What strikes you about Goh Weng Kim of Studio D'Fia is how soft-spoken this photographer is.

You almost have to coax Kim, 33, to speak about himself. "Well," he finally says, "I prefer to let my work speak for itself:' says the photographer with 10 years' experience. And Kim's work speaks volumes.

Hanging on walls in his photographic house are huge black and white works or wonderful presence and, on closer inspection, lovingly detailed and formally composed works of art.

Says Kim. "My style is more towards the fashion-y side. I prefer what I call the 'Natural Pose". I work best when I am on my own alone with my model or bride and then I can tell them how to pose.

"My lighting is usually very simple. Basic."

"And so I like to work on the posing until it is exactly right. I have established myself as a black and white photographer. And when most people think ‘black and white' - they usually think of me. I have been working in this medium since the very beginning and I love to do black and white printing." Kim begins to warm up to the subject because he really loves Black and Whites!

Kim feels that Black and white images give a more lasting product at the end of the day "Black and white gives and everlasting image and feeling. Colours fade over the years. And the tones change as well but Black and white won't fade like that They might turn yellowish - or sepia - which is a nice ageing process that lends the photo even more depth.

"And black and white is always in fashion!" says Kim.

Also diffident Kim enjoys the bustle of weddings. He enjoys meeting all kinds of people and seeing many curious things. As a photographer he does not feel outside the event but very much a part of the friends and family Kim feels that that is why he can take a good picture - he is part of that picture. He is also there. Indeed Kim's stint as a photojournalist must have been useful here as his spontaneity is important here. "The wedding day is more Fun than the studio picture day because I can feel the happiness of the couple. In the studio, it is more of a challenge for me because I have to get them to pose in a way that will make a good picture and a flattering one too.

"When I am doing the shoot, I'm a very serious person. Other photographers may be able to talk and joke but that is just not me. I know my quietness may put some of my couples off but the taste is in the pudding...when they come and look at the photographs. They will be very pleased that I was not joking but really doing my job seriously and carefully!"

KIM'S PHOTOGRAPHIC TIP

• You must know your gown and what kind of mood it demands.

• The main thing is confidence. You have to believe in yourself.

• Trust your photographer. . No one wants to do a bad job.
  
  
• Be natural!

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