2 Years Into Photography

Well I don’t know if I’d call myself a photographer yet…but I’ve just passed my second year in photography..

I got my Nikon D70s on June 7th 2006, 2 years ago last month. I had some cameras before that, an old Olympus mju 35mm film point and shoot and I got my first digital camera in 2001 (which cost me a fortune) – the 3.2 megapixel Canon Powershot A70.

It did me well and most of my earlier pictures on this blog were from that camera.

I’d say I started photography properly when I got the D70s, before that I’d just started exploring what I could do with with the A70 and was starting to find it’s limitations in terms of speed, noise at high ISO, accurate white balance and fine tuning controls. I decided against getting a bridge or prosumer camera and to go straight for a dSLR.

Nikon D70s

My choices at that time were the Canon 350D, the Olympus E-500 and the Nikon D70s.

I hardly got chance to use the camera, and had only just bought my first lens other than the kit lens (A Tamron SP90mm Di Macro Lens)…and my camera was stolen only 3 months after I’d bought it.

Camera Stolen

That was heartbreaking to say the least…by that time I’d completely gotten the photography bug though so I couldn’t give up…I had a choice to make between getting the Nikon D80, which had just been released or the higher model the Nikon D200. I went for the D200 for various reasons (solid build, more accurate metering, CF card rather than SD and so on) and I have to say I’ve never regretted the decision.

Anyway here are a few of my personal favs I’ve taken in the 2 years since I’ve gone from complete noob to slightly less noob.

With the Nikon D70s

Camel Smile

Sunset at Dubai Desert

Sunset over the Moors

Foreboding Skies

Sax Jamming

Singapore Skyline

With the Nikon D200

Blue Jumping Spider

Majestic

Floating Away

Fireworks at the Eye

Mystique

Longing

Close and Personal

Hannah Tan at Mardi Gras

Elliott Yamin at Live and Loud

Shaggy at Live and Loud

Elliott Yamin at Live and Loud

I’ve had a stranger buy one of my pictures though, I’ve been published in quite a few magazines and national papers, I’ll have a spread in FHM August, I’ve shot a major musical event and I’ve recently seen one of my pictures on a billboard! I’ve got a lot of unpublished stuff, so perhaps I’ll make an effort to get it on my blog. Also of course we started Shutter Asia to expand my learning and network of photographers for outings and trips – so far it’s been great!

It’s a start!

I’ve still gotten a long way to go though, only 2 years into photography…probably another 23 years to go before I get any good 😀 Most things take at least 25 years to master reasonably well.

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54 Responses to 2 Years Into Photography

  1. davidlian July 15, 2008 at 2:14 pm #

    Hey…hey… these are not n00b! I’ve had my 300D for years and still can’t take a decent shot. It’s now sitting at home rusting. 🙁

  2. PenangTuaPui July 15, 2008 at 2:38 pm #

    if my “baby” get stolen like that…. tell you wat.. I will be mad for a year….

    your photo shooting skill is amazing… I have lots to learn.

    DSLR is my next target, I am holding the canon IXUS-55 now.

  3. popjammerz July 15, 2008 at 2:42 pm #

    wow.
    i love your pictures!
    it’ll definitely look awesome in prints!!

  4. Simon Seow July 15, 2008 at 3:27 pm #

    If you’re changing a new DSLR and wanted to sell your D200, remember me. lol

  5. joshuaongys July 15, 2008 at 3:44 pm #

    you’re definitely a photographer and you can call yourself that bah, your pictures does the justice for you. most of us who’ve seen the many pictures taken by you will agree with that. Keep it up bah =)

  6. moons July 15, 2008 at 4:02 pm #

    2 years and you already have so many great shots. I don’t know how fast is it for people to get good in photography but your photos are just awesome.

    Lots of reading of photography articles from the net eh?

    Keep up those pretty photos 🙂

  7. Superwilson July 15, 2008 at 4:18 pm #

    Amazing shots…can’t tell whether u only learn for 2 years only… Love ur pictures mate..

  8. Balqiz July 15, 2008 at 4:52 pm #

    wow…nice…

  9. izzat July 15, 2008 at 4:55 pm #

    very very nice pictures! 🙂

    i wonder when i can get a dslr, my housemate got nikon d70 already.. huhu

  10. howshouse July 15, 2008 at 5:23 pm #

    dude, those pictures are really nice! thanks for the post. like you, i’m contemplating making the jump from point and shoot direct to dslr. planning to get th d80 soon. and also, thanks for setting up shutter asia. got lots of tips from there to help make my decision to foray into digital photography.

  11. Jaz July 15, 2008 at 6:09 pm #

    Do you print your photos yourself? I have some photographs that I have taken and would like to get printed ie panoroma an A4 size. What do you recommend? I dont want to get a printer. cos it means more stuff to look after.

  12. KornyKornelius July 15, 2008 at 7:09 pm #

    that is some good quality pictures u got!!! SOLID!!! KEEP IT UP!!

  13. xjion89 July 15, 2008 at 7:59 pm #

    Wow, some of pics are very nice! very artistic by they way. Keep up your good work. You will be famous soon.(^-^)

  14. Joe Ng July 15, 2008 at 8:45 pm #

    Congratz ShaolinTiger! Keep it up!
    I’ll support you, dude!

  15. Azmeen July 15, 2008 at 8:49 pm #

    Nice post ST. Like I’ve mentioned before, your photos inspire me. I’m very sure that you will only get better at photography. You have the talent at spotting a “photo moment” and that is bigger than any lens or camera combo.

    And you’re only in it for two years!

  16. chyu July 15, 2008 at 9:15 pm #

    wuuuuoh!!
    i love ur picture !! no matter event /concert /natural/ or fashion shoot… awesome!!
    keep it up !!
    u got my support !! citizen support… ekekekkekee..

  17. kevin July 15, 2008 at 9:51 pm #

    very very nice. great job my friend.

    i’m actually looking for a DSLR. nothing prosumer, but perhaps an entry model. any recommendations?

  18. Jeff July 15, 2008 at 10:06 pm #

    Hmm.. I’m very interested in photography too.. But i’m short of money.. Any good second-hand cameras to recon?

  19. Dabido July 15, 2008 at 10:08 pm #

    I still haven’t started photography proper yet. lol

    Hmmm, that camel photo looks good … OMGoodness, I better get a GF quick!!!! 🙂 Phew, thank goodness for some nice shots of girls in that mix! 🙂

  20. pinkgirlgirl July 15, 2008 at 11:40 pm #

    those pictures very very nice..KEEP IT UP!! haha.. great job!^^

  21. Ginny July 16, 2008 at 12:03 am #

    omg those pictures.are.so.so.sooo.awesome!

    my goosebumps stood up lol in a good way u know..when u see sumthing nice. 🙂 i couldn’t pick a fav one because all of them are equally nice. altho im more to nature themed photos 😉

    *thumbs up*

  22. jolene July 16, 2008 at 1:39 am #

    you are a photographer. be confident!

  23. Donny July 16, 2008 at 1:43 am #

    I like the sharpness of your photo. The colors and lightings are all good as well.

  24. steph July 16, 2008 at 2:08 am #

    wow. fantastic shots. and this only after two years. i hope my learning curve tilts steeper as well. my fave is the girl looking out the window. love the tone, and the way you captured the contemplative shimmer in her eye.

  25. ShaolinTiger July 16, 2008 at 2:48 am #

    davidlian: Slightly less noob, not complete noob heh – get out and shoot!

    PenangTuaPui: Yeah I was very sad 🙁 Learn to use your Ixus fully, it’s a great camera.

    popjammerz: Thanks, I do like to print them it gives a very different feeling.

    Simon Seow: Heh sure ok. Second hand D200 is very cheap now.

    joshuaongys: Thanks boss, appreciate that 🙂

    moons: Heh, reading books and practising mostly..the info online is a bit patch. I spend about RM3000 on books from Amazon US!

    Superwilson: Thanks, hope I can continue to improve!

    izzat: Great cam, second hand entry level dSLR is very cheap now.

    howshouse: Cool, enjoy the D80, it’s a great cam! D200 is very cheap now too..even a new one since D300 came out. Glad that Shutter Asia helps 🙂

    Jaz: Yah I do, I’m using a Canon Pixma printer..I think most print shops should be able to do panorama up to 10″. You can check those around your area, if not try the pro lab in SS2 above the 7-11.

    KornyKornelius: Heh SOLID! Thanks.

    xjion89: Famous I don’t know, just hope I can improve 🙂

    Joe Ng: Thanks!

    Azmeen: Yah 2 years, maybe another 8 years I’ll call myself a photographer haha…in 23 years maybe I’ll be a pro!

    chyu: Thanks Adeline, appreciate your suppport…maybe I come to your town and shoot you hehe.

    kevin: Right now? I’d say get a D200…it’s about RM2000 cheaper than when I bought mine and I have never regretted paying that much.

    Jeff: Check out Shutter Asia buy and sell, can get a second hand D70s pretty cheap now.

    Dabido: Exercise your camera dude!

    Ginny: Thanks glad you like them all, you can see more by category on my Flickr (click Gallery link at the top).

    jolene: Don’t know for sure yet, I’m still a beginner I think.

    Donny: Thanks 🙂 Lighting is the most important thing in photography!

    steph: Thanks – keep practicing, studying and applying what you learned. I generally have a very steep learning curve as I’m a bit obsessive 🙂

  26. simpleU July 16, 2008 at 11:57 am #

    Really nice pics you captured! You’ve got talent!

  27. Ranga July 16, 2008 at 2:42 pm #

    Great shots, ST! What camera/lens did you use?

  28. Krazie Fishie July 16, 2008 at 3:38 pm #

    Nice pictures…..

    Keep up the good work bro….

  29. kaswira July 16, 2008 at 4:40 pm #

    tis are no ordinary pics

  30. jess July 16, 2008 at 5:21 pm #

    i am just amazed, those photos are really beautiful. And well done, those picture looks lively and just touch my heart.

    only person with patient and perserverance together with skills manage to take such a picture.

  31. Darren July 17, 2008 at 12:12 am #

    you call those noob shots? those fantastic shots leh! anyway what a coincidence, i got my dslr at 2006 too!

  32. Pientai July 17, 2008 at 12:42 am #

    Congrats ST! Keep up the good works! Those are really AWESOME photography and stunning HDR photos too !! Cheers!

  33. kevin July 17, 2008 at 9:59 am #

    umm, was looking around shops. dont think i can get a D200 now bro. 2nd hand?

  34. Dean July 17, 2008 at 12:06 pm #

    shaolin tiger at its best aah! 😀
    well,i needed 1 more year to produce pic like these in the future 😀

  35. andrew July 17, 2008 at 1:10 pm #

    damn nice lo… hehe.. must learn from you d..!! hehe.. be your follower!! LOL

  36. iCalvyn July 18, 2008 at 10:45 am #

    ops, i tough you get back your D70 at the end? or this legend is fake … ??

  37. wombok July 18, 2008 at 6:26 pm #

    Your pictures never fail to impress me ST. And only 2 years into dslr photography? could have had me fooled mate 🙂

  38. Nick Chhan July 18, 2008 at 7:25 pm #

    2 years! Congrats! You’re take really good pictures, impressive! Here’s to many more years! *cheers*

  39. QuaChee July 19, 2008 at 2:52 am #

    wow yr photographs are gr8! very rich & focus oriented 🙂

  40. potatoe July 21, 2008 at 10:58 am #

    congrats and looking forward to see more from you 🙂

    btw, D3 is lovely.

  41. ShaolinTiger July 21, 2008 at 6:47 pm #

    simpleU: Thanks 🙂

    Ranga: I just used Photoshop no camera 😛

    Krazie Fishie: Thanks, will keep on trying.

    kaswira: I hope that’s a good thing heh.

    jess: Thanks, it does take a lot of hard work.

    Darren: Heh around the same time!

    Pientai: Thanks, shame the scenes in Malaysia don’t suite HDR as well as the crazy skies in UK.

    kevin: I think a few places still have new ones, have to hunt a bit. Second hand there’s plenty around, some with really low shutter count.

    Dean: Keep trying!

    andrew: Haha I need to find someone to follow first 😉

    iCalvyn: Got it back…but it was rosak. Long story.

    wombok: Thanks, still a long way to go though.

    Nick Chhan: Cheers mate!

    QuaChee: Thank you, I love clear, rich and sharp pics.

    potatoe: Hehe, more will come…patience 😉 D3 if you have one I’ll poke you in the eye – it rocks!

  42. Kevin Han July 22, 2008 at 11:00 am #

    Awesome photos.

  43. ShaolinTiger July 25, 2008 at 5:03 pm #

    Kevin Han: Thanks Kevin!

  44. Aileen July 26, 2008 at 8:54 pm #

    Great pictures. So rich and so alive. What bout putting more details? Would love to know more about the photos i.e. place taken..the people in it..

  45. ShaolinTiger July 28, 2008 at 2:27 pm #

    Aileen: Thanks! I’ve posted all of them on this blog before with descriptions and so on. If you can find the details here you can find them in Flickr (click the Gallery link at the top).

  46. Melissa July 30, 2008 at 8:01 pm #

    Oh my ! Lovely pictures <3. Can certainly learn alot from here !

  47. Implosion July 31, 2008 at 1:56 pm #

    Gorgeous. Bloody gorgeous- you’ve come a long way since the first noob pic. Do you think the camera technique develops your “eye” or your “eye” develops the camera technique?
    Esoteric but completely serious question there for you.

  48. ShaolinTiger July 31, 2008 at 3:32 pm #

    Melissa: Thanks! I still have a lot to learn too, it’s a long journey.

    Implosion: Yah a long way indeed, a lot of studying involved! Heh, esoteric but very relevant. It’s hard to say and I think it’s as much one way as it is the other..I’d say for a start you have to have some ‘eye’ when you start if not you’ll never take good pics, well good being pictures with soul. Anyone can learn the technical parts, but if you don’t have the ‘eye’ and the character to interact with your subjects, your pics will be sharp and clear but lifeless. I guess your technique tends to develop around your ‘eye’ as you may want to capture a certain scene, but can’t due to lack in skills…so you develop the skills which enable to you capture it as you wish. On top of that your skills refine your ‘eye’ in terms of composition, appreciating light and angle of light, appreciating rule of thirds, leading lines, vanishing point, depth of field and so on plus 100’s of other things you learn along the way (no horizontal lines through heads/necks in portraits, no vertical objects sticking out of heads, don’t light from directly below and so on). Does that answer you somehow, or was it a bunch of rambly nonsense?

  49. Chris Chong August 28, 2008 at 10:03 am #

    You’re good… 🙂

    It’s also fantastic that you still find time to pursue photography. I haven’t had time to shoot anything not work-related.

    A lot of DSLR owners seem more interested in the hardware than the art itself, so it’s nice to know that you’re still chugging along in a D200 while producing fantastic photos.

    Keep it up!

  50. ShaolinTiger August 28, 2008 at 2:33 pm #

    Chris Chong: Thanks, that’s kind of you 🙂 Well I always try and make the time, and it always rewards me when I do – so it’s worth it. Yeah Malaysia is inhabited by gearheads…they always ask me when I’m upgrading and look surprised when I say I’m not.

  51. nell September 2, 2008 at 4:20 pm #

    Very nice photos! With your Nikon D200 what lens did you used Im very much interested since I am planning to get my first dslr nikon d200?

  52. ShaolinTiger September 2, 2008 at 5:55 pm #

    nell: Different lens for different purpose 🙂 Just get an 18-70mm to start with and you’ll be fine.

  53. uner June 20, 2009 at 5:51 pm #

    wow, you have lotsa great photos!!

  54. ShaolinTiger June 29, 2009 at 5:32 pm #

    uner: Thanks 🙂

 
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