Jayvan & Wendy's ROM

   Last weekend was a very busy weekend to me. Shooting for Ching Yeu's Project 46 and also Javen and Wendy's registration of marriage at Malacca. This is my first time shooting pre-wedding and ROM. Thanks you so much giving me the chance to experience and learn. Being my first, the results are not as good as the pros out there. Paiseh paiseh if my shoots are bad :p

The pics are a bit small in this page layout. Click the pics for bigger view :-)

Most shots are taken with my Nikkor 12-24mm f/4 and 30mm f/2. Flash is used in some shots. Hehe... Utilized what I learned during my previous flash class. Comments and critique is most welcomed. :-)

Flash Photography

I have just came back from Flash Photography Class organized by Nikonian Academy together with Ching Yeu. Flash was always a scary tool to use when come to photography for me. Taking photos with natural lighting is always not too hard but when the flash is pop-ed up the results are always not satisfactory. That's why my flash gun has always been sitting inside my cupboard or even in my bag if I were to bring it out during shooting session.

Attending this class is a good chance for me to overcome this hurdle. Understanding the fundamentals and practical settings is what I hope to learn for a long time. The class is divided to two sections where there is a Theoretical session where we are taught about the things we need to understand how to use the flash. It is a  3 hour long session where we learn about the 10 rules of flash. Followed by 2 hours of hands on session where two models will pose for us to shoot with our flash guns. We had a bonus where our instructor managed to borrow a GT3RS and we shot it with the models of course ^^

Indoor bounced flash with model Ann Nee

D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/60sec, f/5.6, ISO400, flash fired (bounced to the top left ceiling)

D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/60sec, f/5.6, ISO400, flash fired (bounced to the top left ceiling)

Indoor bounced flash with model Jojo

D90 85mm f/1.8 lens @ 1/80sec, f/4, ISO400, flash fired (bounced to the right side wall)

 D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/60sec, f/4, ISO400, flash fired (bounced to the front side wall at a 45 deg angle)

D90 85mm f/1.8 lens @ 1/80sec, f/4, ISO400, flash fired (bounced to the right side wall)

Indoor off camera flash with model Ann Nee

D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/200sec, f/5.6, ISO200, flash fired (45 deg left hand side)

 D90 85mm f/1.8 lens @ 1/200sec, f/6.3, ISO200, flash fired (45 deg left hand side + coloured gel on the wall)

Indoor off camera flash with model Jojo (this three shots are taken by instructor Andrew as I had difficulty triggering the off camera flashes and my shots are not working at all -.-)

 D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/200sec, f/13, ISO400, flash fired (45 deg right hand side + coloured gel on the back of model)

 D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/200sec, f/13, ISO400, flash fired (45 deg right hand side + coloured gel on the back of model)

 D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/200sec, f/13, ISO400, flash fired (45 deg right hand side + coloured gel on the back of model)

Outdoor off camera flash with model Ann Nee and Porsche GT3RS

D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/60sec, f/8, ISO200, flash fired (45 deg right hand side)

D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/40sec, f/8, ISO200, flash fired (45 deg right hand side)

D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/60sec, f/8, ISO200, flash fired (45 deg right hand side)

Outdoor off camera flash with model Ann Nee and Porsche GT3RS

D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/40sec, f/8, ISO200, flash fired (45 deg left hand side)
 

D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/40sec, f/8, ISO200, flash fired (45 deg left hand side)
 

D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/40sec, f/8, ISO200, flash fired (45 deg left hand side)

Completing this class does not make me an flash expert. I seriously need lots of practice flashing from now on. Hopefully it will not be a tool I'm afraid of using anymore.

Conquering Mount Kinabalu, KK 2011

    Climbing our highest mountain had been a dream since small but never thought about realizing it. Last year my dear friend in Kelantan contacted me and the rest of my gang to propose a trip to conquer the highest mountain in Malaysia, Mount Kinabalu in KK. On 4/3/11, seven of us (Bent, Sze In, Kim Fung, Kim Huang, Chin Hong, Luo Yang and me) boarded the plane to KK with one goal in mind: conquer Mount Kinabalu!

Being unfit me, climbing up had been a physical exhausting and mental torturing experience. I am practically out of breath after every 20 steps of climbing, both my thighs crammed causing me to stop so many time and I nearly gave up the climb when we reach the junction where Timpohon Gate climbers meets.My mistake was I did not really exercise my body well ahead (both my thigh crammed N numbers of time, tears nearly rolled out of my eyes due to the pain), carrying my back pack weighing 8kg consisting of my clothes, survival kits and photographic gears! (gave up carrying my bag and hired our guide to carry my bag after 4 kilometers), we took the longer trail from Mersilau Gate where it is further by 2 kilometers compared with Timpohon Gate.

From my friends encouragement and support, I strengthen my resolve and climb up to Laban Rata Base Camp (8.5km from Mersilau Gate, 3000m above sea water level). I nearly cried when reach Laban Rata because I cannot imagine me able to reach there with my situation. We had our dinner and retreated to our room to rest very early due to we will start climbing to the summit at 2.30am the next day. Knowing what will happen during tomorrow's climb, I removed all unnecessary items from my back pack and bought anti-cramp ointment from the base camp's store (at 3x the normal price compared to normal stores below the mountain) and rub my thighs hoping it will be eased.

The climb to the summit was not so bad. My thighs did not cramp once as I keep rubbing the ointment whenever we stop. Chin Hong and me reach the summit at 4008m above sea level. This is the minimum for one to earn their certificate of recognition for climbing Mont Kinabalu. We know our body is at the limit and the further we climb up means the further we have to climb down later. In addition we will descend to Timpohon Gate the same day later. Bent, Sze In, Kim Fong, Kim Huang and Luo Yang managed to reach the optional Low's Peak 4095.2m above sea level. I am proud of you guys! ;-)

This trip is really a satisfying one. We had so much fun together and able to reach the peak of the highest mountain in Malaysia. By the way the highest mountain in South East Asia is not Mount Kinabalu. It is Mount Hkakabo Razi 5,881m height in Kachin, Myanmar. Don't be surprised cause what we read in our text book is wrong ;-)

Ling San Pagoda at Tuaran, KK, Sabah with Journey to the West figures (Sha Zhang, Chu Pak Kai and Yu Long, Monkey King and Monk Tang can't fit to the frame)
D90 12-24mm f/4 lens @ 18mm, 1/320sec, f/8, ISO 200

Ling San Pagoda at Tuaran, KK, Sabah
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/100sec, f/8, ISO200

Road to Mersilau Gate rest area
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/100sec, f/8, ISO200

Two pretty ladies preparing mentally for the great challenge tomorrow
D90 50mm f/1.8 lens @ 1/2000sec, f/4, ISO400

Up close of moss growing on boulders at Mersilau Gate
D90 5-mm f/1.8 lens @ 1/2500sec, f/2.8, ISO400

Lovely couple, Bent Tan and Sze In at a water fall from Mersilau Gate trail
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/30sec, f/2.8, ISO200

Almost there. Ugly Sister peak visible
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/500sec, f/5.6, ISO400

Laban Rata Base Camp at 3000m above sea level
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/1000sec, f/5.6, ISO200

Ugly Sister, King Edward and Tunku Abdul Rahman peaks of Mt. Kinabalu
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/2500sec, f/5.6, ISO400

Starry starry night @ Laban Rata Base Camp
D90 12-24mm f/4 lens @ 12mm, 30sec, f/4, ISO800

South Peak, Mt. Kinabalu
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/200sec, f/4, ISO400

St. John's Peak, Mt. Kinabalu
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/200sec, f/4, ISO400

Ugly Sister Peak, Mt. Kinabalu
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/200sec, f/4, ISO200

Yes! I did it!
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/800sec, f/4, ISO200

There are more pictures of our trip in my facebook account. Click this link if you are interested >>> Mt. Kinabalu, KK 2011 Album

Tiltshift made easy

Fancy a Tiltshift lens effect but too lazy to Photoshop it? Wanna take pictures with miniature feel but too broke to buy a PC-E or TS-E lens?
Here is a quick solution. http://tiltshiftmaker.com/
Tiltshift effect is customizable. File size below L-2000pix is FOC. Bigger you have to pay for it which I think is more than enough for self  posting on the web or printing.

Don't have much time to experiment is. Sorry for lousy sample which was done in 1 minute.

Before

After

Very easy. Save the hassle or bucks ;)

2010 is Gone 2011 is Here

Year 2010 had given way to 2011, a brand new year especially for me, Furby and our cute little golden puppy Bear Bear. We shifted into a new home and experienced 00:00:01 1.1.2011 together in our little home. Lots of new things happened in my life. A new house we rented in Puchong which almost everything in it is new, a new neighborhood, a new family member: little golden puppy, a new used car we got for a great price from our good friend, reporting back to my company's main office which I left for 2 years where many new faces and rules and regulations imposed (swt). It enough for me to kick start a brand new year in an absolutely new environment.

Recapping what I achieved in 2010. Using back my 2010 resolutions as a guide will be easier:

1. Ring the bell. ^_-  Did not managed to ring it. But did proposed to Furby :-)
2. Build our own home sweet home. It's under construction ;-)
3. Istanbul (Failed to go there last year. This year must go before project finish!) + Euro trip with my beloved. Failed miserably to fulfill this :-(
4. Visit to my ancestors’ mother land - China. Big success. Visited China twice in 2010. Chengdu and Beijing. Both a great trip for me and Furby to remember ^.^
5. A new car. Not exactly new but, yeap done it ;-)
6. Further reduce nicotine intake. I'll confess that it's much lesser than 2009's intake
7. Bring my family a trip oversea. Failed :-(
8. Enjoy 2010 with no regret. No regret!

My set of new year resolution for 2011:
1. Earn more and spend less.
2. Spend more time with family.
3. Bring my family to a oversea trip.
4. Another try to ring the bell.
5. Improve my career achievement and status.
6. Have more fun with friends.
7. Further more nicotine intake.
8. Finish up BMC project and see it operate.
9. Go for an oversea trip with Furby (our Europe Trip)
10. Reach the tip of South East Asia.
11. Improve my physical health.

I think that's all for now. If want to write everything it will be damn long list. Lets see how many can I achieve.

Satisfying Dinner in Abu Dhabi

Yesterday we worked late and had no choice but to eat out. Pity my colleagues as they have to be held at the site cause we have only one vehicle for ferrying us to and back from work. One of my colleague suggested to try eating at a new restaurant I've never been to. She says it's in the same direction back home. So every one agreed. However I think we spent nearly 1 hour just to arrive at the location due to my colleague can't remember the exact way and another colleague tried to be Mr. Garmin and brought us to few dead ends.
The restaurant name is Noodles Bowl. A Malaysian restaurant which serves many of Malaysian famous food. I ordered a Flat Noodles in Seafood Sauce (it is Wan Tan Hor if you are wondering ) and Shrimp Chee Cheong Fun. I also managed to taste some Malaysian food that I have been missing for some time like Dim Sum and Fried Kueh Teow.

 

Its been awhile I had such a satisfying meal in Abu Dhabi.

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Back From Heaven, Straight To Hell

I'm back from a great trip in Sichuan, China. Visited the busy city of Chengdu, cute and cuddly pandas, amazing ancient hydraulic technology, breath taking Huang Long and Jiu Zhai Gou, gigantic Buddha in Leshan and relaxing Emeishan.

I'm now back in Abu Dhabi, sitting in a never ending problem at BMC project and lonely bed room at home.

What a big contrast.

Anyway, read this touching picto story in FB (shared by Darek from Lowyat Forum) and decided to share it too at Ed's Place. I know some of you might have read it before, sorry cause I'm a little slower. There might be others that have not seen it. Cheers :-)

In the mean time, I'm sorting out thousands of pictures snapped in my Sichuan trip to be edited and uploaded to Flickr & Facebook. Have some patient ok? ^^