About

on February 19, 2008 by admin

About the Zainal Abd Halim

ASK any hobbyist or serious amateur photographer what their long term goals would be in photography, and more often than not, they’d want to either earn some regular income from photography, or live the exciting life of a wire photographer, working for a large international News Agency.

Well, here in our own backyard, we have a person who has done exactly that! Zainal Abdul Halim (picture below) makes a living working as a photojournalist for Reuters. He is now based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In this first installment of a two-part series, LensaMalaysia moderator Zain Abdullah weaves a short spellbinding biography on Zainal, and gives us some insight into his profession, his humble beginnings, and his experience as a globe-trotting photojournalist.

And discover why compact digital camera is important to his profession.

Photojournalism is regarded as the most difficult genre of photography. The job normally involves high risks, yet the expected quality in the picture is very high. Photojournalists are supposed to present not only documentary photographs that depict the reality of any given circumstance, but also the photographs that appeal to, and move, most people’s emotion with artistic touch.

Source by http://www.lensamalaysia.com

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Up close and personal with Zainal

ZAIN:
First of all, can you please give us a brief history of how you got started in photography?

ZAINAL:
Well, it was just by chance. Bought a cheap second hand camera from a friend with just to shoot family photo in mind. Then one day, I met a guy who was photo enthusiastic and he showed me some of his works. From that day onwards there was no turning back for me.

ZAIN:
What kind of camera did you first use in your early photography days?

ZAINAL:
My first camera was Yashica screw mount… I can’t really remember what model it was, but used it for a year or so, before upgrading to Nikon FM2… a tough camera and fully manual. Basically, you control everything and I found out that it is the best camera to learn photography. The best thing about this camera is it can perform in all weather and without battery (but the metering doesn’t work without batteries!).

ZAIN:
What is your advice to budding photographers who want to achieve the success that you are now enjoying

ZAINAL:
Frankly there is no hard and fast rules to this. Some people get their big break easily and some don’t. Go out and shoot everything, because in this line you have to shoot almost everything. Have fun with it. Join the local press if possible and get as much exposure as you can. Learn the trick of the trade for this job. Build up your portfolio and let the pictures do the talking.

A good picture is a good picture. I am sure people will notice sooner or later and with a little luck, the big break might come your way.

FINISHING LINE… Picture courtesy and copyright owned by Zainal Abdul Halim.

Inspiration from the picture above: The moment of truth for sportsman and photogs are the same, that’s to make it to the finishing line with full merits and no shortcut. Don’t you think so?

ZAIN:
Was photojournalism an objective for you from the start? Or did it simply emerge from developing an interest in photography?
Nope. I started off with photography as just a hobby. After sometime, when it became a passion, then I knew what I wanted in photography.

ZAINAL:
As for me, I liked to shoot sports very much but didn’t have the right lenses and access to shoot it. The only way for to me shoot sports is to join the media because, with them, I would get access to almost everything. But after joining the media, my interest in photojournalism grew and became part of me.

GOLFING… Picture courtesy and copyright owned by Zainal Abdul Halim.

ZAIN:
At what point did you decide you wanted to make images for a living?

ZAINAL:
I guess it was after I joined the media and enjoyed doing it. What else can one ask for when you get paid while doing what you love to do?

ZAIN:
In today’s 24-hour, up-to-the-minute style of reporting the news, deadlines must be a constant source of stress in your line of work. How do you deal with stress of producing quality work very quickly under pressure?

ZAINAL:
Naturally in the beginning, it’s just too much to handle. But as with any other job, you learn from your mistakes, and the more you do it the better you get. Advance planning is the most important thing before any given assignment. Eventually, I think you just get used to it and take it in your stride.

ZAIN:
What advice do you have for young photographers pursuing a career in photojournalism?

ZAINAL:
Remember, photojournalism is not a glamorous job. So if you want glamour this is not the job.

This job needs full commitment and a lot of sacrifice. At times, you have to break your promises with your loved ones. You need to be tough mentally and physically. At times, people will curse at you or, worst still, a flying kick will land on your face.

Taking picture as a hobby and for a living is different ball game altogether. If you already have a good job, then stick to it and have fun with photography, but if an offer comes along your way that you can’t resist, then give it a second thought. Wish you luck.

ZAIN:
How do you predict certain actions in sports, which happen in a split-second, but make it look like they were pre-planned and shot at the right time?

ZAINAL:
Know the sports that you are covering. If you know the athlete involved, it is an added advantage. Always keep the other eye open when you are looking through the viewfinder because things might happen out of your viewfinder. Expect the unexpected.

ZAIN:
Photography has enabled you to experience first hand some very significant moments in history. Do you have one or two that have had considerable personal impact?

ZAINAL:
Personal impact. Guess I am glad to be Malaysian coz we live peacefully and in harmony. I have seen a lot of death and suffering (in other countries).

SLEEPING CHILD… Picture courtesy and copyright owned by Zainal Abdul Halim.

ZAIN:
Who is or are your favourite photographer/s?

ZAINAL:
Can we skip this question because, to me, all photographers are my favorite. Hahahaha…(Laugh)

ZAIN:
What is your ultimate goal in your photography career?

ZAINAL:
At this stage, I just want to go out and shoot and make some money on the way. Hahahah….

I still enjoy shooting as every time I click the shutter, it gives me a kind of satisfaction deep inside me. So I think I take it one at a time. I will grab whatever opportunity that arises. But finally Insyaallah, God willing, I would like to do my own B&W printing.

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Source by Lensa Malaysia & Special Thanks to Zain Abdullah