I am a Korean-Canadian street photographer, drawn to the abstract because nothing is what it seems. My photographs reflect my deeper inner world.

What one piece of advice would you give street photographers just starting out?

My main advice is that you can accomplish anything with hard work. Passion drives you to practice, to learn and to study the masters of your craft. If you want to become a writer, start writing. Read great literature and break down its story design. If you want to direct, make films and study the work of master filmmakers.

I’m a self-taught photographer. I bought my first pro camera and started shooting as often as I could. I loved poring over photography books and studying countless images from my favourite street photography galleries online. Whenever I wanted to achieve a particular shot or couldn’t intuitively figure out a camera setting, I researched how to do it.

There is a wealth of knowledge available through books, online resources, course workshops and experienced professionals. With passion and practice, you can teach yourself at your own pace.

What are your top two places in Vancouver for shooting and why?

Anywhere downtown. I live downtown and love it. I follow the crowds, shoot reflections and often find myself at the Seawall.

Which three street photographers have influenced your work the most?

I experimented and explored with many genres of photography – landscape, wildlife, cityscapes, etc. It came home to me what kind of photographer I wanted to be after being introduced to the work of Saul Leiter. Fan Ho and Vivian Maier are constant beacons of inspiration for me.

Describe your work using up to four keywords

• Photographs are emotional truth