Photography NO NO!!!

Super irked by the thousands of pictures that some so called photographers uploaded on Facebook that has all the bloody same poses with 1 mm difference of angle in taking them. It's like seeing tens of the same meaningless photos. OMG, please filter your photos!!!

Causeway Exchange - George Town Festival

Not forgetting to mention that one of my picture has been picked to be showcased in an exhibition at George Town Penang, felt so awesomely proud. Heard it's coming to be showcased in Singapore, too! Uber excited!! Well, there are many others better, more expert, but I guess I am just lucky to be at the right place and the right time? Really so proud to see my name up in the photographer list. Awwhhh... Anyway, recently a few mothers actually messaged me and asked me what is my rate to take pictures for their child's birthday. Probably due to the not bad pictures taken of my niece, Sherina, but that is because she is already a good model and will pose and stay still. I have no confidence to take a paid job, really, what if I ruined some child's precious birthday pictures? I can't rewind that!!!

Spot my photo here! Picture shared from Shifu's Flicker http://www.flickr.com/photos/wilzworkz/9136168250/

Hmm... Is this the right way to credit him? Is he gonna kill me if he find this blog? 

Happy Anniversary CanCan Baby

July 2011, Christmas came wayyy early and I was given my first DSLR Canon 450D by my dear dear cousin, Arman Priadi. He knew I have always loved photography, but I have never taken myself seriously for it. His picture of MONAS (National Monument) that he hung in his room created from 10 or more parts pasted together, stayed etched in my mind. It was at least a decade ago that I first saw it and photography has not reached today's digital era yet.

It took me a long long while to actually figure out what the freak those buttons can do. Heck, I didn't even know how to focus. I spent days mulling over this alien machine and all the thousand pictures I took were either black, blur or both. Seriously in such a short days, I was on the verge of giving up. Then, seeing my agony, Sis bought me a Groupon class. Or rather I MADE her buy with all the whining.

Thank God for it, I found my Shifu Wilson Wong US, catch his website here http://www.wilzworkz.com/. It has been 2 years! I remembered the first question I asked him was, "Why my shutter just wouldn't click?". I am probably one of the laziest student he ever had, but he has always encouraged me with all the SPIN posts (do join us there), never failing to share his expertise with his own quirky ways. One photography walk after another, I find myself deleting one picture after another as I see them not up to my standard, definitely not up to Shifu's standard. Yet, I learned to never give up, keep on practicing, learn to respect my own work and learned that one does not need to have the best machine to produce a great work. Super thankful and grateful to find a mentor like him. Appreciate all the hard work he put in to guide us newbies and I have always said he is like an energizer bunny who never stopped to rest, he really is.

I have come a long way, but there is definitely a longer way to go to improve myself. I have been lucky as I have most-of-the-time willing models to practice on, such as my nephew and niece and of course my little photogenic baby girl, April. Also has been lucky to have great photography friends (you know who you are) who never stinged on sharing their knowledge with me, answering my stupid questions and some who always asked me to buy buy buy  !!!

P.S. Before I get hate PMs (seriously I don't know why, but I always get it, especially on Facebook).
Take note that pictures below are some of my favorites, definitely ain't the best for some of you experts, but I love them and it's all that matters. See how I have improved, yay!

Talent doesnt come easy

This doesnt come easy from someone as goofy as him (the wise words). Think he must have felt strongly about his music, his work and the efforts he so tirelessly put in.

" For some people, talent comes free. For some people, it must be bought with money, sweat and blood. Just like the majority of people, the free stuffs are always being taken for granted. Being a singer and liking to sing is an entirely different entities. Once something you like to do becomes a job, it changes shape into a burden, a pressure, a full blown stress machine. "

He said he constantly had to improve and while he is young now, he has to make himself well known enough to last him in his senior years. That is when he no longer can perform, but to be known enough to be sought after to coach the younger generation. That is making sense of his current work craze. He is restricted in time, food, friends, love life and life itself.

Well, recently I have gotten the chance to take a picture for an event for a friend, 3 hours straight of picture taking. With responsibility of taking decent pictures, making sure what needed to be taken is taken. I came home tired as hell. I remembered during the 3 hours I grew impatient, tired of taking pictures, something that as a hobby, I love it like hell. In the middle of it, I just wanted to go to hell with it, of course I was still burdened with my hangover from the night before, but really the feeling wasn't that good. Work is still work, I guess... Haha!

My Sirui tripod

Awww I have never seen a prettier tripod and such a small one! Worth $119 but I have gotten a steal. Practically stealing!!! Lol..
It's so schmall!!! Hahahahah now I'm glad I lost my quick release back in Oz!!

A funny encounter

Some time ago, I attended a party lugging my newborn DSLR. I was still much a beginner and although still is, I was captivated by a friend's friend. I was told he was a TV producer and carried a Nikon D90. I remembered D90 was advertised by Lee Hom, further captivated. No, not the guy, but his DSLR. Well, he spoke well, confident yet humble. He took lots of pictures, around the party. I came back and he added me on Facebook already. I waited to see how his pictures would turn out. A month later. I saw the pictures, shocked me to the very corner of my photograhy learner soul. Everything about the photos wrong, right from the White Balance. Hey, if a no skiller like me could detect it, he would be a worse skiller. That day, I learnt not to be intimidated by pro cameras.

Anyway, I'm waiting for my first photowalk. Been a long time since i brought baby C for a spin. Hope he still remember me. Our souls are almost disconnected! Wish me luck!!!

Have I told you that I love you??

 Meet my baby boy, Caesar! He's been with me for the past 4 months or so, yet I didn't have a chance to show him off. He's been accompanying me take good food, see the same scenery, capture it for me for memories. It's a gift, a very early Christmas in July when it came unexpectedly to me from a very dear cousin. I cherish this boy like a diamond. Means a lot to me and will continue take good photos, learn and learning each day...