ONLY AMANDA
Elaine: Wow, collecting one-cent coins... That’s interesting. What are some of your hobbies?
AMANDA WONG Elaine: Hi Amanda! Thank you so much for this opportunity. For a start, would you like to tell me about yourself?
I hate school.
Amanda: My name is Amanda, 20 this year and currently studying Business Management in Singapore Management University.
Amanda: I collect one-cent coins but they are not with me now, they are with my brother.
I’m really crazy, people say I’m hyperactive, which I possibly am. I’m not someone who cares very much about fashion although I shoot fashion photography, what an irony haha! I do well in school but
Elaine: Haha oh well! So what are some of your collections?
Other than that, maybe what I do is to collect pretty pictures and print them off the net to put into my inspiration book. I also collect vintage or film cameras. Ah, not forgetting my collection of cookie monster toys too.
Amanda: I like photography, fashion, creating art (drawing or painting), inspiring myself, taking time off alone, doing really crazy things - quite the daredevil actually. I also like exercising and playing the piano. Elaine: Since you play the piano, what genre of music do you like then? Amanda: I like R&B (good beats), classical music and piano pieces. Elaine: So you mentioned that you
like exercising. What are some of your former CCAs? Amanda: I was in track and field, basketball, badminton, table tennis and dance. Elaine: What about playing the piano? When did you start learning how to play the piano? Amanda: I started when I was around eight or nine years old, I can’t remember. I stopped learning last year or the year before... I can’t really remember too. I stopped at grade eight and I enjoy playing classical romantic and jazz pieces. I don’t really like baroque and bach kind of songs.
THE PHOTOGRAPHER. DANCER. PIANIST.
A PASSION IN MUSIC.
“Photography makes up my entire being.” - Amanda
Elaine: Ah, I see. So, back to photography. When do you start having a passion for photography?
then my life was a total downhill but I knew I still loved photography, so I decided to make it into something bigger for myself.
Amanda: I started shooting nonsense since my first digital camera when I was fourteen. I got my first DSLR in 2008 when I was eighteen but I shot nonsense too. I only started professionally in May this year (2011).
Elaine: Why do you love photography?
Elaine: What made you started venturing into photography? Amanda: If you are talking about professionally (fashion), then it was because I wanted a change in direction of my life. I used to shoot tumblr-like photos, but
Amanda: Passion. It’s very subjective, and through photography I am able to create beautiful images which speaks to people. It’s an outlet for me. Photography makes up my entire being. Elaine: In which area of photography do you like best? Amanda: I love expressive fash-
ion photography, maybe a little more tumblr-like. Elaine: So being a photographer yourself, surely you must have had your inspiration from somewhere. Who inspires you the most? Amanda: I am very much inspired by Nirrimi Hakanson. She’s the mother of expresive fashion photography. She is also young (19 this year) and has acheived so much. It makes me really want to work hard and get myself out there.
Elaine: Have you won in any competitions before using the photos you have taken? Amanda: Well, I haven’t really taken part in any competition except the open category one by Noise Singapore just last year end! I didn’t really win it but had a couple of my photos featured at the showcase exhibition (both in print and on the electronic displays) at ION. Elaine: Oh wow, that’s fabulous! You must be really happy. Last but not least, how do you see yourself in the future with this photography freelance job you are doing?
Amanda: Yes, I am! It is a dream for me to be published in a print magazine and to travel around the world to take photos. My next stop is probably Australia and I can’t wait! I know that photographers can’t really sustain in the Singapore scene so I’ll move out as soon as I graduate from university. Elaine: Alright, thank you for your time, Amanda. I appreciate it a lot. Best of luck in your photography career and I look forward to speak with you again! Amanda: Thank you so much.
ONLY AMANDA
CREDITS MODEL
AMANDA WONG
PHOTOGRAPHER
ELAINE OH
EVERYTHING ELSE
ELAINE OH
JANUARY 2013