FOR software developer Wilson Teo, capturing life through the lens of his camera has been an enriching discovery of new people and cultures.
For the 50-year-old from Batu Pahat, Johor, his passion for photography has taken him far and wide, and given him the opportunity to see how the people he meets live.
“My favourite shot was that of a girl in Vietnam who was about 5 or 6 years old. She was rushing home to do her homework.
“I followed her into the house that she lived in and saw that the interior was very dark.
“She relied on the setting sun coming through holes in the wall to do her homework.
“I titled the shot Borrowed Light. “The photograph, which attracted recognition from the Photographic Society of America (PSA), touched me deeply.
“At that time, I could not wait to get home to share her story with my children to let them know how fortunate they are,” says Teo in an interview with the New Sunday Times.
Teo grew up in Kampung Parit Ahmad, Batu Pahat, before furthering his studies in the United States. He moved to Johor Baru to set up his software company in 1991.
His contributions to photography led to his appointment as an associate of the Society of Photographers-Malaysia. He is also a member of the Photographic Society of Johor.
Teo’s love for photography has taken him to East Java where he learnt about the hardship faced by sulphur miners, who carry loads of 60kg up a steep quarry to earn US$10 (RM39) to US$12 a day.
“The sulphur miners have short life expectancy due to the toxicity of sulphur gases,” he said.
Teo, a self-taught photographer, indulges in photography trips and learns from award-winning photographers during his travels.
“I invite well-known photographers to hold talks in Johor Baru, so that photography enthusiasts can learn from them.
“For a photograph to come to life, the photographer must think about composition and adjust to the proper lens setting.
“Editing is also important to add dimension and details to a shot.
“I also noticed that some young photographers do not put their heart into a shoot.”
Teo says photography strengthens unity and allows people to appreciate the different cultures in the fabric of community.
He cites the Thaipusam celebration at Batu Caves in Selangor and the villagers and pristine waters of Semporna, Sabah, as among his recent “photography trips”.
“My favourite subjects are people in their natural setting, followed by landscape shots.
“Professional models, however, do not interest me as models are already pretty.
“There’s no challenge in taking shots of beautiful models who know how to strike a pose,” he says, adding that he used photography to help non-governmental organisations like the Breast Cancer Support Group to raise funds.
“Photography has brought value to my own life, and I hope that the art can bring value to the lives of others as well.”