Yu-Heng Chen, or Janan, was born in Taiwan, in 1994. He works as an engineer, but surreal photography is his main interest. He loves creating works using photo manipulation, regularly updating his project social media page: Janan’s Design.
Q: When did you discover your passion for photography?
At the very beginning, I had learned to retouch images at first and then learned photography later. Because there was an important family photo without a member, I tried to put that person’s portrait into the image and felt drawn in immediately by Photoshop. After learning some retouching skills, I tried to make my images and works better: I started to learn photography, and then Surreal photography emerged as my photo style.
Q: Tell us a bit more about your winning project and what inspired you to do it?
This work expresses the sentiment that humans who try to keep good social connections tend to hide the true feelings. The feeling is looked like there is a shell out his/her worn face, the true self only exists under the shell.
Q: What type of photos do you like to take in your free time?
I mostly take surreal photography. I also shoot portrait photography when I have free time.
Q: What genre of photography is new to you that you would like to explore?
I think it would be choreographed photography. Even if you don’t rely on synthesis, you can use the design of the screen to make the work present the atmosphere like a fantasy movie, which is a style I really want to try.
Q: Besides a camera, what do you think are the three most important tools of a photographer?
Tripod, Reflector and Continuous Lights. They are helpful for photo manipulation.
Q: How do you know when a body of work is completed?
Beside the composing, light, tone etc. I have to check if each factor corresponds to my aims, I always zoom in to see the detail, if there are no flaws I can say it could be regarded as “Complete”.
Q: If it could be anything at all, what would your photography dream project be?
So far I hope to combine 3-D drawing to take photos pf couples, the series I called “Cyborg”，I want to show the love stories in a different perspective.
Q: If you could take one last photo in your life, what would it be?
If there is the moment, I want to take the photo of my love, or my family.
Q: Who/what is your biggest source of inspiration?
It mainly comes from my crazy mind. Whenever I think of a new idea, I will immediately write it in my notebook.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring photographers?
Don’t pursue the same style as others, be brave enough to try your own style and shoot what you like.
