The Many Sid3s of Chris Ong

Conceptual Portraiture isn't exactly the easiest of things to do. But honestly, it gets easier once an idea is in place.

“The Many Sid3s (sides) of Chris Ong” is a series of conceptual photographs that explores and illustrates the identity of the model.

Using the word “sides” in both a literal sense (through the various profile shots) as well as the figurative (since each of us has many different sides to our personalities), it seeks to provide an insight to the model’s own self-perception as well as how he is perceived by others.

“3l3m3ntal Id3ntity” (Elemental Identity) is a piece on the various “elements” that are most recognisable about the model.

“A Qu3stion of B3li3f” (A question of Belief) is a double-meaninged piece on the model’s faith (through the sense of questioning / challenging belief, as well as in the sense of whether you believe).

“G33k Lit” (Geek Lit or “Literature”) is a piece that illustrates the reading material that the model is most associated with in terms of his technological orientation.

“Mak3 Som3 Nois3” is a piece about the model’s interest in drumming, and portrays a drumset that is both there and not there (due to its incompleteness).

“Fair Gam3” (Fair Game) reflects how much gaming is part of the model’s life, as does “Wir3d Up” (Wired Up) in symbollising his attachment to technology.

The last piece in the series, “All that you can’t l3av3 B3hind” (All that you can’t leave behind) is borrowed from a title of a song, and shows the model’s attachment to a past relationship (represented by the pig which was a gift returned), and that while he has turned his back on it, it is still a reminder to him of things gone by.

On to the pictures then:

"3l3m3ntal Id3ntity"

"A Qu3stion of B3li3f"

"G33k Lit"

"Mak3 Som3 Nois3"

"Fair Gam3"

"Wir3d Up"

"All That You Can't L3av3 B3hind"