感受婆罗洲 Sabah-the photographers’ paradise

Home for my family

Silver Leaf Monkey

Proboscis

Black and Yellow Broadbill

沙巴州拥有多个风光迤逦的小岛，还有丰富的植物和生物群。得天独厚的天然资源，每年都吸引了无数来自海内外的观光客，这里也是摄影爱好者的天堂。

风光摄影不说，如果你爱好拍摄鸟类，这里就有超过600多种本土和季候鸟。上月我和数位沙州摄鸟高手到山打根的Sukau拍摄，我们下榻 Bilit Rainforest Lodge，度假村环境优美，设备齐全，在这偏远的地方，能有如此舒适的住所确是不错。度假村河的两岸就是一个观鸟的好地方。可惜我最长的镜头才400米，拍不到鸟，不过若在船上拍摄，却比我朋友的600米来的生动和灵活。

从亚庇到山打根途中，我们停在Labuk Bay Proboscis Sanctuary看长鼻猴。我们特赶在喂食时间抵达，大部分长鼻猴将在喂食台等待，也是我们拍摄它们的好时机。只见它们十多只一组，每组都有一只较大的长鼻猴为首领。 据管理人说：它们的社会组织好像人类般，有著家庭的模式，每一组就是一个家庭。

来到沙州，我不忘旧地重游，再次来到仙本娜的海域，探望那海上人家。遗憾的是天气不好，光线不足，至到下午才看到太阳。

我要感谢Winston Tai, Simon Yeo, Dato’Yap, CH Chia, TS Wong和沙巴及山打根摄影学会的朋友。他们都是摄影高手，认识他们令我获益匪浅。

Sabah is the photographers’ paradise. It has many beautiful islands and a number of national parks. Sabah is also renowned for its remarkable flora and fauna. It is also a favourite place for bird- watching as there are over 600 resident and migratory birds found in this area.

Besides bird-watching, proboscis monkey is another attraction for tourists and photographers. Labuk Bay Proboscis Sanctuary in Sandakan is a home for a large number of proboscises. We went there during feeding time; they came out in a group of family, 200 mm lens should be long enough to get them close in our viewfinder.

For bird shooting, Sukau is one of the local photographer’s favourite. We stayed one night in Sukau in Bilit Rainforest Lodge. The lodge is located at the side of the Kinabatangan River. I like the atmosphere here as the lodge was clean and our stay was comfortable.

The boatman took us for bird shooting along the river. We were lucky as we saw quite a number of beautiful birds. The longest zoom lens I got is 100-400 mm, which is not long enough for the purpose.

My trip ended in Semporna. It was my 3^rd visit here within a year. My intention of course is to visit the sea gypsies. The weather was not very friendly with hazy sky and poor sunlight but this did not dampen my spirits.

I got acquainted with friends from The Photography Society of Sabah and The Photography Society of Sandakan. They are very helpful and I thank their hospitality.

远离尘嚣的肯逸湖 Kenyir Lake

整个小岛包括旅客都不上20人，这里没有城市一般的设备，手机也无用武之地，我们就像到了一个与世隔绝的原始部落。 这就是登加楼州肯逸湖Musang度假村的情况， 少一份喧哗，多一份宁静。

肯逸湖在1985年建成，为全东南亚最大的人造湖，在国内不算是闻名旅游区。这也可理解，这里除了钓鱼，便没有其他活动。如果不是为了拍摄风光照，也不会兴致勃勃地开车400多公里来到这里。

但我并没有失望，肯逸河河水平静如一面镜子。天空，枯树，山丘和其倒影，併成一幅美丽的自然景观，置身在如此大自然，有另一种体会，是我们平日生活中无法领略的宁静。是天，地与人合一的感觉？能确定的是：一切都是那么样的和谐和平静。

晚上，度假村来了特别的访客，一头野象静悄悄地来到我们下榻的度假屋前，推倒几棵香蕉树，逗留多时才离开度假村。根据工作人员说：她每年都会来，就像这里是她必经之路，度假村的人也没有加于为难。短暂的邂逅，人和兽都相安无事。其实，这里原本是他们的地盘，她才是森林的主人，我们岂可反客为主？

肯逸湖虽然不是旅游胜地，我却爱上她那纯朴的美和那一份宁静。

We spent two nights in Musang Kenyir Resort last month. This resort is located in the northern part of Kenyir Lake. Though the resort is not really far away from Kuala Berang in Terengganu, it looks as if we were staying in a very remote village without electricity supply and out of reach from all types of telecommunication systems! It is really ‘back to nature’ as stated in the web site of the resort.

Kenyir Lake was created in 1985. This is the biggest man made lake in South-East-Asia. Judging from the small number of tourists who visited this area, it cannot be considered as a popular tourist destination in Malaysia. Besides fishing, camping and mountain trekking, there are not many other activities here to attract visitors.

This is my first visit to Kenyir Lake, with the intention of taking landscape photographs. I was not disappointed as I enjoyed the peaceful environment and the spectacular scenery. The water is crystal clear, the tree stumps, the hills, the sky and their reflection in the water create an awesome natural landscape painting.

At night, we had a strange visitor, an elephant came right up to our door step. It turned out to be a friendly one!

波德申风光 Evening Scene of Port Dickson

我喜欢波德申的黄昏的景色，那柔和的阳光，无人的海滩和那漂浮在海上的小船只，让我有很宁静的感觉。

我常来这里拍摄，但真正能令我满意的作品却很少。或许时机不对吧，有时是浪太低或太高，有时阳光躲在云雾里。希望将来能拍到较满意的照片。

Port Dickson is my favorite place for landscape photography. I like the soft evening sunlight shinning on the sea, the beach and the fishing boats. There are not many activities at this time of the day, except a few fishermen preparing to go out to the sea. As compared to the city, there is a sense of tranquility.

I have been going there very often, unfortunately, none of the trips had given me any satisfactory shots. Maybe I was not ‘at the right place and at the right time’!

只缘身在此山中 Bukit Lalang Broga

茅草山座落在我的老家－武来岸，如果不是她的名字在登山界爆红，我几乎已把她忘了！

据老乡们说：近来上茅草山的人越来越多，尤其周末，人多得有点拥挤，停车的地方都难找。武来岸，因为这座小山，使这个几乎被人遗忘的小新村，名气也大了。

茅草山是我国主干山脉，位处南端的一座小山，我的家就在山角下。外来者说，这个山脉为平凡的武来岸新村增添不少美感；有了山脉作为靠山，也是风水地。

我在中学时期曾爬过这座山，那已是40多年前的事，印象也模糊。村人一般很少上山，乡下人，不需爬山做运动，平日割胶和农作已消耗很大体力。当时交通不便，地方偏僻，外人更不会来。

昨日又再登上茅草山，从大路到山上，步行30-45分钟便抵达，路程况不难走。山顶上可俯瞰整个武来岸新村，士毛月和加影等地。山上虽然没有沙巴州神山那么壮观，却另有一种视觉的美感。

落暮时分，看到夕阳映照着我熟悉的地方，有很深的感受。原来这么多年来，都忽略这片孕育我的土地，竟是如此美丽山河！

这是我在日落西山时，在山顶拍的几张照片，纯属拙作，却代表我对老家的一份情。

There is no official name for this hill in my hometown, Broga New Village. As the main vegetation in this area is wild lalang, we call this hill as Bukit Lalang.

Those days, not many people would like to climb this hill, as Broga is a remote and rural village, and relatively unknown. Now I was told, the hill was crowded with people especially during weekends.

The last time I climbed this mountain was 40 over years ago when I was still in secondary school. I hardly remember how it looked like then.

I went up to this hill again a few days ago. The scenery up there is just beautiful! From the top, I saw my hometown bathed with the evening sunlight, and I suddenly realize how fortunate I am to call this place as home.

I had taken a few images, which I would like to share with all my friends.

是天上 也是人间 View From The Top

艰辛的道路

朋友知道我登上神山，问：‘辛苦吗？’我答：‘说易不易，说难不难！’

如果说易，为何乃有许多人上不到顶峰，半途弃战？为何有人因体力不支或跌伤，要人抬下山来？也有不幸者丧失了宝贵的性命？向导告诉我，几年前，曾有一位外国少女，下山时遇到大雾，迷路失踪，一星期后才发现她的尸体。

说难，也不尽然，因为有征服神山者从多，老少皆有，不一定是运动健将型，当然，年轻和身体好会占一定的优势。我的团里就有一位平时有运动的68岁前辈，他还比我早到达顶峰！

一般爬神山的人，大多数能上到海拔3300多米的Laban Rata。真正考验毅力和决心却是第二个部分，既次日凌晨从Laban Rata攻顶的这段路。 虽然只有2.7公里长，但一路多峭壁，再加上高海拔，空气稀薄，实在难走！ 我走了5个多小时，才以蜗牛般的速度，十分艰辛的登上最高峰。途中也看到几位登山客，停在路边放弃了。

这段路虽然辛苦，却是全程最精彩，风景最美丽的一段路，也是每位登山者的目标。攀到顶峰，能一览群峰的真面目，站在东南亚最高峰，那是有金钱买不到的满足感，也是对自己的一种肯定。下山后也获颁证书，所有辛苦和疲劳都值得。

登山最大的收获，是从攀山的过程领悟人生，人生的道路不也像登山一样？何尝不是艰辛？你可能遇到无数次的挫折，令你焦头烂额，又或在事业上爱情上跌个遍体鳞伤。 但越是艰辛和崎岖，生活就越精彩。登山的精彩，是平路无法体会的。

当你克服一切障碍，最终抵达目的地时，才能真正体会人生的真谛－不完美的人生，才是人生！

愿与所有网友共勉。

These are the few shots that I took when I reached the peak of Mt. Kinabalu. The weather was fine and the clouds were floating below me. The scenery was just breathtaking. I don’t think my lenses can reflect the beauty of it.

We started the climb from Laban Rata at 2.30 in the morning. It was the toughest journey though the distance was only 2.7 km.

伟哉，神山 Mt. Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia

                            站在最高点

站在神山最高峰，出乎意外的，我没有感觉到征服神山的自豪和骄傲，也没有成功登山的喜悦。

我谨以谦卑的心，感恩神山让我攀登，同伴的相互鼓励，向导在我途中面对艰难的时刻拉我一把，才让我不放弃，克服生理和心理障碍，攀到4095.2公尺之巅。

在罗氏峰上，遥望山下辽阔的土地和美不胜收的自然美景，白云就在我脚下飞舞，感觉自己在这宇宙，是那么的渺小。

其实，上山只是完成一半长征，下山需要更大的毅力，才能确保安全还回起点！

人生，和登山原理一样，出任高职，忌骄。任何成就，背后肯定有许多同事和朋友的支持和扶持才成事。上位，不能算是成功，当到回起点，交棒后，才能论功过。

Standing on Low’s Peak of Mt. Kinabalu， the highest mountain in South-East-Asia, I didn’t feel the joy and excitement for the successful climb。

Instead, I felt humble and thankful for the Creator who had created this magnificent mountain. I was also grateful to the encouragement and help from my friends especially my guide- Jemin who was very patient and helpful all the way to the Peak.

The panoramic view from the Peak was awesome and breathtaking and it made me feel very small in this universe！

I am fully aware that I have another tough task ahead. The descent is equally challenging！

The climb also carries the same meaning in our real life endeavours. If one is holding high office, one should not feel proud and arrogant. You will not be there purely by your own efforts only as there are others who helped you to make it there.

The final judgement of whether you are successful or not will only be known not when you are still in office but when your tenure of office is over. 

神山地标

【不识‘神山’真面目，只缘身在此山中】。站在罗氏峰上，我不能看到她的全貌，一览无遗的，反而是对面远处的‘South Peak’南峰和‘St.John’s Peak’圣约翰峰，何等壮观，感叹造物主的伟大！

南峰向来是神山的主要地标，一令吉纸币后就印著南峰地标；圣约翰峰貌似妇女，相传她就是盼望丈夫归来的妇女化身，因此也称作寡妇山。这也是中国寡妇山的来由吧。

当局者迷，自己的弱点往往要局外人才看得清楚，能接受别人的批评，才会成功。

On top of Low’s Peak, I cannot see how it looks like, but I can clearly see the South Peak and St. John’s Peak from a distance.  They are just magnificent!

Our one Ringgit note carries the image of South Peak, while St. John’s Peak resembled the face of a human being. Folk tale had it that she was indeed the widow who waited the return of her husband!

                                   方向

半山攻顶，走到距离罗氏峰约2公里的路程，可看到石壁上都钉著白色粗绳。上峭壁时，登山客可拉著绳子帮助安全攀登。绳子也是引导往最高峰的正确和安全方向，攻顶前，向导一再吩咐我们必须跟著绳子的方向走。高峰气候变化大，当云雾来袭时，可见度受影响下，易使人迷路。

多年前，有一位年轻的外国少女，不听向导忠告，擅自离开绳子的方向走去，不幸换来付出生命的代价！

在人生的旅途中，方向一样重要。有目标，有决心，但如失去或迷失方向，一样徒劳无功！

About 2 km before reaching Low’s Peak，a thick white rope is available to help us to make this difficult and dangerous ascend. This rope is also meant to guide us to the correct and safe direction to the Peak.

The weather up there is unpredictable，thick mist may affect one’s visibility, without the white rope as guide one may get loss.

In real life too, we need a clear direction. You may have goals, but without a clear direction, you may not be able to get there.

山路崎岖

神山上山和下山路途全长19.4公里，原始山路崎岖不平。各种路况都有，泥路，石壁路，和世界名山如中国黄山有人工打造的梯级相比，难度何止百倍。神山之路确是人走出来的，诚如大文豪鲁迅所说：“世上本没有路，走的人多了，也就成了路”。

我们需要有‘踏出路来’的精神，许多成功人士，白手兴家，一步一脚印，踏出一条康庄大道。

We climbed from Timpohan gate to the summit and came down via Mesilau trail, a total journey of 19.4 km. As compared to other famous mountains like Huang Shan in China, there were very few man-made steps for better access.

Eminent Chinese writer Lu Xun once wrote: ‘there were no road in this world, if the trail had been used by more and more people, the trail became road’.

The trail to the summit was difficult and tough; the trail became road as it was walked over and over again by climbers.

We must have courage and determination to map out a road for life. Many successful men started off with nothing, but with perseverance and determination, they made out a road to success.

尽职的挑夫

攀登神山，通常会在6公里山腰上的Laban Rata住宿休息，隔天凌晨攻顶后才下山来。登山者必须携带简单的行装和登山用品上山，为了纾解背包压力和省力攻顶，大多数人都愿付一公斤9令吉（来回程）的挑夫费，让挑夫把背包背上山。

神山的职业挑夫个个年轻力壮，经验丰富，他们都是本地原住民杜顺族，男女皆有。 我的向导－Jemin－也兼作挑夫，不要看他个子矮小，小腿肌肉十分发达，虽背著数十公斤重的背包，登山时如履平地，令人佩服，也为他如此辛苦，出卖劳力为生感叹。Jemin做这份工已有3年，膝盖已开始疼痛，再过一两年，他得转行做其他少用脚力的工作！

挑夫非常专业，无论风吹雨打，都会确保把客人的行装安全送到目的地。

Just pay 9 ringgit for the weight of 1 kg, you can get a porter to carry your luggage up to Laban Rata and than back to the Park HQ.

Porters are local Dusun who stay at the foot of the Mountain. Some of them may have small built, but they have strong legs and can carry up to 40-50 kg of load up to the mountain with ease. They earn their living in a hard way, but always dutifully deliver your luggage without fail.

My guide Jemin also serves as porter for 3 years now. He told me that his knees ache occasionally and he is thinking of looking for other jobs when he gets older!

动物和植物群的天堂

神山国家公园有著极丰富的地区性植物和动物群。海拔3000公尺以上可看到如盆栽似的小矮树，偶尔也可看到一些小花。我好久没见过的猪龙草，却在上山路旁相会，还相当大朵，让我拍个痛快。

在空气细薄的顶峰上，植物已大量减少，在石堆缝中偶尔长出小草，坚韧的生命力令人佩服。

此行志在登山，但对动植物有兴趣者，这里还是天堂。

The Kinabalu National Park is also a botanical paradise. Over 1000 species of orchids and many species of pitcher plants are found endemic in this area. I was told the world’s largest pitcher plants are also found here. The park has a rich diversity of flora and fauna.

 

漫漫长路 Long Journey

憩
Rest Area

傍晚时分，农夫赶集回来，马车载著一罗小猪要拿回家放养。经过整天跋涉，人和马都倦了，就在山上停在路旁休息，马儿在镜头外处吃草，赶马人席地而坐。休息，是为了要走更远的路。蓝蓝的天空飘来几朵白云，四周显得特别宁静。人，马，云虽有点寂寞的感觉，但出奇的和谐。

He has travelled a long distance on a horse-cart with a basket full of piglets. Home is still far away. He stopped and sat at the roadside for a rest, while the horse was grazing out of my viewfinder. The blue sky，the clouds and the wilderness created a sense of loneliness and tranquility.

路遥知马力

Tough Journey

归途

  Lonely Journey

回家 Going Home

接近傍晚七时，太阳快下完山，云层盖著夕阳余辉，田野里一片宁静。马老师示意我们收拾好相机和脚架返回旅社。我和Steve, Jonanthan 却意犹未尽，踌躇间，骤然看到天空‘开了个洞’，黄金色的夕阳直射进田里。我们对此奇景还没回意过来，前面迎来赶马车回家去的小伙子，连忙按下快门，拍下这张照片。

It was 7 o’clock in the evening, the sun starting to set. It was quiet in Red Soil Earth in Dong Chuan, which is about 150 KM from Kun Ming, China. Most of us decided to go back to the hotel, but Steve, Jonathan and I prefer to stay a bit longer. All of the sudden, sunlight broke through the clouds and torched the farmland with golden color. While we were amused by this spectacular scene, a man with a horse cart emerged, walking hurriedly toward us, without hesitation, I took this photograph.

天然彩色盘－东川红土地 Red Soil Earth

红土地离开昆明市约160公里。我们一行人从昆明机场往东北面出发，出城后沿著高速行走，再进入弯曲山路，番山越岭，开了5个多小时车后，终在夜幕时分抵达2400米海拔高的目的地。

东川地势有著辽阔起伏的红土地，面积不下万亩，勤奋的少数民族在地上有序的耕种小麦，土豆，玉米和青棵等，纵横交错成为色彩缤纷的图案。一幅幅红的，绿的，黄的，白的田地，不须修饰，天然的色彩构成绚丽迷人的彩色盘！

红土地近年来已成为内地著名摄影天堂，每年吸引无数摄影发烧友前往，视斑斓色彩的红土地为摄影天堂。相比下，游客较少，为应付剧增的外来客住宿需求，县城已大兴土木建旅馆饭店。由于资源相当缺乏，吃的都是当地自种的蔬果和腊肉，别有一番风味。

红土地在人口稠密的中国来说，算是人口稀少的地方。民风朴素，如果你喜欢宁静和朴实的乡区生活，又想找到创作灵感，红土地不会令你失望。

These scenic views were taken during my recent visit to Hong Tu Di or Red Soil Earth，which is situated some 160 km from Kunming in the province of Yunnan.

The journey from Kunming airport to Hong Tu Di took us more than 5 hours, traveling through a winding road，reaching a peak of about 2,400 meter above sea level.

Hong Tu Di is famous for its red and amber colored soil. The hard working farmers painstakingly paint the earth with the color of wheat, potatoes and other vegetation, resembling a huge colorful painting created by nature and human that can rarely be found in any part of the world, except Rio de Janerio as i was told.

Due to its scenic and undisturbed nature, Hong Tu Di has been a popular destination for tourists especially the photographers. More hotels and restaurants are being built to cater the needs of the increased number of visitors.

The tranquility and peace with the slow pace of its lifestyle is obviously an ideal place for one to take a break，away from the hustle and bustle of life.

I will be looking forward for another trip in the near future.

Happy Wesak Day

Wishing all my dear friends a very

 Happy Wesak Day

恭祝各界卫塞节快乐

 

Gypsies' Children 海上人家的孩子

They don’t have access to all the facilities enjoyed by urban children, yet the smile on their faces show much contentment when they received even a small gift such as a kite or a balloon from us.

I went to the small islands around Semporna again and watching the livelihood of these sea gypsies. They certainly deserved much better quality of life, which may only be improvised with a better education plan for their children.

海上人家的生活是清苦的，他们沒有城市孩子享有的各种便利和设备。在有限的环境下，他们要求不多，即使只给他们一個风筝或汽球，已令他們很快樂和满足。我想他们应该享有更好的生活条件和受教育的机会。

Thank You....

The overwhelming response from the number of hits on my blog has been very encouraging as a result from an article on my passion for photography published in The Star dated 20th April 2009

I would like to thank the Star for providing me the opportunity and avenue in expressing my hobby and sharing my passion. To Ms Pek Yee and Boon Tatt- thank you for your patience and time to interview me and to the feature that was done.

To All those who have surfed my blog, terima kasih and your comments have given me such encouragement and motivation that I will continue to pursue this new found interest with greater  enthusiasm.

In the past while holding public office and engaging myself actively in politics, I do not know how to appreciate nature, and more so looking at the landscaping of what God has created. The many holiday trips were planned more for getting away from the hustle and bustle of life as a public figure.

With the time on my side, I can now doing things that I love to do. Reading and catching up with old acquaintances, and indulging myself with photography have truly enriched my life. Appreciating nature is such a beautiful experience and with the new network of friends of the same interest has given me a new dimension in my lifestyle.

With this blog of mine, I hope to share the images that I have taken on my shooting trips. A picture speaks a thousand words and the angle taken is also an expression through the lenses.

As an amateur in photography, your comments are valuable to me as it will take me to a higher level as I walk through this journey of my new love.

 

砂拉越－巴哥国家公园风光

晨曦
Dawn

天，渐亮了，蔚蓝的天，太阳仍含羞的躲进云层。
天海连接处，泛起一抹红光，照射在船身，晨光无限好。
Morning Has Broken

风雨欲来 

Lightning 

凌晨5点30分来到海边，第二次到离古晋不远的

Buntal拍日出。除了海鮮餐館的灯光，海是何其寧靜，

天空飘来几滴雨，雷電聲接著而來。

我匆忙把相机装在三脚架，以15秒快门拍下这张照。

Arrival at Buntal 5.30 in the morning. This was my second visit. It was drizzling with lightning and thunder. Quickly we mounted our camera onto tripod,

with shuttle speed of 15 sec, I snap this image.

日落巴哥国家公园

Sun sets at Bako National Park

我们下午5时在海邊等候，巴哥的日落并没有想像中的美。

当太阳就沉进海中，余辉透过云层，將海滩照得红彤彤，

也把在度假村内的游客引出来。

We waited since 5pm for sunset. The sun hides behind thick cloud.

Just before it sank , the beach was rendered with burning color.

呼应

Greetings

多付 35元 船费，船夫把我们送到巴哥国家公园另一个地点拍摄风化石。

这座天然石如绅士般竖立在海中央，

像和路經船只相呼应。

This lonely stone stood tirelessly greets the passing ships

鱼儿哪里来？

Fishermen at work

何时再逢春

Life Goes On

退潮时，漫步在沙滩的红树林，一眼望去，

尽是光秃秃的树枝，有凄凉的感觉。

有几棵已长出绿叶，希望枯树快逢春。

Despite harsh living condition, life goes on

荷影

日落塘荷

芳华正茂

濯清涟而不妖

許我向你看

含苞欲放

蜓蜓玉立

雨后春荷

凋零

香殞

春夢了無痕

喜欢摄影的人，多爱拍荷花。我也喜欢，我被它的‘出自污泥而不染’的天性格吸引，我也欣赏她如大家闺秀的美，美得大方，自然。

我国影艺学会会长胡航生先生也喜爱拍荷花。年前，他出版一本荷花专集，作品有极高水准，我荣幸受邀主持推展。拍荷花看似容易，但要透过镜头来突出她的美，也不是太简单。

拍荷花最好是在早晨和黄昏时分，这段时间的阳光比较柔和，逆光下的荷花更具立体感。我也喜爱拍雨后的荷花，被水洗涤过的水珠仍停留在花瓣，有楚楚可怜的感觉。

去年四月，我到杭州西湖，因为之前听说湖里有很多荷花，想去拍。结果只看到荷叶不见花，原来西湖的荷花要在夏天才开。在一年皆夏的马来西亚，爱拍荷花的人就幸运了，因为整年都是荷花盛开的季节。

芙蓉市区就有几个可拍荷花的地方，我较常去的是春泉镇和汝来。春泉镇有个大湖，长有大片荷花，有的含苞欲放，有的花枝招展，有的几近凋零。

荷花盛开的时间很短，一场大风雨轻易可把摧毁，但荷花却有很强的生命力，她在枯萎前会播种，将生命延续。

拍荷花，让我欲罢不能。

我与摄影

对于摄影，有种相见恨晚的感觉。

记得中学时期，全班同学中，只有一人有相机，当我们结伴到市区公园游玩时，同学就用这台相机为我们拍照。当时，冲洗出来的黑白照还是超小的。不理效果好不好，总之，看到照片那一刻，大家都喜悦万分。

那个年代，能拥有相机是叫人羡慕的事。来自新村的我，能念中学已不容易，所以从来不敢奢想有像机，自然从未想过要学拍照。工作后，终于买了弟一台‘傻瓜’相机，那时已开始流行彩色照，主要用来拍摄一些生活照，但也不常拍，谈不上兴趣。

1990年间，我拥有第一台35厘米菲林单反镜相机，托朋友买的，所以牌子也是他选的。之后，我开始阅读摄影书籍，学习摄影的基本常识和相机操作。每次出差或旅游时，都会随身带著它，但对摄影还不是特别热衷，只可说感兴趣。很可惜，这台机在一次出差时丢了。

进入2000年，数码相机开始流行，比菲林相机方便和简易的多，拍后不但不需交给相馆冲洗，还可马上在相机或通过电脑自行审阅，印刷或传送，也可省下买菲林的钱。我也买了第一台单反镜数码相机，之后被它所拍下的照片深深地吸引。那时起，每次到书店，我一定会驻足在摄影书籍架前，选购可提升我的摄影技术的书籍。摄影已成了我阅读和旅游以外的爱好。

这几年来，我到过很多地方摄影，国内国外都有，也买了不少摄影的书籍，更难得的是结交了一些摄影发烧友，摄影器材也越买越多。退出政坛后的这一年，我忙于安排行程，到国内外取景，到的地方多不是一般游客走的路线。

透过镜头，我学会从另一个角度看世界，从前从来就没闲情去留意的天空，云采，阳光，花草，动物，鸟类，河流和山川……如今都成了我拍摄的对象。天气好吗？有云吗？花开了没？都是我关心的。在镜头下的大自然和生态，是如此真，如此美。

摄影也能训练耐性，学会摄影后，我变得较乐观，不像之前执著，学会放下。透过摄影， 我结交来自各领域和不同年龄层的朋友，分享摄影作品，确是一件人生乐事。

摄影，让我体会人生无常： 在‘决定性时刻’错过按快门，你可能永远失去这个机会；当你埋怨黄昏的光线缺佳时，须臾可能出现美丽的夕阳。 就像在我们生活中，失望中偶尔也有希望。

摄影使我获益匪浅。你也不妨一同拿起相机，出门拍摄吧！