For the month of March, we are very glad to interview Mr Lee Thiah Khee aka as LTK, who is a veteran in the news and media industry.

NPX: What got you interested in photography?

LTK: I was brought up from a poor family. My father passed away when I was only 14 years old. I decided to get a job and start working immediately after National Service so I can support my mum and 3 young siblings. Partially influenced by my father, photography as a career is my first choice.

NPX: How long have you been doing photography?

LTK: I started it when I was 14 years old.

NPX: What’s your favourite genre of photography?

LTK : Nature(landscape and wildlife). Less privileged folks are my favourite subjects too.

NPX: Who are your photographic influences?

LTK: Besides my dad, my former colleague, Mr Chew Yan Fook, is the one who influences me on bird photography.

NPX: What kind of stuff do you put in your camera bag?

LTK: One camera body(Either Mark II n or 40D),16-35mm,28-70mm,70-200mm(all f2.8) and flash 580 for my assignment.If for bird photography, it would be just the camera body,600mm lens, occassional will bring along the flash(But I don’t really like to use flash on my subjects.)

NPX: What’s the most challenging aspect of shooting your favourite genre of photography?

LTK: It is not easy to shoot a bird when it is on a perch. It is also not easy to focus on the birds when they fly. And it is even tougher to shoot the dramatic actions of the birds. But I like the challenge!

NPX: What advice would you give someone who is interested in picking up your genre of photography?

LTK: Understand your subject,know your equipments well and have patience.

NPX: How do your family feel about your photography passion?

LTK: Whenever I come back home with bruises on my shoulder after a bird photography outing, my wife will be nagging all the way.

NPX: Describe your worst followed by the best photography experience you encountered while out in the fields.

LTK: Beside missing the shots, my worst moment was once I had a stomachache when I was out in the field shooting birds, it’s really a night mare. The best moment will be successfully shooting the Common Kingfisher flying black to its perch using a long cable release. It fulfill my dream, a very long time dream.

NPX: If you have to choose TWO favourite photo which you have taken, which will they be? Reasons?

LTK: For me, it had to be the Little Tern diving and the Sky bully. These are extreme action photography. The actions are really tough to shoot with nicely framed composition.
Little Tern Diving

Sky Bully

NPX: Thank you Mr Lee for the interview.

Lee: Its a pleasure.

___________________ above photographs contributed and copyright of Mr Lee Thiah Khee