Someone asked about a Nikon 800mm lens that I used before. So very interestingly, here is my story. Hope more people can also share their stories...
There is also a related thread here http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=171415
==============================
Started with the EOS 630 in NS after a classmate introduced me to a Canon A1. Was in secondary school and coupled with a National Geographic subscription that my father had, it opened my interest to photography. Drooled at the Olympus and Minolta ads for some reason. Never had any $$, so only in NS was I able to buy my first camera using my first "paycheck". Father passed me a Zeiss Ikonflex 6x6.
Had very little money, and everything was DIY. Reflectors, slave flashes (real $20 cheapos) and even tripods were all made of things that I could find in the house. Even used art paper to correct color on the flash when shooting indoors. Learnt a lot through trial and error. To fund my hobby, I started taking weddings and pictures of my parent's friends' kids. I was refered to when people liked the shots. Knew nothing about marketing. Then started shooting commercially for a person who became a friend when he had no time (for free). He would buy me lunch and let me play with his equipment. I was introduced to many top photographers in SG and very expensive large/medium format stuff.
My friend started to give me $$ for the assignments and I earned enough to buy Nikons, Minoltas, Canons, Leicas, and my last camera which was a Contax (for the Zeiss) before selling everything to study overseas. In NS, made friends with the full time photographers and learnt darkroom techniques. As the staff were freelancing for weddings, I got a couple when they could not make it. They would critique my work almost every single day.
In university, I got voted in as the yearbook editor, so had cameras and a very good darkroom at my disposal.
Most memorable shoot?
Went up in a helicopter with out a door and shot Singapore's first missile corvette for the Navy's advertisements. It was a commercial shoot for my friend. Used a Hassleblad for the job. Still remembered the $1,400 fee to engage the pilot and his constant reminder that we can't shoot anything while flying over land.
Another one was shooting Michael Chang using a Minolta 9000. Got published.
Fast forward to the present. Last year, found out from my uncle that my family comes from a very famous line of photographers (one of the pioneers in SG). Has some published work which traces the history and the names are mentioned. Of course, this has nothing to do with me but it may be in the blood if you believe what some relatives are saying.
Today, I take photos purely for fun. I don't fret if the shot is messed up or over or under exposed. In November last year, my wife got me the E500 for my birthday. Age is catching up with me and I shoot to destress. Don't know much about PS and post-processing techiques. That is why my shots are not cropped or color corrected most of the time.
There is also a related thread here http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=171415
==============================
Started with the EOS 630 in NS after a classmate introduced me to a Canon A1. Was in secondary school and coupled with a National Geographic subscription that my father had, it opened my interest to photography. Drooled at the Olympus and Minolta ads for some reason. Never had any $$, so only in NS was I able to buy my first camera using my first "paycheck". Father passed me a Zeiss Ikonflex 6x6.
Had very little money, and everything was DIY. Reflectors, slave flashes (real $20 cheapos) and even tripods were all made of things that I could find in the house. Even used art paper to correct color on the flash when shooting indoors. Learnt a lot through trial and error. To fund my hobby, I started taking weddings and pictures of my parent's friends' kids. I was refered to when people liked the shots. Knew nothing about marketing. Then started shooting commercially for a person who became a friend when he had no time (for free). He would buy me lunch and let me play with his equipment. I was introduced to many top photographers in SG and very expensive large/medium format stuff.
My friend started to give me $$ for the assignments and I earned enough to buy Nikons, Minoltas, Canons, Leicas, and my last camera which was a Contax (for the Zeiss) before selling everything to study overseas. In NS, made friends with the full time photographers and learnt darkroom techniques. As the staff were freelancing for weddings, I got a couple when they could not make it. They would critique my work almost every single day.
In university, I got voted in as the yearbook editor, so had cameras and a very good darkroom at my disposal.
Most memorable shoot?
Went up in a helicopter with out a door and shot Singapore's first missile corvette for the Navy's advertisements. It was a commercial shoot for my friend. Used a Hassleblad for the job. Still remembered the $1,400 fee to engage the pilot and his constant reminder that we can't shoot anything while flying over land.
Another one was shooting Michael Chang using a Minolta 9000. Got published.
Fast forward to the present. Last year, found out from my uncle that my family comes from a very famous line of photographers (one of the pioneers in SG). Has some published work which traces the history and the names are mentioned. Of course, this has nothing to do with me but it may be in the blood if you believe what some relatives are saying.
Today, I take photos purely for fun. I don't fret if the shot is messed up or over or under exposed. In November last year, my wife got me the E500 for my birthday. Age is catching up with me and I shoot to destress. Don't know much about PS and post-processing techiques. That is why my shots are not cropped or color corrected most of the time.
