Benjamin Wong Photography is unparalleled.
You can’t ignore Benjamin Wong photography. It’s impossible. Go ahead, try it. Look at these images, what do you think? His images always call me back, no matter how focused my attempt to look away. That’s their purpose. They’re images built for and from our times. Using today’s digital retouching powers to recreate scenes of fantasy and the surreal, Von Wong makes images designed to excite the fickle contemporary eye.
But keeping the eye’s attention isn’t easy. It takes a lot of time to pack Hollywood-sized spectacle into a single image, requiring work from a dedicated team of talented workers, all inspired to work their way to final product. And it makes sense that, before photography, Von Wong spent three and half years working as engineer. Only a person obsessed with details could pull off these highly impressive feats of digital imagination.
In this interview, Von Wong reveals how he got his start in photography, explains his approach to completing an image, and talks about how unique his work is.
Let’s start with the unique Benjamin Wong photography style. It’s unquestionably energetic, combining hyper-realistic retouching with unique visual concepts. Could you explain how you came to making photography in this innovative way?
I think that style comes with time and practice for any individual – add onto that a combination of personality, experience and preference and you get a unique mixture. In my case – I enjoy things that are different, surreal, and fantastical but I also don’t like it when things look too fake and impossible!
For those who are wondering how you complete these images, could you give us a general approximation of your process from idea to final image?
It’s 1/3rd pre-production 1/3rd shooting and 1/3rd post-production. In pre-production, you have planning, gathering of resources, talents, locations, prepping for the shoot from a technical standpoint ( gear, lighting, etc.) Shoot day is about making sure that despite all the things you didn’t plan for you still manage to pull together the shot. And, in post-production, you take everything that’s been done and make the best of it.
I would describe your style as imaginative spectacles, where design and visual impact are front and center. How would you describe your work?
Stories I think. I like to visualize my work as a snap out of a greater picture. You don’t really have all the pieces in front of you to tell the complete story but that’s where the imagination of each individual comes into play!
Post-processing is essential to your work. How did you learn to retouch? What would you consider the most effective way of learning?
The same way I learned how to shoot — practice and the internet! I’ve never been a class type of guy. I think that the most effective way of learning is to drown yourself in something passionately and completely but of course that only works if you’re passionate though!
What would you consider the three best lessons you could give to other photographers about retouching?
1. Think about what you want to achieve with retouching before simply diving into it with your eyes closed.
2. Be critical with yourself – never being satisfied with your work is the best way to improve and will help you achieve better results
3. Pay attention to details, editing things at 800% can pay off, but don’t get too lost in details so that you miss the overall image!
Water Demons is really great. Could you explain how this image was made from start to finish?
The entire process is laid out here!
Your work relies heavily on being inspired and consistently creative. When you’re in a creative dry spell, what do you to stay inspired?
I just keep trucking forward, really what more can you do? I like to travel, keep meeting people, doing the things that I love and sooner or later counting on the inspiration coming back! That’s just how it is, it comes and it goes! Those usually just apply to personal shoots though, it has yet to happen when with a client 🙂
What are your influences? Photography or otherwise.
Definitely the places I visit, and the people I meet along the way. I meet a lot of people on facebook too. I think that when you do work that you love, people that love your work will eventually find it and reach out!
A little about yourself. Why, photography? Why not engineering? Medical school? Doctor, lawyer? Politician? Philosopher? Etc.
Ha ha, I began my career as an Engineer — worked 3.5 years and then quit to do . . . something. That something just happened to be photography! Who knows what life will bring in the future. I don’t think that I planned on being a photographer, it’s just one of those things that happened. I never thought it would stick, but it did!
Be sure to check out all of Benjamin Wong photography on his website and blog!
