30th November 2008

Another month to go and it's "Hello 2009". Been busy with my day job and also clearing of the outstanding TFCDs that have been planned earlier on. Here are some of the shots taken at my previous shoot with Ivan. She is Allison, a finalist of America's Next Top Model Season 10. It isn't an idea month to shoot outdoors because it is raining frequently during this period of the year. That was what happened during the shoot. It was scorching hot in the beginning of the shoot but it started to pour halfway through. We had to move to a shelter and thus the lighting condition was not good. Ivan immediately set up a strobe from his mobile studio.

That's what prompted me to read up on the studio lighting after the shoot. (The book was on my shelf for quite sometime now. ) I got to know more about modeling light, softbox, the white balance used and different types of studio settings. Currently planning a studio shoot for a friend.

A few weeks back, I saw an interesting topic in one of our local paper - "Arty Nude or Lewd". (http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/st...84539,00.html?). A local model spoke about her experience in modelling lingerie and bikini. (http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/st...84538,00.html?). I personally have not reached the standard for taking artistic nude photography. I feel that if not done properly, the photos taken will give people the impression as lewd as there is only a thin line between soft-porn and arty feel. I realised that nowadays , there are more and more photoshoot organisers popping up at one of our photography forums. Most of the "models" they hired are students wanting to earn their tuition fee or pocket money. I'm not saying that they don't have the potential of becoming a model. In fact, there are a few with great potential. What I do not understand is why some student models have to jump straight into bikini and lingerie shoots for their first few assignments, when they still have a lot to learn about posing and bringing out the correct mood for every shoot. It's not so easy to become a model. You will understand what I mean if you have watched "A Model Life with Petra Nemcova" or "America's Next Top Model".

I can accept bikini shoots involving experienced models (although a lot of post editing to do). Till date, I've only done one and a half bikini shoot. What happened to the other half? I didn't carry on for the 2nd shoot as it was a group shoot and a few photographers really disgusted me with their lewd attitudes. The feeling was simply not right. It was like a pack of wolfs surrounding a little sheep. I walked off and shot another girl clad in T-shirt and jeans instead. Lingerie shoot? What is the objective for shooting a model in lingerie? Is it to bring out the design of the sexy lingerie or is it about something else? I really doubt the objectives of some of the photographers as some of the models involved in the lingerie shoots are barely out of their teens.

Enough of my ramblings. Whatever it is, ask yourself if you are taking part in lingerie and bikini shoots - "What is your real objective when you sign up for the shoots?" and "Why did you pick up photography in the first place?"

Black & White

Have not been updating my blog recently cause I'm been busy with my day job. Above are some of the shots taken last week from Ivan's shoot. Heather from Canada. My medium format camera (Seagull TLR) shutter when dead on me during the last shoot and I've not send it in for repair. Without the B&W film "Soul Capture" box I can only convert picture to B&W with photoshop.




These are some of the shots taken by film early this year. Currently looking for 35mm film camera, a SLR most probably. Brand new SLR are rare in the market therefore a 2nd hand ones for me will do. I'm looking for a Nikon F4 or F5 at the moment. Basically I'll shoot B&W only on 35mm.

Alan & Evelyn

Dolling Up

The Bride and Her Entourage

Looking Radiant

The Groom and His Gatecrashing Party

The Search Is Over

Eternal Bliss

Embarking on a New Journey

Mr and Mrs Alan Ong

Me and Mark taking a break

Yesterday was the third wedding shoot assignment for me - Alan's and Evelyn's big day. The bride is a Cantonese, so the groom had to prepare a roasted suckling pig for his parents-in-law. My wife is also a Cantonese but as my mother-in-law wanted to simplify the wedding procedures, she asked for roasted meat instead. Haha... my "brothers" had it easy as compared to Alan's "brothers". They had to help him carry the suckling pig all the way to the bride's house.

Alan and his "brothers" were also spared the "torture" by the "sisters" during gatecrashing as he had the full support of his mother-in-law. She opened the gate for him before the "sisters" could think of any other "tortures". Lucky groom, we have here. The moral of the story for all future grooms - work on building good relationship with your future mother-in-law. She will be your saviour on your wedding day.

Cheers to Alan and Evelyn! Enjoy your honeymoon and wishing both of you a blissful marriage!

Beautiful Mistake

Rachel T - Lens Flare - 01

Rachel T - Lens Flare - 02

Finally completed part 2 of Rachel's shoot last Sunday. Just like the last shoot, I've split this shoot into 2 album. One with a brighter feel and the other with a darker touch. During this shoot, I've encountered a number of lens flare in my shots. I've tried changing angles and setting but it doesn't seem to go away. But come to think of it, the lens flare effect does give an artistic touch. Well, that's just my point of view. =)

The Unfinish Part 2

Did a shoot with Rachel in August buy we didn't finish second part of the shoot due to foul weather. As our schedule were pack and unforeseen event popping up one after another, we had to postpone the shoot for a few time. We've finally fix a date for the second shoot. I'm really looking forward to the shoot.

The Wedding Banquet ( Douglas & HuangMin )

A few weeks back, Mark informed me that RuiQi would like us to help her cousin on his wedding day shoot. Just the wedding banquet shoot he mentioned. I was thinking with such short period of time, would we be able to capture their moments? I'd like to capture candid moments whenever possible. However, they would freeze their facial expressions when they notice my camera pointing towards their direction. Now I understand why professional wedding photographer pack a long lens (70-200mm) with f2.8 to handle low light situations.

This is my second wedding day shoot. I hope to take up more of such shoots in future and improve on my composition and skills.

First F1 Night Race in Singapore

Singapore's first F1 night race ended last Sunday night with Fernando Alonso (Team Renault) winning the Marina Bay Circuit. All thanks to my buddy Mark, who managed to get two free tickets for both of us to witness history in the making. Could not really do panning as there were tall fences round the tracks and we had to move to the top of the grandstand to avoid capturing the fences in my viewfinder. I stood at the side of the grandstand throughout the whole event, hoping to capture some nice shots.

Couldn't really get a decent candid shot too as we were not allowed to walk about during the race. I would really like to capture the action at the pit stop, do panning shots at eye level, taking candid shots of the team in preparing and gearing up before the race, and many more. That can only be achieved if I were the official photographer. I couldn't even enter the pit stop and starting point.

The F1 night race will take place in Singapore for the next 4 years.

T h e . . . E x o t i c . . . S a m b a . . . R o b e r t a

This is my second shoot with Ivan and I'm simply amazed with his set-up and the location he chose. I still prefer to shoot with my 30mm and 85mm prime lens.

The Wedding Day Shoot

Anticipation

The Tools of Torture

The Groom & Brothers

Gate Crashing

Anything for My Love

Hold My Hand

The Tea Ceremony

Father of the Bride


Cheers for the Couple


Wedding Couple, Brothers & Sisters

I was given the opportunity to capture my friend Nick's "Teochew style" wedding last Sunday. This is my first wedding day shoot assignment and when I heard the reporting time, I almost fainted. 4am?! First thing that appeared in my mind was "What time do I need to wake up in order to reach the bride's house punctually?". I definitely couldn't shoot with natural light since it was still dusk. Flash photography would be required which happens to be my less preferred style.
Next was the details of wedding banquet. 60 table shots would have to be taken within 2hrs as requested by the wedding couple. That meant that the timing for the guests of each table to be ready for the shoot and to take each shot must be within 2mins. I asked Mark for help in this wedding assignment and thus there were 2 photographers and 1 videographer (Nick's Brother) covering the whole day event. I actually preferred taking candid shots during the wedding banquet but due to the sheer number of tables and the tight programme schedule, I could not really capture much candid shots. But I must say I really enjoyed the whole process of the wedding and the banquet. Nick and Fionn, thanks for inviting me to be your wedding photographer and to share your happiest moments on your wedding day.