Fur Babies

Fur Babies is an on-going personal photography project looking at the changing landscape of pet ownership and animal welfare in Taiwan. What began as a assignment for the Investigative Photojournalism Workshop ran by The Reporter, has become a series of photographs aimed at documenting the lives of pets long-term through the eyes of the animal. 

In 2020, Taiwan entered into a “golden crossover” period where pets had outnumbered children. With more and more people seeking “pet parenthood”, are the real needs of companion animals being understood and answered? Or are fur babies just another way humans adopted for self-fulfilment? 

The Reporter (www.twreporter.org) is an award-winning non-profit digital media organisation that focuses on in-depth reportage and investigation on key societal issues in Taiwan. The workshop is one of its outreaching initiatives to nurture local talents and promote a diverse media environment in the country. 

- Taiwan, 2020

 

Rides of opportunity

The legal age to ride in Cambodia is 15 but there were plenty of riders on the road who looked a lot younger! Kids ride to school in their black Honda scooters running on 1 US Dollar petrol per litre. 

Eighty percent of registered motorbikes are under 125cc which most people, including minors can operate without a license. 

- Cambodia, 2019

 

 Stray East

Senior dogs Buster, Lilly and Charles have just been fed and brushed. Feeling a bit restless, Buster, the 12 year-old mix, decides to break free from his pen right after the volunteers at this Los Angeles shelter left. What is he looking for? Companions? Freedom? Or simply a steak dinner?  

Through the eyes of animals around the world, this is the start of an on-going project that looks to capture the changing attitudes towards animal ownership and welfare in Taiwan. As human beings, can we give them the life they deserve? 

In association with 'Twelve Nights 2: Back to Day Zero’ (2020), a feature documentary by Cosmos Documentary and Production

- Taiwan, 2018

 

Yama Rong

At 3am on a rainy May day, I met up with a group of history fanatics in Wanhua. Known as 'Monga' back in the days. This oldest district in Taipei is now home to one of the biggest wholesale fish markets in northern Taiwan. Filled with the hustle and bustle of the modern trade, the market oozes old school vibe - rough around the edges but heartwarmingly nostalgic.

What really jumped out at me was the fact that Japanese influence is still traceable. The seals used in lieu of signatures is common across Asia, but charmingly the Japanese characters used by the traders are still recognisable 72 years on. 

'Yama Rong 173' was Mr. Chang's stamp. Instead of cash in hand, buyers such as Chang exchange contracts using seals. Mr.Chang stamped his seal on a ink box wore on the back of his hand and in a blink of an eye, a fresh, blood-like mark soaked through the auction sheet. 'Yama', a common Japanese surname distinguishing 'Rong 榮' (Mr. Chang's business trademark) and the deal is done.

In an era which digital dominates, it's nice to see that two cultures once crossed paths, live on in the most subtle and unassuming way.

- Taiwan, 2017