Our Forests, Our Oceans, Our Resources - Our Earth

Our Forests, Our Oceans, Our Resources - Our Earth taken to commemorate Earth Hour 2011

I was sitting at my desk at home, working away as usual, but as usual, your mind begins to wander. And mine usually thinks about photography when it wanders in the right direction. Suddenly I got inspired!

Earth Hour 2011 is coming around the corner. I thought I could dedicate my inspiration to the event. And so I dug around the house and came up with this shot.

What it meant:
- Background Blue Gel-ed lights represents the Oceans that we must protect for they are always the ones unseen, in the background.
- Greenery represents our forests which we must cherish.
- Stones and candle lights represents the earth which our precious resources lies.
- Patterned Vase represents us and everything synthetic, but is part of the full picture... that we MUST try to live in harmony with OUR EARTH.

Equipment:
- Canon 50D.
- Manfrotto Tripod.

Materials Used:
- Pebbles.
- 4 tealights. (one inside the vase!)
- Artificial Grass/Moss.
- A translucent Vase. (Or whatever you think is pretty.)
- 2 Blue Flash Gel (for...)
- 2 Diving Torches (yup, I dive. My gels are for Speedlites so they are tiny. Therefore out comes the dive torches!)
- An Ikea Stool as a studio table. (wished I had one)

Finding My Voice

Retreat

I haven't found my photography voice yet. People who look at my photos may begin to observe a style but to me, I haven't found my conviction, my voice. I KNOW I haven't found that voice.

My creativity ran stagnant for about 1 year, for too many reasons in life, valid or invalid. 'Retreat' is the first loved piece of the year and also from the first shoot of the year.

I had wanted to blog it earlier but had nothing to say. Well now I do - I just finished watching a short interview of Ryan Muirhead, a photographer.

His words has not only inspired me but he has put into words what I needed to hear. Here's what brought it home for me:

find your own voice...
and the only way to do that, is by working
you can't read up on it
you can't learn it
you can't absorb it from someone else
but if you are out there shooting... constantly
on good days
on bad days
when you are feeling creative
when you are not
carrying a tiny camera with you everywhere you go
wherever you are, anywhere, there is a beautiful photo you can take
maybe you don't have as many possiblities
maybe it's reduced to just using what's there in the best possible way
but there is always beautiful light there
if you do that... enough
your voice will find you
it's inevitable
- Ryan Muirhead, not just a Film Photographer.

For those who are interested in that interview, here's the link: http://www.framedshow.com/?p=469

Marbles

Marbles

I had wanted to share this quite sometime ago - In December last year, 2010, this photo became the winning entry of a casual online photo competition. The theme of the competition was "Festive". It won me a tiny Nikon digital pocket camera.

I took this during Christmas the previous year. There were candles and these beautiful strings of christmas decorations on the table. So I curled one up, used candle lights to light them up, propped my knees up while sitting on the chair (instant tripod) and shot away hand-held.

This was also one of my submissions for the 5th Annual Color Awards 2010, under the category Abstract.

Made a more Patient Person

Kito - taken by 100mm macro.

I never thought my next blog picture would be one of an animal. I cope better with macro and landscapes. I had the pleasure of doing a-ok during a dance shoot (humans) but moving living things just don't sit well with me. On a side note, I tried wildlife photography and haven't found the patience for it! Interest plays a huge part too but let's move on to the real blog message!

I realize I seldom blog... or blog on a regular basis. I also realized that it is because if I have nothing inspired to say, I won't write something for the sake of writing.

In the recent months, we have come to adopt an instant pet. Our neighbour's cat absolutely loves hanging around our house. And we love him. He has a great temperament and never gets upset, spray or misbehave.

Never have had any serious pet growing up but I just concluded (to myself) that pets helps the soul in many ways. I feel that having 'cat' around makes me a more gentle and patient person. Previously I would have doubted if I had the capacity to be so patient but now I can say I do! 'Cat' made me realize that!

For example, I came home from shopping one day and 'cat' received me at the door. I acknowledged him by saying 'hello' and patting him slightly but still busy with my bags of shopping. At the same time, he gave me this long long long meow. It made me laugh cos it was the longest and sounded like the most pitiful meow I have ever heard. I thought to myself "why cat, what's goin on?". It turns out, on hind-sight, that he was quite hungry that day and my partner had just put him outside.

Then he would poke his nose into each of my shopping bag. I din't shoo him away. It turns out he just wanted to check them out. He wasn't destructive or anything. Some other times, when I open the fridge, he would walk right up to sniff the bottles, food or whatever he can reach by poking his head right into the shelves. Again, I din't fret and said gently while I close the door on him "come on". He would turn around and again, nothing eventful happened. Many times though I wanted to react as he wasn't supposed to be in the shopping bags and fridge, but I chose to chill.

And did I mention he would meow at me constantly while I cook, hoping for food? I realized he'll try even if I tell him sternly "No!". So I chose to chill and tell him nicely "no... maybe later."

Pets are like kids. They really are except a whiny kid is much more annoying. But I feel good knowing that at least I have learnt to be patient with an animal.

So here's my heart-felt reflection and worth blogging I thought. Kito, the 'model' in this picture belongs to a mate. Here's to all pet owners who love and care for them so much. Here's to my future pet whatever it may be!!

Death of a Friendship

We are no more.

Some of us are very lucky to have a close friend - a very very good mate whom you share many things mutual and who loves you as much as you love him/her. This kind of unique friendship, chemistry and bond stays even if you don't talk all the time, sometimes over years... but nothing changes. I am very luckly to have a friend like that and can I just say that this kind of chemistry is very hard to encounter. I will treasure it forever.

There are always two sides of the coin. There are some you consider to belong to your inner circle of friends. You may not see each other often, but history makes this friend special. Then one day, something happen... or somethings said in a way under some situation, or just simply a flick of a switch in the head... everything changed.

Today I realised I not longer consider one such friend as a friend anymore. Perhaps the friendship was long gone and she was no longer a friend long before. But it's the realisation that you no longer regard this person as labeled 'friend' in your dictionary that is surreal.

I am not terribly upset actually just surprised I feel this way. I woke up today having remembered a picture I had taken last year, titled "We are no more".

Like the life cycle of a rose, she goes through the beautiful stages of bloom. Every photographer likes perfect untainted roses. I refuse to think the end stage of a rose's life be any less just because it's visually unpleasing and this picture proves it.

"We are no more" speaks to the death of a friendship. I will remember the older times but it's good to know where I stand now.

Even Nature gets sad... sometimes.

Even Nature gets sad... sometimes.

I saw the 'sad face' in the wood immediately through the macro lens while shooting one day. Well, I don't want to say much here... just this: to all who feels like life is just not quite on your side at the moment - this is for you.

You are not alone... even Nature thinks so! Hang on in there and believe that it will pass.

With every crack, new layers are revealed... and with every crack comes the light. Remember that.

So, Surprise Yourself Sometimes

a beautiful dancer

Any artist would know that it takes time and effort to improve in the area of art they are involved in. It could be a sport, a hobby or a profession. One of my passions is obviously photography. Those close to me know that I don't manipulate my photos other than the usual RAW workflow. (and nah, I am not riding on the high horse of the "no image manupliation" stuff) It's just not want I want to do at this stage of my photography. I blogged on this subject once but it's not the topic of the day. Moving on...

In every art, every artist eventually develops their likes and dislikes. They tend to develop their habits and style eventually. I don't think I quite have my "the style" yet but I do love macro and landscape photography and decided that I am not into lifestyle photography - people, places etc, especially people. Not sure why though, just perhaps I am not as interested in them as subjects as compared to say flowers.

Recently, in one of my learning projects about flash photography, I decided to cover a dance rehearsal of which my brother was a part of. I knew that they will be official photographers around on the actual event. I wouldn't like to intrude on another photographer's space, so the rehearsals were perfect!

And so, I set myself up, not knowing how I'll do (remember I don't shoot people) and shot away. When I came home, I loaded the pictures immediately, wanting to know how I faired in applying some of the techniques that day. I was pleasantly surprised - when I did manage to catch people at moments that is simply just beautiful to behold, the satisfaction is just electric. And when they go 'wow' at the photos later, I could just feed on it for months.

I had set myself up for a difficult assignment. I had no control over lighting except for my single flash gun. The models were obviously not stationary. I had no control over location and position of the subjects. And remember, I don't shoot people. My satisfaction was even higher as a result.

So, go surprise yourself sometimes. Go do something out of your style and norm. You might even enjoy yourself and I am sure it'll help in your usual style of art too! Now I understand why people are such good subjects! It has given me another perspective that is hard to describe... go, surprise yourself.

Morning Hues

Morning Hues

Well, 2009 is almost over. This year is full of changes for me, some good and some not so good. Just like the sunrise, life can be full of changes and we can expect loads of variety in terms of content - just like Morning Hues. It was a very cold morning and I had to get up very early which is amazing for someone who is not a morning person. The morning mist adds drama to the picture and disappears as quickly as it forms. Though life's challenges do not normally disappear as quickly as the mist, they do dissolve soon enough. We hope so anyways. So I hope this picture will inspire me and you out there of course, to just enjoy life and immerse the beautiful side of it. Happy Holidays!!

Beauty IS in the eyes of the photographer

Many enthusiastic photographers like me will at one point in time or another wonder why a seemingly good photograph doesn't get the appreciation it deserves. A photography friend once told me that he also had a stunning picture of some swans flying in the air but it only drew in some views but when he processed it through Photoshop and basically added a moon behind the swans, the same photo got a huge review.

Impact is what people look for. Dramatic effects and the wow factor. Do we really have to post process photos such that they get the huge number of audiences? I am referring to effects outside of the usual cropping, contrasting, saturation and sharpening.

Hmn, at this stage of my photography, I refuse to 'change' my photos (other than the 4 mentioned above). I may eventually one day perhaps only if it interest me to do so... who knows? But today, nope. I want my photos to just be photos even if it means missing out of spots in competitions. (Competitions shouldn't mix the two types anyways to be fair.)

To all photographers who share the same frustration, don't be. Stay true to what your eye sees and what your heart believes in, take the best photo you can and enjoy it to the fullest - it is what the photo deserves.

Just like Red Gloves

Just like Red Gloves, originally uploaded by bluebellmiffy.

I managed to get a few good takes for this year's rose season. It is really hard to choose my favorite rose shot. Reds are the rebellious colors for a digital camera and so technically a little more challenging to capture. This rose being a plain colored rose also attracted far less attention in flickr compared to other roses. Anyhow it won my heart because it is so blood red, has thick healthy petals and is an overall good capture. To the Rose Queen, until another year!

Birthday Happy

From Project One Everyday

It was a good day and yes, my birthday... mom's in town visiting from overseas... and our new camera finally arrived... timmss was so lovely as to provide another surprise - a 100mm 2.8 macro!!! I could not believe my eyes.

My mom also bought me one too many gifts... :) not that I am complaining though...

Well, it's not over yet, this Saturday, we are going out to a restaurant... I din't want to go on a weekday so that my deerie can enjoy himself more if over the weekend.

And so at the advise of some photography guru out there, I have started a photography project - to take photographs everyday and keep one a day. Yes... whether or not they are good, I'll keep one everyday...

I am no photographer, trust me! But it's all about the art in your eyes and your love for it. I might see growth in them too... I am excited to see how the album will look like this time next year!

It will be a LONG while yet before this set goes into the water diving with me... seriously... but it's quite alright. :) For now, I am a happy puppy.

A Young Talent's Ability to Morph

Have you ever wondered and wished that in your younger earlier teen days, that you had persisted in something or kept pursuing a little interest of yours?

I most certainly have. It's not a regret but more of a "I should have..."

So everytime I see someone young pursuing something out of just mere love and interest for the hobby and being so good at it, makes me feel very good inside.

Daniel Archer knew he loved photography. 2 years ago, he saved up just enough money to get his first consumer level SLR. Eventually he found love in doing studio photography, buying flood lights from ebay and getting mates to be his models.

I remember the time when I first looked at his gallery at flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dnaindustries/)... they were really good I thought, I mean REALLY good.

2 years on, he has most certainly found his style, in my opinion at least. He has just complied a photo journal comprising of his most adored shots in that time. I thought "Wow, now that's some progress!".

So this post is to encourage him and all who love photography, to keep doing what they love. Look at Daniel, it all started from an interest and persistence took him the rest of the way! Good job Dan!

Daniel's Photo Journal can be found here - http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/336854.

Back into Photography...

There were only two things I clearly love at a very very young age - scuba diving and photography.

Scuba diving, I managed to pursue the moment I din't need parental consent. :)

Photography was an expensive hobby in those days (even now) but in the film days was the cost of purchasing good films, taking many many shots and developing them all... Not having the money, I knew I couldn't take it any further.

When I got into Uni and had to take up a non academic elective, guess what, I went for photography. Mum eventually bought me a consumer level SLR after my older point and shoot failed while mum borrowed it. (Mum was so upset because she thought I would be very upset! How sweet... bless her.) Still it was film!!! I did manage to compile one portfolio but never another.

After starting to dive more because Timmss learnt diving, I couldn't help but get really excited about photography once again... this time I decided to just do it. I had often imaged what would have been the quality of my pictures if I had stuck with it all these while.

So I have identified the camera and selected lenses... ;)

Will it go underwater? Most definitely and that will cost more...

So hopefully, we'll start having pictures in 6 months or so.