23/03/2021
Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) passed away on this day in 2015, I'm posting these portraits I shot for his book as a tribute in remembrance.
Over the two weeks I spent photographing him in Istana, I was inspired by his attitude towards lifelong learning.
At 80+, he was still actively studying Chinese and mastering computer skills. (The portraits I photographed are for his book "Keeping My Mandarin Alive")
That inspiration was partly what motivates me to make a career switch from photography to information technology.
Another reason was my desire to return to Singapore after being away for 12 years.
I tried to relocate back to Singapore in February 2020 but that attempt failed because of the pandemic. I wasn't able to find a job in Singapore's IT market after weeks of searching.
Eventually, I had to return to Hong Kong, coincidentally also on this very day a year ago (My son was denied entry into Singapore when we were returning from Malaysia as it closed its borders)
And ironically, I was able to get two IT job offers within a few days of job searching in Hong Kong (as compared to weeks of futile job search in Singapore)
I'm going to try to return to Singapore in a few months time, after I finish my first year of IT work in Hong Kong.
Hopefully this time round, I will find success.
- Lance Lee
Formerly a fashion photographer, a Straits Times Photographer, and now an IT professional.
