I was at UBIN

“Photographs will offer indisputable evidence that the trip was made, that the program was carried out, that fun was had”

Susan Sontag

In many ways, photography was opened up a new vision and perspective to people.

However, it was gives an impression that something does exist and is “Present” in that time and space. Question is, how can we use this “Present” Objects / Scenes to create something NEW.

Holding on to my new film camera, my girlfriend and I decided to take a trip down to a Island around the isle of Singapore called Pulau Ubin. Armed with just a bicycle and the camera we went around the island taking in the view and serenity not seen in the busy Singapore island. While she was there practicing “framing” - She’s a Film Major Student,

I was there looking to practice my exposure on film as well and double exposure compositions.

The thing about film is how it never fails to surprise you. 

Unlike the DSLR, you an’y bend your head down after ever shot to check if you “GOT IT!”

And considering that it was my first time using this new form of manual focus, it was hard for me to “GET IT!” However, after developing I was surprised to get a couple of interesting and planned shots. THANK GOD!

All in all, it was definitely not easy to get the focus on a film.

However, one thing it definitely does is train us to view things from angles outside of a DSLR.

Instead, we hunt for angles that we know is different.

After all, with just 36 Frames we only want the best in it.

36 Frames

Moving Back to Move Forward.
After So many months of yearning and procrastinating, finally gotten my hand on a Manual SLR. And my I've to say I'm loving every part of it.


While what seems to be the whole world moving towards the Digital Era, I choose to move a little back into the 1970s.


I'm not an old middle age man and neither am I a Hipster. I can't fit in skinnies anyways for that matter of fact. But, a good man/photographer once said, 36 frames forces you to focus on the necessary and shoot only the best. Besides that, $7.50 per roll and $6 developing fee also does the job of making sure I have only the best shots possible in that 36 frames.

Previously shooting on a Canon N series I had the ease of Auto Focus to ensure my shots are sharp. With this Manual SLR, its a WHOLE other story. 


Working on a film makes you respect all those photographers pre-DSLR. All the amazing street photographers that truly had to frame, compose and make changes within seconds to get the shot they wanted. 

With reference to one of my favorite Vietnam War photojournalist Nick Ut who shot one of the most famous photos that is iconic to the War. "The Napalm Girl " It really makes you shiver at the thought of "what if he didn't frame it well." The whole world wouldn't have seem the painful innocence of a civilian casualty. 


Then again, with the whole idea of film comes the problems.
Nothing hurts more then have a roll of film accidentally exposed or damaged.....
Its hurts just as much as realising that your CF card is corrupted after an amazing photo shoot.


Time to return to my Susan Sontag.
My goodness, they should give her articles as "A" Level examination scripts. 
Surely, there will be a uprising of disgruntled students. Then "Ways of Seeing" the next year. That would scare the living day lights of students....

Smitten Photo Shoot @ Jipaban

I'm still amazed how some bloggers can update their blogs on such regular basis.

With the final week of work with "Jipaban": A Online Shopping Boutique based in Singapore, I finally got a chance to have my own go at editing the photos I took for their recent "fashion shoot". 

Basically, it was for a new line of clothes called "Smitten" which follows after this cuts-y look.

MAIN TAKEAWAY:

MODELS ARE PAID FOR A REASON!

Comparing the Blog shop photos taken for friends with their friends as models it was a WHOLE other story with "Professional" Model. Of course, there was no budget for runway strutting models so we had to settle for two models who had quite some experience modeling for blogshops and others.

However, the difference was set apart immediately.

1. They have no problem posing

Considering that they are paid to, its only expected for them. 

Difference comes from how they have no qualms or worries on how they are needed to pose.

2. They know their weakness

Lets face it, everyone has some part which always looks bigger on camera. 

(Unless you are speaking about me then, its just me and not the camera)

They know it, and they hide it.

3. Professionalism

Just like how friends would comment that a photographers job is "Easy" without doing your Job.

Models do get tired posing too. There are reasons why they are paid doing what they do, because they can do what they do well. Just like photographers, we are paid because we can do what others can't do with the same camera. Experience counts.

Overall, this was quite an enriching opportunity.

I had quite a good time photographing the models however still have much to learn over direction.

Looking into how posing can help bring out the appeal of the clothes.

Still wondering if the shots are worthy of portfolio.

Regardlessly, thanks for reading and do leave a comment :)

Cheers 

New and Developed...

Like weapons, the evolution of cameras is just as quick and lethal.

From the old school FM and FEs to the multi-numbered camera series ,the technological improvements never seems to seize. The use of digital photography has definitely eased the increasing fascination in photography. With the cheaper availability of cameras, more has come forth to present their talents as photographers and artist. At the sometime,for some cameras have been cheapen to that of an accessory.

As much as I enjoy the cheap trills of owning a trigger happy digital camera.

Sometimes the need to return to the roots of film photography is needed. 

After all, for $7 you only get Thirty Six frames.

Each frames hurts.