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!!