Derek Zhao, Author at 35mmc

Derek Zhao

Derek Zhao is random. He is currently a machine learning engineer at Disney after retiring from a past life composing music for film and television. He has since worked in data and ML roles at NASA, Electronic Arts, and Discord. In his spare time, he pretends to be a photographer on Instagram, which leads him to constantly ask... "But is it art?"

Derek Zhao's Posts

Black-and-white photograph of pedestrians walking past the tall, dark rectangular windows of a Wall Street building. The figures appear small against the massive architecture, creating a stark geometric composition of vertical shadows, bright pavement, and human silhouettes.

1 July, 2026

I Photograph Landscapes, But I’m Not a Landscape Photographer – What Paul Strand taught me about looking past genre

By Derek Zhao

The French composer Maurice Ravel, whom you likely know from his ubiquitous Bolero, lost his battle with history. Despite his protestations, he is now labeled an Impressionist, ...

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Chuck on I Photograph Landscapes, But I’m Not a Landscape Photographer – What Paul Strand taught me about looking past genre
Great choice of classic photos! Thanks for sharing.
Ibraar Hussain on Zeiss Ikon Icarex – Roll over Nikon
Thank you again Russ For liking the photos - especially the comparisons. Those places have a timeless feel, I especially…
Ibraar Hussain on Zeiss Ikon Icarex – Roll over Nikon
Thank you Tony, if not for you (and Dave) I would probably haven’t had the inclination to go down the…

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