A Meaningful Hobby

PASSION

I call it Shutter Therapy.  My right index finger quivers uncontrollably when it does not meet a shutter button for anything more than 24 hours.  When I had my cataract surgery on both my eyes, I was to stay at home for 2 weeks. It was cold turkey for me.  During that period, I HAD to take out my camera to "molest", even when it means no outdoor shooting.  Even today, it's not uncommon to find me at home with a camera in my hands.  Almost every item at home has been given its glory in the form of a picture stored in my 3TB network drive.  From my daughters' stationery trinkets, to the toaster, to even the occasional bug that visited us at home.

KNOWLEDGE

Sidewalk Shutterbugs Photography Group

My hobby turned serious in 2009 when I acquired my first DSLR - the Canon EOS 500D.

Initially, I photographed all genres - landscape, streets, people, portraits, anything that comes in front of my lens.  Some people say it's unfocussed (no pun intended), but I felt it's the only way to find my comfort zone.

It's amazing to find a wealth of information on the net and the libraries. However, the best lessons were from the interest groups that I joined - mostly made up of hobbyists younger than my goodself (sigh). At every organised outing, I came home with fresh ideas and shooting techniques. There's just so much to learn.

Macro Photography Group at ClubSNAP

I joined a macro photography group at ClubSNAP.  Here, I had the opportunity to meet hardcore macro enthusiasts.  We capture images of small creatures, not normally seen in such details with our naked eyes.  Yes, right down to the common housefly that had a faulty eye amidst the several hundreds it had in its compound eyes - this appears similar to a dead pixel on our LCD screen. 

I find that I fit into this group pretty well.  Most of the die-hards here live by the principle that good macro photography does not necessarily require expensive gears.  Here, I get to learn that a close-up lens can be stacked with another similar lens, giving many more times magnification than a dedicated macro lens. Light diffusors are mostly DIYs, from airsick bags to bubble wraps and transulent drawer liners sold at hardware shops that cost less than a meal at the foodcourt.

ClubSNAP streetshooters

Even as I moved on to other genres, I realised that the skills I developed when shooting macro, when applied to other types of photography, allow me to further enhance my images.

As I began to take things slower ..

I progressed from kit lenses to L-lenses, mirrored to mirrorless, and lately a rangefinder. As I began to take things slower, I started to appreciate "making" photographs and not just taking them.  I ventured into film in Nov 2013 and realised it's a whole new experience, new rendering - a completely new look that not even Photoshop or Lightroom can produce.

In Aug 2014, I traded my digital rangefinder for a 1956 Leica Double Stroke M3 coupled to a 1961 Canon 50/2.2 LTM. The savings I get from this deal was sufficient for me to pamper myself with lenses for a very long time!

JOURNAL

Hotline Volunteer Team - Parishes Counselling (Family Life Society)

In the groups that I work with, I have quickly become the default photographer whenever there are informal gatherings or meetings.  My friends have come to realise that an image not only captures the mood and the purpose of the occasion. It serves as a meangingful momento on when, what, why, how the moment in time took place and who were part of it.

GIVING

We raised a total of S$37,128.75 for the project.  It was back-breaking, but we enjoyed ourselves tremendously, and for a good cause, too.

RECOGNITION

Almost all phtotographers have, at some time during their hobby, submitted their images for publication.  I am no exception.  I am proud that two of my photographs were featured in Images Magazine, one of which won a prize in myGREATshot Contest: 

Featured photograph in the Travel Section