NPX: How long have you been interested in nature photography?

Calvin: I 1st pick up photography about 20 years ago but was a short lived one because my house was emptied due to a burglary. I only start back about 4 years ago with a Canon 350D. That time my interest was on Macro. During one of the outings, I was poisoned by a friend who bought along a 500mm f4IS. Since then I began my slow journey into bird photography starting off with a 100-400L. I was going nowhere for a year or so as that time we don’t get to see posting of location to shoot like what we get now. I finally got my 500mm and 1Dmk2 and got to know more of the birders here who slowly share technique and location with me.

NPX: What do you like about it in particular?

Calvin: Well, there are a few reasons why I liked Nature Photography. Basically I love nature and to be in the wild to enjoy my hobby is a bonus. I get to de-stress with the sound of birds chirping, sound of water flowing and insects. And also I like the challenge to find birds in the wild.

NPX: How did you learn photography techniques?

Calvin: I pick up photography from books and internet. There are however valuable techniques that can only be learnt in the field with the seniors. Initially I was very “Kan Chiong”. See bird rush forward to shoot but as you all know, the chances are the birds will most probably flew off.

NPX: Were there any photographer(s) that you like and influences your style?

Calvin: I would say Mark’s “Big Big” image influence me the most. However I’m still far from his standard. I always want to get my image big big and sometimes I feel I overdo it. :p

NPX: What are the stuff in your dry cabinet? What are the items in your bag during birding?

Calvin: I really dont know what exactly are inside my cabinets. I hv my lenses, 500 f4.5, 400f5.6,70-200f2.8IS, 17-40f4,50f1.8 and Tamron 90mm etc. There are 4 bodies, 2 of them (film) have not being used for the last 3 years, my 40D and 1Dmk2. Beside that I have filters.
In my Birding bag, I always have my 500f4.5, 1Dmk2, EX580mk2, CP-E4, 1.4XTC, 25mm tube. Sometimes I squeeze in my 40D and 90mm or 17-40.

NPX: Which is your favourite bird species and why? What is your most wanted bird now?

Calvin: Aha.. My Favourites are Kingfishers. Why? Because there are beautiful and not easy to shoot. My most wanted bird now is the Banded KF.

NPX: Which other genres of nature photography you’d like to pursue in the future? Why is it so?

Calvin: I would like to explore into landscape. I had been poisoned by some stunning photos on my friends website.

NPX: While pursuing your hobby, what is your most memorable moment to date?

Calvin: I would say my 1st and only oversea Birding trip to NT with Eric, Willis,Jay, Ender and Remo. Birding trips are the best way to totally rid you mind off work and relax. It may be tiring but very rewarding. I have close to 100 species from that trip.

NPX: What are the challenges you’ve faced?

Calvin: Most of you will know that I dont have many “Visa” to go for shoot. Beside that is $$$ for my dream 600f4IS lens. Before that (when I just started) my biggest challenge was to find birds. One of the most valuable quote from WK to me was “Look for Food and water”. So instead of spoon feeding, This helps me to go out and look for my own birds.

NPX: I see that you have improvised your equipment, can you tell us more about it?

Calvin: Actually its nothing new. I copied the idea from Allagan (hopefully I spell his name correctly) while at Bukit Tinggi. My old 500mm lens collar is not as stable as the newer version and I do get lots of vibration from the mirror slap. Basically I get my machinist friend to custom make a long plate (300mm) to add support to the front of the lense. Therefore I have 2 support point for my lense instead of only 1. Physically it not that nice looking but it serve its purpose. I can physically see less vibration on the setup when I do continuous shots compared to my old plate. The long plate also allows me to mount my flash bracket so it does helps in lowering the CG of the lense and that give me a better control with my Thai version Gimbal head. (planning to upgrade soon)

NPX: Please share with us a couple of your favorite images accumulated over the years. Please describe to us why you like these images.

Calvin: Sure.

The Photos
Blue-eared Kingfisher at Lower Peirce. It appeared right in front of me.

Black-naped Monarch feeding its chick at Panti Forest. One of my 1st nesting photo.

Common Kingfisher pierced a shrimp at Japanese Garden. (my all time favourite photo to date)