Chien Jon is unlike any photographer I’ve ever met. She is modest, candid, and hilarious. Sales Analyst by day, Chien is a refreshing artist still searching for a passionate career who plays none other than herself, leaving the pomp and circumstance of the 95 degree scarf laden photographer at home. A few years ago in Bear Mountain National Park, Chien noticed the way her friends captured the photos she snapped, following her eye for their benefit. And her camera? None other than her cell phone. But her unique perspective mattered to her friends and that’s when she realized she might have a knack for photography that others did not.
“After that I bought a crappy $99 camera. I was shooting a lot with that and having so much fun that after a year I decided to upgrade. Once you buy that SLR you just start buying stuff, thinking, Oh, my lends isn’t good enough, I should upgrade it!” Chien shoots with a Lomo, an old style Russian spy camera that differs from others not only in its tendency to shine a red light on the subject, but for the crazy colors and contrasts it produces in the shot. She also uses a Nikon FM2, a 35mm SLR.
“I usually bring 3 cameras with me at a time – I’m kind of obsessive,” she concedes.
Grazing on sushi in Madison Square Park during her lunch break, Chien shares her thoughts...
On Shooting: I really please people. That’s my job from 9-5 so I want to keep my passion on the weekends instead on kissing peoples’ asses.
On Character: I think it fits my personality quite well because I like to join people but I’m also reserved and like to my distance. With a camera in my hand it’s like a natural reserve. That’s kind of cool.
On Digital vs. Film: I think they can live together. I see a lot of debates about which one is better, but I think they can coexist. Sometimes I think it’s better to shoot film because it costs more so you’re more conscious about composing your photos correctly. It’s how we really learn. With digital you can shoot 100 pictures, you know? Plus, I like the surprises of film. Until it comes out, you don’t know what it’s going to be like. Sometimes you’re like, “Wow, what a pleasant surprise!”
On Location: There are some cities that encompass old and new elements – I like to combine those. One of my favorite areas is Williamsburg because it’s very metropolitan, but there’s old culture.
On Inspiration: I read books and look at other people’s photos. What really motivated me is Flickr. I look at people’s photos and they are very responsive.
On Editing: I use Photoshop all the time. I’m only concerned about the finished project. I’m against major surgical work, like cutting a cloud and pasting it into the picture.
On Guidance: As a beginner, ditch the techniques for now – use the automatic. Work on composition and when you see things you want to change, and then you’re ready to work on technique. People will tell you all the success formulas, but it’s not going to register until you shoot a lot.
On Gusto: I have a lot of hobbies, but none of them really last. I’ve been doing this for two years. I was so happy to find my passion for photography.
On Winning C2NY (and being featured as a premiere Summer Stage artist): I’m an artist? I’ve never been called an artist! I thought photography was a private thing. I never knew I was going to be exposed and get out like that! It was cool.
Chi’en Jon
a profile by Hayley Sher
