This month of April 2008, we are pleased to interview Mr Tan Chuan Yean aka tchuanye. He is known by many as ’spiderman’ and he is a very good macro/closeup shooter. Below is a short Q&A session I had with him.

NPX: What got you interested in photography?

tchuanye: I suppose from my older brother, who took very nice landscape photos with the SLR. I have always liked scenery, and would like to capture such scenes when on a holiday. Only owned my first SLR (Minolta 505SI) in 1999 when my son was born. But did not have much chance to take scenic shots then.

NPX:How long have you been doing photography?

tchuanye: I would say since 1999, but more actively taking photos when I got my digital camera in Aug 2004. It was the Panasonic FZ10. Bought a 2nd hand FZ30 in Nov 2007.

NPX: What’s your favourite genre of photography? (eg. nature/portraits/landscapes/abstracts)

tchuanye: My favourite genre are macros and landscapes. When traveling I will take as many scenic shots as possible. Back home, scenic shots are limited, so macros is my main interest. Macros open the window to an entirely new world….you get to see things that normally you would not even stop to look at. Thus, I enjoy taking and showing the small world they live in. It shows how wonderfully they are created!

NPX: Who are your photographic influences?

tchuanye: I won’t say who, but rather where…..from the internet. I bought the FZ10 because I saw someone posting great macro photos with this camera and close-up lens. As I liked macro, and am on a budget, I bought the same set-up to start taking macros.

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

tchuanye: FZ30, 2 flashes, close up lenes, lenspen, cloth, polarizer, flash bracket.

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

tchuanye: There are many areas to master for macros. Most important is to get the eyes of the subject sharp, and that’s difficult to do with the very shallow DOF in any macro set-up. After that, you have to try to show the details, get the lighting right, and get a good composition. So there are many challenges to get a good macro, each making or breaking a shot, and the ‘art’ is to handle all of these parameters in a single picture.

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

tchuanye: Understand your equipment, know the limitations, make do with what you have and practice, practice, practice. Post and be open to critiques will help you improve a lot.

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

tchuanye: I tend to shoot when I bring my family to the parks etc. So they are kind of used to me taking macros and at times help search insects for me. But I have to strike a balance, and limit my time, so I can spend time with them. Sometimes, I tend to shoot way too long.

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

tchuanye: Not much negative experience….I mean have dropped my close up filters before….but thankfully, no damages. Best experience was when I was able to capture the entire process of how a jumping spider, managed to pounce on and kill a Lynx spider, who was feasting on another spider. When I saw the scene, it was really exhilarating, and I got many good shots out of it…that was my most satisfying experience. Posted it in this forum here:http://www.naturepixels.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1107

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

tchuanye: I like this photo (above) because of the nice colours and the nice reflection of the pondskatter with prey. Its common to see this at ponds, but difficult to take as its always moving. The reflection is due to the low angle at which this shot was taken.

tchuanye: Jumping spiders (above) are my favourite subject, and this particular Heavy Jumper are one of the nicest looking ones. It’s a ferocious predator and eats many things. Was glad to capture it eating a caterpillar here. I like how the eyes are in focus and the way the caterpillar is shown with the legs “dead” in the air.

NPX: Thank you for your time to give us allow us this interview.

tchuanye: Thanks. Its my pleasure.

Link: http://www.tchuanye.smugmug.com/gallery/3076512_Lw3Ja#167824859