Non-macro shots on a macro outing...

Well, without a macro lens, I walked around, distracting LordMint from taking his macro shots and we both saw...



A hornbill! Well, he had his 100-400mm so he was busy snapping away. I had an 85mm so this is the best I could do :(



So, I had to search for a bigger subject, and the lily was too far away. But then the light was so interesting that I gave it a go as well.



Then, of course, the macro shooters started shooting macro. I didn't wanna be left out so I also tried. But can't get close enough :( But I love the bokeh though :D



And before I went home, I spotted this flower which well, got to shoot la. Nothing fantastic but thought the flower managed to make itself stand out.

And thats all for this week!

ShutterAsia First Macro Outing for 2009

No macro lens. So what was I doing at ShutterAsia's first macro outing for 2009? That was the question I was asking myself as I woke up at 8.30am. Slowly making my way to Tmn Rimba Kiara, I guessed it was for the people and also to try out my new toy.

Met a couple of the macro sifus but can't post one of the shot because it was said that I can't take a solo shot of him or I will be banned :P So here are the people I met:

1. KianKheong


2. aerden and his friend cum assistant


3. LordMint


4. a_manson79


Tomorrow I shall post what I managed to capture :)

No pictures!

Gasp! Just thought that I update this a bit before everyone thinks that I am gone for good. But I have no pictures to accompany today's blog, which is quite a surprise.

Actually, this is just to say that I am alive! Still alive! :P And in times of economic crisis, just want to share a couple of points on keeping the hobby alive:

1. Spend less - buy what you need rather than what you want
I've fallen into the trap of buying what I want many, many times but it is time to be more careful with our spending. We will always want the biggest lens, the fastest lens but do sit down and think how will that lens contribute to you.

Is it one that will sit in the drybox more often than not? If yes, then maybe it can come later when times are better.

2. Buy used, its not that bad
There are many sales thread in ShutterAsia, Photo Malaysia, Photokaki that you can really get good bargains. Some are clearing their drybox, some needs money, whatever the case, you stand to benefit.

All the stuff in my equipment bag is currently bought used except for the body and the grip. And all three lenses as well as flash are in excellent condition.

3. Wait a while
Patience is virtue as they say. You don't need the latest immediately. I am sure you can wait a while for the price to stabilise. No point paying that premium just to be the first.

I guess thats all. Have fun shooting :)

Back.. with a vengeance.. I think..

Well, it didn't take long but I finally realigned my equipment bag. Out went the "almost new" 70-300mm VR, and in came the 85mm f1.8. Out went the ring flash and the Speedlite Pro Kit, and in came the Demb Flash Diffuser.

I also decided that this year, I want to focus a lot more on people and also on weddings (don't know how this is going to happen :P). So, I am now known as the PRIME WEDDING SHOOTER!!! wahahahaha :P Seriously, primes are the bomb :P

I also want to try and learn from the people that reads this blog, which means, somehow I need to shoot with them :P

The list includes:

1. Wedding/ Portrait with Mark Leo
2. Wedding/ Portrait with Steph
3. Street Shoot with LordMint
4. Food with Meendee (Why food? I don't know!)
5. Street Shoot with Vince in Singapore
6. Travel with Kar Heng
7. Travel with Su (Err let me figure out how to get to Japan)
8. Anything with Jan Shim
9. Wedding with Shiney
10. Parkour with Amir

I would also love to shoot the following:

1. Concept or themed portraiture
2. Rock concert
3. Stage plays
4. Profile shots for a rock band

I think that is pretty much it. Now how am I going to achieve those goals? Hrmmm..

On a break...

No, I am not going to go into a rubber plantation, but I will be on a break so this blog might see very few updates from now until I return.

Where am I going? Nowhere actually, just taking a short break from photography. Do a bit of soul searching. Equipment realignment. And hopefully, I will be back as a better photographer.

Till then, have fun shooting and see you soon.

Of flowers and... sucky skills...

So, this will be the final flower series from Sentosa. The scary thing is.. I have no more photos to show after this! :(



But oh well, I'll worry about that later. I think Malaysia should learn something from Sentosa in terms of organising a floral fest. I went to one last year near the Titiwangsa lake and it wasn't even close to being this impressive.

I am sure with our diverse flora in this country, we will be able to do a better job. Maybe the Putrajaya version is impressive. Must remind myself to make a visit there.



And I wish the above shot was more centred :( Lousy skills get lousy photos.



And I wish I can take red better. It just seems to... blow :(

Flowers and more flowers!

Well, Sentosa Floral Fest is quite a nice place to be. There are lots of flowers if you are interested in shooting flowers. As for me, it was a good practice ground to see what I can do with flowers.

It will mostly be pink flowers because well, pink rocks! :) And also Sharon likes pink.



Flowers are quite interesting subjects, especially when there are lots of colours. It just seems to scream "Take a picture of me!" It is not easy though and I think my shots were very generic.



And last of the err similar to pink colour. Fine, it is purple but it also looks a bit pinkish. Doesn't it? :P

Tomorrow: Non-pink flowers?