Art of communicating through photos
A student shares her love for photography.
FIRST, let’s get this straight. I’m not a professional photographer. I only started picking up photography as a hobby last year after my parents surprised me with a brand new Canon EOS 700D Rebel T5i on my 16th birthday.
I remember tears welling up in my eyes as I opened my present because I had not expected to get something so fancy.
For the longest time, I had wanted to take pictures of my pet dog and the people around me, but I didn’t have a proper camera.
In fact, prior to my birthday, I had told my parents that I would like to use my savings to get my own camera. I was so set on it that I spent weeks scrolling through websites and scanning every book in the state library for camera recommendations.
I wanted to make sure that I get a camera that is suitable and user-friendly, within my budget. It wasn’t easy. There were lots of trustworthy brands and each and every one of them had different models to offer.
That wasn’t all. I had to do research on what type of lens to buy. For example, should I buy a lens with a mid-range focal length and add more lenses to my collection when I need them?
Getting a good quality lens is vital, as it determines how detailed your photographs will be. If I were to use my own money, I would have a lot of big decisions to make as I have a tight budget. But thankfully, my parents settled it for me.
I use my camera more often during the school holidays because that’s the time when my family and I travel. My younger brother uses it sometimes as he, too, shares a passion for photography.
Many relate the term “photography” to eye-catching sceneries and landscapes. But in reality, there is so much more than meets the eye.
For instance, there are fashion photography, aerial photography, documentary photography and the list goes on.
As for me, I’m a huge fan of food photography. If you’re thinking of those Instagram posts by Barefoot Contessa cook Ina Garten, I feel you, buddy!
Other than that, I enjoy photojournalism and candid photogra- phy. Photojournalism, in general, conveys a strongong and powerful message thro ugh the use of a photograph.
This kind ofo photographs often reminds me ofo humanitarian rights, like ho ow people in other parts of the w world are fighting for their freedom m while we live comfortably in M alaysia.
With candi id photography, I enjoy the fact t that the subjects of the photog graph are unaware that they are being photographed, thuss making them appear less te ense and more relaxed.
I must say thatt this hobby has allowed mem to see things from a differe ent perspective. A case in poin nt, when you photograph s omething at a lower lev vel, you get a differen nt effect from when it is taken at the e eye level. On top of that, I have learnt to express myself more creatively through photography, and to be innovative by making use of all the resources I have. For example, I have to find substitutes to create dramatic effects in my photographs, to resemble those I see in magazines.
For those wanting to pick up photography as a hobby, here are some tips I find useful:
1. Research
Even though it can be wearisome,some it is important that you research the camera that best suits your needs. Get some advice from people who have experience using different gadgets.
2. Canon or Nikon?
These two tech giants are the most sought-after brands in the market. They are equally good. To decide which brand to buy, check out their button layouts and see which one you can familiarise yourself with easily.
3. Cheap DIY tricks
Check ouout videos on YouTube to learn some e inexpensive and creative tricks t to add some flair to your piece of ar t.
4. Don’t prractise so hard
I’m just kkidding. Practise, practise and prractise! Hone your skills and you’ll eventually get the hang of it. Who kknows, you might make it big in thee industry some day.
I still havve a long way to go to really exceel in photography. But one thing I know for sure is that when I snaap a picture, the moment freezes in eeternity. And when I look back aat my photograph album, it’lll always remind me of the good mmemories and all the people I love.
Tan Ejinn is a participant of the BRATss Young Journalist Prograamme. To read more articles wwritten by BRATs participants,, sign up for The Star’s Newsppaper-in-Education (NiE) pulloutt. It is published on Wedneesdays and available only througgh school subscriptions. To subbscribe, call the toll free numbeer 1-300- 88-7827 (Mondday to Friday, from 9am to 5pmm). For more information on the BRATs programme, go to rage.coom. my/brats.