One of the crazy/great things about HHS! is seeing all of the things that these photographers have been up to in addition to some pretty amazing artistic projects. First Edition 2009 Hot Shot Kurt Tong is no exception. He came to photography via a career as a health visitor and founded a charitable home for disabled and disadvantaged children in Chennai, South India. His NGO work led him to start shooting and eventually he was working full-time as a photographer. His projects have since ranged from the documentary to the very personal. Most recently, he's been working on a series that explores his daughter's memories as they are growing up — as visions and experiences are witnessed and archived. There is a sneak preview on his blog that's definitely worth checking out. His as-of-late interest in abstract landscape painters is clearly evident. See more of his work on his website.
From:
I was born in Hong Kong but have lived in London, UK for the last 20 years.
Formal and/or informal education and training:
I was actually trained as a health visitor at The University of Liverpool when I went to college. I got into photography when I was working for various NGOs in India. I was getting enough work so I gave it a shot and became a full time photographer. After a few years, I found myself almost on autopilot when I was shooting and I wanted to expand my knowledge of photography beyond what I was familiar with. So I did an MA in documentary photography at the London College of Communications in 2006. I also did a week-long workshop with Peter Bialobrzeski in 2007, right before I set off on my first trip to shoot People's Park. It definitely influenced how I approached the project.
How you pay the bills:
When I was shooting editorial and working for NGOs, I was having a great time but was barely paying the bills. I now shoot reportage weddings for 6 months a year, which pays my mortgage, my 2 kids, my personal projects (which I shoot in the 6 months I am not shooting weddings) and have enough to spare for the occasional hot dinner.
I still do the occasional NGOs job if it's interesting and I have been selling quite a few prints lately.
Best advice received (as a photographer and/or human):
I am still waiting for it.
Top 3 Favorite Artists:
Clint Eastwood, Joel Sternfeld and Hayao Miyazaki
Photograph (or other work of art) that you can't get out of your head, ever:
Guernica by Picasso, for all its hidden images and symbolism.
Photographers/artists you are looking at right now:
I have been looking at a lot of abstract landscape painters and photographers at the moment for my current project:
Michael Porter
Susan Derges
A bit less abstract but still good:
Peter Bialobrzeski
Reading now:
I have a 2 year-old and a 3 month-old, so I don't really get much time to read, but I am reading Toddler Taming at the moment.
Top 3 photo blogs/websites:
Flak Photo
Lens Culture
Foto8
Top 3 non-photo blogs/websites:
Teamtalk
It's a bit obvious but I couldn't live without Google and Wikipedia.