From NaturePixels.org
Quiet, reserved and at times, man of a few words in the fields. "Shoot first talk later" is the attitute of this photographer. But if one were to sit down at the coffee shop with him, he can be a very talkative chap.
But that is just not all about him, go to his website at http://www.pbase.com/cajuca and you will be amazed at the huge collection of bird species he caught with his cameras since end 2005.
May I present to you, Mark Chua (aka Cajuca).
This is a very candid interview done with him, so bear with the singlish.
NPX: Judging from the picture of you here taken by Sonix, do you ever get caught in these protected area?
Mark: arh! This one was taken from the old pump house, Malaysia leh. Its open to everyone on sunday. I don't anyhow shoot in restricted area one hor. (chuckles)
NPX: What got you interested in photography?
Mark: arhh, to record things I like lor.
NPX: How long have you been doing photography?
Mark: I have been happily snapping for around add/minus 8 years lah, when DSLR just started to become affordable.
NPX: What is/are your favourite genre/s of photography? (eg. nature/portraits/landscapes/abstracts)
Mark: Nature and beautiful things loh.
NPX: Who are your photographic influences?
Mark: Everyone lor. Because I like to learn all kind of photography genre.
NPX: What kind of stuff do you put in your camera bag?
Mark: Nikon D300/D2x, lots of CF cards, 300-800mm for sniping, 300/f4 for action & fight ; P&S for general shooting or the 18-70mm.
NPX: What's the most challenging aspect of shooting your favourite genre of photography?
Mark: Got to be shooting action shots lah. Because I don't know where to focus and when to press the shutter.
NPX: Which one do you prefer? Birding in Singapore or abroad?
Mark: Definitely abroad because I'm am bird image collector. Any bird can be a lifer and I can also be more relaxed and enjoy my trip without any worry not like as if I am on the job. Simply just shoot, eat, sleep. (chuckles)
NPX: I personally know you have an impressive collection of kingfisher images. For the fans of kingfishers in NPX, can you make a small collage of the all the different kingfishers photos you've shot?
Mark: Of course! No problem. Here you go ...
NPX: Hey! You sure you did not scan this from a bird guide?
Mark: Hello! 100% original from me ok. My photoshop skill not bad hor? (chuckles)
NPX: Errr, ok, next question. How do your family feel about your photography passion?
Mark: They are ok with it as its just a hobby for me. But hor, its better my family don't know how much I spent on my photography gears. (chuckles)
NPX: Everyone who goes birding with you know about your bird spotting skills. What is the furthest distance that you can spot a bird with your bare eyes?
Mark: It depend on the size of the birds lah and the type of habitat its in. If let's say its on an open perch, I can spot it from about 50 meters away based on the shape. But pai seh lah, I of course don't know what bird lah from so far.
NPX: Describe your best photography experience you encountered while out in the fields.
Mark: It is this one time I was observing the Love Bird in Marina South Park which fell into the pond after being bullied by a Swallow. It struggled for its life but eventually cannot make it lah. I tried to save it but difficult leh as it was too far out in the pond lah.
NPX: How many species of birds have you record with your camera and how long did you take to do that?
Mark: I started from December 2005 until today, I have 376 species lah.
NPX: If you have to choose TWO favourite photo which you have taken, which will they be?
Mark:
Lovebird - Struggling for life
Little Heron - Peace and calm
NPX: Mark, thanks for this interview. It was fun.
Mark: Kam sia ... kam sia
____________________________________interview conducted and edited by Roger Deng
