RIT photography alumnus gives back by opening doors for current students

Bing Liem ’84 (photo processing and finishing management) is invested in supporting the next generation of photography experts, and he’s leveraging his industry connections to make a tangible impact.

Liem is the division president of the Imaging Division of FUJIFILM North America Corporation. From his home in Ridgefield, Conn., he oversees “everything photographic” at FUJIFILM excluding digital cameras. He also serves as the president of the International Photographic Council (IPC), an organization dedicated to “increasing worldwide recognition of photography as a universal means of communication.”

Despite holding several leadership positions at FUJIFILM and serving in a C-suite role at his former employer Agfa Gevaert, Liem has never formally applied for a job. He said his RIT degree, which has since evolved into the photographic sciences program, is what paved the way for his success.

“When I talked to other students, they told me that I would have more job opportunities than I would even know what to do with if I joined the program,” said Liem. “They said I wouldn’t have to send out résumés and that companies would come looking for me, and that is exactly what happened.”

When Liem reflected on his successful career, he felt inspired to help current RIT students gain a foothold in the industry.

As president of IPC, Liem makes it a priority to bring more young photographers into the organization. In pursuit of this goal, he invited students participating in the RIT in NYC study away program to attend the organization’s annual luncheon held at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York City.

“After the luncheon, I received several comments from industry attendees who said it was such a good event and that having more than 40 students in the room brought a completely new energy,” said Liem. “I think there is a ton we can learn from these students.”

Another vital way Liem and IPC supports up-and-coming photographers is through the James L. Chung Memorial Scholarship. This year, Liem was proud to see an RIT student selected as one of the recipients.

Brody Xavier Carlson, a fourth-year fine art photography student, was one of four students selected to receive the memorial scholarship from IPC. The scholarship supported Carlson’s tuition and provided the opportunity for him to participate in an IPC/Zeiss Lens master class and photo contest. Carlson earned third place in the contest, which was announced during the UN luncheon.

“Being surrounded by all these great photographers who are sharing their work and legacies was eye-opening. I could see my own future in them,” said Carlson, from Shawnee, Kan. “It’s been a great opportunity to find a community of photographers I can reach out to so I can learn how the industry really works.”

In addition to supporting students in RIT’s photography programs, Liem also hired Command+G, RIT’s student-run, full-service design studio, to redesign and rebuild IPC’s website. After an impressive initial collaboration, he hopes to enlist the design studio for phase two of the website’s redesign.

“I want to make sure that these young creatives and storytellers all have the opportunity to tell their stories and show their talents,” said Liem.