Fatigue

It's been some tiring weeks for me in Nov and the effect certainly sank in today. I wasn't not able to stay awake for long period of time. Falling asleep on the couch and in front of TV was a norm.

I'll definitely catch up with those badly-needed rest as well as the photos taken.

On another note, interest rates are falling, share markets are dropping, petrol prices too are faltering. I'm sure consumer confidence are affected by these phenomenon. Thanks to US. Let's all bring back the good old GOLD.

Oh yea, Nikon announced D3X with RRP USD7,999. Even if it's at USD5,500, I wouldn't even think of getting it should I have the unlimited money for it. At 24.5mp and lower ISO capability, it's just doesn't fulfill my needs. Bigger file size means more memory space and computing power required. There have been some criticism that Nikon is pricing it too much with only the sensor being the differential part while other features remain unchanged from D3. We won't know until the production D3X is out. Then again, I still think if one can't afford D3X then it's not meant for you. There will be demands for it.

A Getaway from Chilly Melbourne

I was in Bali almost 2 weeks ago for a short 4.5-day getaway from chilly Melbourne as well as involving in a wedding shoot. More on the tour of Bali which I joined my parents before the shoot in later post. It was an amazing experience overall.

Here are some photos from the location shoots of the newly-wed in Ubud, 2 hours drive away from Nusa Dua where our abodes are. [Images are not properly displayed though but click on it to have them opened in separate view - FIXED]

With the hot and humid weather in Bali and returning to chilly Melbourne, I am down with a cold at the moment! :( I can't wait to get to the photos taken in Bali but I still have a wedding I did before the Bali trip. Patience, peeps!

Seditious & Racial Issues - WHY

In the past 2 weeks, there have been lots of "discussions" on the racial remarks by this one stupid UMNO-putra, Ahmad Pissmail with other 13 Penang UMNO Division chiefs. Problem is he is unwilling to apologise and still asked the other parties to apologise instead. He is either too proud or having a much-lesser-than-bird's brain. I'm leaning towards the latter for his kampung attitude. First world facilities, Third world mentality just rings right.

WHY are we Malaysian Chinese (pun intended) who should be considered as EQUAL Malaysians are called squatters/lodgers (in this Pissmail's words - Pendatang)?

WHY our PM Bodohwi had the "tidak apa" attitude towards this remark by only stating he would advise this Pissmail not to do it again? Isn't he supposed to take disciplanary actions against this Pissmail who stirred up the racial topics?

WHY not taking him to court on Sedition Act like what the current government is doing to some of the bloggers (ie RPK etc)?

WHY the double standards being treated for this UMNO-Putra Pissmail?

WHY are the topics of Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat being removed from the Malaysian history books for the academic syllabus? Could anyone please explain this? It seems like both the legends are actually of Chinese descendent. That could the main reason why the topics vapourised from the books that were popular in my generation and those before mine.

WHAT difference is this racial topic compare to the Aparteid in South Africa decades ago?

After 51 years of independence, I am disgraced by this third world mentality in the borderless world. UMNO is still trying to play the racial cards in the Malaysian politics. I just learnt that Malaysia is the only country now that still has race-based parties, ie UMNO, MCA, MIC etc.

I do want to see some very stern actions being taken against this Pissmail shithead and his fellow supporters. Sedition Act should be the least and ISA with constant beatings should be the other extreme. I dare the PDRM to do this since RPK and other bloggers are being charged with acts that seem more beneficial to the minority few rather than in the interest of the majority public.

I doubt I am alone in this.......

oo0o

On a better note, here are some recent photos taken:





Peace out (may be piss off)........

Gloomy and Chilly

It's been a month since winter started. I never really like the chilly temperature and wind, esp those with single digit temperature. However, it has not been as cold as May and June last year. Having said that, I avoid heading out unless it's necessary just to prevent the incident from recurring. I had bronchial spasm in my first winter here in Melbourne.

Anyway, I again did a shoot with my friend last week and here are some of the pics taken.





On another note, Nikon has just announced another full frame (FX) DSLR and it's D700 of which it's with plenty of D3's features in a D300 body. Will I get it? I doubt so as I'm in need of 70-200 lens to complete my lens collection for event and wedding shoots. Perhaps, the existing 70-200 may get a minor update due to some complaints by the FX users. Time will tell.........

Wedding Shots in April

After returning from my holiday, I had another opportunity to assist (and learn) from a friend. As usual, the bunch is a real blast.

Here are some shots (a lot more of the reception to process):

My First PAID Gig

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to capture some family portraits. It's certainly a great experience and I hope I will be able to build on it. I spent about 2 hours with the family of 4 (5th on its way though) and snapped a couple of hundred images. Below are some of my favourites which are aplenty.


Having a paid job, does that equate to being a professional now? In my book, a professional probably has the following features though in no particular order:
1) A technique and style that are unique to his work
2) Well-known and widely recognised by peers
3) Well-versed with LIGHT - A quote by Anthony McKee "The Study of Light Takes A Lifetime"
4) Consistently producing high quality images/artworks
5) Down-to-earth attitude yet still keeping professionalism at heart
6) Commitment, Sacrifice and Taking Chances
7) Keep learning to progression and development

So, am I a pro? I just know I'm passionate about photography and I'll keep learning......

PwC Penang Alumni Gathering

PwC Penang has its first ever Alumni Gathering on 29 Feb 2008. The event did bring a number of us back to the good ol' days not as Pricks with Calculators but as Pals with Consonance! The event is pretty a confluence of Seniors and Juniors. Some become younger.

I became the unofficial photographer but I spent more time catching up with other and being one of the participants rather than walking around capturing moments. However, there was also the other photographer/videographer known as E-cheng-son aka Ah Cheng! Mr Cho kept bringing up the topic of me being the photographer for the Melbourne recruitment drive last year. Perhaps, it was the beer talk!

Some memorable moments:
Some of us adjourned to Upper Penang Road for a more relaxing night out with a few drinks while at it. And yes, the 4 usual suspects were there!!!

A short yet memorable trip for me! I guess I'll repeat my line:
Once a PwCian, Always a PwCian