically question one’s existence.