On the Cover Photo

“Daido Moriyama's photography has always served as a guiding light for me, inspiring my approach to capturing the essence of urban life, and shaping my own artistic vision and approach to storytelling through photography.

In September 2023, in the vibrant streets of Kuala Lumpur, I found myself immersed in the city's energy, camera in hand, eager to encapsulate its essence. As the sun bathed the urban cityscape, I stumbled upon a captivating scene – a towering poster featuring a black woman holding a diamond, ripe with potential for reflection. Yet, a challenge presented itself: how to capture the delicate play of light and shadow. The tree frame within the lady's grasp whispered of symmetry and balance, pushing me to uncover the hidden beauty. With each step through the streets, I pursued the perfect angle, experimenting with the perspective to blend nature's reflections with urban life. I change the aperture on the lens to F6.8 to capture both the lady and the trees in focus.

Ultimately, it wasn't just about capturing an image – it was about freezing a feeling, an impression, a story suspended in time.”