by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 23^rd of September 2024

Molly Fu is a lovely artist whose work is very creative and varied. Each image bears her unmistakable signature. Whatever the subject, she edits her photos to look exactly how she felt on location. Her vision is to capture the moment, express it artistically, learn and enjoy, be her own style. Looking at her work, it is no wonder that she admires Saul Leiter. I'm very happy and proud to introduce this great lady to the readers and to immortalise her with this interview in one of her favourite places on 1x: the magazine.

'Roses In Dream'

Dear Molly, first of all I would like to thank you for taking the time to answer this questionnaire! First of all, please introduce yourself and tell us more about yourself, your hobbies or other projects you are involved in!

My name is Molly Fu, I was born in China and immigrated to Canada in 2002. I am an accountant and I am always dealing with numbers at work.  In my spare time, besides photography, I also like travelling, singing, reading, listening to music, anything related to art, anything that is new, creative and fun.
During the epidemic I started to learn drawing, but I couldn't stick to it due to lack of time. I hope to have the opportunity to continue in the future. 

When and how did your photographic journey begin?

I have loved photography since I was a child. I was very jealous of a relative who miraculously captured beautiful landscapes and figures on photographic paper in the darkroom, and I was deeply impressed. My father also used to take photographs and left many precious memories for the family. That is why I have always tried to capture these moments.
However, it was only during the 2020 COVID epidemic that I started to learn photography seriously after joining the Atlantic Photographers Association (APA). I have three mentors on my photographic journey: Emma Zhao and Sean Huang, who introduced me to photography through their mobile photography classes. They introduced me to a new world of photography and I started to learn post-processing.
My fascination with the world of photography made it impossible for me to stop learning, especially after I met and studied with Professor Larry Deng, many new ideas, impressions, techniques attracted me forward and non-stop.

'Impression'

For many of us, photography is either a hobby or a way of life. How would you define your relationship to photography?

Photography is not just a hobby for me, it connects me to the world in a special way through my camera. My camera not only takes a picture, but also expresses the feeling of the beauty of each moment that I have captured. It is also a way to get away from the numbers, formulas, etc. that I work on every day.

'Looking through'

What would you say is the most important experience that has influenced your steps in photography?

Participating in several sections of Professor Deng's workshop led me through an unpredictable world of photography; his way of presenting his artworks opened my eyes to the understanding of photography; from there I know that I can express my creative ideas in my images, and I love it whenever there's a new way to present my image.

'The Nest Builders'

'Love in the Air'

You have your own style, but your work is very diverse.  I see street photography, creatively edited work, landscapes... Can you explain why that is?

The world is beautiful, whether you are climbing a big mountain in Iceland, sitting by a famous river, walking in a shopping mall, attending some special event on the street, or enjoying the sunset shining on the roses in your garden, even in a corner of your office when the sun rises through the wall, there is always a moment that touches you and attracts you to open the shutter of your camera or your phone. I cherish every moment I capture and try to express my feelings in an artistic way through my final product.
My working schedule is very tight and busy, I don't have much time to explore many places around the world; therefore my camera is mostly focused on the daily life stories around me, the street photography, macro and especially creative editing are my normal categories. When I have time off work, I would definitely go to the places I long for and enrich my profile with landscape and wildlife categories.
No matter what and where, when I shoot, I feel the click, I feel the art!

'New Bridge View'

What is more important to you, the mood/story behind your images or the technical perfection?

For me, definitely the story behind the images. The right technique is the basis for a photographer, the mood can define and perfect your images, but the story, only the story would add the emotion and express a moment that differentiates each time and each image. 

'Let's Dance'

'Kiss'

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?

First, I am an observer, and I would further connect my heart to learn my subject in my own way, and then to present it through my final product.
I would definitely prepare ahead of time when I intend to go on a photography trip. Mostly I would invite 2 to 3 of my photographer friends, decide the season and timing before we start to book our flights and accommodations. I will also be searching to learn the location, the local culture, and other things that attract me. In addition, I always search some existing images to obtain an idea. Thoroughly research is an important step to benefit my trip, and prepare the right gears to bring with me to enjoy the trip.  

'To the end...'

'Tram 28'

Describe your overall photographic vision.

“I like it when one is not certain what one sees.
When we do not know why the photographer has taken a picture and when we do not know why we are looking at it, all of a sudden we discover something that we start seeing. I like this confusion.” ~Saul Leiter~

My vision is to record the moment properly, express it artistically; learn and enjoy, be my own style.

'Walking in the mall...'

'Cosmos Garden'

Could you please tell us more about your workflow from idea to final product?

Due to my tight schedule, I mainly shot in my local area, even my routine commute from home to work, or events in nearby cities. Most of the time I shoot when I feel the touch and the right moment. I put my emotions into my shutter, when I pan the camera towards the towering trees, it's because I feel the rhythm of their connection between heaven and earth; when I slip off the motorway to take a detour on my way to work, it's because I see the rising sun and people walking their dogs in the glow... harmony, romance... each moment has something that touches me, and I express it in my final product because of that moment. The same is true when I travel, whether it is a family holiday or a special photography trip.
Photoshop is my main tool for post-processing, I usually do quick adjustments, tone, sharpen my images, for wildlife and landscape or documentary images, as these are very much done when I shoot on location.
However, other times I may spend more time studying my images; I like to remember my feelings, my emotions when I shot them on location; I like to creatively express my emotions in my final products.
Whether shooting on location or post-processing, I like to learn and apply new skills, new ways to present my images. Lately I have become very fascinated with impressionistic and abstract photography, using ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) and/or ME (Multi-Exposure), pictorial photography techniques, many of my images are now presented in this way.
I like the feeling of drawing through my camera.

'Lisbon Street'

'Porto Impression'

Where do you look for inspiration and what inspires you the most?

My images are only published on 1x.com, 1x is always my first and best source of inspiration. The platform not only presents so many excellent photographers and their beautiful images, but is also very knowledgeable, I have learned a lot from 1x.
The "Magazine" is my favourite place, I enjoy reading about the excellent photographers, the featured exhibitions; learning from the stories behind the images and the method of how to..., I also love the newly added "Thursday Spotlight" section.
The feedback from the curators always gives me ideas for improvement, and I also visit the "Forums" a lot and learn a lot from the senior critics, thanks to their feedback and hard work.

'Red'

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.)?

Camera: I have a Canon 5D Mark IV, and recently upgraded to Canon EOS R5.
Lenses: I have Canon 16-35mm for wide angel shot; 24-105mm for street, portrait or performance shot; 100mm Macro lens for garden/macro shot, and a Sigma 150-600mm for wildlife shot. I don’t use falsh, and my tripod is from Leofoto.
Another important gear for me is my iPhone 14 Pro Max, I shot from it very often.

'Potts Falls'

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

Dog walking... I took this photo in April 2023 when I visited Portigal with three other photographer friends of mine. It was a very nice trip together with friends who share the same hobby; we enjoyed the food, we chased our favourite yellow trams, we learned and tried ICM photography and enjoyed the different way of the result...good memory.
This photo was taken on a sunny day, late in the afternoon, when we were walking along a street in Porto, a little tired but emotional...suddenly I saw this beautiful and colourful street, the man walking the dog down the hill, quietly, leisurely, with the beautiful street lights, the shadows of the flowers and the sunlight on both sides of the street walls. I was touched by the scene, the peaceful moment, the light and the harmony, I had an idea of how I would process the image, so I quickly took the photo on the spot.
In my post-processing, I applied exactly what I felt on the spot, refracting, adding warm tones and a painterly feeling as if I were drawing it out of my imagination. Every time I look at this picture, it takes me back to that trip, where we had our moments of joy, laughter and cherished memories. 

'Dog Walking...'

Who are your favourite photographers or mentors whose work has influenced you and your photography?

There are many photographers on 1x and from our association who have inspired and influenced me, but there are a few that I must mention at this moment:
I started my professional photography by attending the mobile photography class held by Emma Zhao and Sean Huang, they are my first and unforgettable mentors, their work and enthusiasm for mobile photography inspire me all the time.
Larry Deng: he is not only my mentor, his style and concept of photography opened my eyes and guided me through the whole wonderful world of photography.
Below are some of my favourite photographers who inspire me with their special style:

Intimate landscaping photography

Aidong Ning 

Floral photography

Lydia Jacobs
Judy Tseng

Creative, ICM+ME photography

Carmine Chiriacò
Cindy Liu
Milan Malovrh
Shenshen Dou

ICM/Abstract photography

Stephanie Johnson 

'Folk Dancer'

Now that we have almost reached the end of this interview, I would like to ask you to tell us about any plans or photographic projects you would like to be involved in.

I don't have any specific plans or projects at the moment, I would just keep looking for new techniques and skills, get in touch with excellent photographers... but most of all, be creative and have fun!

'Book Store'

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

1x is absolutely my home base, for learning and for connecting with friends in professional photography. I joined 1x in 2020 when I was a beginner, I was very excited when my first photo was published and then my first photo was awarded... it is always my place to find resources and inspiration. I appreciate all the work done by the crew members and the wonderful team. 

I am also very honoured by the invitation for this interview, it means a lot to me and encourages me to continue on the right path...many thanks, dear Yvette.

'To the right...'