Welcome to my "About" page!
Introduction:
My (abbreviated) name is Estial. Ever since my childhood, the world of drawing beckoned me, and I found myself wielding a pencil without formal instruction. The appreciation I received from my fellow villagers, including my parents, further fueled my passion for this artistic pursuit. As I stepped into the realm of formal education, my teachers and fellow students at school also lauded my drawing skills. The encouragement from those around me instilled a sense of purpose, and soon enough, people started approaching me for various artistic projects like posters, banners, portraits, and landscapes.
This organic progression paved the way for my professional career as an artist, which began in my teenage years back in my hometown. With a focus on painting portraits and landscapes, I immersed myself in this artistic world, exploring its depths with unbridled enthusiasm.
However, upon moving to Hong Kong, my passion for art took a new form, and I fell in love with photography. What began as a hobby to add pictures to my blog-posts soon turned into a mission to contribute to Wikimedia Commons, using nothing but my pocket camera. Over time, I have uploaded hundreds of pictures, all available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license, making them free to use.
Today, some of my photographs are used and appreciated worldwide.
Educational Pursuits:
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| The first day at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) |
In 2013, my enthusiasm for photography led me to explore formal education in this art form. I seized two valuable opportunities to enhance my skills. The first was at
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where I learned about the significance of documentary photography and how certain photographs can make a profound impact on the world. The second opportunity came at the Hong Kong School of Photography, where I gained valuable knowledge on mastering the DSLR camera. These experiences transformed my interest in photography into an absolute passion for the craft.
Finding Solace in Photography:
Photography also serves as my source of stress relief. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I grab my camera and set out to discover scenic spots across Hong Kong. In a serendipitous encounter on the Discovery Bay hiking trail, I captured an inspiring image of a hardworking elderly person (aged 80+) single-handedly lifting a boat on the beach. This photograph was shortlisted for the Hong Kong Human Rights Art Prize-2013, exhibited at
Sundaram Tagore Gallery, and eventually sold via silent auction. Such recognition further motivated me to pursue my passion wholeheartedly.
Learning and Growth:
While I encountered initial challenges in mastering the DSLR camera, joining gatherings and meetups with some of Hong Kong's best pro-photographers made it feel like a piece of cake. I also embarked on self-experimentation, venturing into the city, exploring islands, and hiking trails to hone my skills. My learning process also involves critically analyzing my own photographs, identifying areas for improvement, and incorporating those insights into my future work. Additionally, I find inspiration by studying the work of other professional photographers, comparing their shots with my own. This commitment to growth has led to some notable awards on platforms like Flickr, such as "Masterpiece," "Hall Of Frame," and "The Look Gold," positioning me among the best photographers worldwide.
This is one of my photographs that I took from Victoria Peak in 2014, titled "Hong Kong Skyscrapers" that have been used on many websites on the internet.
Continued Passion:
As a lifelong learner, photography remains an ongoing journey of discovery for me. I cherish the opportunity to keep learning more about this art form and find immense joy in working in the field.
Connect with Me:
I actively share my photography on Flickr. Click the link below to explore my work and journey.
Click here to see my work on Flickr
Thank You!
Thank you for visiting my "About" page! If you have any questions or would like to connect, feel free to reach out.
Best regards,
Estial (STL)
