A retired teacher captures timeless moments with a golden touch in his photography journey
Amidst the throngs of people that gathered at the capital on that fateful Sunday during the Royal Procession, Haji Mohd Sunny Lai Abdullah stood out in his classic batik.
Seated by the roadside under the shade, he awaited the arrival of the royal entourage, his face hidden behind clip-on sunglasses, and a digital camera hung around his neck.
In spite of his 71 years of age, his hands moved sprightly as he entertained a couple of tourists, eagerly sharing insights about one of the nation’s famous delicacies – ambuyat.
He journeyed to the capital alone, his family resigned to his stubbornness in attending such national events for precious photo ops.
“I’ve been taking photos since I was 11 at Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien College. It was 1963, not long after the rebellion and I was a member of the photography club back then,” he said in an interview.
Fondly reminiscing, he recalled his work on the school magazine, navigating the challenges of film photography, and chuckled as he recounted the numerous instances when the film rolls would get jammed.
Looking back on those days with a sense of nostalgia, he remembered having to master the fundamentals of photography from scratch, including the processes of developing and printing film photos.
For the aptly named Sunny, photography is more than a hobby; it’s a means to tell a story or convey a feeling.
While he admitted to being in the capital with hopes of capturing a shot of the royal couple as a souvenir for what he believed was a wedding for the ages, his primary motivation was to capture moments – moments that could and should be remembered for years to come.
“I don’t really have a specific subject that I prefer photographing. But during national events like this, I attend for the environment and the ambiance.
“Everyone is dressed in their best clothes, kids are smiling and laughing; there are numerous beautiful moments you can find.”
Birds, in particular, capture his attention as photo subjects, continued the septuagenarian, singing praises to their often romantic movements. As a retired teacher, Sunny is quick to downplay his talents, often mentioning peers with greater skills.
He revealed that he rarely posts his photographic excursions, preferring to keep them in his personal archives.
“Sometimes, I share my photos on Instagram and in Facebook photography groups,” he added, mentioning that he learns valuable tips from these communities, especially in regards to contemporary cameras.
“My eyes aren’t what they used to be, but that doesn’t stop me. I can’t really see from the viewfinder nowadays but with digital cameras nowadays, I can get by using the screen,” he shared.
He also mentioned the challenge of weakening hands, sharing that there are times when he relies on a camera tripod, in addition to carrying his digital camera and a spare battery every day.
“You just never know when a good shot will present itself, so it’s better to be prepared.”
Sunny’s life story reflects a capacity for diverse experiences, seemingly having lived several lives even before retirement. He shared his career journey as a teacher, which began in 1976.
“I’ve taught at several schools throughout my life, from a school in Muara to one in the Kampong Ayer, from being a maths teacher to teaching IT. I obtained my degree in primary education when I was over 40, at a time when I already had a family.”
To Sunny, it is never too late for anything, especially when it comes to self-improvement. “The camera doesn’t matter as much as your skills and how you control speed, aperture and lighting. That’s what you play with – whether it’s daytime, night-time, in hot conditions, or under cloudy skies.
“It’s all about trial and error, and with modern cameras nowadays, learning is easier.” – Wardi Wasil
