ALOR STAR: SOME 30 underprivileged children of Darul Aitam Walmasakin Tunku Abdul Rahman Orphanage became shutter bugs for a day when experienced press photographers visited their home recently.
The annual one-day Kembara Lensa Murni event, organised by the Malaysian Press Photographers Association (MPPA), had media photographers teaching the children how to use the camera skilfully and giving tips on photography.
About 30 photographers on their superbikes came in a convoy from Menara Dato’ Onn, Putra World Trade Centre, in Kuala Lumpur, while 14 others arrived by vans.
The event aimed to give the children a glimpse of the world of photography and pique their interest in making it a career one day.
Following a talk on how to use DSLR cameras, the children were brought outdoors with their mentors to take snap shots of any object they desired.
They used all sorts of angles to photograph their objects and asked many questions.
“Some even went down on their knees to capture low-angle pictures.
It was a fun day out in the field with cameras and teenager Ikmal Hidayat Mohd Rais said it had given him the opportunity to immerse himself in the art.
“It may look easy to take pictures but photographers need to know the best angles to take their pictures and how to produce quality photographs.
“I am happy to learn the right techniques from professionals,” said the 14-year-old.
Siti Hajar Abdul Kodid, 16, said she was glad that the photographers were generous with their expertise.
“They have widened my knowledge and helped me to improve on my techniques.
“It may look easy to be a photographer, but one needs to be creative and have the imagination to capture amazing pictures.”
Meanwhile, MPPA president Zainal Abdul Halim said: “We wanted to share our knowledge and nurture the children’s talents.
“We gave a talk on photography techniques and the children who took the best three pictures each won a compact digital camera.”