PHOTO TALK
PHOTO TIPS AND ADVICES
Short Interview with Malaysia’s Multiple International Award-Winning Photographer, Keda Z.
Interviewed by Tan Wen Sen
While attending Creative Asia Conference – the inaugural Asia’s world class photography conference held in Kuala Lumpur on 19-21 January 2011, I managed to have a short interview with Keda Z, a 25 years old Malaysian photographer with multiple international photography awards under his belt. In the Canon Creative Asia Photography Awards, he scooped 2 awards – First Place in Wedding: Bride and Groom Category and Second Place in Portrait: Glamour Category.
Last year at the age of 24, he launched his own wedding gallery known as the Enya Mareine Wedding Gallery in Johor Bahru. Although he has gained many great achievements at a young age, he is humble and friendly enough to allow me to have a short interview with him.
It is with a sincere hope that this short interview will inspire and benefit young photographers and young creative talents to pursue their dreams in life.
Keda Z’s Accolades and Achievements:
1. Multiple International Award-Winning Photographer (MPA,WPPI & WPPM)
2. Multiple Award-Winning Overseas Category of the year 2010 – (Master Photography Awards UK)
3. WPPI International Award Winning Photographer
4. Qualified in Master Photographers Association UK – (AMPA)
Short Interview
WS: How did you enter into the world of photography? Have you ever taken a diploma/ degree in photography?
KZ: I didn’t go for further study after secondary school. I wanted to study 3D animation but I didn’t. When I was young, I love drawing. I realised I was also good at playing the guitar and so I came to KL to look for a job in the music industry. However, I chose to join a graphic design company. A year later, I quitted the job to help my friend in wedding photography. I picked up my first camera which was a Canon 20D when I was 20 years old. Interestingly, my friend told me photography is a quicker way to create art than drawing.
WS: Do you have any specific mentor in photography?
KZ: Yes, I do have a mentor. He is my friend who asked me to help him initially in wedding photography. He has now retired from the wedding photography business.
WS: Where does your inspiration come from?
KZ: Generally, I find my inspirations on the internet. I like to study photos on the internet.
WS: What type of lighting do you use in your photography?
KZ: I mainly shoot with available light. However, I use flashes/ speedlites when it is necessary.
WS: Do you have any advice that you would like to share?
KZ: My mentor gave me this valuable advice on photography. It is from a Chinese idiom – 古灵精怪 (gu lin jin guai) which literally as a whole means weird. However if we break the Chinese idiom into individual words, you will see that they explain the process of advancing in photography. 古 is the initial stage where you are curious about photography and the photos that out there in the world; 灵 is the stage where you are informed about high quality photography works; 精 is the stage where you truly understand the components that form a great photo; and 怪 is the stage where you create fantastic, never-seen-before photos.
WS: Thank you so much for your time.
KZ: You’re welcome.
Find more about his photography work at:
Portfolio Website: www.kedaz.com
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The Best Camera
In your opinion, which is the best camera today?
Now, I would like everyone to take out their handphones and wave them at me. The best camera is actually the one that’s always with you. The best camera today is your handphone.
Not convinced? Let me convince you by walking you through “The Top 5 Reasons Why The Best Camera is your Handphone”.
First of all, it is free. Everyone loves “free”. I am assuming everyone has a handphone these days, and they usually come with a camera. You don’t have to fog up additional money to buy another camera.
The second reason is that it is portable. You fit it in your pocket and it travels everywhere with you. So let’s say if a UFO lands and you don’t have your compact camera or DSLR with you, you can still capture their photos and sell it for a big bucks.
Next is because it’s fun. Let’s say you attend a concert, and there is no photography allowed. You are still able to take photos without being spotted.
Another good reason is that it’s easy to use. One or few clicks on the button and you’re done. No settings like shutter speed, aperture to worry about.
The fifth reason is that you are able to focus on art and not the equipment. Having DSLR is like marrying into a family. You will have the urge to spend more on lenses and accessories whereas with the handphone you are stuck with whatever camera it is there.
That’s all I have to say about “The Best Camera”. And remember, the best camera is the one that is always with you!
Check out the amazing “The Best Camera” project by Chase Jarvis http://thebestcamera.com
Also, do check out my phone-tography project at http://www.wensenphoto.com/projects/phonetography/
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What camera should you buy?
Recently there seems to be a trend in buying DSLR. Many friends came to seek my advices on what camera should they buy. I’ve gotten many insights from photography forums and friends when I bought mine years ago, so it is only fair that I share some tips to you guys too. Also to avoid repeating myself, and at the same time to be able to benefit others, here is some guidelines that I hope you will find useful. As a disclaimer, I’m advising based on experience and personal opinions. No, you won’t get a refund from me if you made the wrong decisions. :)
1. Why?
Before asking what camera should you buy, you should ask yourself “ Why am I buying a camera?” That defines your purpose. If photography is your big interest, then perhaps a better camera would be a wise investment, for example a DSLR. On the other side, if your camera is for casual use: holiday and etc., a compact camera would suffice. A compact camera is the pocket size portable camera, sometimes also referred to as point and shoot or dummy camera.
2. What?
SO, REALLY WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I BUY??? There is this photography mantra that goes: you won’t go wrong with Canon or Nikon. I’m not being bias here but I do believe in this mantra. This is because their presence is really felt in the industry. So they have wider support and easy-to-find spare parts. I heard some other brands need weeks to get spare parts from overseas. But then again, I can’t confirm that. Better safe than sorry.
Well, go for Nikon DSLR if you plan to explore the possibilities of off-camera-flash photography as Nikon has models that support wireless off camera flash without needing to buy additional wireless transmitter and receiver. You save on getting additional wireless transmitter and receiver for your camera. On the other hand, you have Canon DSLR which to date only boast Canon EOS 7D and Canon 60D that has wireless flash function on camera.
Then if you are crazy about HD in DSLR, choose Canon! Because Canon also produces professionals video camera. Thus I guess you can’t go wrong with their HDSLR.
If you really want to buy a compact camera or mid range camera, go for one that has a PASM mode where you get DSLR functions that you can play with, in case you go gaga over photography out of the blue.
Other things to consider when buying a camera:
- What is your budget? (Your budget defines what range of camera you should buy)
- Do you have old lenses that still supports today’s DSLR mount system? (You might still be able to use them on new DSLR. Google them!)
- Are you considering buying second hand equipments? (Buy from a trusted and reliable source. Get their warranty if there are any left.)
- Will you regret after buying a compact camera because you can’t explore what DSLR has to offer? OR Will you regret after buying a DSLR because you might under utilize it/ have no interest in it?
- Some people get confused with the many settings in DSLR. They have manual mode, aperture and shutter priority and yada yada yada….. So if you’re that guy, why go for expensive top-of-the-line DSLR? Just buy a mid range camera or even a basic beginner DSLR that also comes with PASM (Program, Aperture, Shutter and Manual) settings. There are enough things to worry about in life. It’s like driving: drive auto if you want less stress and worries; drive manual if you want full control of your vehicle (tool).
Weighing the PROS & CONS of DSLR & COMPACT CAMERA
| DSLR | COMPACT CAMERA |
PROS
|
PROS
|
CONS
|
CONS
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Then again, it’s not all about the camera to take a good photo. But, of course, having a better tool does help you a loooooooong way! A DSLR definitely helped me to see things differently. The decision still rests in your hands. I hope I helped you a little.
