The lines between creating and consuming have blurred. We create, consume, delete, and forget. We rarely revisit books we've read because they aren't on our shelves. We rely on Apple Photos to remind us to look at past photos since we no longer keep physical albums.

In this shift, we miss the narratives that unfold when viewing a photobook or family album. As artists, we risk losing the ability to think through the process of creating something cohesive, which cannot be captured by a single image or a social media post. We overlook the bigger picture because our focus is on short-term attention.

We shouldn’t abandon the digital realm, as it fosters accessibility and drives innovation, including in the arts. However, we could enhance our creative process by slowing down and being more intentional, incorporating more analog workflows and tools.

For some time, I have been integrating analog approaches into my creative process. Currently, half of the photographs I take are with analog cameras. I regularly print my work in small formats. This year, I’ve created my first mini photobook (Field Notes from Vietnam). Through this journey, I have learned to nurture my awareness, presence, and connection to the world around me.

Transitioning from analog to digital changed how I create and remember. Digital tools are convenient and innovative but often too fleeting. By using analog methods again, I’ve felt more connected and intentional in my work. Crafting a mini photobook embodies this balance, merging both worlds for a richer artistic journey.

Field Notes from Vietnam, a 26-page visual notebook, is available via Blurb Bookshop.

Field Notes From Vietnam

Field Notes from Vietnam combines poetic street photography with intimate scenes of daily life. This 26-page visual zine explores nostalgia and change-great for lovers of street photography, Asian culture, and independent photo books.

https://www.blurb.com

My Film Photography work on OBJKT (tezos)

We often speak of memory as if it were a filing cabinet, perfectly organised and unchanging. But the reality is far more fluid. Our recollections ebb and flow, sometimes crystal clear, sometimes obscured by the fog of time. They're shaped by emotion, colored by experience, and gradually worn smooth by the constant motion of our minds — much like stones tumbled by the endless rhythm of waves.

The ocean became my metaphor for this work. With its rhythmic crash of waves and endless horizon, it mirrors how our memories rise and fall in layers — sometimes overwhelming, sometimes barely there.

Artistic Approach

"Fading Memories" presents two interconnected yet distinct visions, each exploring different facets of recollection and loss. The upper frame dissolves into an abstract dreamscape of foam and motion, where churning waters create a symphony of white against deep shadows. Here, the ocean becomes pure emotion— turbulent, overwhelming, almost chaotic in its intensity. The image feels like the moment when a memory floods back unbidden, all sensation and feeling before the mind can organize it into coherent thought.

The bottom image brings us back to a world we recognize, but it's just as moving. Lone figures walk into the calm waves, their dark and blurred shapes standing out against the wide ocean view. Perhaps they represent memories of people we once knew — those with whom we've lost touch and whose faces now blur in our recollection. There's a peaceful silence here, a feeling of deep thought and maybe sadness. The figures seem small against the vastness, reminding us of our own place in the continuum of time and tide.

Both images share a monochromatic palette that strips away the distractions of color, leaving only form, texture, and emotion. The grain and contrast work together to create an almost nostalgic quality, as if these photographs themselves are memories half-faded, half-preserved.

Outro

Photography has always been about capturing time, freezing moments that would otherwise be lost forever. But "Fading Memories" attempts something more ambitious — it tries to capture the feeling of losing time, of watching moments slip away even as we try to hold onto them.

Where to mint

OBJKT (tezos)

Suspicion

Sometimes, during my photo walks, I notice some people looking at me suspiciously. From their perspective, a random guy is strolling around their neighbourhood and taking pictures of ordinary things. When I realize I’m being watched, I pretend to be a tourist and quietly leave the scene to prevent any potential tensions that could arise.

Confrontation

After suspicions, confrontation follows. Until now, I have not faced any major confrontations, only minor disputes, such as when a durian vendor in Singapore reacted after I took a picture of him. There is a theory among some street photographers that the more social risks you take in your street photography, the better you will become as a street photographer.

Overrun

As I sometimes completely immerse myself in capturing the perfect street photo, I lose awareness of my surroundings, which, on a few occasions, nearly resulted in accidents with motorbikes.

Outro - Smile More

I’m not a daring street photographer who explores shady city areas at night for unique shots. Nevertheless, I like being close to my street subjects; for this, I mainly use a 35mm lens, which enables me to work in smaller spaces while still capturing background details.

I’ve noticed that people in wealthier countries tend to be more hesitant about being photographed, whereas in less affluent countries, a smile often helps gain their consent. Maybe, I need to adopt this strategy for all my street photography endeavours: Talk less, Smile More!

Street Photography - Work Highlights

Solana

Overshadow - Miro Miro | Exchange Art

Noir Elegance in the Urban Landscape

https://exchange.art

Base

Silent Conversation | Foundation

Gazing upon the silent bronze figures, a lone visitor contemplates the essence of humanity. Saadi's* words echo: "If you have no sympathy for human pain, the name of human you cannot retain."

https://foundation.app

Tezos

Want more from MiroMiro?

https://bento.me/xmiromiro

In life, we often encounter crossroads where our decisions can significantly alter the course of our personal stories.

Similar to the film Sliding Doors with Gwyneth Paltrow, a single event can drastically change our future. In the movie, Paltrow plays Helen, a London publicity executive who is fired unexpectedly. As she heads to the underground train, two scenarios unfold: in one, she catches the train, and in the other, she misses it as the doors close. Her life diverges dramatically based on this single moment.

"Doors Of Destinies" stems from a deeply personal experience. After high school, I was passionate about pursuing art and social sciences. However, influenced by my surroundings and deterred by the uncertain career prospects in the arts, I chose to study business for a more secure future. I will never know what might have happened if I had made a different choice. Undoubtedly, I would be a different person with different experiences and relationships. I wouldn't be living in the same city, and I would likely have different friendships and a different spouse. These are just a few of the infinite possible outcomes.

Artistic Approach

"Doors of Destinies" encapsulates the idea that our destiny is not predetermined but is shaped by the choices we make. Each door represents a different path, and it is up to us—and sometimes the circumstances—to choose which one to take. Embrace the unknown, take risks, and trust that our choices will lead us to our true destiny.

This piece is a triptych consisting of three individual frames.

- The middle panel, with two entryways, represents the different paths we can take in life.

- The left gate leads to a path of beauty and art. The flowers symbolize creativity and growth, while the gated window suggests that this path may be more challenging.

- The right path leads to stability and financial success. The Mercedes-Benz symbolizes wealth and power, while the vintage nature of the car suggests that this path may be more conservative.

Equipment & Location

The scenes were shot on one of the oldest streets in Singapore, featuring many residential houses dating back to colonial times.

I used a Minolta SRT Super (1973) 35mm camera with Fomopan film for these pictures. The analog B&W approach emphasizes the purity and sobriety needed in the decision-making process.

Thank you for joining me on this journey through "Doors of Destinies." I hope this work inspires you to reflect on your own paths and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead.

Where to mint
Doors of Destinies can be collected on OBJKT; limited edition of 10 with three remaining editions available for minting.

https://objkt.com

Doors of Destinies

"Doors of Destinies" encapsulates the idea that our destiny is not predetermined, but rather it is shaped by the choices we make. Each door represents a di...

Unrest is a photography series depicting older people’s restlessness due to everyday hardship. In their twilight years, instead of slowing down after a lifetime of hard work, they have to walk the street to make a living.

Seeing older people working hard on the streets to survive breaks my heart. This is, unfortunately, a typical picture across Asia.

Even in advanced economies like South Korea or Singapore, it isn't unusual to see elderly cleaners, roadside vendors, and fragile-looking trash collectors. In South Korea alone, 3 million seniors live in poverty. The rapid ageing of the population, combined with insufficient pension systems and a high cost of living, forces many elderly individuals to continue working well past retirement age.

The situation is worse in lower-income countries like Indonesia or Vietnam. Seniors still have to work hard to support the families of their offspring or themselves. Many elderly people in these regions lack access to social security or adequate healthcare, which exacerbates their need to work. Yet, despite the struggle, they perform these unskilled tasks often with surprising enthusiasm and dignity!

I shot these pictures on a trip to Indonesia in 2022. The stark contrast between the subjects' advanced age and their laborious tasks highlights the injustice they face while showcasing their unwavering dignity. I wanted to capture with this the taff reality and the inner strength of these individuals. Through careful composition and evocative lighting, my intention with this series is to document a socio-economic issue and elevate the subjects to a place of respect and admiration.

This series highlights the urgent need for better social policies and support systems to ensure that elderly people can live comfortably and with dignity in their later years without the constant challenges of poverty and hardship.

Further reading on this topic:

https://www.nytimes.com

As Asian Societies Age, 'Retirement' Just Means More Work (Published 2023)

Across East Asia, populations are graying faster than anywhere else in the world, and while younger generations shrink, older workers are often toiling well into their 70s and beyond.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com

Poor and on their own, South Korea's elderly who will 'work until they die'

"I will take care of myself as long as I can... then I'll go to the hospital and die," says an 81-year-old in a country where nearly half the elderly population is poor. Part 2 of a regional series on elderly poverty.

I have priced these works very low as I don’t intend to profit from this topic.
Listed on OBJKT (tezos)

https://objkt.com

Unrest - Basket Seller

The UNREST photography series depicts the restlessness of older people in Indonesia due to everyday hardship. In their twilight years, instead of slowing d...

https://objkt.com

Unrest - Waste Collector

The UNREST photography series depicts the restlessness of older people in Indonesia due to everyday hardship. In their twilight years, instead of slowing d...

https://objkt.com

Unrest - Flower Vendor

The UNREST photography series depicts the restlessness of older people in Indonesia due to everyday hardship. In their twilight years, instead of slowing d...