My name is Gavin
My name is Gavin
Hi, I’m Gavin. If you’ve ever visited The Black Hole, you’ve probably seen me behind the counter. I’ve been with The Black Hole for a year now, and during this time, I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge—not just about film photography. You might wonder why I’ve chosen to stay at The Black Hole, or even why I haven’t ventured into freelance photography. To be honest, I don’t have a definitive answer. Perhaps it’s my passion for film photography, the vibrant community, or the dynamic art scene that keeps me here. Regardless, I have no regrets about my choices. I often follow my instincts when making decisions, and so far, it’s led me in the right direction.
Having recently returned from Taipei after finishing my university studies, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Malaysia’s film community is far more robust and vibrant than I had anticipated! I sometimes discuss with Brendon, The Black Hole’s founder, how things might have been different if he hadn’t started this place. I could have ended up researching film developing and scanning on my own, or even selling my film cameras to focus solely on digital photography.
During my time here, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many talented photographers from Malaysia and Singapore. It’s been an honor to process their film and help them achieve the best results possible. But it’s not just about the photographers—I’ve connected with countless individuals who share a passion for film photography. Whether they’re trying it out for the first time or looking to elevate their skills, assisting them with their challenges brings me immense joy and a strong sense of accomplishment. I hope my efforts contribute to the community’s growth, strengthen our bonds, and inspire more people to explore the art of film photography
I’ve curated a selection of my photobook collections in The Black Hole’s mini photobook library, with a particular focus on works by Japanese photographers. I highly recommend Light Years by Masumi Ishida and Tokyo: ongoing by Daido Moriyama—both are remarkable explorations of photography. I invite anyone interested to explore these works, as photobooks offer a unique opportunity to delve into the perspectives and techniques of established photographers, providing inspiration for discovering your own style.
From Taipeifornia vol.1 – Taipeifornia
Through this blog, I’m excited to announce that next year, I’ll be publishing a photobook titled ‘Taipeifornia vol.2 – Taipei Freestyle’ and hosting a photography exhibition with a friend. If you haven’t seens Taipeifornia vol.1, it was my project during my third year of university. The content explores impressions of Taipei through interviews from the perspectives of people from different places. Taipeifornia vol.2 – Taipei Freestyle tells the story of my time in Taipei by revisiting photos I took over four years but never paid much attention to. This re-examination happened after I graduated and looked back at that period of my life.
I’ll continue my work at The Black Hole, creating content that explores various aspects of film photography and organizing events that are both educational and fun. Thank you for your ongoing support and trust in our services. If you haven’t tried our film development yet, I invite you to stop by—whether to develop your film, grab a cup of coffee, or chat with us about photography and creativity. For those outside Johor Bahru, we welcome you to mail your film to us and visit whenever you’re in the area.
The future of film photography is full of possibilities—what will we discover next? Only time will tell, so let’s keep pushing the boundaries together.
Go Beyond!