Reasons to shoot

Melbourne
Leica M-E. Summicron-M 35mm f/2.8 1/350 ISO 160


There's nothing special in this photo, maybe even boring, to most people.

What made me shot it? 

  1. That's a nice bench; notice it only has 2 legs?
  2. You can't find benches like this in KL... Too hot, too close to the traffic (you'll either run over by the buses or robbed by the snatch thieves, or choked to death by the buses' and lorries' exhausts).
  3. I like the slight blue shinny refection of the shirt on the bench.
  4. The iconic City Circle Tram!
  5. Just nice amount of lights.
  6. Love the tilt of the photo, I think it gives some sense of movements, and 'life'.

So now you see how I usually make myself happy with whatever crappy photos I shoot?

;-)

Multi Gears

I used to carry several cameras/lenses for many reasons; my main 'justification' is each of them has different characters.

Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur
Nikon D100. Sigma 11mm f/13 0.6s ISO 1000


I do use app filters to enhance/alter the photo's mood, but I find it can't beat the original photo created by the camera itself.  Some may disagree, but I appreciate the camera's characteristic, and think my cameras tend to tell the story differently.



Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur
Nikon D100. Holga 60mm f/8 1/180 ISO 1000

Point the camera to the same direction, but a wide glass and a cheap plastic lens give a total different perspective.  

But lately I find the weight of several cameras and lenses is taxing to lug around, and not really helpful to my aging back...  Perhaps the days of multi-gears (big camera bag and straps and belts, and stuff) are over for me.  I should maybe stick to 1 camera with 1 lens based on the photo locations, and enjoy more in shooting and editing my photos, instead of nursing my backache after each outing ;)



Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur
iPhone 4. Auto

... and of course always have my iPhone with me too!

Kemosabe

Melbourne
Leica M-E. Summicron-M 35mm f/2.8 1/45 ISO 1000

I'm always fascinated by the trust developed between a man and his animal friend (I don't like to use 'pets').  There're no 'sweet talks', lies, pretense or conditions.  The faithful friendship is simply built from the simple love and trust shown, and felt, by both of them.  Hey they don't even speak the same language :)

Photo Factory

Melbourne
Leica M-E. Summicron-M 35mm. f/2.4 1/90 ISO 1250

Call me naive, callow, 'jellybean', or whatever, I've always imagined the portraits hung on my friends' walls, especially those graduation portraits - c/w scroll on hands, graduation robe, and a 'serious smile' - would have been taken in a real photo studio, in a somewhat more conducive ambience...  

But what I saw the other day... "Look at the camera and smile,"  "Next!" 

That's a boring way of being a 'Photographer'  :(

Back of a statue

Melbourne
Leica M-E.  Summicron-M 35mm. f/2.8 1/1500 ISO 1000

I was about to cross the road, found myself at the back of a statue and facing the front of an imposing building. I didn't have time to find out about the statue or the building but managed to snap a shot before the pedestrian light turned red...

p.s. I later Googled and found out more about the Burke and Wills Statue & Manchester Unity Building.  

Skull Face

Leica M-E. 35mm f/2 1/180 ISO 1000

I was waiting for my car to be fixed at the workshop when this delivery boy came into the office with a parcel, and I couldn't help but instantly distracted from my iPad noticing his face mask!  I grabbed my camera and asked for a portrait shot and he happily obliged :)

Streets Pictures

It took a trip to Bangkok few months back for me to realize taking street pictures are not as difficult.  

Lomography Horizon Perfekt. CN film, f/8 1/250 ASA100 

I'm still way far from real street photography where the pros are bold enough to shoot at 3 metres or nearer, practically placing the camera right on the nose of some strangers on the streets.



Fuji X100. 23mm f/5.6 500/1 ISO500

I noticed the shotgun with a (real?) dagger attached, so I decided to 'shoot' him from the back :)  

With friendlier faces however (for example Mr & Mrs Santa - Yes, it was Christmas!), I had no problem asking permission to get a close-up though.


Fuji X100. 23mm f/3.2 250/1 ISO320

On the streets, I used to rush from Point A to Point B, walking quickly ignoring the people I don't know.  Seldom did I give a thought to anything I saw if that was not what I was looking for.  However, since I started learning to take picture on the streets it makes me more observant of the going-ons around me, and I tend to slow down and not hurry to get to my next destination. 


Lomography LC-W. CN Film Auto ASA400

Noticed we don't see glass Coke bottles in KL?


iPhone 4. Auto

Street pictures are rewarding; it's a new experience for me and it makes me appreciate photography better.  And I may be lucky enough and offered another Lollie :)


Lomography LC-W. CN Film Auto ASA400

Take A Breather

Fuji X100. 23mm f/2 1/250 ISO800.

Even though the planet is round, there are just too many spots where you can find yourself hanging on to the edges... This guy chooses to slow down and take shelter at a corner to find peace.