NOW & THEN #02: REFLECTION ON MY CAMERA AND PHOTOGRAPHY

 

Thursday, 25 February 2021

I woke up at 4 a.m. and, as usual, checked my Facebook. To my delight, I saw two compliments from friends who appreciated the way I had composed a photo taken at Taman Saujana Hijau on 24 October 2010. This stunning, multi-million-ringgit elevated garden, located in Presint 11, Putrajaya, was once my favorite place for walking and cycling before the Covid-19 MCO banned outdoor activities in public parks.

Photography has been a long and evolving journey for me. My first DSLR, a Canon 400D, was a major purchase in December 2006. As a beginner, spending RM3,500 on a camera felt like a bold investment, especially since I had no clue how to use it properly. But this was not my first expensive mistake in photography. That honor goes to my Nikon F3, a film camera I bought in 1998 for RM2,500 to capture family memories, especially our holidays in London.

Excited at first, I used the Nikon F3 for family events like weddings, but after a few months, I stored it in a cupboard—and forgot about it for a year. That neglect turned into disaster. When I finally took it out, I was horrified to discover that leaked battery acid had completely ruined the camera beyond repair. It was an expensive lesson in photography, teaching me the hard way about camera care and maintenance.

Coming back to my Canon 400D, I initially used it only for special occasions, relying mostly on my Lumix LX5 for everyday photography. Looking back, it was a wasted opportunity. For five years, I shot exclusively in Auto mode, never challenging myself to learn more. I was content with “good enough” shots, stuck in a comfort zone that stifled my curiosity and creativity. It wasn’t until I met my photographer friend Amir that things changed. He introduced me to Program and Manual modes, finally pushing me to explore my camera's  full potential.

By then, I had been learning photography in bits and pieces since 2002, but it wasn’t until 2012 that I took a bigger step. I founded the Putrajaya Photowalk group on Facebook, bringing together photography enthusiasts. Today, it has 335 members, with at least 20 photos shared daily. Before the pandemic, I organized photowalks every two months, but with the Covid-19 MCO, we have had to settle for sharing photos online instead.

In 2014, after eight years of service, my Canon 400D died. But luck was on my side-a generous friend gifted me a brand-new Fujifilm XT1. It felt like a childhood dream come true. As a teenager, I had always admired Fujifilm cameras, but they were beyond my reach. Now, holding the XT1 in my hands, I was as excited as a village boy receiving his first bicycle. I carried it everywhere, shooting anything that caught my eye. It reignited my passion for photography, pushing me to improve and experiment.

To sharpen my skills, I learned from professional photographers, went on shoots with friends, and attended free workshops offered by camera brands. As they say, the rest is history.

After a few years, though, my Fujifilm XT1 started to feel limiting, and I upgraded to the Fujifilm XT20. Unfortunately, the MCO restricted opportunities to shoot. Meanwhile, my trusty Lumix LX5 finally gave up due to old age, and now I find myself dreaming of owning a Lumix LX100.

Photography has been a journey of passion, mistakes, and continuous learning. From my first blunders with the Nikon F3 to my struggles with Auto mode, and finally, to the joy of understanding light, composition, and creativity, it has been a ride worth every moment. And despite the challenges of the MCO, one thing remains unchanged. I am always looking forward to the next shot.