Monofacture: Tell us a little bit about yourself?
Jean Fan: A lot of people are surprised to find out that I am a biomedical engineering student who simply enjoys dabbling in photography, particularly conceptual photography, as a serious hobby. I also work at the Institute for Computational Medicine as a programmer. Perhaps their surprise stems from how little art seems to be involved in my professional studies and work haha, but my studies and work actually do involve quite a bit of creativity so I suppose the right side of my brain must still be churning its gears.
Monofacture: How long have you been a photographer?
Jean Fan: I first got into photography as a hobby when I was a hip young 14 year old...so if I'm 19 years old now, how many years have I been a photographer? I'll leave the simple arithmetic up to you.
Monofacture: When did you become interested in the field of photography?
Jean Fan: I don't think it's possible to pinpoint the moment or even time range when I first realized I was interested in photography with a high degree of personal confidence while maintaining a reasonably low standard error (get the math joke?). Haha but in all honesty, I did not think I would enjoy photography as much as I do now when I first got started. I actually only went into the field of photography because I originally lacked the patience to finish my traditional art works though the more I get involved in photography, the more I realize that patience is a necessary virtue in every field of study from art to zebra ranching but also that patience is a cultured virtue and photography has definitely helped me learn patience.
Monofacture: What projects or goals are you currently working on?
Jean Fan: My curriculum at university always seem to seep its way into my art so I suppose a few of my current projects involve integrating what I've learned in my organic chemistry and differential equations classes into various conceptual photographs. But I also have lots of concepts and projects backed-up from years ago that I have been meaning to get to. I started a concept list challenge more than a year ago (wow time flies) as a sort of reminder of concepts and projects that I must get to: roseonthegrey.deviantart.com/j… ...and the list is still probably less than 20%(?) done...woops.
Monofacture: How do you decide on locations & subjects?
Jean Fan: I don't exactly have the means to travel the world or hire models so I simply work with what I have. Often times that means my room or a near-by park as the location and myself as the subject. Whatever is available to me, I will find a way to make it work .
Monofacture: What sort of equipment and software do you use?
Jean Fan: I currently work with the Nikon D80 with the Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm F/1.8D, Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 70-300mm F/4.0-5.6 ED IF VR, Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 G ED II, and Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Di lens. I also use the SB-600 fr artificial lighting though I generally just use window and natural lighting. I use GIMP 2.0, the freely distributed GNU Image Manipulation Program, to edit my photos.
Monofacture: Where is the most spectacular place you’ve ever been?
Jean Fan: In my imagination. Actually, in my dreams is probably a better answer. I haven't been to many places yet but for now, I can dream.
Monofacture: Is there anybody or anything you would love to photograph?
Jean Fan: KITTIES! No, actually probably my friends. Beautiful minds should make for beautiful portraits. But they always give the mug-shot stare or an intentionally stupid expression when I try to take their photos ...maybe if I distract them with kitties.
Monofacture: What do You think about deviantArt and monofacture?
Jean Fan: Both deviantArt and monofacture provide the means for artists, art-lovers, and basically everything and everyone art related to come together, which is a very impressive feat. Both should be particularly noted for the dedication of their staff and their method for the allocation of tasks that have allowed for such efficiency, utility, and ultimately well-deserved popularity.
Monofacture: Thank You very much.
