Beware of this Photographer, stylist & Editor

[snowspeeder]

Just got to read this thread.

Alas I thought Joseph Hong has close shop already. I was also conned by this so called stylist and editor. (He had an office in Bukit Timah Shopping Centre).


Here it goes:

A coupe of years ago, I was contact by this so called Editor, stylist from Media Warehouse, Joseph Hong. He said that his client wanted 7 simple product shots on white background and he will do the art direct, styling and edge out. I just do the shoot. As it was a magazine he needed to have a margin for mark up. After some bargaining I settle for $30 per shot.

Did the 7 shots of Bird Nest Product in the presence of the client, burn into CD and collect on the images the spot. As the client was present, Joseph told me he will sent the cheque of $210 to me at the next shoot in a week's time. BTW throughout the shoot Joseph did nothing and I have to style the products and also show the client the angle etc.

The next week came and this time the client came with more bird nest products ie 7 more. Joseph did not turn up and call to say his assistant will be there. The assistant(a part timer) came but without the cheque for the first shoot. I had to carry on the shoot as not to create a scene in front of his client. Shoot done, CD given.

After 8 months despite constant chasing and visiting his office, I could not get any payment.

Went to Small Claim Tribunal and on two hearings, Joseph Hong did not even bother to turn up. Was supposed to get a bailiff and go to his office to seize items. I gave up as it is taking too much of my time and effort for $420 and I already spent about $100+ for the SCT process. I check around and his office is gone and I thought this joker Joseph Hong is gone,

Never knew he is still around conning ppl. Photographer and consumer beware of this joker.

BTW a sample of my image taken can be seen here

Drawing from your experience, may the DTE photographer may not have been paid too. :dunno: Seems that pple like this joseph clown does not care much about retribution. Then again, there are probably lots of pple like him around. So everyone gotta be extra cautious when dealing with companies like these.

 

[sinned79]

this the clown? :dunno:

 

[chngpe01]

this the clown? :dunno:

yes this F+++ing clown

 

[sinned79]

yes this F+++ing clown

ok, will rem his face

 

[snowspeeder]

this the clown? :dunno:

Can make the clown photo larger? So easier to remember that face.

 

[sinned79]

Can make the clown photo larger? So easier to remember that face.

i take from his website... thats the original size of the photo.

 

[allenleonhart]

helping you to link the photos..

ok. what in the ****. even my grandma shoot better than that guy:sweat:

 

[allenleonhart]

actually, there's nothing wrong to shoot at f20, some pros shoot at max f. whenever possible.

(Edit: should not have add the quote )

i thought shoot at max f for products safer? sharper for the details? does that mean i'm wrong to shoot at f32 zomg?! emo:cry:

 

[cabbySHE]

Everyone, without exception will get conned in one way or the other, some share it with others, some prefers to keep to themself. Some got BIG damage ( e.g. LEHman bros ), while some suffer with small dent ( like this case ).

Most CSer take for granted that all who participate in this forum are well verse with photography and its related trade and etc, however, much is not true.

The $1.65K is obviously not equally distributed, I would have figure it most likely this guy Joseph, conned the TS, the photographer and may includes the model who pose for the styling.

The photographer skill / knowledge is incompetent for this simple product shot. The cross shadows are the tell tale. Not to mention the poorly maintained camera. The styling sucks too.
With a properly equipped studio, one light will do the job ( and do it well ).
An overhead softbox /bank lighting measuring 1.2 x 1.5 m in size, tilt at around 45 degree towards the camera. Camers will be heavily hooded.
A cyclindrical white veneer sheet wraps around subject from camera lens position with an aperture hole for camera to shoot thro, that's all it needs.
It will produce very soft shadow wrap round lighting effect, and combining small aperture, very hi-difinition image will result.
But with such facilities, charges will be more likely in the region of $2.5~$3.0k.
Time frame most probably will be a days work, given the amount of shoes and styling.

As for record, I think this thread has got the most Moderators interested / involved.

 

[cabbySHE]

Like to offer a suggestion...

is it possible to start a section on..." Black sheep of the family "

with all these " proven " wrong doers listed ?

 

[Cheesecake]

this the clown? :dunno:

he's so yandao wor!! woot wooot! look like chow yun fatt! :bsmilie:

 

[phoakm]

huh? :what:

I better get my friend to do the job (Product shoot) for my client.

Better stick to portrait shoots. :embrass:

 

[catchlights]

Thanks to TS and Mod PE for the warning alert on this full-time con man part-time editor.

hope his karma will reach him soon.

 

[Limsgp]

Not too high.. diffraction effect will kick in and sharpness/resolving power compromised. But if the picture is to be resized to this small size.. maybe ok..

i thought shoot at max f for products safer? sharper for the details? does that mean i'm wrong to shoot at f32 zomg?! emo:cry:

 

[Limsgp]

Good Thing Doesn't Come Cheap
Cheap Thing Doesn't Come Good

Not necessarily so.

There's an example.

I think anyone of us newbie here with a cheap camera can take better photos than this guy

You should ask one of us for help, some of us may offer free services to get the experiences

Anyway, since many newbies here can do it for free or nominal fee to cover lunch/transport, there's no harm giving it a shot.

Really.. >50% of newbies can do better shots then the one posted.

PS: the comment is not valid for AD where there is no retake or 2nd chance.......

 

[hanqiang1011]

I think this so-called photographer & editor doesnt bother to do a research... OMG, everytime when I see the photos with lots of spots, it gives me creeps...

 

[daredevil123]

Actually I believe the editor is out to con from the outset. I think he never ever intended to deliver a good product shoot. Studio was probably rented. Photographer was probably some casual hobbyist who don't know better. Model was probably some wanna-be (looking at the condition of her legs, and how she poses, I doubt she is a professional leg/feet model). My guess is editor made off with most of the money. Giving the photographer and "model" some token allowance.

 

[leowyien]

Hey guys, found a link, duno whether its him.
here ***deleted by mod*****

John and Joseph Hong

 

[chngpe01]

Hey guys, found a link, duno whether its him.
here ***deleted by mod*****

John and Joseph Hong

I deleted the link, the ones you mentioned is based in US not Singapore. Further more this Joseph Hong is never a photographer but a so call Editor.

 

[ed9119]

I emailed this guy to give him a chance to hear his side of the story and respond..... his 2 email replies to me

---------------------------
Response
I am not interested in settling the thread bec the persons concerned didn't
know the legality of the situation.

And, I am not wasting my time with the matter. They can say what they like I
don't want to waste my time defending myself but they better watch what they
say all this time before I start a legal suit against them.

Just to let them know that I have spoken to my lawyer and will commence
legal action against them if they don't stop the threads. The only thing
that is stopping me from taking legal action is that the sum involved is too
small for me to pursue the matter legally.

Anyway, I am not interested in the matter, they can say what they like.

--------------------------------
and this
--------------------------------

I m not going to waste my time defending myself when she should have claimed
for the amount of money she paid for digital imaging work. Her claim is
fraudulent and she should stop her rattling before I go to the police and to
the courts to sue her.

I think as moderator you should put a stop to the rattling by the woman,
Angeline of Lavena shoes. I state categorically her claim are fraudulent and
it should have been set aside. I just don't want to waste my time doing this
at the Small Claims Tribunal bec it is an utter waste of time.

Anyway, I also thank her for driving traffic to my website, I am going full
steam generating revenue for my site!!!!