Tuesday, September 29, 2009


Wats lacking from this pic to give the WOW factor

F1 over

Well, last week was the F1 fever among all Singaporeans and I am lucky to one of the few to have actually been there and experienced the atmosphere is like. The pass was for the Friday walkabout which is the practice session for the vehicles despite being the practice session, they really gave it their best. Enjoyed the night and also the sharing session with the photography friends.
Well, is an experience never to forget with just "LOUD" engine noise as they sped through the circuit.
Some pics i took





Tuesday, September 22, 2009

A holiday Part 2

Cont'd

Having eaten the expensive Wanton Mee, walked around abit before heading to the lobi to wait for our number to be flashed on the display board. Finally, the number was flashed and we approach the counter to find out that I was required to produce a hotel voucher so that they can process the check in procedure. Not having the voucher, called the agent and soon was settled and proceed to the room where we rest a while and went down to explore the new and cold environment. Walked around the lobi and saw the internal roller coaster, monorail (caterpillar style). First we went to the Ripley;'s Believe It or not to look at the amazing and bazaar stuff that Ripely has collected and experienced. About 30mins or so, the walk was over and we proceed over to the amusement park/ entertainment centre where the all ages ppl was battling their wits out with the machine to get the most number of tickets. We tried a few games before finding the comfort one which we played to get us 769 tickets. This can be addicted when one sets the eye on the type of soft toy that one wans.
Iris actually wanted to get the soft toy which will cost 2500 tickets to redeem. But having seen that the amount of money spend of getting the tickets is not worth buying one of the shelf, so we settled with the number of tickets which we have and exchanged for 2 cups with the Genting logo on them. Before leaving the entertainment centre, I went to the enterance where I took a number of shots of the Genting logo among the nite and foggy background. Took me a while before i got a shoot. Apparently, the shot I took was quite similar to that of the postcard which we happen to came across on the last day of our trip. After the shoot, we went to have our dinner where we have Fried Kwey Teow, Laksa and mix fruit juice. Food is extremely expensive at such place I say. Well, after that we browsed through the shops around the hotel before heading back to the room to put down our stuff and proceed to the Casino to have a feel and view of wat it is like.
While in the Casino, was the most embarrassing moment. Changed Rm10 chip and placed Rm5 on the table when the min bet on the table is Rm20. So 'malu', then a uncle then ask me to pass my chips to him and he added his onto it and place the bet but did not win.
But it was a good exposure. Too smoky though.
After which we went to take a rest as the next day we going to KL for shopping and visting KLCC.

20th Sept 09

Had a late breakfast. The crowd is huge, its like the ocean of ppl all flooding into the cafe for the breakfast buffet. The morning air was cool and was a good weather for some shoot of the surroundings.
We went ahead to take the public transport down to KL which took about an hour or so. Reach the terminal, took train to KLCC and then took some day shot of the Petronas Tower before heading out again to KL Sentra where we took the train to MidValley MegaMall. Man was the train slow and packed. Can see that Iris was not that happy with the transport. At the megamall, walked around and did the window shopping.
After having our lunch there and visited the pet station on the same level as the food court. There are so many species of animals ranging from, rabbits, Chinchillas, Ferrets, Parie Dogs, Iguanas, Spiders , hedgehog, fishes, dogs and birds.
From there we headed towards, Sungei Wang which is the KL Far East Plaza. Went there and shop around and found the shop which I came across quite some time back which sells BB guns. But unable to buy and bring back to Singapore. Walked around and went to a shop which sells some dresses where Iris bought a dress.
After we walked over to Berjaya Time Square where there is an indoor roller coaster within the mall and hotel together as one.
After that we went to KLCC again to have our dinner and also to shoot the night view of KLCC. KLCC at night was lighted up and making it ever so silvery. Took a couple of shoots, since there I din bring my tripod down, I have to use my backpack to act as a temporary one and the outcome is nice.
Then was the ride back to the terminal to take the bus ride back to Genting highland. I believed that the bus driver must have been in the F1 race before as he is making full use of the bus full potential.Swirling in and out of the lane really gave us an experience of our life.
Went back and rest as the next day is our check out day. we roam round the indoor theme park before heading to the bus which will bring us back to Singapore.

Overall was a wonderful experience at Genting together with Iris.

A holiday Part 1

Last week was a festival event for all Muslims around the world.
Its their New Year also know as Hari Raya Puasa. During the period of this month, they will have to "fast", meaning that they have to eat before the sun rise and dine in when the sun sets. In between the period they are not supposed to eat or drink. Before they break their"fast"in the evening, they have to perform their prayer in the Mosque and eat a "preserved" date before they proceed for their meal.
This is also the period that we get a chance to see them wear their traditional costumes. Somethings you will see families wearing the same colours of their traditional costumes while others will be of different colours or shades of the same colours.During the Hari Raya Puasa, they will go house visiting as what the chinese will do, they also give our 'green packet' like that to the 'Ang Pows' of chinese which we give out during the New Year. For the Muslims, they will have 2 New Years within a year.
During the 19 - 21st of this month, which is also the long holiday for the rest, went for a short holiday at Genting Highland. It was quite a last min booking through a friend who finally help to make a hotel booking for me. Was looking forward for the holiday at Genting as it has been ages since I last visited it. Its was during my kindergarten times when I visited there. Looking back at the old, sepia photographs kinda bring me back to the period that I was still the small little chubby boy. 19th came and woke up quite early in the morning to catch the 0645am bus from Lavendar to Genting. Missed the first train and so have to take the next one which is about 6mins interval. Reach Lavendar at 0630am, which was abit late and Iris was there already. The moment I saw her, somehow it warms my heart in the cold morning station. Then we proceed to check in to get the coach number and then proceed to board the coach. The coach was already quite packed with families and individuals going to the same destination as us. @ 0650am, the coach closed the door and our journey begins. First we headed towards 2nd link while picking up a few passengers at Jurong East. All was smooth and fast going on the track to 2nd link and once we crossed the check point, we were on the bridge that links to the Malaysian checkpoint. As its the festive season, having a traffic jam seems quite normal. This is the first time that Iris has been in a traffic jam like this. All those of you who has been to JB and back must have experience the traffic jam like non other. The movement was slow and that we saw passengers from private cars stepping out and taking a walk up and down the stretch of noisy engines. And suddenly, Iris, pointed out to me that she saw a lady suddenly tripped and fell while walking the stretch. During the wait, we chatted and laugh while she listen to the mp3.
Soon we reached the Malaysian Custom, alighted and proceed to the queue where we will have our passport chopped and signed. During the wait(yes another wait), we saw the other coach which ferried an excursion team from the local oversea school scout group. Once the door open, different ages of young boys alighted and carried their "Battle Order" bag pack and among the fine young boys was a young lady. Now who say that young girls are different from boys. After observing them for a while, it was our turn to "chopped and Scan" our passports. Then its off to the bus, but before that is 1 stop to answer the call of nature. And since we are in the Malaysia Territory, the toilets standard are similar to that of the environment. Iris din know that, went in and came out to tell me that the standard of the toilet has the ability to compete with that of the village back in China.
After the custom, the journey begins with 3 stops interval for toilet breaks and some refreshments.
Throughout the journey, we were watching movies and there are so many movies that is not released in Singapore. About 7hrs later, we reached the foot of the highland. We brace ourself for the thrilling ride up the steep and winding road up. As we ascend, the temperature dropped. The turning and winding road made me coach sick, maybe is due to the fact that i did not take enough food. Reached the summit and went straight to queue up again to get the check in number from the check in koisk. At the "lobi" Malaysia pronunciation of lobby, was packed with families and ppl from all around the region. Since there is still an hour or so before our queue number will be called, we proceed to the satisfy our grumbling tummy with Wanton Mee which is an expensive one even if one convert the currency back to sing dollars.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Monday

Its Monday once again.
How was the weekend been for you all?
Mine was a mixture of 30% happiness and 70% gloomy cum sad.
Saturday was the usual photography outing with my group of friends. This time round we are going to the Central Fire Station for the open house shoot which can also be said to be an event shoot. The reason for going there is that there is a photography competition going on in celebration of the
100th Anniversary of Singapore Oldest Fire Station. It was built in 1909 and till date 2009 is exactly the 100th birthday of this fire station.
Well, tat day was quite a gloomy day for me as Iris did told me that my counts of going to photography is increasing and is affecting the relationship. So I told myself that I will have to cut on going to these outing already. Having said that, I still went for this shoot but I did told her before hand and I think that is wat I am lacking with her. Communication. In the past, before I know of these gang, I seldom go for any outing organized related to Photography. Therefore, my usual routine is going to gym and followed by meeting her on every Saturday.
Well tats in the past, and now I think have to organize the time properly to make way for both.
But as usual, being someone who talks without thinking, I have done it again. Tat day, gotten a pair of tickets to the premiere of a 15mins local produced movie, brought her to watch and I think that she dun like it very much. Then after the show, went to walk down along Taka and towards HMV. I think is during the part nearing to Herrenwhere I said something foolish which made her angry and the mood totally changed. Well, the whole day the mood was very funny. We din hold each others hand.
We had some desert at HMV and then continued to walk down towards Illuminia where we have another drink at Cheeky Chocolate Cafe. Shae had a warm chocolate cake and camomile tea while I have a pineapple ice. We chat and laugh like normal. Then we did chat about my god sis wedding coming up. She then told me that if she is unable to find the clothes to wear then she will not go. Upon hearing that, my mood kinda dropped further. I have informed her of this wedding before she left back for china for holiday and yet she did not prepared clothes for this. Then I brought her over to Bugis to look at the clothes suitable for her. She then told me to chose for her. OK then walk around bugis to look for any suitable for her but nothings seems to suit her.
Then after which went to bought some groceries for her before heading over to Illumina for dinner at Ebiboshi the Japanese resturant.
During dinner, chat as well, and i as usual cleared the leftovers.
Send her back home and was surprise to see that the train was not that packed. So i assume that the crowded are still within Suntec City grabbing the items from Comex.
And tats the end of Saturday.
Sunday went out to shoot the firestation at nite with my god brother.
Went to comex to hunt for DVD Rom for his son and then went to Xin Wang for dinner and chatted before heading to shoot the nite fire station.
Somehow the outcome was not wat i wanted, since the time is not getting any younger so we parted and headed home. The concluded sunday.
Today early in the morning, I did something foolish. I send her another email. But I think that further make things worst. She then told me "please dun send such mail to the China Facebook, and she dun like to receive such mails. Also said that if sms no reply how come i dunno how to call her? She dun like to sms as if got time to sms might as well go and find job"
Wel I guess that does it rite.

Well, tats so far wat has happen till this time and this day.
If a Kat do come over to read this, do comment n advice even though ............

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Things to Ponder

Recently I think that things are not going well for me be it in terms of work, life and skills.
Seeing that many of friends doing well, and some even able to get freelance jobs. Upon seeing them, things keep running into my mind.
"Why can they get freelance so easily?"
"Am I too damn coward to communicate to others to get freelance?"
"Where do they get these freelance from?"
"Guess my social circle is not wide enough"
"My skills are not as good as them to get freelance. Which I think is true"
"WHY ARE THEY SO SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR LIFE."
These are the things that keep hovering within me. All these times I have been thinking what is my purpose in life? Ever since I got my hands on DSLR, I thought to myself this is the thing that i wan to be. A photojournalist, freelancing, taking down memories of others through my view finder? Having to know Jason, my photography lecturer also increase my skills and also enjoy discussing with him about his knowledge on this field.
Also got to know a group of photographers whom I enjoyed the company. Learn lots of new things as well as the different view to see things. Looking at their shoots do motivate me to "copy" their shots and perceive the view they see when taking the shot. Another person who motivate me is Jingna aka zemotion. I came across this talented young lady while browsing through Deviantart. An online art community where people from all around the work come together to showcase their works as well to discuss. Came across her fashion photography and from there I started to keep track of her works. The works are ever so stunning and fascinating that make me wonder how she does it. It has always been a dream of mine to be at the set when she is taking the shots to see how she shots and how to communicate with the models to execute out the kind of shots that she produce. It was this shot that capture me.

From then on, has been following her works.

As i was doing my part time studies in ISDT on diploma of Multimedia design, the thought of mixing both photography and design together was what i wanted to do. Something like a digital photo montage. But till date have yet the ability to produce wat i dream of. Got to know friend in process of learning and they come from different aspect of life. Being with them seems like a good choice to learn but on the other hand is making me thinking if my passion is the same as them or the same as before.
Taking a step back and thinking, I find that my passion has gradually moved over to photography which I keep denying that I am not. The fact is that I still do like to design and some wat of doing the photomontaging.
Well, having to complete my course, now is preparing my portfolio and I find that I have more picture than design which is a very head aching part for me. I am studying multimedia and yet I have more photos than design. So have to think of more design to come up with but so far have none except for the previous one which I have uploaded. Do have some idea in my mind, but Haiz there is laziness in me. Well have to slap me on the face to wake myself up. Anyone care to help me?
Work is getting very very much the same and boring since there is not many projects that the company is getting except for the servicing portion. Well, just have to learn to do all these things as this is wat the real world is.
Looking at other with their partners together chatting and laughing and giving things to each other made me wonder about mine. Chatting and laughing yes i agree which we do if not how would we communicate. The latter part seems erm not tat much of each other but to her. Well, I am just happy with the happy look on her face when she received them. (taking a rock and smashing my toe)

Well, wat do you say after reading this?

Thursday, September 3, 2009

A Tiring Nite To remember

Yesterday was the performance of a gig by the band of my friend, Yosh. The drummer of this band, a web-designer, graphic designer. The location of the gig was at "Home" club which is very near Clark Quay for those who do not know this club. Was also once the performance location for my lecture, Jon.
Well, was there quite early so sat outside enjoying the humid weather as well as sweating. Took out my camera and started snapping away. Kinda like the feeling of just sitting there snapping always practice my skills and eyes.
Frankly speaking, actually that day was also the 3rd day of the National Lion Dance Competition.Was suppose to go and join another group of friends in the shot but since have verbally agreed to attend the gig, went then to the gig.
At the gig, feel like the odd one out as most of them are band members, couples and strangers whom I have seen but did talk to.
Well, the gig started well from 9plus onwards to 11plus. The bands played a series of chinese songs which are the current hits on local radios or on KTV.
Well the place is a tough and tricky place to shoot.
Nothing to shoot in the club environment, thus shot alot outside.

This is really not my cup of tea. Too noisy.
None that i know and i feel like the odd one out when most of them are couples.
Well here are some shots.