Alex Ma

An art director and commercial and fine art photographer since 1975, I am also a graphic and three-dimensional designer. I am accomplished in illustration and fine art and have experience as an art director and production designer for film production. I graduated from Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Graphic Design and Three-Dimensional Design. I also hold a Certificate in Interior Design from the Chinese University and have studied Illustrations for several years. In addition, I hold a Post Graduate Degree in Design from the University of Technology, Sydney, and a Master's Degree in Multimedia Design from the University of Sydney with Honours. Currently, I am pursuing a PhD in Film and Digital Art at the University of Sydney. I have also worked as a part-time lecturer at Hong Kong University, Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the University of Technology, Sydney.

In Hong Kong, I worked as an Art Director and Design Consultant for various advertising agencies and multinational corporations before starting my own studio in 1979. In 1985, I was nominated by CGS Creative Design P/L, the leading design company in Sydney, to migrate to Australia and work for their Sydney Office as a Senior Art Director. Later on, I joined Tony Dunford Studios as a Graphic Art Director and Illustrator in 1987. Over the years, I have also worked for Tiffany Advertising Group as a Senior Art Director, Underline Design Group as a Senior Designer and Studio Manager, and Marketing and Then Some as a Senior Art Director. My work has received numerous design awards and has been published in various design and photography magazines. It has also been widely exhibited in Australia, Hong Kong, and other countries.

In 1991, Nancy Ma and I established 1A Communication in Australia. 1A Communication is an award-winning multicultural marketing company that provides extensive services to meet clients' promotional needs.

I am proud to be a first-generation art director in the film production industry in Hong Kong and have collaborated closely with renowned film directors like John Woo, among others.

In 2011, I was honored with a silver medal from the Premier of NSW for my creative contributions to the Community Relations Commission of the NSW Government.

Although I have a strong background in large-scale commercial shoots, I have been a commercial and art photographer for almost five decades. My current approach is to shoot with only the contents of my camera bag, allowing for more flexibility and spontaneity. While I take a lot of landscape photographs, my true passion lies in travel and street photography. I strive to capture the essence of different cultures, people, and experiences from around the world.

Throughout the years, I have used various camera brands and formats, both film and digital, starting from 35mm and eventually transitioning to 4x5. In 2014, when I decided to switch from Nikon DSLRs to Mirrorless, I chose Sony due to its lightweight features without compromising on high-quality output. In fact, I had been utilizing Sony video cameras for many years before making the switch.

Teaching has been a significant part of my life for over four decades. I have taught at universities, photography clubs, societies, and conducted private classes ranging from lecture-style formats to photo walks in different countries and environments.

Additionally, I served as an art director and managed the creative department of my advertising and marketing agency for over 30 years. This role has provided me with the ability to quickly discern what is effective from a professional and commercial standpoint. My background in design also adds an extra layer of creativity and technicality when capturing art and non-commercial work.

Thanks to my extensive experience and educational background, I can assess a scene, with or without a plan, and immediately determine the best approach to capture it effectively.