Motivation Monday Student Spotlight - Bright Chang

Bright Chang - Class of 2019

Hi Bright! We know that apart from being a dental school student, you are a talented photographer and was recently spotlighted in the national ASDA magazine, “Contour”. Your photographs came in runner-up of a huge pool of applicants for the monthly photography contest this past month. Congratulations!!  Could you tell us more about why you chose to capture these amazing moments?
To me, every moment in time only happens once. It’s my choice whether or not to capture that special moment and cherish it for the rest of my life. When I started college, I realized that I had really no way of sharing my experiences with the rest of the world aside from words. I wanted a way to visually share my experiences with my family and friends.
 
How long have you been interested in photography?
I enjoyed photography as a child but never had the opportunity to buy a nice camera until 2013. That’s when it all began. It’s been about 4 years since I started learning photography.
 
Have you taken any special classes to learn more techniques?
I haven’t taken any special classes to learn photography. I taught myself photography by reading books, watching YouTube videos, and talking to experienced photographers. The best photography class for me was to wander around the city and practice different techniques. The fun was in learning from mistakes that I made and trying to figure out a way to fix them.
 
What type of camera do you use?
I use DSLR Canon 70D and Mark III cameras. Both are great cameras but the difference boils down to whether it is a crop-size or full-size sensor. Because I really enjoy night photography, I bought a Mark III. Now, it’s the go-to camera. But I still use 70D for videography because of its more advanced auto-tracking features compared to Mark III.
 
What has been your favorite object/person to capture?
I really enjoy capturing anything and everything I can. But I think the most interesting photos that I like to capture are time-lapse photos. These photos are created by making light streaks during the day or night. I also enjoy capturing people's candid smiles at weddings, dances, and other events.
 
What is your advice to dental students who are interested in picking up photography while in school or refining their skills?
The best but simple advice for learning photography or any other hobbies and skills is to practice, practice, practice. If you are interested in learning something, you will always find a way to learn more about it. It’s just a matter of whether you want to spend your time and energy learning and improving that skill and whether you have the courage to ask for advice from those who have more experience than you.

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