We wanted to capture archival portraits that reflected our family’s history.
We visited Kanta Studio in Kuala Lumpur, they specialise in 19th-century silverprint photography.
From exploring their collection of antique props to learning how the vintage camera was built, every moment felt like stepping into another era.
A timeless experience we’ll always hold onto.
From now on I will tell everyone we eloped @lameymon
🌸2-year anniversary captured with a camera that’s over 100 years old.🌸
Thank you to my husband for being my stylist since day one, and to Jeff (@_kanta.studio ) for elevating our concept.
I finally got to do what my late grandma did in her time; documenting memories through silver prints, and I’m glad that I get to continue this tradition with @lameymon
Kanta.studio Kuala Lumpur is a special photo studio practising traditional silverprint photography, producing unique, one-off, hand-printed portrait photographs.
Portrait prints are hand-processed instantly and ready for delivery within the session.
Established at GMBB in 2025, this photo studio will feature a restored century-old studio camera which silverprint photographs in the large format of up to 10 x 12 inches.
Made possible with support from Kreatif KL Grant programme by Think City, Ilford Photo by Srishti Digilife - Malaysia, & GMBB this endeavour is an artistic and entrepreneur startup which overcame many challenges.
This unique camera is perhaps the only operational studio camera still being used in Malaysia. Originally from a legendary photo studio in Beruas, Perak, where it was later discovered after the passing of it’s owner, ending up in the antiques market. More research & revelation to follow.
The make of this camera is of chinese origin and might be made by 左海市第一照相器材生產合作社註冊商標 modelled after 19th century studio cameras. Numerous photo studios in the country had them, but with the advent of film technology, these studio cameras became obsolete and forgotten to history.
Kanta.Studio has repaired and refitted the studio camera for ‘modern’ use. In the hopes of bringing back to life, not only this camera, but the heritage and practise of Salon Photography in Malaysia.
that one raya with more absence than presence — oh, how fleeting life is.
when these silver plate photographs came out, we were mere spectators of its beauty. being its keepers is different. they now also look like grief, legacy and the gift of time.
to be present enough to hold on, and accepting enough to let go; all that this raya will always mean. eid mubarak from ours to yours.
p.s @jeffreyjclim thank you for capturing and giving that little push to look deeper and reflect on these beauty :)
Terima kasih @_kanta.studio atas penciptaan memori ini. Mereka adalah studio gambar yang pakar dalam silver plate photography. Tokei Jeffrey dan Farah sangat ramah menjawab seribu satu soalan aku mengenai pembuatan karya seni mereka. Sungguh menakjubkan.
At Kanta Studio, portraits are made through a deliberate, hours-long “sitting”. This is where each image becomes more than a photograph, but an heirloom designed to outlive the present moment.
Here, stillness is part of the process. What emerges is something rare: a portrait that holds memory and identity.
Follow @tatlermalaysia for more.
#TatlerMalaysia #tatlerlifestyle #KantaStudio #silverprintphotography
What if your photos weren’t taken on a digital camera…
but on a silverprint camera from the 18th century? 📸
This was my second vintage photo session at Kanta Studio. Some of you might remember the large-format camera from my previous post. This time, we used the same type of camera along with an additional medium format camera. The concept focused on a new profile shoot style with advanced angles and dramatic lighting, inspired by classic 1940s portrait photography.
Not only that, my friends from the army reenactor group ‘Si Rat Malai สีรัฐมาลัย’ also joined the session in full 1940s style. They wore royal Thai army uniforms with old patterns, while I dressed as a Javanese nobleman, blending Western and Eastern influences.
Check out the final results at the end of the video. 📹
Huge shout out to my friend @jeffreyjclim for the incredible direction and for bringing this shoot to life!
#oldphotograph #gelatinsilverprint #vintagephotograph #photostudios #kualalumpurmalaysia
Episode 3 of Kisah Warisan Kita is now live 🎨
Step into Kuala Lumpur’s creative pulse, where art lives beyond galleries and reveals itself in the everyday.
From the inventive energy of independent art spaces to pop up artisans keeping craft alive through hands on workshops, and into the intricate beauty of places of worship where culture and artistry intertwine, this episode uncovers the many ways creativity shapes the city.
Guided by photographer Jeffrey Lim, we journey through KL with a fresh perspective, discovering that inspiration is not something distant. It is all around us, if you know where to look.
Watch the full episode now: https://www.warisankl.my/story-worthy-moments/kisah-warisan-kita
This video is presented by @mythinkcity , with the support of ArtsFAS and @yayasan_hasanah .
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Episod 3 Kisah Warisan Kita kini ditayangkan 🎨
Selami nadi kreatif Kuala Lumpur, di mana seni wujud melangkaui galeri dan terserlah dalam kehidupan seharian.
Daripada tenaga kreatif ruang seni bebas hingga ke artisan pop up yang menghidupkan semula minat terhadap kraf melalui bengkel secara hands on, serta keindahan seni bina tempat tempat beribadat di mana budaya dan seni saling berpadu, episod ini menyingkap pelbagai cara kreativiti membentuk kota ini.
Dipandu oleh jurugambar Jeffrey Lim, kami menelusuri KL dari perspektif baharu, menyedari bahawa inspirasi bukan sesuatu yang jauh. Ia sentiasa ada di sekeliling kita, jika kita tahu di mana untuk melihat.
Tonton episod penuh sekarang: https://www.warisankl.my/story-worthy-moments/kisah-warisan-kita
Video ini dibawakan oleh @mythinkcity dengan sokongan ArtsFAS dan @yayasan_hasanah
#WarisanKL #KisahWarisanKita #KualaLumpur
