by Yvette Depaepe 
Published the 16th of January 2023

Leah Guo is constantly in search to improve her skills and to find her very own style. Her portfolio already is showing great works.  She is inspired by many of our talented members. She is learning and growing on 1X.  Let's wonder through her images and listen to what she reveals us about the person behind her work.

'Road to the beach'

Dear Leah, first I would like to thank you so much for taking the time to answer this questionnaire! To begin, please introduce yourself shortly and tell us more about you, your hobbies or other projects you are involved in!

I was influenced by my father and older brother, who were not professional photographers either. I started taking photos when I was very young. That was before the digital era and I've used analogue cameras for years. Occasionally, I went with visiting places with my middle school classmates and I always was considered as the photographer for them. I loved to assist my father and brother in their dark room before setting up my own after university graduation. But it was only about 5 years ago that I really get seriously involved into photography.
Now photography is my hobby and passion.

'Weird'

'Out from dark'

 
What would be the most important experience so far that has influenced your steps in photography?

We moved a lot all around the world and my personal life has been changing over time, so I wanted to use photography to record all changes and feelings involved.

'Summer'

'In a hurry'

What would be your favourite photo? Please tell us the story behind it.

Maybe the “Birds of Peace”. Pigeons are called the birds of peace but on this picture we can see those birds flying around in chaos.  But watching carefully the photo, one can see a boy laughing inside the bus which shows a sense of humour. The black and white tones on the birds are reflecting light and shadows. 

'Birds of peace'

You have your own style but your work is very diversified.  I see creatively edited photography, landscape photography, street photography, people, animals etc. Can you explain why this is?

I have all kind of interests / curiosity about my environment.  I like to discover several ways of using my creativity. Although, I truly hope to focus on my specific approach to find my personal style in photography someday.

'Walking in a rainy day'

'Eye-catching'

What is more important to you, the mood,/story behind your images or the technical perfection?
I like the story and the mood, but it often is hard to express both in one single photo.  I'm working quite hard to reach the technical perfection to satisfy the 1x's requirements. 

'Run'
 

'Tickets Office'

What generally is your relationship to your subject matter beyond being an observer?
Do you prepare carefully the locations where you are intending to photograph?

I prepare myself carefully when it is about shooting landscapes, events or still-life photos. But for street photography, I first look for my interests and then patiently wait for the desired scene to occur. Sometimes I just shoot instantly when I see an interesting object. 

'Swim on the sky'

'Super Flower Blood Moon of 2022'

Describe your overall photographic vision.

Getting more photos published / awarded on 1x.com is one of my goals.  Also working hard on editing the sea of photos I already took and organizing them into series of specific topics.

'Day dream'

Can you please tell us something more about your workflow from the idea to the final product?

Most of the time, I'm going through my last taken photos or through the ones who haven't got enough attention but have potential to be processed. I using Photoshop as software to refine my pictures.

'Christmas is coming'

'Running lights'

Where do you look to find inspiration and what inspires you the most?

To get inspired and have new ideas, I'm watching the photos awarded on 1x.com.  I'm also look at LensCulture.com and Artstory.org.

'Rainy day in the city'

Many are of the opinion that the gear is not very important when the passion for photography is strong. However, can you please share with us what gear you use (camera, lenses, lighting, tripod, etc.)?

My husband and I have gathered quite a lot of gear over past years. After a few updates, we kept two analogue cameras, one Nikon 135 and one Olympus 120.
Our digital cameras: Nikon D810 with 105-120mm F4, 70-200mm F2.8, 500mm F5.6 lens, Leica Q and Leica M10 with 35mm F1.7 lens.
We have 3 tripods, which cover the needed portability and stability. 

'Counting the boards' 

Who are your favourite photographers or mentors whose works have influenced you and your photography?

I don't have any professional degrees in photography. When I started having more spare time for photography, which is just 5 years ago, my first mentor was Phillip Chang (phillipcheng), who presented some of his photography stories and his work on 1x in our photography group.
Besides 1x, I joined a few more photography groups and read photography related books. I also read artist stories from theartstory.org.
On 1x, I follow many photographers such as Ben Goossens, Hengki Lee, Gilbert Claes, Arnon Orbach and Yvette Depaepe. I admire them mostly for their personal style, creativity, technical skills and consistency.

'Red'

Now, since we have almost reached the end of this interview, I would kindly ask you to share with us your plans or photographic projects you would like to be involved in.

As I said  above,  I’d like to get more photos published / awarded on 1x. I also want to edit some of the many pictures in my archives and create series with them.

'Dancing by the Music Hall'

Is there anything else you wish to add  and what do you think about 1X as a home base for your work?

1X is just perfect for me.  Here I learn a lot and day by day, I'm growing. 

'Through window'