The Origin Story: How It Started
My journey with photography began serendipitously in 2011, shortly after I arrived in the U.S. to pursue my Master's degree at UCLA. During a student club event, a senior student casually showed me the ropes of a DSLR. That brief introduction sparked an obsession I never saw coming.
I immediately bought my first entry-level camera, a Nikon D5100. What started as a simple hobby quickly evolved into a passion that has defined my past decade. I’ve walked the full path of a photographer: from a confused beginner to a 'gearhead' obsessed with specs, and finally to a technician focused on the art of composition. My gear has evolved alongside my skills—moving from that trusty D5100 to the high-resolution Nikon D800, and now, to my current workhorse, the mirrorless flagship: Nikon Z9.
This passion for photography has become the compass for my travels. I built this website largely to solve a specific problem: social media often compresses images and ruins details. Adobe Portfolio allows me to present my work in high fidelity, exactly as it was meant to be seen. Every journey you see on this site is anchored by the images I captured along the way.
The Philosophy & My Style
In an era where smartphone computational photography is ubiquitous, I remain loyally old-school. While I appreciate the convenience of a phone, I believe there is no substitute for the tactile experience of a dedicated camera.
I enjoy the substantial weight of the Z9 in my hands; it grounds me. Holding a real camera forces me to slow down, look through the viewfinder, and be intentional about every shutter click. Beyond the experience, the results speak for themselves—the dynamic range, the depth, and the sheer image quality are things a phone simply cannot replicate.
I classify myself primarily as a Landscape Photographer. There is nothing quite like chasing the perfect light at sunrise or capturing the raw beauty of nature. My interests also span wildlife, street photography (humanities), long exposures, and the technical challenge of shooting star trails.
I personally believe I’m quite capable at portraiture as well—though my wife might disagree🥲. She often feels my portraits aren't flattering enough, which I jokingly attribute to the classic rivalry between 'Nikon Reality' and 'Canon Skin Tones.' Perhaps that’s just the burden of being a Nikon shooter!
I am not a heavy Photoshop user, nor do I believe in over-processing. My goal is to capture the scene as my eye saw it, not to manufacture a reality that didn't exist.
The Uncharted Territories
Photography is a journey of lifelong learning. Interestingly, I have yet to venture into Videography or Drone Photography. These are the frontiers I plan to explore in the coming years when time allows.
Current & Past Learning:
The Learning Bucket List: