The Nation Celebrates!

Happy 47TH Birthday Singapore

Running from the Runway

Once in awhile, I get new and "interesting" offers to photograph "New" things.

Once in awhile, I get this opportunity to see what on earth it takes to shoot such events.

This was my first ever runway shoot and gosh, I never felt so mess up shooting with all the professional runway photographers around me. 

Being a person who rarely shoots with the flash on,  I was really uncomfortable seeing all the flashes at the runway. Thankfully, a Professional Runway Photographer cared to explain. 

This is exactly why, even though "Photography" seems so simple and generic. Its not.

" Basically, due to the runway lights it might cast a harsh light on the models face. As a result, due to the contrast created from that, the flash is needed as a fill in on the other side of the model face to even out the lighting." 

These Runway Photographers aim is to capture the beauty in the clothes.

In other to do so, they need to make sure the clothes are well lit and visible each in each crooks and cranny.

Everyone thinks that the basics is all you need. 

But then again there are reasons why photographers can be paid either Thousands or mere dollars per hour.

Another learning step of how big this world of  "Photography" is . . .

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....

Aerobics Photography

" Photographers should not be Fat " Friend 2010

This was a statement that was said to me years back when I was still slim.
Note : STILL SLIM
At this point, I truly recognize this statement for its factuality.
This is most reflected in a "Levitation" shot I was attempting early this week.
Suddenly Gravity was acting on me faster then it was 10KG before.

This was my 2011 Levitation shot " Driving me up the wall"
It was meant to emulate the stress of work and school that has resulted in the use of the common term "Drive me up the wall"

This is my 2012 Levitation Shot "Dreamless "

The Stranger's Reunion

Probably my final Photoshoot with Jipaban before my "Self Training Period".
Sounds a lot like I'm about to climb up a steep hill to seek training in the mountains.
But generally, its just my way of saying "Photo Walking" before my Major Year starts in August.

Quick Reflection on this shoot : NOT GOOD

This was suppose to be a Fashion and Documentary shoot.
If the Fashion side was not well done it would be hurtful, but to mess up the Documentary side thats Harsh. I love documentary and I never like messing up documentary work especially since it was something I was working towards as a career.

1.  No flow of events
2. Lack of angles from photos
3. Not using foreground and background wisely

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 

First for Everything.

Over the past couple of years, one of the "real world" lessons in photography I've learnt was to grasp whole of any opportunity that comes your way. Sometime, it doesn't always turns out good and then again there are the really good once. 

Recently, I've started work as a temp worker at a local online shopping site. 

Despite the need for me to edited countless amounts of photo to make them look "clean" and folding of clothes. I've had my fair share of photography work done. After all, its not everyday where you get to shoot Semi Professional Models and get paid at the same time. Well to be frank, this was a God given opportunity and Le Girlfriend's introduce. 

One of the first shoots I did with them was for their monthly "Special Pick" from Guest. 

These time, it was for the owners of a wine bar.

Just a quick observation from the shoot.

1. There are reasons Models are paid and not free. It DOES take skill and talent to be one.

2. Reflectors might give extra light but it doesn't always does the model justice. (Photo 2.)

3. "Fashion Shoots" are about the model and how the clothes flow matters....ALOT

4. Every angle counts. Even if it means getting the model to pose for 5 minutes more. It might make the difference of a Portfolio worthy shot.

5. DO NOT LOOK DOWN ON A $100 50mm 1.8F lens.

It was disappointing that I wasn't able to get photos from this shoot into my portfolio. But darn it was a heck of a learning journey

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.

Radical Conference 2012

“For me, photography is not a means by which to create beautiful art, but a unique way of encountering genuine reality” 

― Daido Moriyama


Its only right that I started this new revise blog with a quote from one of photography's great.
From the point I started using a Point and Shoot, to a 500D and final my 50D which has been serving me so fervently the past years; it has been a hell of a ride. Literally.

Over the much has changed since the days I shot random images along the short walks I had between destination. It might seem only religious for me to mention, but God did bring me through all these. Regardless of how others may think, I believe in my heart content that my journey is riddled with his blessings.


Without having much thought of why I restarted this, I guess the reason I'm doing this is to begin a journey to recognize and track the changes in my sense of Photography. At the same time, learn for each even and opportunity given. 


Starting off, its an event I shot with my Church Ministry (Another Blessing that has changed my photography). 
RADICAL CONFERENCE 12; featuring Ps Reggie Debbs