Johnathan Chen is an engineer and self-proclaimed professional-amateur photographer who maintains the belief that things are not beautiful without difficulty; a mantra that has seen the sophomore student bring a beginner’s mindset to his craft.

Speaking at TEDx, Chen explains that a scientist and photographer approach a story in much the same way and as an artist of both, he melds the two stories to create new images that carry dual purpose.

In one example, Chen explains the science behind Prince Rupert’s Drop, a solid glass droplet that will not shatter when struck by a hammer but turns brittle when exposed to the tiniest of cracks. Chen used the shatter effect captured by a slow motion camera at 100,000 FPS and warped the image of the Earth around the disintegrating droplet to convey the message of our fragile planet.

Chen is aware that the end result of any photograph is what everyone celebrates, but the story and hardship behind capturing it is what makes it so beautiful. He adds that as a colourblind person taking a photograph isn’t just a hobby but also a struggle.

“Studying science and making photos I figured I could learn how to see. . . that unique individual abstraction that comprises so much of what it means to be human. Science is my way of engineering my own perspective. ”

Chen’s story isn’t about overcoming adversity but about using your unique perspective on life to inspire others.

2016-11-5 03:00