Why I Quit Engineering Job To Be A Photographer #ROBINSPEAKS 009

This is Episode 9 of #ROBINSPEAKS podcast series.
Shout out to Jason Lioh (IG @jasonlioh)
I am getting up close and personal in this latest episode sharing my life stories on my journey of becoming a professional photographer. There are two main stories - my work and experience as an engineer and how my passion for photography developed over the years, and of course, finally the process of quitting my engineering career and braved myself to pursue a life beyond that. I have discussed bits and pieces of these stories before but not in such detail and depth, and I am putting them together in this podcast episode!
0:00 Intro
0:47 Quick Disclaimers
1:42 IELTS Incident
4:03 University of Western Australia
6:18 Obsession Begins
8:00 Becoming An Engineer
9:44 First DSLR
12:40 Working As Geotechnical Engineer
15:13 The Obsession Grows
16:45 Noticed by Olympus Malaysia
18:24 Weekend Warrior
20:41 I Finally Quit
24:00 No Satisfaction
26:18 Life with Olympus
32:02 Full Time Photographer
36:05 Suddenly YouTube
38:00 No Right or Wrong
39:41 Conclusion
40:52 Outro

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Song: Dimatis - Overcoming
Music provided by Vlog No Copyright Music.

[robinwong]

Shout out to Jason Lioh (IG @jasonlioh), without him, I would probably still be shooting with a tiny point and shoot compact camera.

I got carried away with the story-telling and the length of the video overran my intended 30 minutes cap. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoyed my sharing, and for those of you who have followed me on my blog all the way during my engineering days (of if any of you were from my university days), I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

[mattisulanto]

I remember it like yesterday when we once sat down and you shared how and why you decided to quit your job as an engineer. I so wish we could sit down face to face again some day.

[ianvaughan]

I really like your long format videos, please don't apologise for giving us 41 minutes of wisdom and entertainment.

[johnallen]

Yes, I studied chemistry/physics and suffered low pay for years and it never led anywhere. There is lots of nepotism in the UK. I wish I had gone into photography years ago, anyway I am now retired and enjoying photography & video with the Olympus cameras....Thanx great story, Robin

[maneshmalla]

Somehow Robin, you are my alter ego. I am a civil engineer myself and do weddings and events in the weekends as "weekend warrior"; I work and live in new zealand and I do have a good job and earnings but it's just that love of photography that keeps me going. Nice to see I am not the only one. Cheers

[милаястарушка_злобныйдед]

You can quit engineering job but you can't quit being an engineer. The same applies to architecture and design. Robin is right that is part of dna :)

[HughesyTech]

Go Perth! I am born and bred in Perth so nice to see you represent our beautiful city 😊

[photobyTaps]

Thank you for sharing! It really shows your true character that shines through your work. I've been a fan of yours for a long time. Street photography wise, I've always liked Vivian Maier and that influenced my event work. I noticed that something was missing. I wanted to capture personal moments that showed a person's soul. It wasn't until I found your street therapy work that I could put into words what I was trying to do. There is probably a scientific term for this but I believe that as an artist, as hard as we may strive, our own reflection is part of the final piece. Doesn't matter if it shows up. Your street portraits reflect YOUR charm and peace that results in such warm and friendly pieces. Most street photography is candid and have a certain coldness and maintain that feeling of just being another stranger. Your portraits proves at that split second in an ocean of time, that THEY felt important enough for you to notice them. Bravo on your journey and I applaud your courage to surpass shyness and bare your artistic soul and heart.

[kenblair]

Great conversion Robin. Glad to hear, your hanging in, and staying safe. .

[idlanir]

Your engineering mindset has built you to become an excellent photographer.

[rakeshnambiar]

You said, when i am not shooting i am not happy i like that❤❤❤❤

[apilgrim]

Thanks for sharing Robin. Go and publish a book! You have lots of time to write at the moment. God bless you!

[christienbunting]

Keep the faith bro. Things will get better :) Great job you are doing.

[albertomartinez]

Robin thank you very much for sharing your experiences. I think you are a brave chasing what you like by leaving your comfort zone. You will be very happy for sure. a greeting from Spain

[HypnoNett]

Thank you for sharing your story, I found it fascinating! I am enjoying these podcasts so much.

[benjaminruizsalinas]

Incredible to come across this beautiful life story.
thanks for inspiring me bro...

[Fats]

Thank you for telling your story! It was great

[ShiftMovies]

Robin, I'm not even done with the video yet, and I find it really intertesting!

[rasydanazman]

Truly inspiring! Love the part when you shared about your experiences during IELTS test.

Ever since I started watching your videos, I never stop thinking about whats next with my OMD EM10 Mark III

[ShiftMovies]

Great video, and your positive attitude is contagious!