Back and Finally A New Post

After a 5-month hiatus, I've finally squeezed myself out of a little bit of juice to update it with some photos taken over the past few months. With Twitter, I've been lazy, and very good at it! ^_^

Speaking of which, I have yet to even look at the photos taken in the recent trip to Shandong, China (of which Qingdao is part of). Not that I have taken a lot of images but I have been bogged down with some issues including those involving my apartment's wall that was damaged from burst pipe from the unit above back in July 2009.

Anyway, here are some wedding shots taken during my "absence".
And here's the latest one done in late Nov.

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Why so serious?
And...here...we...go.
You need an ace in the hole.
Why do we fall? So we can pick ourselves up again.
Night is at its darkest just before dawn. I promise you, dawn is coming.
I like this job - I love it.
You either die a hero or live long enough to be a villain.
You can't rely on anyone these days, you gotta do everything yourself, don't we?

The quotes sound familiar? Well, they are from The Dark Knight and have been going through my mind the entire day and the past few days. Who said movies are bad for you? Some of them are motivating while the others are just trying to get me going.

What makes a great manager?

Someone who pulls his/her own weight for the team and contributes constructively.
Someone who motivates instead of demoralises.
Someone who stands up for his/her team instead of pinning others' faults (including his) on one person or two.
Someone who says what he/she meant rather than twisting the words as he/she pleases.
Someone who under-promises and over-delivers with the consultation of the team.

I think I can be that great manager, but I know who can't be even just being good.

Those are the things that have led to me not living my resolutions for 2010.

To change the world, we must first change ourselves - Gandhi

Simplicity version 2: Simplify to Amplify

I've been playing with my camera in full manual mode with an old manual AI 35mm f/1.4 lens. It's great to come back to the basics once in a while and it's so very fulfilling. About 20 years ago during CNY, I remember being handed a film SLR to play with for the very first time. "Turn this til the view is clear then click this button". I got it back then.

Simplify to Amplify is another inspiration that I just thought of. It's not like it's a whole new series but more of a sub-series to Simplicity is Beauty.

What triggered this idea was me reminiscing the moments I had with my late friend. There were plenty of banters between us in topics like auto v manual, pc v mac, nikon v leica and the likes. I miss those stuffs and it's only been a few weeks. Foek On is definitely the inspiration for this.

Now off to bed and hopefully this won't keep me awake...

Simplicity Continues

As noted in my previous Simplicity post, I've neglected this ongoing personal project of mine for reasons like fatigueness and frustrations. In many ways, capturing these images energises me as well as relaxes my mind.

Today, I decided to just venture out around my humble abode with this intended purpose. So, here they are.

Sometimes, there are clarity and calmness within messiness.

Wedding of Emily & Mark

It's been a while since my last post. I was meant to put up more photos from my NZ trip in late March as well as some weddings done in April. So, here are some of shots of the wonderful couple in early April. It's such a pleasure covering their wedding in a vineyard.


Til next post....Cherios

May You Rest In Peace

I was today informed of the demise of a close family friend whom I am very fond of. It came as a surprise for me.

We met over 10 years ago in the swimming club's gym. I was asked not to acknowledge him as "Uncle" but "Brother" or just Foek On though he's of my parents' generation (his dad and my maternal grandpa were good ol' pals). Over the years, I've grown closer to him from being the spotter in the gym for him to being someone I confided with and seeked advices as well as opinions from. We also share the interest in photography.

There were some discussions about me futhering my studies in established universities for reasons of their well-known alumnis, advices on my timber floor after the flooding of my apartment and personal issues that I have gone through over the last few years.

I would certainly miss the stuffs we did together:

• Bugging him in his office
• Enjoying nasi kandar together
• Having a cuppa
• Visiting camera shop together or meeting in the shop
  
• Sharing of images taken by both of us and the knowledge
• Bantering of Windows v Mac; Lightroom vs Aperture; Nikon vs Leica; AF vs MF; Fully Auto vs Fully Manual systems

One of the flashbacks is the very last chat we had of which he asked me about flash and backlighting on his D700 few months ago. I can't believe it that he's gone.

Certainly, the next trip and every subsequent trip back would be very different without Brother Onn. Your jokes, sarcasms and laughters would be sorely missed.

He was talking about doing a trip to Melbourne and Adelaide since 2 years ago. I guess we won't be able to make that trip down the Great Ocean Road to capture the images of Twelve Apostles, the intended trip that will never eventuate.

May You Rest In Peace, Uncle Foek On (uncle as my due respect for an elder).

Back Up

It was some frustrating days in the last few days as I experienced some "hang" time with my PC. It would hang 15-20 mins into each boot up and there could only be forced shutdown.

Anyway, I am glad that it's back and running. I did lose some data but I did not lose those important ones, especially images of clients! It's a relief to have some backup as redundancies. It's time to consider a second PC that could double up as server...! Hmm....

Sneak Peek of My NZ South Island Trip

Lake MethesonSunrise @ Bruce BaySunset @ Lake Wakatipu in QueenstownSnow-capped Mountain in QueenstownPathways to Mordor (of the Lord of the Ring trilogy) in GlenorchyEnter at Own Risk (between Te Anau & Queenstown)
The Remarkables - LOTR's Misty MountainSunrise @ Lake ManupuriSundown @ Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown Rainbow in Lake Manupuri

These are just some of the scenery and landscapes that New Zealand's south island offered. Although the weather was pretty bad due to the Nor-wester from the Tasman Sea that brings lot of rain to the west coast, I got the opportunities to experience the extreme condition.

Plenty more to come I am sure. That goes to NZ visits as well in the near future.

I Did It

What was on my mind before the dive/jump? I just want to get it done...
Was I shaken prior to the jump while standing on the platform? Not a bit...
Will I do it again? Oh yeah...either a backward jump or the 134m 8.5sec free-fall...

The rush only came in after the plunge and during the drop...!

Well, another item in my bucket list can be crossed off now...Kawarau Bridge is now over but perhaps bring on The Nevis Highwire Bungy...!

I am now a Jumper! When's your turn?

whoalse.com is Down

www.whoalse.com is currently down and has been down since Monday. I am also currently away.

It should be back online in a couple of hours. What happened is I've just switched Domain Registrar and it took longer than I anticipated for the transfer to get through.

Anyway, it should be alright soon. My apologies.

Gone Fishin' in NZ South Island

I've been wanting to visit NZ since my day in Perth and it's about to become a reality in a few more hours. This trip was suppose to be with a few friends. I was telling myself regardless of my friends would make it I would still head there myself. Honestly, I believe this will not be my only trip to NZ.

Arthurs Pass looks good (esp the Highway), Franz Josef Glacier, Fiordland that includes Milford Sound, Mt Cook and the plentiful lakes are places I am sure would amaze me.

Anyway, I'll be off for roughly 10 days...

In & Around Saigon

What actually struck me in Saigon were the Cu Chi Tunnels and its surrounding spots. I am sure there are plenty of photos around the web showing how narrow the tunnels are and those have been widened to enable tourists experience the "tunneling". All I could say is claustrophobia did creep in though it was only a short 5-min venture.

I had the experience of firing a gun now. Mind you, it's AK-47! It was such an awesome feeling of pulling the trigger.

What I love about this city is the buildings, more so of the old structure.

Vung Tao offers a weekend getaway for the locals and Jesus Hill is one of the attractions. The view from atop towards the township does look like Sao Paolo. Don't you think so?

Not too far away from Jesus Hill, there stood the Goddess of Mercy.

Here are some other pics in and around Saigon.
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