‘Don’t beat up on yourself’: Photographer Russel Wong on overcoming academic struggles to find his talent

SINGAPORE: Some people know exactly what they want to do in life, others still search for their “why” well into adulthood.  
For acclaimed photographer Russel Wong, a simple going-away gift his father gave him before he embarked to study overseas, was the spark that set him on an unexpected journey.  
“He bought it from a shop – I think they’re still around – on Northbridge Road. (It) cost him about $150,” he shared.
His father, a doctor, enjoyed photography as a hobby. All he wanted his son to do was take pictures to send them back home. Russel was never part of the photography club in school nor showed any interest in the art form.  
But when he was barely 18, fate intervened. 
Sebastian Coe, the legendary middle-distance runner and Olympic gold medalist, came to his school to give a talk to students at the local pub. Russell, camera in hand, captured a few candid shots of the athlete. 
“I was so lucky – the sunlight was streaming in from the back. It was a tight head shot … in a dark picnic shed. It looked like a studio shot.”  
What happened next was a whirlwind. Russell showed the shots to sporting giant Nike, expecting nothing more than a free pair of shoes. Instead, one of his images was selected for the cover of an international magazine.  
With a career spanning over four decades, Russel has cemented himself as one of the most celebrated photographers in the world.  
But Russell’s path was neither predictable nor free from self-doubt. 
Now in his 60s, he believes that in life, it isn’t about being your best at 16 or 17. “You want to be the best when you are 40, 50 or 60.’’ 
What separates a good photographer from a great one?
For Russell, it’s not just about mastering the techniques of lighting or composition – it’s about capturing the essence of the subject. 
He fondly remembers one of the most poignant moments in his career – a spontaneous shot during a photoshoot with Singapore’s late founding father, Mr Lee Kuan Yew. 
“I wasn’t supposed to take him outside, but I did.” 
“You could see the city of Singapore, the skyline from the Istana,” Russel recalled. “I wanted to show him looking at the skyline, reflecting on what he (built).”  
That shot, unplanned yet intentional, became a defining image for Mr Lee’s tribute in Time Magazine when he passed.  
Listen to Russell’s story on A Letter to Myself. This podcast, hosted by Joel Chua, features people with remarkable life lessons to share. 
If you know someone with an inspiring story, write to cnapodcasts [at] mediacorp.com.sg. 
Follow A Letter to Myself on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.