Obligatory Post on Jan 1st

Puking late this year?

It's the time of the year again, where I feel obliged to update this blog. And it's pretty much the same scene again: Gloomy morning with no colours. There is a twist though.. the Merlion decided to hold it's vomit till much later, allowing me to catch the tranquil MBS reflections otherwise messed up by the fountain.

So.. speaking of reflections.. what are my thoughts on photography in 2015?

Yosemite Valley

Glimmer of hope

It was a rather last minute decision.. as I found myself suddenly having an extra 3 days to spare in California. Decided to go to the Mecca of landscape photographers - Yosemite Valley.

Yes it may be an overly photographed place, but it still never fails to impress. I knew it would be foolish to expect a picture that is comparable to those of grand masters, so I just visited the famous spots as much as my two legs could take me. 

Note to self: Rent a car next time I visit this place.

Autumn in Pittsburg

Lighthouse at Lake Erie

Definitely one of the more memorable moments of the year, I found myself visiting Pittsburg in October. Loved the cool weather and autumn colours. 

Jonathan Run falls, Ohiopyle 

Also learnt more about the characteristics of the Em10 and the different lenses, just in time for the highlight of my trip in the States - Yosemite National Park.

Taiwan Part 2

Finally!

Little did I expect to find myself in Taiwan yet again in November. This is my 4th time in Taiwan, yet there's still much more to explore and have fun. Easy country for a getaway.

This time we rented a car for a substantial part of the holiday, and the advantage is the ability to bring more gear and visit less touristy places, anytime you feel like it. You need a good mood to make nice pictures, and having your own set of wheels is a great way to have good mood!

Taiwan part 1

National Dong Hwa University, Hualien

As the year comes to a close, I've decided to do this year justice by posting a few more photos. It has undoubtedly been a happening year, especially the second half, with two trips to Taiwan and one long trip to different parts of the US.

The first Taiwan trip is boring. Partly because of a failed proposal, but more because it just kept raining. We were at the tail-end of a typhoon, and only had a single day of sunshine for the entire 2 weeks I was there.. 

As I said.. my sunshine didn't come..

More to come...

火树银花： 继续50年的璀璨与繁华

The past 50 years is has undoubtedly been spectacular. Singapore has rocketed from 3rd world to 1st. But according to the 20-80 rule, a huge 80% of the effort will be needed to sustain our growth from where we are right now. This effort will have to come from a new generation.. brought up in comfort and complacence. Do we have what it takes to carry on?

(Technical details and more photos after the break..)

Another year has gone by…

Yes. This blog is almost forgotten, with only 6 (now 7) posts this year. But photographically speaking, there were major changes to my gear and vision…

The city that never sleeps

Nobody reads this blog nowadays, but I felt obliged to post here as it is an experience that is hard to forget. This is my first time in the states, and it is definitely an eye-opening experience.

point.nine.five

It’s heavy. It’s big. It’s fully manual. It’s f0.95

Pasar Besar

Markets of Kelantan VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

In the center of a slightly elevated platform I sit, surrounded by green leafy vegetables, bright chilli, sprouts and the occasional toads that live in the drain beside. There are at least five other stalls around me, all selling the same stuff, but I am not stressed. I cannot be bothered to tout my wares, and I will pack the next packet of chilli only when the existing one is sold.

Half a cauliflower and half a cabbage can be sold as a set, so you can have variety without paying for both. Want something you don’t see? Ask. I am just lazy to display everything I have.

My children are all over the place, wondering around like stray animals. At least I give them clothes to wear, and food to eat.

Chatting and gossiping are my favourite pastimes. Otherwise I can go watch the old TV two stalls across. I can also choose to lie down and sleep. My neighbour will wake me up when a customer shows up.

By some matter of luck, at the end of the day I happen to earn enough to pay for dinner. Good enough already. I can now pack up and go get the other ingredients for tonight.

Why work so hard?

Hà Nội

Before the trip, I was in no mood to holiday. I haven’t done anything for my research, but was feeling tired all the same. After the trip, I was in no mood for research. What an irony..

同来望月人何处？风景依稀似去年。

80mm f1.1 equivalent

Feeling lost in Candyland?

Cream Machine

85mm might be too long for portraits on a DX camera, but it sure is great for melting the backgrounds away.. especially when combined with the Brenizer method.

You are my sunshine~

A sunny weather is sure to brighten up your day, just like how a sunny person can brighten up my life~

静思

27mm f0.65 equivalent

AFD 50mm F1.8

32mm f0.77 equivalent

Got to try out the auto-focus version of the 50mm, which is the cheapest Nikon lens available. Was originally concerned about the relatively poorer bokeh rendition of the lens compared to the new f1.4 from Sigma, since my primary use would be to create bokeh-ramas.

Masjid at the straits

Masjid Selat, Melaka

If not for the beauty of the sunset, I would probably be screwed for making the rest of my family wait for 1.5hrs doing nothing. The only pity was the lack of foreground elements, as the rocks were covered by the rising tides by the time the sun set, and I had no choice but to re-deploy to higher grounds (See comparison after the break).

自然

30mm f/0.79 equivalent

邻家女子，天真活泼，无矫揉造作的扭捏，少胭脂水粉的装点，美在劳动中，美在自然中 =D

‘Tis the season to bokeh-ing~

56mm f/1.3 equivalent

Another brutal semester has come to an end. It’s a great relief to go out to shoot again. I’ve always had such images in mind whenever I walked along orchard road, especially when the Christmas decorations are up, and I’m glad to have finally learnt how to create them. Happy holidays!

Bokeh-licious

82mm f/0.77 equivalent

No, I have not bought a new lens. But I learnt a new skill. A method so awesome I have to applaud its pioneer – Ryan Brenizer. He calls this the bokehrama, but people coined it the Brenizer method. Either way, I’ve been trying it out for a number of times and am now ready to talk more about it.