Artistic Nude Model Shoot - Iveta Niklova

Felt rather apologetic that I did not get an opportunity to update my blog for a couple of days.

Reason is that I organised a model shoot in KL. The model we have, Iveta Niklova who is based in London, is such a brilliant model that taking good shots of her isn'd difficult.

Organising the shoot, getting the right number of photographers for the outdoor shoot, charging just the right amount to cover the expenses, that is tiring. Then again, with such good response, I may just organise another shoot in the not too distant future.

Got to thank my host with regards to the outdoor shoot. Excellent buildings, and fascade. Truly enjoyable in the company of wedding photographers, event photographers, bankers, all great companies. Best to show some pix now/here. Let me share three for now.

'Angels' from Starbucks

if you come across these people, stop, take a cup of their sampler, and then proceed to buy a decent-size serving! Really, posting this to show how AI works in our life. The top pix was taken with the on-board flash, while the second one was taken using existing light. Not very different. Impressive AI flash.

KL Skyline - 1

Took some photographs from a condominium near KLCC. The colour of the sky was really dramatic. Just could not resist giving some 'oomph' to the photo (2), using Nikon's proprietary software, ViewNX, with a very surprising result. I love the photo. Rather pleasing to the eyes, in my opinion

photo 1

photo 2

Video vs Still Photography

I took up an assignment shooting the interiors of a corporation. Was rather worried about the time I will need to carry out the assignment as there are lots of rooms and facilities (plus talents) to take photographs of.

My contact then informed me that we are to take stills at the same time as the video crew. I agreed, without any hesitation. I only thought of not having to use studio lights and that if the client can save money on talents, why not.

Why not indeed. What a nightmare.

My assistant and I were given worse than third class treatment. Come to think about it, the reason why they can be so loud is the number of people they have in their team. Let me recall. They have:

1 Director
2 Creative Directors
1 Director of Photography
1 Director of business something
1 Camera man
1 Camera man's assistance (wire puller)
1 cue card writer / displayer
1 heavy equipment carrier
1 clamshell carrier (the remote screen)
3 assistants (2 ladies and 1 guy)

The photograph shown (intentionally blurred) is of half their team!

Thank goodness my client came to my defence after I protested that I cannot get any good shots if they continue with their bullying. My assistant got lots of flaks although we are always making sure we are not in their way. I was contemplating packing up and let them have their fun. Oh, and guess what. They shot using available lightings. That is not the worse thing. Some shots of theirs took forever. What we could have done in 6 hours, we had to finish in more than 20 hours - most of the time waiting..waiting... Cannot wait to see their video.

Interestingly, I was reading a book on photography today, and the author who shoots lots of wedding photographs, encountered the same problem with some video crews.

The reason I post this - if any of you have an assignment where you have to work with a video crew, make absolutely certain that your client will be firm with the video guys in that they do not ride roughshod over everyone, including the client. Otherwise, you may want to decline taking up the job.

My entries for the BASF Petronas Conscience Camera Award contest

As promised, these are two of my entries.

An ant holding up an injured ant

A pair of mating butterflies

Results of the Conscience Camera Award - BASF PETRONAS Chemicals

This year, the theme is “Chemistry in Our Life”.

Photographers must interpret and capture photos that show aspect/s of the theme clearly. Every photograph must have a short caption (in English) clarifying the theme depicted in the photograph.

The prize is good, so I participated. I am happy that my 2 entries were shortlisted, but not happy that I did not take home any money.

Nevertheless, I wonder if a couple of the winning shots answer to the theme. More like 'Chemicals' and not 'Chemistry'!

Here are the winning, and not so winning shots, taken at the exhibition site. Oh dear, having a tough time arranging the photographs. Never mind, I will just label them, rather than arranging the photographs.

Shortlisted - cuties submitted by my buddy, Paul Chan and his kid

Ahh, two of my entries. Guess which 2

Consolation Prize

2 Consolation Prizes

1st Prize

3rd Prize

Another Consolation Prize

The Judges -

2nd Prize

More Consolation Prizes

and more...

and there are a couple more short-listed photographs which I missed out.

Premier Quality Hashish?

Checked the back of the T-shirt. The one highlighting premier Hashish. No luck. No treasure map leading to the halucinatory world of hashish. For now, Heineken will do.

Prints on Canvas

Have you ever thought of printing your favourite photographs on canvas? Looks really cool. Cost is very reasonable, approximately RM0.20 per square inch. Our gallery can arrange for these prints if you are interested.

I have a good friend cum client, ordered this picture (yes, this has been processed), of fireworks at putrajaya, Malaysia. Very happy that this photograph is now adorning a wall.

Panning - girl on swing

I was visiting a friend and saw his daughter, Mel, playing a the swing. Sharing with you a photograph of her, after being absent for a couple of days. Panning this shot with a point and shoot. turns out ok.

If I have the time, I will edit my photographs before posting. Otherwise, they are posted straight off the camera.

Macro shots - two fighting spiders

Had been really busy finishing a couple of asignments, and that include preparing and sending out invoices. These two hairy spideys provide some relief to the mounting pressure of work.

What you see in the first pictures were two spiders circling each other. Then,

they were locked in battle. Alas, not for long. They scuttled away as soon as this photo was snapped.

I can still remember the days when, as a young boy, we went in search of similar type of spiders. These spiders normally make their nests in between two leaves that were strung together with their webs. Not that difficult to find once we became adept in locating their nests. As in photography, it is not too difficult to find interesting subjects when we are constantly scanning for them.

Anyway, for city folks who do not have the pleasure of growing up in Kampungs, we catch these spiders, place them in matchboxes (the matchboxes of yester years are rather difficult to come by these days), and bring them out to face their foes - another spider that is held in captivity until such 'fights' can be arranged. The good old days...

A great get-away near Bukit Tinggi

Again, I these pictures will tell more than what I can with thousands of words.

My neighbourhood was invited by this generous family who knows and appreciates the finer things in life. And what a life...! I can only share these few photographs (unedited) here. The rest will soon be uploaded in my website.

The place is great, the companies are great, and the fruits - yummy...

a brook running past the 'resort'

brook / river, taken from another angle

a shed overlooking the river/brook

yes, you guessed it, right outside the washroom

an outdoor jacuzzi

the host opening some durians

melts in your mouth, full flavour

the host and hostess ensuring that we have the best fruits

BMW Superbikes @ Genting

This is one of the photographs I took at the Genting 4 x 4. Looks much more interesting and exciting than the 4 x 4, in my opinion. But then again, they cost an arm and a leg.

A rich enthusiast

The BMW rider, Ah Boy and the official photographer Ah Heng

Here's Ah Boy showing how to get wet - both bike and rider

If, and when I can find the time, will share with you more images.

A new motorsports religion?

after kneeling down for a long while, giving his offerings, this monster came to live. raw sound and muscle. a really beautiful monster. Nearby, saw this really sweet girl.

4 x 4 Motorsports at Genting Highlands

Was in Genting for a small job. While there, took the opportunity to take these photographs. Now I know what 'Big Foot' is. Wonder how the driver handles this monster of a vehicle. What is mind boggling, or should it be ear-shattering, is that I was drawn to this vehicle (in red) about 200 metres away by the sound that emitted from the vehicle. If the driver and/or passenger in the vehicle are not wearing ear plugs when they blast the music, I am pretty sure they will be deaf within a week.

the wheels are as 'tall' as the girl in the pix

Running into our (Malaysia) king and our former prime minister

Photographs are such wonderful tools. Cleaning up my disk and saw this photo that I took a year ago. It was just like yesterday that I took this shot.

What is interesting is that there are many photographers on the day, and I remember there was one who stood out - literally and physically. He just pushed and shoved to be in front of all of us. I just wonder if he managed to snap one like the above. I guess not, since we have just less than 5 seconds to snap a photo of the king walking towards us, surrounded by his security personnel, and I secured 3 seconds from his majesty.

This image is possible courtesy of Chan Swee Meng. We were there on an assignment and Dr Mahathir was one of the two guests of honour. He was sporting enough to pose for a photo with me. Would love to take a photo with Anwar Ibrahim and his wife. Unfortunately, on the day he was about inches away, my buddies were not with me, and therefore no photographs with him.

Beautiful shadows

There are a number of photographs of shadows of trains of camels that I really love. Too bad I will not be able to take to the air and take such shots. Then again, ants too, gives great shadows. I particularly like these where the shadows look nicer than the actual thing.