03/21/08

1. What did you do after graduation?

Secondary school teacher for first 4 years, then went to London to study M.A.degree (Education – curriculum and assessment). Returned to HK and work in HK Examinations Authority (HKCE Exam systems) until migrating to Melbourne. Worked in Vic Tertiary Admissions Centre as head of Systems for several years. Now retired.

2. When did you migrate to Australia?

1986

3. What are you doing now?

Retired. Operate a branch of a tuition centre on Saturday.

Currently involved in religious and community services:

Catholic church (local parish and Chinese), Inter-church, Neighbourhood Watch.

Also: Executive Committee of Monash SCUBA Diving Club

Interests other than photography: bicycle riding, SCUBA diving, carpentry

4. Tell us something about your family

Wife: Patty, was Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy, now retired but works 2 days a week in a school for handicapped children as physiotherapist.

Son: Constantine, married, medical doctor training to specialise in Haematology

Daughter: Mimi, single, dentist since end of 2002

5. What is your plan for the next 5 years?

Keep up with existing services; keep riding and diving until no longer physically capable. Better still: have grand-children (unfortunately I cannot plan this)

6. What is your motto?

Whatever you do for a good course, do your best

7. Tell us something about the cuhk-aaa-vic association. What do you like, what can be improved?

A worthwhile group (organization) for ex-CUHK people to get together for social and other purposes. Unfortunately I have not got time to participate more. It is indeed nice to see a number of enthusiastic people to run it and running it successfully

8.  Why do you like photography?

This is the easiest way to keep record of people’s life and what happens around us – a baby growing up, old building replaced by new one, regeneration of vegetation after bush fire, just to mention a few. And

it makes me feel good helping make these records.

I particularly remember a lady friend who died rather young – she was very grateful that I took some good photos of her and her family while she was presentable.

9. When do you start taking photographs?

A fellow teacher where I taught was a keen photographer. He lured me to start and he was very successful in this respect. However I began to take it seriously after my son was born – this was 29 years ago. 

10.   What kind of subject matters you are most interested?

My favourite subject is children photography. Next is natural scenery 

11.                  Could you tell us about the setup of the studio at home?

It is a 250 sq feet room at the back of my house (my son used to live in it).

There are several backdrops and studio flashes (umbrella lights) and some good cameras.

12.                  What do you use the studio for?

Mostly portrait photography; also for still-life photos (eg. Design course projects). At one time I did photography for whoever wanted but then gave this up, when I found a family was probably trying to steal something while I was busy. 

13.                  Do you have a website that I could look at some of your photographs?

I now have one -  www.fujicolor.com.au/jackytam

It has not been updated for quite some time now (got too many other things to do!) 

14.                  What do you feel after some nice shots? Why?

Unfortunately I don’t have too many photos that I think are really nice.