WETlands
a publication of Sungei Buloh Nature Park
Vol 7 No 2
Aug 2000

The Truth
about Grass

Butterfly-Plant Relationships

List of butterflies
(1999-2000)

Beauty to Behold how animals see

More about the eyes of animals

Nesting Birds
at Sungei Buloh

Nesting
Little Heron

A walk with a Volunteer Guide: Keith Hillier

Nature Photographer
with a Mission:
Julian Wong

Earth Day Programmes

Nature in
the City		  
Nature Photographer
with a Mission
hu julian wong
Park Volunteer
   
Photography by itself is an art form that requires a lot of patience, determination and dedication from the photographer. Attention to detail and careful approach to the subject is especially true for those who are pursuing an interest in nature photography. Yet how many of these photographers actually understand the true essence of nature photography? Julian Wong, a nature lover and a volunteer of the Park, started nature photography in 1997. He hopes that through his images, people can come to appreciate the boundless beauty of Nature. In his free time, he likes to pen down his thoughts and observations on nature conservation and photography.
I heard from a friend who had seen on a location shoot, a small group of photographers cutting away branches and leaves of a particular bush, so as to enable them to take pictures of pigeon nesting within. Being a self-professed naturalist; he chided the photographers for not being "nature-friendly". Although he managed to stop this one incident, it set me thinking. How many such incidents can be stopped in time? What the photographers did not realise was that by cutting away the branches and leaves, they were actually exposing the bird and its chicks or eggs to predators. The pigeon had used the bush as an effective camouflage, only to be destroyed by the thoughtless act of humans. Nature photographers should respect the subject they photograph and not cause unnecessary stress or inconvenience to them.

To the self-professed nature photographer, it is imperative that he observes the ecological balance of Mother Nature and abides by the natural law that is guarding our atmosphere. Photographers are often seen in public and any wilful or discriminating act will certainly instil a "monkey-see-monkey-do" concept to the passer-by.

Photographers can be good ambassadors to the general public if only they can understand the subject that they want to photograph and not proceed beyond certain limits just to get that ultimate shot. Images can paint a thousand words and using the right images could just enlighten someone out there to care more about our fragile environment.

So the next time you pick up a camera and come in contact with Mother Nature, think about the mission that you would be embarking on. It is only through awareness and genuine love for nature that you will truly "blossom" into a better "natural" photographer.
   
© Sungei Buloh Nature Park