Kim Yiang Chng              I began to study photography in the 1970s. At that time, I was working as a contractor to a camera equipment store. I come into contacted and began to understand some photographic equipment. At the same time, I had a colleague who liked photography and developing photos himself. Sometimes when I went to his house, he was developing photos. So I followed him into his "darkroom" (It's not actually a darkroom. It's just only a room, using cloth to cover up the part where light comes in and install a red bulb within the room) to take a look. This is how I begin to learn photography.  I'm a person who likes to excel in everything I do. My colleague just takes some pictures of daily life which can't satisfy my desires. Thus I bought a lot of photography magazines and books for reference. Sometimes I also contribute photos to photography magazines. Once selected to be published, I am very happy. At that time, there were many photography books and periodicals published in Hong Kong. Those were my photography instructors. Several close friends who often meet up with me to take photos, asked me to take the lead in organizing a group for them to study photography together. I also thought it would be great for me to improve my photography so I agreed to it. One of my friend happened to have a large home. I worked hard to organize a systematic theoretical course held at his home. This is how I began my first experience of photography teaching.

The longer I was exposed to photography, the more difficult it was to improve my study. Therefore, I thought of joining a photography group. At that time, my knowledge was very minimal. So I chose to join a photography society with name that sounds good. However, this photography society actually has a short history with a few members only. Most of its members are beginners. Their standard is worse than mine. After I join, I didn't actually benefit much. Instead, I was encouraged to conduct classes. From my previous experience, since I can manage, I readily accepted it.

Despite my efforts, I lost in the re-election of the council at the end of the year. I'm always at the losing end when it came to organise gangs to help in the election. Some members also felt uncomfortable with seeing me being put on better position as soon as I participate. But for me, I don't want to continue wasting my time there. So I chose to leave. Although the ex-president and secretary came to my house to ask me back, I decided to leave and join another group, named ‘The Photographic Society of Singapore’. This is a group with a long history and there was a group of expert photographers. It was a great chance for me to pursue my photography study.

It all happened in the late 1970s. Decades have passed and now, the above photography society had developed well. There are several well-known expert photographers locally and internationally.  (Congratulations to them)

I began to study and work actively in PSS. I participated in their external photography activities outing weekly. At work, I participated in the photography salon twice a year (‘Asian Salon of photography’ and ‘Singapore International Photography award’). At the same time, I was also in-charge of submitting photographs for members to overseas international salons. Not forgetting that I also send them to international photography exhibitions.

During this period, I also served as an instructor to a small photographic club. Teaching students to shoot, develop and enlarge photograph. Bringing students and members out for photo shoot monthly. Three years later, the photographic Club successfully held it's first national photography competition with satisfactory results. During this time, I was mainly active in the ‘colour slide division’ of the International Photography Salon. At that time, 640 photos was needed to attain PSA 5 stars. As I had more than 400 photos I applied for 3 stars and was approved. My original plan was to directly apply for 5 stars after more than 600 photos. But due to unforeseen circumstances, my plan was interrupted. But I still successfully attain A.BPC, A.RPS and F.PSNY. I also attain A.FIAP under recommendation by PSS.

I began to participate actively in the selection of photograph. I was in the panel of judges for Asia Salon of photography and Singapore International Photography award hosted by PSS.

But at that time, due to some problems in my family and work, I had to leave my beloved photography circle. It was about the end of the 1980s. During the 30 years of leaving, I almost completely disappeared from photography. Later years, for work purpose, I even had to leave Singapore frequently to work abroad. 

Now that my life is more stable and I have no other hobbies, I bought a new camera at the beginning of 2018 (All the old cameras in my collection can only take photograph with film) and go back to the photography. By mid-2018 I begin to return to the International Photography Salon again.

But I still got a lot to learn. First of all, the camera is much more complex than before. There are a lot of control buttons. Today, I haven't fully mastered it. Secondly, developing and enlarging of photograph are out of date. Nowadays everybody use Photoshop to alter photos. Fortunately, I need some photoshop knowledge for my work. So more or less I know about this software.

Presently I'm still in good health. I'm in my seventies. I'm carrying two SLRs, one 24 - 70, one 70 - 300  and one 150 - 600 zoom lens. The weight for me it's not a problem. I wish I could live a few more years, take more photos and win more medals.