I was born and bred in Victoria B.C. and have resided in Toronto, ON for the past oh…lets say a long time. My background is in stills photography (film), motion picture camera assistant (film), with some independent directing/producing (film) and as a cinematographer (film again!). I am also an award winning short documentary filmmaker.

Significant family events led me to make my films (see below). Both involved a fair amount of collecting, pouring over, sorting and scanning hundreds of old family photographs. It was invaluable to have access to them in the digital realm. Either on my computer or in print form, I had the ability to view them in minute detail (amazing what is revealed in the far, far background), use for reference and inspiration. All without risk to the original photographs. I would ponder over the time and place in which they were taken, or simply let the images of my relatives take me to my past. Often I would conveniently email the image to family to ask for/or confirm dates, places and people.

As the result of making my films, I came to truly appreciate and understand the importance of archiving ancestral photographs, before it’s too late. The discoveries in my process were immensely gratifying. Why wouldn’t it be for others? In this digital world, the creative and sharing possibilities are endless. I am an advocate for digital scanning of ancestral photographs. There is no better time than the present to preserve your past. Thus, scanology was born.

Please watch my films below. They are but one example of how old family photographs can be put to good use.  note: you can view films at higher rez by clicking on CarolynWongFilms on Vimeo, below each.

Howard from Carolyn Wong Films on Vimeo.

Yin Yin/Jade Love from Carolyn Wong Films on Vimeo.