NPX: How long have you been interested nature photography?

Walad: 2 years

NPX: What do you like about it in particular?

Walad: Wild birds

NPX: How did you learn photography techniques?

Walad:Books and friends.

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

Walad: There are too many of them to mention in this interview.

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

Walad: Dry cabinet:
EOS 50D body with battery grip, EOS 5D body with battery grip, EF 17-40mm F/4 wide-angle lens, EF 50mm F/1.4 standard lens / EF 35-70mm F/3.5-4.5 standard zoom lens, EF 70-200mm F/4 IS lens, EF 400mm ‘L’ lens, Speedlight EX580II, Nikon D80 kit with battery grip, ED 70-300mm lens, Speedlight SB-800, Sony A100 kit, HVL F56AM Flash, 2 videocams, compact digicams, UV filters, hard disk andaccessories.

Items in my bag during birding as follows:
EOS 50D body with battery grip, EOS 5D body with battery grip, EF 17-40mm F/4 wide-angle lens, EF 70-200mm F/4 IS lens, EF 400mm ‘L’ lens, Speedlight EX580II, Flash xtender, CP-E4 battery pack, flash bracket, many spare batteries, raincoat, garbage bag, spare memory cards, VP8860 storage viewer, lens cleaning paper, blower, cleaning cloth, fruit and sandswiches.

NPX: Which is your favorite bird species and why?

Walad: The Whitehead’s Trogon. I was told that this bird is a star of Mount Kinabalu and understand that it’s not easy to see and difficult to shoot. I was fortunate to have seen this bird and captured it on my sensor

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

Walad: I would love to explore more on insects/butterflies macro and wild animals to be able to gain more experiencein photography.

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

Walad: Trip to Bukit Tinggi in Pahang Malaysia in early March 09. Happened to be my birthday on 2nd March. I was excited as I managed to capture several mountain birds. Thanks to Sharkspin, GSSoh and the rest of NPX members who organized the trip. It was a beautiful moment andexperienced that I had during my birthday coincidentally.

NPX: What are the challenges you’ve faced?

Walad: I wish i have enough time to travel all over the world for birds photography unfortunately i’m not able to make it if too far except only within our surrounding regions meaning only nearby countries. this is due to family commitments as well as my career.

NPX: What is the one advice you will give to beginers?

Walad: Be thoughtful of birds and other animals when photographing them, never put their safety into question. Be aware that you could upset their breeding patterns with inappropriate behavior. Avoid photographing nesting birds if possible and be sure not to unduly stress a bird for the sake of a photo. Get to know and understand more about bird’s habitat and its life.

Enjoy your time spent in nature; it helps you understand that we are all partof nature. If you get some great shots, that will be good but if you don’t, you
still had the chance to commune with nature.

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

Walad: Ok!

1) Orange-Headed Thrush_Male

This image is like a birthday gift to me during
my birding at Bukit Tinggi in early March 09.

2) Crested Serpent Eagle

I saw this raptor was perching on the lamp post while driving and on my way for birding early in the morning in Nov-08. It was my first time seen the eagle at very close distance.

3) Blue-Tailed Bee-Eater

This colourful bird was captured at rice field in Sungei Balang Muar. This image is the most sharper and clearer I evercaptured into my sensor.

4) Whitehead’s Trogon

I was happy to have the opportunity to capture this bird into my censor when I was in Mount Kinabalu in Sept-09.

NPX: Thanks for your time!

Walad: Thanks.