Taken with the Nikon D3 + [...]]]> This shot was taken during my teaching photo-safari to Siem Reap late last year. We were on our way out to Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia, when we passed through this fishing village. What a great place for my type of street portraiture!

Taken with the Nikon D3 + 24-70mm/2.8 aperture priority @ f/3.5 ISO 400 i/400s.

Mama, shed a tear for me

'Special' because it is a special request by a photographer friend from Kuantan.

'Special' because we won't be shooting pretty models for a change.*

And 'special' because being a first of such workshops by me, I'll make it special.

(I prefer to [...]]]>

'Special' because it is a special request by a photographer friend from Kuantan.

'Special' because we won't be shooting pretty models for a change.*

And 'special' because being a first of such workshops by me, I'll make it special.

(I prefer to do photo-safaris which I have successfully done quite a few.)

*We will be shooting everyday people in a fishing village in their natural environment.

Workshop details

Organizer : Wooi Shen (wooishen@gmail.com)

Date : Saturday September 18th 2010

Time : 8.00am – 6.00pm

Format : Shoot at Tanjung Lumpur fishing village from 8.00am till noon

with lunch break followed by post-processing session from 2.00pm till 6.00pm.

Subjects : Elderly man, elderly woman and children in their environment.

Fees : Early bird offer RM660/pax till August 31st. RM760/pax thereafter.

Max of 15 participants.

Note : Fully booked! Thank you to all participants for your support.

Please also note that no refund will be entertained. You will have to find your own replacement.

Who should attend : Those into portrait and/or travel photography.

Things to bring : Beside your camera, please bring along your laptop for the post-processing session.

Software I will be using is Photoshop CS5.

As a special offer to all participants who may be keen, you may buy the first ever soft-cover book versions of my ebooks at RM100 each.

I'll autograph it if you like.

*normal price RM150 (Beginners version) and RM180 (Advanced).

Please indicate your desire to get the books during your registration. I'll send you the invoice individually.

Topics covered

1. Monitor calibration.

2. Colour management in photography.

3. Available light portraiture.

4. How to see the light.

5. How and where to pose subjects.

6. Post-processing – Banhup's style. You will learn to process the following :

…and a glimpse on adding digital make-up.

For further inquiries please contact organizer Wooi Shen at wooishen@gmail.com.

One of the many to share.

Last Saturday, a group of fellow photographers (Jason, Liew, Fazli) and I took a trip to Sekinchan famous for its padi fields and nearby fishing villages. We were supposed to take the sunrise at the fields but Jason unfortunately turned out one hour late. As punishment he had to pay for [...]]]>  

Last Saturday, a group of fellow photographers (Jason, Liew, Fazli) and I took a trip to Sekinchan famous for its padi fields and nearby fishing villages. We were supposed to take the sunrise at the fields but Jason unfortunately turned out one hour late. As punishment he had to pay for breakfast.

Fazli was so kind as to drive us there in his 4-wheel drive. Though it could only reached a maximum speed of 80 km/hr (we actually had to move to the side to allow lorries to pass!) it did its job fetching us to and fro safely and quite comfortably. Fazli did warn us that the air-condition might fail but thankfully it didn't that day. Thanks for the ride Fazli.

Since we already missed the sunrise  we went straight for breakfast at Sekinchan. After breakfast we went to the nearby fishing village.

Here are some shots at the village.

A 74 yr-old retired fisherman.

A prawn cracker home industry. The dough would be made and steamed. After cooling it would be left in the fridge for 2 days. That would allow the dough to be formed and easier to slice.

Slicing the dough. It is now mechanised. It used to be done manually pushing the dough over a slicer (manual white slicer is on the far left of the photo).

Wife arranging sliced dough to be driend in the sun. Usually takes 3 days.

After a 'tiring' walk we had another breakfast of roti canai.

Our next stop was the padi fields. It was already late morning and lighting was too harsh. I didn't know what Jason was shooting but this is a shot of him from a distance.

Liew on top of Fazli's jeep. I was too near with the 70-200mm hence you can't see the jeep.

Most of the farmers had already finished their job and had gone home to rest. We stopped by a grocery stall amongst the fields and met this nice family. The kids were playing and swimming in the family padi field.

To make the shot more interesting I got this girl to use my red umbrella.

A close up.

This is the girl's 86 yr-old grandfather reading the newspaper. He met with a motorcycle accident ten months ago and fractured his right leg hence was not very mobile.

It was an interesting trip for me. I noted that the padi was still green and should be ripening to a golden colour in the next couple of weeks. As such I hope to be back there then… this time I would insist that Jason be on time!

These were to be transported across to nearby island.

Loading up.

These were to be transported across to nearby island.

Loading up.

We arrived early and soon had our gears ready – camera set appropriately and attached to the tripod. Here is the series of shots that I managed to capture [...]]]>  We woke up very early daily to catch the sunrise in Bali. To me, the sunrise at Kusamba was the most interesting and rewarding, photography-wise.

We arrived early and soon had our gears ready – camera set appropriately and attached to the tripod. Here is the series of shots that I managed to capture that day.

Sunrise.

Morning walk…with helmets on…just in case I suppose!

To be transported to the nearby island.

Pulling the boat in.

Prayers by the sea.

Burning.

And lastly, sun rays shining through.

It was our last morning at Halong Bay. We visited this floating village on the way back. Being quite a distance away from the mainland and like most floating villages there, this village was self-sufficient. And as you can see, that applied to recreation too!

Talk about creativity [...]]]>  

It was our last morning at Halong Bay. We visited this floating village on the way back. Being quite a distance away from the mainland and like most floating villages there, this village was self-sufficient. And as you can see, that applied to recreation too!

Talk about creativity and the innovative human mind…

Bali to me is a photographer's paradise. What else can one ask for when you have generally clear skies (esp June/July season), beautiful sceneries, gorgeous Balinese archictecture and friendly people who [...]]]>  I have decided to post something on Bali because of my plan to organise a 5D/4N photo-safari there in July 19th-23rd this year.

Bali to me is a photographer's paradise. What else can one ask for when you have generally clear skies (esp June/July season), beautiful sceneries, gorgeous Balinese archictecture and friendly people who usually do not mind being photographed. Sometimes all it takes is a smile, a nod of the head and one can then shoot away. 

Whenever I go to Bali I prefer to avoid the more touristy Kuta/Nusa Dua areas and stay in the cultural village of Ubud. A very good place to shoot is in Ubud market itself. The day starts early there and a good time to start your photography is about 7am. Here are some shots taken at this market.

Two friends – they would be there same place, same time every morning.

Have a drink.

I make it a point to go to Bali during temple festivals which occur during full moons. During these festivals the Balinese will dress for the occasion, there will be processions carrying those colorful offerings…

… cockfights (though illegal they do occur within the temple grounds)…

… which can be quite gory for the faint-hearted…

… dancers dressed in colorful costumes …

… and some festivals are special e.g Melasti where the Balinese perform cleansing of the temple idols at the beach.

I make it a point to shoot at the fishing villages going there at sunrise…

… where there will be a hive of activities…

… and sunsets.

Farms are everywhere to be seen especially the terraced padi fields…

… with their activities…

There are also so many cultural performances. Shooting the Kecak dance in Uluwatu is interesting with the sunset as the backdrop.

Taking portraits of the Balinese people is so much fun too. 

Well, with so many varied subjects and opportunities to shoot, won't you agree that Bali is a photographer's paradise?