July 29 - A Photographer Meets His Muse

nPosted on July 29, 2019

Key Points

nTrue artists, including photographers, will make art wherever they are, no matter what their life looks like.

nBut sometimes an artist goes along at one level, making quite nice art – and then something changes, and the change inspires what I would argue is greater art.

nThe “something changes” that inspires an artist can be a world event, like humans reaching the Moon or a disastrous typhoon. Or it can be a personal event – finding an amazing job, moving, meeting a soulmate.

In Dave Koh’s case, it was becoming a father. On this date in 2013, he posted the first photo of his newborn daughter to his professional photography account – which can be found with the name milkpa316.

nKoh’s daughter seemed to act as a sort of muse. His pre-fatherhood photos were generally portraits – beautiful and evocative portraits – but after he became a dad, Koh also began to produce conceptual pieces. Some of his photos speak to concern about the environment, concern for the future. (Of course, parents and grandparents have even more at stake in the future than they did before they had kids!)

nBy the way, Koh is from Malaysia and now lives in Singapore. He is a full-time dad (or used to be, at least). He and his wife have had another child, this time a son.

nCheck out Dave Koh’s work. I think that his pics will make you think – and more thinking makes the world a better place!