We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ben Nurhaci Lu. Check out our conversation below.
Ben Nurhaci, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Outside of work, I’ve really enjoyed spending time at the Getty Museum. I’m especially fond of classic paintings, and I find myself drawn to impressionism and cubism in particular. Monet’s impressionist works always remind me of the power of light and atmosphere, and Cézanne’s approach to form and perspective in cubism feels endlessly inspiring. It’s been a great way to recharge while staying connected to creativity and artistry.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As a cinematographer, I listen before I speak — to light, to space, to the quiet undercurrents between people. I don’t believe in flashy images for the sake of style. What moves me is subtlety — a camera that breathes with a character, a shaft of light that says what words can’t. Whether I’m working on something intimate or epic, I’m always searching for what feels lived-in and real.
No need to announce the hand behind the camera. Instead, I strive for folding seamlessly into the fabric of the world, guiding the audience with an invisible hand. Light, shadow, composition — all are treated as instruments in service of something larger: emotion, connection, memory.
While I take pride in the craft, it’s intuition I rely on the most. I want to create work that lingers, deeply — long after the screen goes dark.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
When I was little, I believed that grown-ups had already conquered all their shortcomings—that once you became an adult, you had it all figured out. I couldn’t wait to grow up and reach that place. But over time I realized that’s not the case at all—adults have their own struggles and imperfections too. Now I see life more as a process of growth, where no one is perfect. We are the path to make ourselves 1% better, day by day.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me humility and compassion in ways that success never could. When things are difficult, you’re forced to sit with yourself, to accept imperfection, and to see the struggles that others carry too. Success can be motivating, but suffering deepens empathy and reminds me that growth often comes from discomfort. It’s taught me patience and the ability to keep moving forward, even if it’s just one small step at a time.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
One truth I rarely articulate, but that feels foundational to me, comes from a Buddhist perspective—that nothing in the world is truly eternal. Everything shifts and changes, and the only things we can really cultivate and carry are our own mind and heart. Remembering that helps me stay grounded, less attached to what I can’t control, and more focused on how I show up in the present.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace during moments of mindfulness practice, when I can simply sit, breathe, and observe without trying to control or grasp at anything. In Buddhism there’s an emphasis on being present and accepting impermanence, and when I can tap into that, even briefly, it brings me a sense of calm and clarity that I carry into other parts of life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shalu.myportfolio.com/work
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benludp/
- Other: https://vimeo.com/1096158361/5e3fcd9706?fl=pl&fe=sh
Image Credits
Nic Caceres
