In August 2025, I was invited to create a series of portraits of the conductor, music director, and principal performers of the Chinese Orchestra of Chinese High School Batu Pahat for the promotional campaign of Tide of REN.
Rather than creating conventional promotional portraits, I wanted each photograph to reveal the quiet strength and individuality of the musicians before they stepped onto the stage.
Using a low-key lighting approach with carefully directed light, I allowed shadows to become part of the composition. The contrast between light and darkness was not merely a visual choice—it became a way to express focus, discipline, and the emotion carried by every performer.
Before an audience hears the first note, there is always a moment of silence.
These portraits were created to capture that moment — where dedication, anticipation, and years of musical devotion quietly come together before the performance begins.
