Mark Chen

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Artist/Photographer Member Mark Chen

Artist Statement

On Photography

Photography is a very different creative process to other forms of art. Photographers are observers of the world. Every living soul observes; but photographers see what others don't, and see them from from view points that others don't use.

On My Photography

Our mind's internal universe maps what is out there in the material universe. Whereas we all share the same universe, each person's internal universe varies, because the "mapping" is a subjective process. I am gifted with, and have crafted the ability to show you the images in my internal universe. So when one views my work, one sees the world through my understanding of it. The hope is the viewers find joy in seeing the world through my eyes, because they find it so pleasantly different to their own.

Biography

Mark Chen was born in Taiwan in 1963. His interest in communicating through images started early in the teenage years. College days saw the early success when his works were awarded in nationwide competitions. First solo show was held in 1986 at Artists' Cabin, Taipei. The show was hailed by local art critique as "refreshing breeze".

Mark Chen's migration to the US at 1990 refreshed his enthusiasm in landscape as he became inspired by America's National Parks. In the year of 2000, he officially turned professional by operating Mark Chen Photography. In his path as a pro, he became an active member of Professional Photographer of America (PPA) and Wedding and Portrait Photographer International(WPPI). Mark Chen's works were awarded in international competitions held by these two organizations in the year of 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. At year 2009, he was awarded commercial photographer of the year by Professional Photographer Guild of Houston(PPGH), a local branch of PPA.

Mark Chen's enthusiasm in photography expanded to education, as he joined the staff at Houston Baptist University and Houston Community College. Certified by Adobe as an Photoshop Expert and Instructor, his footsteps covered all over the United States, training professionals in Photoshop conferences. Writing is Mr. Chen's most recent endeavor, as his book Creative Wedding Album Design (2009), Unleashing the Raw Power of Adobe Camera RAW (2010), Ambient and Flash Technique for Wedding Photographers (2011) were published or to be published by Amherst Media, a publishing house specialized in photography books.