Photographer Spotlight: Nadzli Bin Azlan

Wildlife Category November 2020 Winner, taken in Penang, Malaysia, captioned “Rainy Night“

As ASIAN Geographic’s annual Images of Asia (IOA) 2020 Photo/Videography Competition looms closer, submissions to our IOA Monthly competition – the precursor to our annual event – are pouring in. We have received stunning photos across the categories, and are now featuring our monthly winners in an exclusive interview!

Below is our interview with one of this month’s spotlight, Nadzli Bin Azlan, the IOA Monthly November 2020 Winner in the Wildlife category.

AG: What is the story of your beginning and journey to creating great images?

Nadzli: I’ve been interested in photography since the start of the era where mobile phones started to use cameras as one of the particular features to put in there as an attraction to the consumer. By the exact time, I was only 15 when it first came to my hand, to be able to take photographs using only a phone makes me feel so good even when it comes to a hobby.

I got my very first camera back in 2011 and since then, photography has been one of my favourite ways to express myself emotionally and creatively. 

I started as a macro/closeup photographer back in the days and I find myself very attracted to small insects/creatures such as jumping spiders and siamese fighting fish. For me, these adorable and tiny little creatures define the world as being one of the best creations of God. 

AG: How would you define your style and concepts you enjoy exploring?

Nadzli: I am currently exploring new styles of photographing and working with jumping spides have made it so enjoyable especially when it comes to the challenging aspects of getting the right shot for the right purpose. I also love the fact that photography lets me explore new things with landscapes and nature also has become one of my favourite styles and concepts to explore since the start of 2014.

AG: What is great photography to you, and are there any photographers you would like to work with?

Nadzli: I would love to be working with Lurie Belegurschi as I have been following him on Facebook for quite some time now. Being as one of his followers, I could say I’m pretty pleased with all the beautiful images he’s made since then. He’s a renowned landscape photographer based in Iceland and the Founder of Iceland Photo Tours.

I love how sometimes photography speaks for itself even when there’s no particular caption on it and there’s a lot more for me to explore on becoming one of the great photographers in Asia and maybe in the world, someday perhaps.

AG: What is your preferred imaging gear to work with and why? 

Nadzli: I have been a Nikon user since day 1 in my photography journey and currently using a Nikon D7000, it would be a huge leap if I could come to afford a Nikon D750 or the D850 where these two particular models do provide better image quality and features for me.

AG: What is the next Asian destination you’d like to explore and why?

Nadzli: Since the beginning of my journey in photography, I haven’t had the opportunity to explore other destinations, other than my own country Malaysia, but I would love to go on a tour to Indonesia, where its nature is still hidden and well taken care of. Photographing through the journey of different altitudes and seasons is one of my wishes. But for me, exploring Borneo’s landscapes & nature is my priority as I am married to a born Borneo woman and I still haven’t got the change to make it possible.

AG: Can you share more about your current and upcoming projects? 

Nadzli: I’m currently working on my project and plans on doing a series of Landscape Photography Spots in Malaysia on my YouTube channel. Since this pandemic started, I only managed to come up to only 6 series for now, but I’m determined to make this series to be known entirely in Malaysia and Asia someday perhaps.