Charlie Lim Q&A; The full interview on idea of ‘painting in light

About Charlie Lim, The Painter of Light FMPA (UK), FCTPC, FWPPM, Hon SCPC, SOE Nominee 2009

Singapore Design Golden Jubilee Award 2015

Charlie is a man of varied talents and foresight. He is professionally trained in Advertising and Commercial Photography. Discipline and perseverance are the pillars of Charlie’s success. Talent and his passion for art are the brick and mortar that build his vision to blur the lines between photography and fine art.

Through years of research, Charlie has developed a new art form that he calls “Light Paintography”. Charlie's images dwell on the boundaries of fine art and photography.

In his portraitures, Charlie employs a Baroque approach of dramatic play of light and shadow where he 'paints' his figures in the dark with a light source. The results resemble Rembrandt’s paintings. On closer look, the term “Light” is double entendre; Charlie captures movements akin to Degas'. His moving figures embodied a sense of lightness with a hint of surrealistic whimsy. His subjects glide effortlessly along the frames, exuding mystery and beauty.

His unique works have attracted the attention of news media and was featured on TV Manila in Feb 2012, Channel U Singapore in May 2012 and TV Vietnam on 2014/15 in 4 occasions, and TV Taiwan in Sep 2016. He was invited as an international speaker at the WPPM in Malaysia on 3 occasions and for the fourth time at the PhotoWorld Asia Photo Congress in Philippines in Jan 2017.

Charlie has won 7 Nominee Awards at the 5th/6th/7th/8th Annual International Color Awards of Portraits, Nude and Fashion Categories and he had held his major solo photo exhibition in Singapore on Oct 2015. He has just won an Honor of Distinction Photo Competition Excellence Award from Asia WPA, (HK). 2017.

His latest achievement has to be the selection by the World Wide Art Books, publisher of the International Masters of Photography Volume II, a juried annual, invite-only art photography publication presenting noteworthy photographers from all over the world. Each volume of this series presents the work of 100 noteworthy photographers from the world, displaying a cross section of what is happening in photography in all its genres, worldwide.

Interview:

What kind of gear do you use?

I use an LED torch, a computer, a camera with a manual mode and a tripod. And the result is 100 percent photography.  As you may know, the word ‘photography’ is derived from Latin. ‘Photo’ meaning light and ‘graphy’ meaning drawing. And that’s what I do. I draw with light on my subject.  

Do you have a favourite lens?

My favorite lens has to be my 24mm to 105mm with which I can capture any subject from a crowd to a single portrait. It's so convenient and easy to carry.

Among the gadgets that you own, is there something that you wish you hadn’t bought?

There are many that I regret buying. Times change, and so do gadgets. Till date we have spent more than USD 250k on camera equipment, computer and software.  But in the process, I use as less equipment as possible. 

On the field, what are your settings?

My settings depend on the intensity of the torchlight and the ISO (?) I set.  My shutter speed is usually 20 to 30 sec. I usually use JPEG, unless a client requests super high resolution.

What kind of tools do you use for post processing? Explain your workflow?

After the shoot, my office will take over to process and apply digital retouching using Photoshop.

How do you keep yourself updated about new technology and techniques?

I often refer to photographic magazines and sometimes YouTube to improve my skills and knowledge.

Among your works, do you have a favorite?

I have many. But basically, I like movement in my shots.  So that in a way, my portraits are different from others. Of course, my movement is only a part of the portrait. This picture (below) was nominated and exhibited many times in New York. I like the energy and movement captured in it.

What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?

One very important aspect of my shoot is the control of light. I need it to be as dark as possible (although not pitch dark) during the process of "painting" the portrait. 

Have you been influenced by a particular photographer?

No photographer has influenced me but artists, yes  I have been very influenced by Rembrandt and Chinese art. I always try to create a picture that looks like a painting. One theory I learned in school, among the black sheep, I want to be white and vice versa. 

What do you want to convey through your photography, and how do you do achieve it?

I want my photographs to say a thousand words, and look like an oil painting. It's the treatment I guess, that makes my photograph really look like a painting especially if I print them on quality canvas or cloth.

How did you progress from an aspiring photographer to actually doing it full time, for a living?

I was formally trained as an Art Director first. After that, I was a commercial photographer for five years in Singapore. Then, I spent about six months sketching and painting. I became a full time photographer after working as an Art Director for eight years. And I have been a commercial photographer for the last thirty five years now. 

How do you get paid to do what you want to do with your photography?

I receive fifty percent as down payment to cover the shooting expenses, and the rest is made after clients make their decision on the enlargements. Price wise, I can customize according to their budget from USD 150 to 1,500.

What motivates you to continue taking pictures?

Fame and money, both universal objectives must be the motivations! (Laughs) Actually, my dream is to share what little knowledge I have and my artistic approach. How with just torchlight, you can create a piece of fine art for a wall, or create a digital greeting card. And anyone can pick this up, from eight to ten year olds to teenagers.

Your idea of ‘painting in light’ seems to be unique. How do you do it? Could you elaborate?

Yes, it is absolutely unique. Many years ago, it was an American who told me, "No one is creating your technique, Charlie". I hope I can go back to share my technique with the Americans one day. A Singaporean who has migrated there has invited me to New York in April. So maybe that’s my chance.

Like I said earlier, I studied Advertising Art, Painting and Photography.  All I did was to put whatever I had learnt together with the light machine that I had bought in 1986 before LED was popular. In the mid eighties, I used an American light machine called Hosemaster at a cost of USD 7500 till mid nineties.

Do you someday plan to reveal your secret technique?

Yes. The world of IT and photography is changing so fast, I am looking for dedicated students to teach all my secrets and ideas. I like the idea of franchising my technique to the world, to the young and the old, to professionals and to amateurs.