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Renowned Professional Hong Kong Photographer Alain Yip Uses His PressureSensitive Wacom Intuos3 Graphics Tablet for Digital Image Editing, Follow-Up Polishing and Effects
| [W] |
= Correspondent for Wacom's Hong Kong website |
| [AY] |
= Alain Yip |
Mr. Yip, thanks so much for taking time out of your busy schedule for this interview!
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Mr. Alain Yip |
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| [W] |
Mr. Yip, how did you get involved in photography? Is it something that just happened by chance? |
| [AY] |
My relationship with photography began when I got my first toy camera between primary and middle school. I spent all of my middle school years playing around with that camera. After graduating from Hong Kong Polytechnic University's Design Department, I began working as a photographer, and it has been over 20 years now since falling in love with this line of work. |
| [W] |
How much of your work is done with digital cameras versus traditional film-based cameras? |
| [AY] |
For the past two years, I have used nothing but digital cameras in my photography. I no longer use film. |
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| [W] |
When did you start using Wacom graphic tablets? What role do they play in your photo blog? What purpose do they serve? |
| [AY] |
I have been using Wacom graphic tablets for only a couple of months now. I never had a chance to use them before. These days, I use mine pretty much everyday to make revisions to my images with a computer. It is a lot like working in an electronic darkroom, and I find it to be an essential part of the process. And, a pen tablet is a lot easier to use than a mouse. |
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| [W] |
You have introduced new methods into bridal photography. Did you encounter any problems at first? Were couples able to accept your new methods? Have Wacom's tablets helped you to polish your digital bridal photos? |
| [AY] |
Incorporating new methods into bridal photography was my main objective in founding Modern Classic. Back then all of the bridal photography companies were so conservative, so our arrival on the scene gave the entire market quite a shock.
It turned out that a lot of people had higher expectations for their wedding photographs, and were very accepting of our ideas. Our style eventually inspired a number of imitators in the industry, completely turning Hong Kong's traditional wedding photo industry on its head.
As for my Wacom tablet, I use it to add follow-up polishing and effects to my digital images. |
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| [W] |
In your opinion, what is the difference between using a Wacom graphic tablet and a regular computer mouse? |
| [AY] |
The main difference lies in its sensitivity to pressure and its accuracy, which is key in situations like masking where high precision is required.
Additionally, when working non-stop for long stretches, it is a lot easier to hold and control a digital pen than a mouse. |
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| [W] |
In your Modern Classic photography studio, how many of your assistants are able to use Wacom digital panels, Mr. Yip? What Wacom model do they use, and which model do you use? |
| [AY] |
At the moment, I am using an Intuos3 6x8 digital panel. None of my assistants are using these tools yet. |
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| [W] |
Mr. Yip, what do you find most attractive about Wacom? Why do you have such strong feelings for Wacom, which comes from Japan, instead of other products made in Taiwan? |
| [AY] |
I haven't really used products from other brands. |
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| [W] |
You are famous for your professional portraits, and have collaborated with a number of artists and models. Can you tell us how you get ready for a shoot, and where you get your inspiration and themes? Do you prefer portraits over still life photography? If so, why?
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| [AY] |
My main inspiration and themes for my photography come from my own life experiences.
Photographers need to have a highly discerning eye. In particular, portrait photographers need to have strong communication abilities. So before I take any photos, I'll always be sure to have a face-to-face discussion with the person I will be shooting, to make sure that we understand one another's requirements. Profiles not only have to look good.
They also have to have an inner meaning, and show the heart of the individual being photographed. I used to like portraits more than still life photographs. This was because I seemed to have a type of innate talent in this area; and in terms of business, portraits tended to sell at higher prices.
But in recent years I have also developed an interest in shooting landscapes, still life photos, etc., expanding the range of my work. In the recent TVB travel special “Enchanted Journey,” I shared what I had learned from my experiences shooting landscapes as well as portraits. |
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Digital Photo (Original:
has not undergone any revisions or polishing).
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Digital Photo
(Polished- Follow-up Effects – 1) |
Digital Photo
(Polished- Follow-up Effects – 2) |
Digital Photo
(Polishing complete- Follow-up Effects – 3) |
* Photo (including polishing and effects processing) by: Alain Yip |
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| [W] |
Mr. Yip, it says on your website that “photography is my life. It provides me with endless delight and makes me enjoy every day of my life!” How do you find a balance between art and making a living? How do you maintain your own style while also ensuring that clients are happy with your work? |
| [AY] |
The answer to this question is very simple. My main interest is my work--photography.
I won't take pictures I don't like or use some materials in which I am not trained just to make money. My principles serve to guarantee the quality of my work.
My customers are willing to pay me more than they would for other photographers, purely because they like my style. Thus, I have no problem balancing my artistic interests and my business interests. |
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Besides photography, you have also served as a consultant for a number of colleges, community organizations, and scholarly associations throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Do you have any opinions on the current state of educational curriculums in digital photography? Are there sufficient materials and equipment for such instruction? Can you provide some suggestions for young people interested in getting started in this line of work? |
| [AY] |
Currently, the majority of digital photography instruction places a lot of emphasis on technology, and not enough emphasis on training in aesthetics and innovation.
Maybe this is because technologies are relatively easy to teach in a short time span, making this method ideal for Hong Kong's “fast-food” culture.
In my opinion, there is a lot more to photographic talent than just understanding the technologies. You need to put a lot of emotion into your work in order to produce outstanding pieces of art. Materials and equipment, in the end, are not the most important components.
A successful piece of photography must be filled with emotion, including the emotions of the photographer, the model, and the viewer. The more feeling that a photographer puts into a photo shoot, the more this photo will catch your eye and affect you.
In order to do photography, you have to be willing to make some mistakes. If you purely seek perfection and demand no mistakes right away on your first try, you will be unable to unleash your creativity, and you will lose all room for innovation. Young people who want to get involved in this industry need to have a strong interest in this field of work, and need to be ready to work hard.
It's best to start as an assistant, because not only will you have a chance to learn and work at the same time, you will also absorb a lot of experience from working with a more experienced photographer. Where there is a will, there is a way. All that you need to do is set your target, and strive to achieve it. Success will come naturally. |
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| Alain Yip Profile
With over 20 years of experience, Alain Yip is a leading name in the Hong Kong photography industry with outstanding accomplishments in his specialty, portraits. He is the founder of the Hong Kong Institute of Professional Photographers, has held numerous lectures, and has served as a consultant for a number of colleges, community organizations, and scholarly associations in the Asia Pacific region. He has also been involved in international photography and design competitions, and has even served as a judge in the Ms. Hong Kong beauty contest.
Alain Yip's photography can often be spotted in major newspapers and magazines. Alain also frequently releases collections of his works, including Shanghai Feelings (1989), Portraits by Alain Yip (1992), Portraits of Ellen Chan (1993), A Day of the Buddha (1996, a collection of photos shot in Australia's Nan Tien Temple), Return to Nature (1999, a collection of writings and photos prepared in collaboration with renowned author Yanni Lin and Ms. Hong Kong San-San Lee), and Colors (2001, a collection of photos of San-San Lee). The 1990 film Portraits by Alain Yip: A Documentary was the first self-release of a video by a Hong Kong photographer. 2003 saw the DVD release of Alain Yip's Theater of Digital Portraits, in which Alain shared what he had learned in his years of photography.
Alain founded his Modern Classic studio in 1979, specializing in portraits and fashion advertisements. Since he first started shooting bridal photos in 1986, Alain's unique and all-natural methods have been widely imitated, turning Hong Kong's traditional wedding photo industry on its head, and becoming one of the most trusted bridal photo providers in Hong Kong.
Alain is an enthusiastic supporter of charity work, and has constantly given back to society through all types of volunteer activities. Recently, he has dedicated himself to lectures and exhibitions promoting photography as an optimistic tool to display the beauty of life. He encourages people to bring cameras with them wherever they go and to take note of all the beautiful things around them, minimizing negative emotions for a healthier body and mind.
The Modern Classic website: http://www.modernclassic.com.hk/ |
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