And I am off....

Grand Palace Bangkok, originally uploaded by nicklwc.

Not to Bangkok though. Which was where this shot was taken. I will be going away to Hanoi, Vietnam on my company trip!

Cameras packed! G9 and D40 is coming with me. See you all when I get back on Wednesday.

Taken with my ex-D300 and 24-70mm.

Don't you just love macro?

Butterfly Farm Series #1: Alien?, originally uploaded by nicklwc.

This is just an example of why I just love macro. Sometimes, what I capture just amazes even myself!

Taken with Canon Powershot G9 and Raynox MSN-202.

I want street shoot again!

China Town Street Shoot Series, originally uploaded by nicklwc.

A while back, I went with a couple of friends to Chinatown in KL for street shoot. It was more fun than I anticipated.

I think I am hooked to it now. Its been a while since we last went. I can't wait until we have another street shoot.

Taken with Canon Powershot G9.

Is that the Danboard?

Is that the Danboard?, originally uploaded by nicklwc.

I never had so much fun shooting my toys before so I am really enjoying the flexibility that the R1 is giving me.

Over here is Yotsuba and Danboard. Yotsuba is quite the brilliant manga from the creator of Azumanga Daioh, Kiyohiko Azuma. The whole series (3 shots) can be found on my flickr which you can go to by clicking on the picture.

I was really experimenting with how front and back focus can create different dynamics in a shot.

Taken with Nikon D40 and 105mm.

It's not all about sharpness...

a bee, originally uploaded by nicklwc.

I posted this up on another site recently and I was actually expecting a fair amount of comments on the fact that the picture is soft and the focus is off.

When I first saw the picture, I was also not happy with how soft it was but I was drawn to it by the colours and I thought it was good enough for public viewing. So, I was pleasantly surprised when no one talked about that but focused on the colours instead.

Goes to show that sometimes, sharpness is not all that matters in a photo.

Taken with Canon Powershot G9 and Raynox DCR-250.

Spinning you around...

Genting: The Spinner, originally uploaded by nicklwc.

A simple ride actually but a whole lot of fun. Basically, you just sit in the chair and then they proceed to spin you round and round.

Of course, it is up in the air so that adds to the fun. Let loose and you will almost feel like you are flying!

Taken with Canon Powershot G9.

Intruding a private moment...

Intruding a private moment, originally uploaded by nicklwc.

Well, they were doing it in public so can't really help it if I found them. Then again, they don't really have private rooms. Maybe I should really leave them alone...

Taken with Nikon D40 and 105mm.

Who doesn't know TMNT?!

Close-up!, originally uploaded by nicklwc.

This is a close-up of Raphael from the Neca's TMNT series. People have got to know the mutated turtles right?

If you are wondering, this is adapted from the comic version and not the cartoon version. The comic is quite awesome as it is darker and catered to a matured audience.

Taken with Nikon D40 and 105mm VR.

Shooting up!

Genting: Shooting up!, originally uploaded by nicklwc.

Well, recently I went to Genting Highlands with Sharon which means rides, rides and more rides!

One of the best rides there was definitely the Space Shot. As the name implies, it shoots you up and then you prepare for the fall. The wait for it to drop is definitely one of the best aspect of the ride. You get to enjoy a pretty good view too.

After that, it is all just a fast ride down. If you are ever in Genting Highlands, go for this.

Taken with Canon Powershot G9.

I found you!

I found you!, originally uploaded by nicklwc.

This is probably one of the most common spiders found when going on a macro shoot. Somehow, I still never get bored with hunting down this particular guy.

It feels like the macro trip is not complete without a picture of this lil bugger.

Taken with Nikon D40 and 105mm VR.

Dwarf Warrior: Thargas Anvilmar

Dwarf Warrior: Thargas Anvilmar, originally uploaded by nicklwc.

I got home late and I couldn't figure out how to find bugs in the dark so I had to shoot something else.

I have quite a number of figurines in my room and for some funny reason, never got around to shooting them. So, today, I decided to try shooting the dwarf warrior, Thargas Anvilmar.

Turned out pretty alright, wouldn't you say?

Is she going to fly away?

Is she going to fly away?, originally uploaded by nicklwc.

I was so afraid that any slight movement will send the butterfly away. Thankfully, she understood that I haven't shot macro in a really long time and decided to stay where she was.

I have not mastered the use of the R1C1 yet. I need to find my optimum setting again. No worries, my dad's garden attracts lots of bugs so I am sure I'll get to shoot them again.

Wonder if I should bring my macro setup to Hanoi? Hrmm...

The start or rather re-start of my macro journey...

Frontal shot, originally uploaded by nicklwc.

For those who knows me, you would know by now that I am quite the photo enthusiast. Not only that, I am quite the macro enthusiast although I have a lot to work on to get great shots.

I used to own a Nikon D300 with Tamron SP90 and the R1 kit but then I let it all go for some personal reasons. After that, I shot exclusively with the Canon Powershot G9 but I recently felt the urge to do more.

So, here I am again with a dedicated macro kit, a Nikon D40 and the Nikkor 105mm VR. The above shot was captured outside my garden and the butterfly was patient enough to pose for me.

This is after I moved some of the leaves away and yet it did not fly away. Lovely butterfly right?