A quaint Saturday at the exquisite Park Hyatt Jakarta calls for chit-chats over delicate tea. For some, specifically 15 casual photographers, this Saturday was a moment to deeply comprehend the art of social media photography with Leica and Brand Ambassador, Christina Tan, through a masterclass.
Photography Masterclass with Leica at Park Hyatt Jakarta
As the late afternoon sunlight, warm as oil, sweet as childhood pierced through the floor-to-ceiling glass window of the hotel’s lounge and cafe, Conservatory, Tan thoroughly narrated her decades-long journey behind the camera. Tan’s immense love of travel has prompted a burning passion to capture her wanderlust across the globe. She studied photography along the way until she found “herself” through pictures.
“What is your purpose for attending this masterclass?” Tan asked the long table, full of enthusiastic faces eager to absorb Tan’s wisdom. A man in spectacles sitting in front of Tan owns a photography school in Sumedang, West Java and wants to improve his platform’s social media presence. Thus, he was delighted to learn Tan’s way. Another man sitting, sitting a couple of chairs behind the former, was adamant to optimise his modish Leica camera after years of utilising another camera brand. Whereas a young gentleman, across the two, wishes to increase his landscape photography skills.
Tan uttered a familiarly spoken statement: A picture tells a thousand words. Indeed - one’s perception could be conceived differently to another. “But, what is the message you wish to convey through your pictures on social media?” she asked everyone.
Instagram is Tan’s gateway to sharing her world to beyond. “Photography and social media have opened many doors to the future,” she continued. One rule of thumb for any social media user, in this case, Instagram, is to perceive their account as a portfolio, a form of branding.
Tan continued the masterclass with some tips and tricks that proved beneficial for her all this while. The first is to know one’s audience and interests on Instagram. This determines “What you are; your tone and personal branding,” she said. The following topics disclosed revolved around the technical aspects, such as lighting, depth of field, storytelling, editing, unique angles and perspective, experimenting, and analysis.
Tan displayed some of her favourite photos to illustrate her points. Engaging questions were thrown back and forth between topics, which she reciprocated with enthusiasm.
The pleasing session transcended to a quick exercise. World Pastry Champion Chef Otto Tay, as part of Park Hyatt’s Master Food and Wine, had curated a delectable spread for afternoon tea both for the exercise and participants to enjoy afterwards. Three stations were adorned captivatingly within the Conservatory, displayed with pastries, tea sets - and one with a model. “I will select three of the best pictures at the end,” said Tan. Hastily, the participants scattered with their cameras in hand - including two of the Leica cameras Tan had brought - snapping dozens of pictures following the freshly absorbed information.
The selected pictures were displayed on the screen as Tan debriefed them. The winners were awarded with gifts. “Everybody did a great job,” expressed Tan. Her pleasure was translated to the participants. They enunciated their undying interests to join another photography masterclass by her, while enjoying the four-course afternoon tea, amongst more discussions about photography.
“Changes in social media are inevitable. It’s a wonderful way for people to hone their skills and share them with the world. But knowing who and what you are is crucial to stand out. I hope my experiences and knowledge can help,” concluded Tan, holding her Leica camera.
