BEHIND THE LENS
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JERRY Tan LEEProfessional PhotographerFor Jerry Tan Lee, photography has been a passion since his early childhood. He was first exposed to the art of photography through the influence of his brother Alvin. Then he was taken in by a professional photographer, a man whom he fondly calls “Uncle.” “Uncle”, a member of the Nikon F2 Club, instilled his compositional fundamentals to Jerry in his early teenage years. He remembers being taught that a photograph becomes significantly more powerful if he is able to extract emotions out of the subjects he aims his lenses on. An advice he keeps in his heart until this very day.
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In 1976, he organized the first photography club at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran, his alma mater. He traces his photographic roots to this era. The formative years spent with “Uncle” apparently influencing his choice of genre, which he defines as “human interest”. He finds that black and white provides a more natural look as well.
Transitioning from school to the professional life, he left his camera behind for an extended period of time. However, despite that, visions in black and white started appearing more and more in his mind, eventually rekindling his passion.
Jerry decided to go back to photography to see if he still has it in him to do the art that he loves. It was 2010. He took a short course from “The Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation.” Eventually, he decided on a different path of instruction with “The Paul Yan Experience,” a highly acclaimed photography training geared towards the more serious and passionate individuals intending to pursue their lifelong interest.
He earned a back to back award from the Prima Camera Club as Photographer of the Year for 2011 and 2012. It was also year 2012 that his photo was awarded as Photo of the Year, in black and white particularly .
Year 2013, he won as 2013 Fol Rana Cup Peoples' Choice Award at Prima Camera Club and also as Photographer of the Year 2013 at Avid Photographers. He has garnered 5 first places in different theme categories. He also placed 1st in Sunrise/Sunset and 3rd in Flora and Fauna at Book my Tour photo contest.
In 2014, 3 awards had been given to him: the 2014 Photographer of the Year, Photo of the Year in Black-and-White and People's Choice of the Year, all for Prima Camera Club.
Now he takes his journey towards a deeper frame of mind; the one that seeks to transform emotion to another dimension.
In memory of Jesus Paul C. Yan, teacher and friend.