Name: Shelby Chen

Age: 20, born December 17, 1988

Homebase: I was born in San Francisco, CA and grew up there. I’m now living about fifteen miles away in Millbrae, CA and going to school in at University of California, Santa Cruz.

Known for: Being funny at the wrong times… I like to think I’m known for my photography, but also as the guy who has too much stuff.

What made you take up photography?: My dad used to do a lot of photography when he was younger so I naturally followed in his footsteps. He gave me his old Minolta XG-M when I was a kid and I learned how to use a film camera. I got my first digital SLR, a Nikon D80, three years ago. I’m still using it today.

An experience with your camera you’ll never forget: I think I remember all my experiences with my camera, important or not. But I do remember hanging out with friends and taking photos of them non-stop. I also really cherish the memories I made shooting pictures in high school for the yearbook class.

Equipment:
Nikon D80
Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6
Nikon 10.5mm f/2.8 fisheye
Nikon 50mm F/1.8
Lensbaby 3G

Style: Mostly street photography, urban landscapes and stuff like that. I like portrait photography, but I don’t do that much.

Challenges: Controlling my insane imagination and making sure I’m not too obsessive over small details.

Achievements: None so far, but every time someone says they like a photo I’ve taken, I count that as an achievement.

Defeats: I know it’s cliché, but defeat is a state of mind, not a state of being. You can only be defeated if you let yourself.

Likes: Photography, of course. I also love reading, and especially writing, and I plan to make a career out of that. I love cooking, drawing, listening to music, watching movies, painting, and sometimes writing poetry. Rainy days are my favorite, but I also love the sun. Winter is my favorite month, and I love the snow.

Dislikes: The noise Styrofoam makes.

Webspace: I have a blog: www.shelbtron.wordpress.com and at flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/weksa

Extras: People should do what makes them happy. Don’t live for anyone else – life is short. Who cares if you grow up to be rich if you’re going to be unhappy? I think graffiti shows a lot about what I believe – with graffiti, people write all over the place, on walls, alleys, under bridges. They are people who do what they want, and in that way, they express themselves to reach their own happiness. Don’t be constrained by anything but yourself.

Pictures of Shelby´s walk at the roadsides of San Francisco