Through the eyes of an avid lensman

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Often photography wannabes would seek advice from Ting.

After retirement, Ting still trots around the globe with his wife, and camera hoping to capture the mesmerising scenery with his lenses.

TING Nai Ho is best known as the longest serving president of the Miri Photography Society (MPS) as well as co-founder and former vice-president of the Malaysia Photographers Society.

He is also recognised as one of only a handful of Mirians to be first awarded the Associateship of Royal Photographic Society (ARPS).

He travelled on invitation to various photo gallery exhibitions and social gatherings worldwide and rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous.

“Since very young, I was deeply attracted to the art of photography — how it works to capture something into a portrait. By 16, I saved enough money to buy my very first camera, a ‘Seagull’ (single lens) brand from China.

“Unlike a modern camera, this classic model worked differently and much simpler but restricted. It needed periodical setting — we could only get a perfect result when a picture was taken at the designated time,” he told thesundaypost.

Stung by the shuttle bug, Ting spent much of his teens snapping almost everything — from portraits, animals to scenery and landscapes, learning the robes through books released only by a private firm in Hong Kong.

In his mid-20s, he shelved his hobby to focus on a more important task — earning money to feed his family.

“Life isn’t a bed of roses. Therefore, I put photography on the backseat to work and give my family a better life,” he said.

Nearly 20 years later, after a successful career and giving his family a comfortable life, Ting decided to pick up his favourite pastime from where he left off.

He befriended a group of photography buffs,  went on picture-taking outings with them and showed off their ‘expensive, new state-of-the-art’ cameras.

Ting was not really satisfied with his skills at the time. Then, he met a veteran, an internationally renowned photographer, who taught him the right way to capture the essence of picture.

“Of course, I was thrilled, especially, when I was told I got the knack for taking good pictures. I really appreciated his encouragement,” he recalled.

Ting was also actively involved with the MPS, and in 1991, was appointed its sixth president and re-appointed to the same post over the next eight years (four terms).

Ting always updates himself on the latest in photography.

In 2005, he was back as MPS president, serving a term before retiring in 2007.

During his time, Ting brought MPS to its peak by organising four internationally recognised  photo gallery exhibitions.

He was also vice-president of the Malaysia Photographer Society, frequently traversing the country, and representing Malaysia at photography forums in Taiwan, Hong Kong, mainland China, the Philippines, Singapore and Brunei.

His most memorable oversea trips included an dinner invitation to the troupe he led from Stanley Ho Hung Sun, a Hong Kong tycoon and Macanese businessman.

During one of the visits to Hong Kong, Ting was introduced to Shao Hua, the daughter-in-law of Mao Tse Dong, founding father of the People’s Republic of China.

At the time, Shao was president of the China Photographers Association (CPA).

“I have been told that poverty in countries like China is still a serious issue, and many have trouble feeding themselves.

Those able to own cameras are either journalists, famous artists or the rich with extra cash to splurge.

“I am grateful that photography has given me the opportunity to visit many countries and get to meet some prominent figures around the world,” he said.

Nepenthes commonly found in tropical forests.

During the interview, Ting showed thesundaypost  some of his masterpieces — Nepenthes and Native tribes of interior Sarawak.

“I strongly believe a real photographer should know what kind of photos he or she wants to capture — the theme and the style.

“I was hugely attracted to Nepenthes and the native tribes, and for years, I often travelled to the interior to interact with the people and Nature,” he said.

Ting keeps a large collection of photos, hoping to release a book on his works one day.

“Somehow, I have not able to realise my dream yet,” he confessed.

To this day, Ting still trots around the globe with his camera, hoping to capture mesmerising scenery with his lenses. He makes it a point to keep abreast of the latest in photography.

Often, young photography wannabes would seek advice from Ting and he happily shares his know-how with them.

“When I impart my knowledge to young people, I too, get to learn something from them. There is no boundary to learning so long as you are willing to learn in a humble manner,” he said.

Ting has taken this picture showing a woman tapping rubber — with a child strapped on her back.