A thousand words captured
Published:Sunday | March 23, 2014 | 12:00 AM
Krysta Anderson, Gleaner Writer
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and nothing could be truer of the remarkable work of Jamaican photographer Craig Phang Sang.
IIn a world where the high definition of colour seems to reign supreme,
Phang Sang takes his photography to new-found artistic heights by
depicting his images in classic black and
white.
"Where many see colour, I somehow
cultivate a way to see the same thing in black and white, complete with
all the greys in between, often anticipating the movement of people and
things in a world where textures, light, emotion and their energy
meet."
His passion for fine-art photography took a
journey through the realm of film before arriving at the exhilarating
destination of stills. "I returned to Jamaica in 1980 to open a studio
-Video Max Production, designed to produce radio and video programmes,"
he told
Outlook.
Creativity
After
10 years, he decided to work independently in film productions. Then he
saw that there was a greater demand for supplies within the film
industry, and became a dealer for Sony Recording media, providing Sony
professional equipment, selling practically anything that had to do with
broadcasting in a company called Advitek Systems
Limited.
But what was missing from the 'picture' was
creativity - so he went in search of just that. Shooting with a digital
single lens (DSL), he started out pretty close to home, shooting
swimwear catalogues for his wife's company. But creatively, he was still
not satisfied. "I had this love for Jamaica and wanted to capture
aspects of the Jamaican life and culture that were disappearing and
forgotten," he explained. "So I started travelling around
Jamaica."
He would wake up early on weekends, get in
his car, and head in any direction. "I'd take left or right, ending up
in Montego Bay, Port Antonio or on the south coast. When I get there, I
smell, taste, listen and feel. I feel the emotion, and as soon as a
story comes into my mind, it is then that I raise the camera to my eye
and aperture, shutter and ISO fall into place; and then something
awesome emerges on my click," he says.
From historical
landmarks to 'picture perfect' moments with different persons to the
breath-taking beauty of nature, Phang Sang has over time developed a
photographic repertoire of more than 600 images that represents Jamaica.
"For me, photography is about capturing a moment where our minds and
hearts merge to a peak of nostalgia."
In executing his
passion, he wanted to capture each moment from a purely original
perspective of black and white. "I specialise in black and white because
it captures the essence of a subject more than colour would. Black and
white has a more emotional impact since all the colourful distractions are gone.
The key to black and white is watching texture and light and having the
right timing for photographic execution. Sometimes, even I am amazed at
how a picture comes out, and many have pointed out that it is something
they have never seen before," he explained.
This
uniquely refreshing quality in his photography seems to bring each
picture to life, "My work is a culmination of a lot of things, the way
I've lived, what I saw yesterday, what I see in an object or person,
coming together to make that picture. Everything I shoot has a soul of
its own, it's just waiting to be captured like it has never been done
before. Black and white has a soul and feel which either inspires or
keeps a triggered memory for years to come."
The
response to his work has been phenomenal. He was honoured when Father Ho
Lung asked him to accompany him to Uganda and Kenya, to follow him on
his life's journey, which he plans to do more of this year. After
refurbishing, F&B Downtown (Swiss Store), located in downtown
Kingston, is showcasing 20 of Phang Sang's pictures on a wall of
fame.
Phang Sang shoots, edits (very little) and
prints his work with a certificate of authenticity upon purchase. What
people are buying is something special and reproduced in limited
numbers.
His advice to aspiring photographers is,
"Don't get into photography for the money - do it because you love it.
Once you love it, people will see it and be willing to pay for your
efforts. Also, be humble, be diligent, be thankful for what you have.
Evolve with the task at hand and be the best you can
be."
Email:
info@craigphanghsangphotography.com
Website:
craigphangsangphotography.com
Facebook:
Craig Phang Sang
Photography