Life Exposures

Photographs by Damien Wong | Singapore based

[wamiendong]

Spend some time each week resting. Somehow, there is no such thing as having enough sleep.

Rolleicord Vb + Kodak Portra 400

[wamiendong]

Meet one of my best friends, Prash. One of the reasons that I am who I am today is because of him. Someone who points me back to Jesus every time and encourages me to live a life worth living. We've gone through some tough stuff together. Here's to many more.

Mamiya 645E + 80mm 2.8 + Kodak Portra 400

[wamiendong]

Another year, another birthday. This past year has been pretty incredible. I thank God for all the lessons and blessings that He has given me. I absolutely do not deserve them and I can only hope they have made me a more gracious person.

To the friends that have stuck by me all these years, you are dear to my heart. I hope that I have been as good a friend to you as you were to me.

To the new friends I made this year, thank you for choosing to connect with me. I pray that we will be able to grow closer in time.

To the friends that have fallen away, please know that you are not forgotten nor shunned. There are many years ahead.

I have been given many opportunities this year. Some taken, others not. But they have all led me to know that our choices help to define who we really are inside.

Life might feel pointless and empty, like running an aimless race inside a cage. One thing I felt that I didn't do much of was to seek Jesus and His love. I attempted to live my life my way and it was terrible. Pride and selfishness brought me down. However, I learned that humility and obedience brings one up. Keep seeking Jesus. It's difficult and honestly, it might feel a little lame and tiring sometimes. But persevere and there's so much more.

Thank you all for being a part of my world.

Konica Hexar RF + Zeiss Planar 50/2 + Kodak Portra 400

[wamiendong]

And that's that. My best friend in the whole world is finally engaged to the love of his life.

He is the man who has stuck with me for the past 10 years and stood by me through the thick, thin and everything in between and he is now starting a new chapter in his life. This selfless man has always been there to pull me up when I am down and humble me when I am proud. He would give me the wisest and soundest advice even though I would just ignore it all and then stand by me when I make stupid mistakes. I just want to say that I am so damn proud of him.

She is the woman who has chosen the best person in the world. She is a pillar not just in his life but in the community and church. Humble, caring, god-fearing, with a heart of solid gold. She is truly the queen of his heart. I cannot imagine a couple more amazing than these two.

It was one heck of a ride planning and setting up the surprise. Glad it went super well.

Some of the photos turned out badly. I did the best I could to salvage them. I was using a new camera (was really unfamiliar with it) in bad lighting. Hope you can still enjoy this set.

Mamiya 645E + 80mm 2.8 + Kodak Portra 400

[wamiendong]

To me, this image feels a little disconcerting. Why does it feel so odd? So lopsided? So weighted? It might be a tad asymmetrical but I don't think that's it.

It finally dawned on me after having this image for so long that it is the emptiness of the left side. In this world, we are so used to having something that fills us with meaning and purpose. Perhaps our jobs fill us, or maybe our achievements. Without our worldly fulfilments, what are we? Emptiness scares us, excites us, and MOST of all, it minimises us. We fear empty space not because of how empty it is, but because of how empty and small it makes us feel. We are just drops in this vast ocean, Our absolutely narcissistic, prideful selves cannot accept that we are not rulers but the ruled, governed by the laws of the world, science, and God.

On the right side of this photograph, we see a man on his phone. This man, as a metaphorical, symbolic representation of us (but not actually this specific person), is perhaps also another image of emptiness. Our souls sold to the wonders of this modern age. Electronics, fast food, efficient travel are all necessities that we need live with. Windows to our souls can be seen through the windows in our computers. Are we for real?

Nothing in this world fulfills. Nothing here satisfies our souls. Only one thing. And here it is:

Jesus said... “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” - John 11:25-26

Fulfilment in Christ alone.

Taken in Guang Zhou, China

Konica Hexar RF + Zeiss Planar 50/2 + Kodak Portra 400

[wamiendong]

Children have this innocence that the world cannot capture. They are set apart.

Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 18:3-4

Rolleicord Vb + Kodak Portra 400

[wamiendong]

These two photographers have been a great inspiration to my work lately. I've taken a step back from shooting street to focus on other forms of portraiture. It's been incredibly challenging but so very fun and rewarding. I'll still be shooting street of course. Can't give up my first love.

Mathieu was a classmate of mine in secondary school but we were never close. I believe that God has a reason for allowing us to meet again in university. I also got to meet Gladys through Mathieu. Together, they serve God and the community. There's this amazing love for Jesus that I see in them.

Check Mathieu's work here and Gladys' here

Taken in Singapore

Rolleicord Vb + Kodak Portra 400

[wamiendong]

Meet my family. So thankful for them.

Rolleicord Vb + Kodak Portra 400

[wamiendong]

He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mark 10:14

Rolleicord Vb + Kodak Portra 400

[wamiendong]

I’d like to start off this post with a quote from my late uncle, an incredible servant of God.

"Exercising faith is taking a leap into the unknown. When all transient layers of human and financial securities are stripped away; when uncertainty and the unknown stare straight into our faces, our vulnerability will unmask the extent of faith we have in truly depending upon God. To live by faith is therefore taking risk in casting our lot with a promise-giving and promise-keeping God when every human inclination and prevailing philosophies urge us to do otherwise. Surely, in these challenging times, we need to keep faith in our God who offers us hope, grace, love and peace."

We must realise that we do not live lives of defeat but lives of victory. Jesus took on the punishment for our sins and suffered when He hung on the cross. It didn’t stop there. He was resurrected on the third day, free of sin and death, completely victorious. So stop thinking about how sinful and unworthy you are. Instead of focusing on our sinful nature, try looking to God instead. There more we look at our sin, the more it stays on our mind, tempting and luring us. As the hymn goes:

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.”

It really warmed my heart to see this man carry his tired child through the frigid Beijing winter.

Taken in Beijing, China

Zeiss Ikon + Zeiss Planar 50/2 + Kodak BW400CN

[wamiendong]

Right after taking this photograph, I exchanged smiles with this gentleman. It broke my heart to see that this man, digging through rubbish for scraps, while using burning garbage to keep warm, had to live in this capitalistic society. He has to live a life that demands profit. And his only way of getting it is through disadvantaged means and structural barriers. He may never live a life as privileged as us. I have to confess that I don’t know the answer to helping him. I don’t know if giving money or material possessions would help him, or if there is a deeper underlying problem that needs to be solved. I also confess that I am no saint, free from the desires of the world, giving up all my material things to help people.

In this world, almost everything we do is for profit. Capitalism has such a strong and pervasive hold over us in society. We are taught that our actions are only defined by how much it benefits us. This leads to how we need to become selfish and conceited, which in turn defines us as rational beings. I’ve been thinking a lot about the capitalistic lives we live. How can we live free of our need to profit? We love to do things that benefit us.

To me, sacrifice is the antithesis to profit. Sacrifice entails giving up something that can benefit us for the sake of others. I believe the greatest example of a ‘non-profit’ is Jesus. Never has there been a perfect example of unconditional love and sacrifice. God has no need for profit. Everything is made through Him and for Him. Jesus dying on the cross for us is a sign of His UNCONDITIONAL love for us. I cannot claim that God will bless us all materially in the same manner. But I can faithfully say that He loves us all incredibly.

It’s the week leading up to Good Friday and Easter. Let’s keep our eyes on Him.

Taken in Beijing, China

Zeiss Ikon + Zeiss Planar 50/2 + Kodak Portra 400

[wamiendong]

Here is one of my favourite photographs that I have shot. She was sitting on the back of a moving bicycle. I just focused blindly and snapped it. Didn’t expect to get it.

Taken in Beijing, China

Zeiss Ikon + Zeiss Planar 50/2 + Kodak Portra 400

[wamiendong]

In life, it is sometimes hard to see what you’re up against. Remember that you have a Counsellor and Guide by your side.

“The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord”

- Isaiah 11:2

Taken in Beijing, China

Zeiss Ikon + Zeiss Planar 50/2 + Kodak Portra 400

[wamiendong]

Find some time to sit with your loved ones and share some of the following: a meal, a story, a prayer, a picture, a need, thanksgiving, an act of love, or all of the above. Don't let your busy life distract you from your family and from God.

"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

- Luke 10: 38-42

Fuji GW690II + Kodak Portra 400

[wamiendong]

In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since. "Whenever you feel like criticizing any one," he told me, "just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.”  ― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Where you are in life right now isn’t so much a matter of your own hard work or intelligence. Circumstances and events play a large part in shaping your life. So the next time you feel like mocking someone, remember that perhaps:

they have never had the education you’ve had; they have never had the privilege in living in a house that is larger than just a room and a toilet; they have never had the wealth and security that your family enjoys; they have never experienced the love of caring parents. The list goes on.

Jesus has called us to love everyone. Let us pour out that love unceasingly. Keep your heart open and broken to the things around us.

Taken in Beijing, China

Zeiss Ikon + Zeiss Planar 50/2 + Kodak BW400CN

[wamiendong]

A reminder that this shouldn't be used as a symbol for pride and elitism. That wearing this badge means you're better than others. Do not ever think that just because you've been to this school, others are beneath you. Be humble as Jesus was humble.

We are called to be Christian men of virtue, standing with Jesus as our shield and guide. As my friend Prash (keepcalmandbeastit.tumblr.com) said, "'The best is yet to be' was never a motto that man was ever going to realize. Instead, it points towards the 2nd coming of Jesus. For truly, He is the best."

This is the emblem of grand endeavour.

Konica Hexar RF + Zeiss Planar 50/2 + Kodak Portra 400

[wamiendong]

There will come a day where we must step out and walk across the water in faith. Will you be ready? Taken in Bandung, Indonesia. Konica Hexar RF + Zeiss Planar 50/2 + Kodak Portra 400