DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Born in Burma, a country renowned for its vibrant arts and culture, Richard immigrated to Canada in 1976. His passion for cinema and photography emerged during his childhood.
He pursued Radio and Television Production at Stephen Leacock High School in Scarborough, followed by Media Arts and Film Studies at Ryerson University in Toronto. After a period of residing and working in Japan, Vancouver became his new home in 1997, where he completed his studies at Columbia Academy in Film and Video Production.
His career in the film industry commenced in the camera department, where he served as an assistant and focus puller during the "film days."
The advent of digital cinema cameras and the early adoption of these systems on productions created opportunities for him to gain valuable experience in the field.
He played a pivotal role in pioneering the Digital Imaging Technician position.
The comedy series “Psych” marked a turning point in his career, leading him to transition into the role of Director of Photography. Working as a hands-on DIT provided him with the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from numerous esteemed DP’s over the course of two decades. While some of these professionals were initially reserved in sharing their knowledge and techniques, those who did were instrumental in shaping his personal “playbook.”
He is deeply grateful for their generosity.
A sense of adventure propelled Richard to seek challenging and remote work environments in Myanmar, China, and the North Pole. These experiences instilled in him a multifaceted and disciplined approach, honed through the unique challenges and conditions of each production.
Cinematography encompasses not only the camera and lighting aspects but also the fundamental process of shaping a narrative as a whole. It involves the portrayal of a story through the lens in movement, timing, and feel, ultimately conveying the intended message.
"Cinematography evokes a sense of wonder, excitement, and fulfillment, and this is the essence of my approach to every endeavour."