CNY sans photography

I can't believe this. The only pictures i've taken on this trip are group shots and candids. Ok i did a mini walkabout (20 mins?) once, but that's about it. This is gonna be a rant post...

This trip's main purpose isn't photography. It's about talking to relatives and getting fat. Yeah it's a very rare chance to celebrate CNY with my relatives. (the last time i did this my brain wasn't even working). The schedule was tight, as i had to travel to many places to meet people i didn't know existed.

Generally there weren't any cny decorations put up in public. (hey it's Kelantan) Firecrackers were banned, though i'm surprised nobody tried to smuggle them in from the Thai border. 

There was a moment of great opportunity though... we were stopped on the road by a bunch of cows crossing. Damn i was behind the wheel, otherwise those cows would find their portraits on my blog.

The camera ended up making loads of group photos. Boring 1-2-3-cheese stuff. Some relatives volunteered to be my model, perhaps trying to flaunt their new clothes. Didn't turn out too bad, but those are too personal to post online. If i get to go back again i'll make sure i bring more flash and strobist stuff.

But photography isn't everything... 

A season of crowd, food, and perhaps... happiness?

It's a season of traditions and supersitions. While some are good to have (ang baos hehe), some are really troublesome (spring cleaning and buying new clothes). Luckily I have a set of new year clothes that are set aside for new years. That said, I'm looking forward to this new year though, because....

To all my dear friends and readers, I shall not be in SG from 22nd to 29th (inclusive). I will finally have the chance to experience CNY with my extended family members back in Msia. While this means i'll be meeting many people for the first time, I should also be able to document CNY celebrated in a different country, in a place where Chinese are not the majority. And that sounds exciting!

This is a rare publicity post

Have a strong interest in photography and photojournalism? Young, energetic and keen to put that newly bought DLSR to good use? Want to see your pictures published in a nationwide newspaper? Yes the student wing of photojournalists 《联合早报学生通讯员摄影队》(SYD in short) will be recruiting new members soon. Click on if you are interested...

SYD main site: TXYSYD

Description in short
We are a group of young people (mostly students) that provide photographic support to newspapers like lianhezaobao and friday weekly (now known as zbComma 逗号) Apart from assignments for the papers, our activities include training, photo outings and talks (from and not restricted to the pro PJ's at SPH) as well as welfare gatherings. We are also recognized by ministry of education as an external CCA (you get 1 participation pt per year if u need it).

Our assignments do not include accidents/natural disasters/papparazzi.

As part of 联合早报学生通讯员 we will also get to mingle and join in the fun with the writers, editors and comic artists in the organisation.

What can you gain?
Experience! This is the one most valuable asset you could gain as nobody can steal from you =) If you've read through my "experiences" tagged post you should have an idea of the variety of assignments we take on. Seeing your pictures published in major newspaper will be a definite boost to your portfolio (and maybe ego/bragging rights lol) Members who are less experienced can pick up useful photography skills and tips through our training sessions. Don't worry if you feel like a tech dummy. We are not a bunch of techies lusting and racing after the latest and greatest equipment. Our activites aim to develop your photograhic instincts, not fill up your drybox.

But do note that as we receive very minimum funding from SPH, we have no pooled equipment at the moment. Members should preferably own a DSLR if they intend to go on assignments, or at least be prepared to buy one. (We will certainly teach you how to appreciate and milk it for what it's worth)

What you should not be expecting to gain?
Money. You will not get rich from assignments. Yes you do get paid for pictures published but they are nowhere near what commercial wedding/dnd/fashion photogs are getting. But you stand to gain credentials and portfolio that should help greatly if you intend to work in this field in the future.

Who are we looking for?

Passionate young photographers (preferably below 18) who are willing to learn, share and have fun. If you want to join and is above 18 (but still a student/NS/Uni), there is no restriction but be prepared to work in an environment of teenagers.

Interested to join?

Keep a lookout for our recruitment articles in zbComma, and follow the instructions inside. Also, feel free to email your name and contact to sheyingdui@gmail.com so we will take note of you =) We will then contact you to come down for a recruitment briefing and interview.

A year in review: 2008

Due to some stupid eye injury, i spent the last 2 days thinking and sleeping (what else can one do with his eyes closed?) My right eye still shows a blur mess, but at least it can open without feeling pain now. This post isn't going to have any pictures, so click on if u are interested in rants...

Remembering the moment when I first created this blog, the title was "shoot first, think later". That was my first phase in photography, to work out my techniques and familiarize myself with this hobby. It wasn't long before I grew out of that stage, looking out for unique angles, more details and trying to present them from a visually pleasing angle. Realizing the change, I renamed my blog to what it is now - "art from ordinary".

My works in 2008 more or less remains within the above description. I've added quite a lot of new gear, and they all serve to create more opportunities and angles for me to explore. While the quantity of the keepers improved substantially, have the quality improved?

To a certain extent, yes. There are images that were not even possible to create without the new stuff. I'm now able to shoot faster, longer, in less light and with less noise. But I'm afraid that is where it all ends. As I was browsing through past works, I was surprised at the lack of satisfaction I could derive from them. Most of the pictures could only relate what I saw, but not what I felt. Anyone with the same equipment and skill standing at the same location would have been able to create the same image. The human touch is lacking. There is no soul. This may all be stemmed from the lack of purpose when I made the images. And this is where I will work towards in the new year:

Capturing more than what the eyes can see.

Same place, same time, 365 days later

And the problem is, i like last year's composition better! Read on for some new year rants...

It's new years day. Are you happy? If you are, i don't need to wish you anything, and if you aren't, i suppose my wishes wouldn't be significant either.

The marina bay is going through some major changes, and i thought it would be cool to photograph the first sunrise of every year at this same spot. I'm only into my 2nd year, but i intend to make this a yearly affair, rain or shine. It's a symbolic spot, and a symbolic event. Hopefully the merlion will remain standing as long as the sun rises.