Hope, a fading glow
Gears: Leica R6 and Leitz Wetzlar Elmarit-R 90/2.8, on Kodak Gold 400
Location: Gas Processing Plant, Kerteh, Terengganu, Malaysia
LESSON LEARNED HERE: If you underexpose print films, you will not get the necessary shadow details. But given the wide latitude of print films, you can overexpose print films by 2 stops and yet get great results.
This ability for color neg films to be over-exposed and still reproduce decent images also accounts for the ability of print films to record much more brightness range than slides.
We often refer to this as “dynamic range”. In a slide, highlight information is stored as clear parts of the film that at a point contains nothing more than blank film base. Color negs continue to stack up increasing density (highlight) information until the film simply can’t record any more information.
Overexposing color negative film also makes it easier for most labs to get decent prints or scans, because more info is recorded. How much exposure compensation is needed? This probably varies with film but start with +.3 to+.5. Some film, maybe even one full stop.
This latitude doesn’t mean you’ll get an optimal result. It just means that within these ranges you can get a useable (depending on your purpose) result. Over- and under- exposure are mistakes. Film latitude should not be relied upon to cover mistakes in exposure.
Many people will intentionally reduce exposure of slide film by between a 1/2 stop and a full stop to increase colour saturation, retain detail in highlight areas and reduce grain. Some will also intentionally increase exposure on negative film by 1 to 1 1/2 stops to increase colour saturation and preserve details in shadow areas as well as reduce grain (grain can become very noticeable in underexposed areas of print film).
The swampy lagoon in Kuala Marang
The swampy lagoon in Kuala Marang is probably at it’s most beautiful in the late evening just as the sun is setting and the creatures of the night begin to stir their shift.
Gears: Leica R6 | Summicron 35mm F/2.0 | Fuji PRO 160S Location: Marang Fishing Village, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
In this post I’ll tell you how I discovered a beautiful swamp in Kuala Marang, about the crystal clear water that was full of real beauty, but the kind of beauty that you look at but don’t see unless you open your eyes and your heart.
Gears: Leica R6 | Summicron-R 35/2.0 | Fuji Superia 100
Location: Marang swamp land, Terengganu, Malaysia
Much of the area is a mosaic of wetlands and mesic flatlands subject to seasonal flooding. Flood and small bushfires largely govern the composition and distribution of vegetation, creating a distinctive mosaic of natural communities. Flooding also limits intensive agriculture and large-scale development, resulting in one of Terengganu’s most significant natural areas.
This is what the camera sees, so it has to be there, and it is! But often we don’t see the beauty because we are “beauty blind”. People are always in a rush, always rushing about, I guess that comes naturally when you live in big cities. I am just as guilty sometimes but not very often now my eyes are open.
Do you remember when they say, “see it through the eyes of a child”. Full of excitement and desire to explore. I truly feel that is how we should view the world around us.
Unfortunately often the case is the greed for land and money from the people of the past has endangered beautiful places like this. I often say “beauty is everywhere”, so try to see it and it will enhance your life like you would not believe. Just try it right now, look at something and try to see the details, the colors, the textures, the shapes see it differently than you did before.
Gears: Leica R6 | Summicron-R 2,0/35 | Kodak Gold 100
Location: Kuala Marang Fishing Village, Marang, Terengganu, Malaysia
The fools spent millions of dollars trying to built what they call progress and the damage they did may even now be irreversible. Thus beautiful swamps like this one we have here in Kuala Marang may be dying a slow death many and many species of plants, animals and birds are are on the endangered list they are disappearing at an alarming rate.
Gears: Leica R6 and Leica Summicron 35mm F/2.0, on Fuji Velvia 100 (RVP100F) Location: Marang Fishing Village, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
Interestingly, of course there are alligators in these swamps. I did not see any in the water but I was told by the old folks in Marang about the legend of the massive alligators. The alligators would certainly camouflaged very well and its hard to be see. The natural beauty of the area is beyond words.
If you get a chance to pass through Marang while you’re on your way to Kota Bharu to the North or going south to Kuala Lumpur, please take your time! Please go slow, please stop at overlooks, please take the time to hit a trail or two, it would be a real shame to drive by everything this awesome roadway has to offer.
Gears: Nikon D50 and Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM APO Location: Oyster farm, Marang Fishing Village, Terengganu, Malaysia
Life’s steep and thorny path (499570008)
Leica R6, Summicron-R 35/2.0, Kodak 200
Location: Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia
The Photo: This place is situated in Brinchang. It is quite easy to spot with its mock giant cactus replica at its entrance. It is located on a hill slope overlooking the night market area facing the Star Regency Apartment Hotel. As it is located on a hill slope, the center is terraced and the covering is built with skylight roof.
The Cactus Valley boasts of having the most variety of cactus plants. Some cactus is as old as 60 years old! Apart from cactus, several varieties of crops are cultivated here using hydroponics method. Tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers among others are grown here.
The hydroponics method of growing is not without is problem though at one time it was hailed as an efficient alternative way of growing crops.
However, the chemicals used though, give rise to other environmental problems when it has exhausted its nutrients and require disposing. Rows of potted giant cactus plants, want one for display in your house? Crops and cactus apart, other plants and flowers are grown here too. Roses, Calla Lily, Fuchsia, Camellia, Hibiscus, Rhododendron, Bird of Paradise to name a few, all can be found here.
Coming Home (36810027)
Do you ever think what orientation suits best for the subject you are trying to capture or do you just press the shutter release button and try your luck?
Orientation can greatly affect how and what image is presenting.
Most novices shoot everything horizontally – well it is much easier to hold and shoot in horizontal mode – especially the compact cameras, no?
Gears: Leica R6 and Leica Summicron 35mm F/2.0, on Kodak Colorplus 200 Negative
Location: Tok Jembal Beach, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
Invasion of The Shopping Cart (36790011)
Gears: Leica R6 and Summicron-R 35/2.0
Location: Mydin Mall, Padang Hiliran, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
The shopping cart or trolley, a very useful item in its place but otherwise a pretty uninteresting harmless wire basket on wheels, right? Right, but how come they seem to be taking over the world? No matter where I go I seem to come across one lurking in some darken corner of the street or poking out from an unexpected place.
The human fascination with dumping trolleys goes on and has made the innocuous shopping cart a common sight and an integral part of urban life.
So it’s not surprising that they have crept into our photography in one way or another and I am always continually amazed at the ingenuity of the photographers ability to use them so creatively in their work.
On Flickr a group also gives an ode to shopping trolleys and the endless torment they endure…being left by the side of the road, on freeways, in parks, in fact in all manner of weird and wonderful situations – usually far from their rightful home.
There at The Original Abandoned Shopping Trolley Project they pay homage to the trolleys and their tireless servitude..
Not much of a shed (36850012)
Gears: Leica R6 with Summicron-R 35/2.0
Location: The beach in Ladang, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
Though not much of a shed if you consider the scale of the monsoons we get annually, however it serves more as a half-done-garage for fishermen to hang their fish nets. Despite the humbleness of things that you can find by the beach, let us not forget that it is the sea which gives the fishermen life. Likewise, the sea gives new life to some of our depressed spirits.
You’re talking to me? (36910039)
Yeah it’s that De Niro’s tone of voice again. Who wouldn’t be amazed by such a character. Well such characters are quite a common scene when you’re at the fishing dock. It was a very fine morning by the jetty and these men has just finished uploading their catch for the week.
Gears: Leica R6 with Summicron-R 35mm F/2.0 on Fuji Superia 100
Location: Chendering Fisheries Complex, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
Exploring the tropical highlands (499570022)
- Gears: Leica R6, Summicron-R 35/2.0
Location: Berincang, Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia
Off in the distance I could hear a calming rumble of thunder. The rain patters softly on the roof of our hut while the occasional cricket can be heard just outside my door.
Do you realise the peaceful, calm feeling most people get when walking through, or living next to, a large group of trees belonging to a forest.
Well, this calm, peaceful feeling is not felt by people walking through or living near other areas where trees exist, such as large cities with treed boulevards, paths leading to haunted mansions, and edges of cliffs.
I truly believe that these “feelings are real… and DO matter”. Therefore, the happy feelings that people experience while walking through, or living near, a large group of trees belonging to a forest are not felt when walking through busy cities, heading toward a haunted house, or perched on the edge of a tree-lined cliff. This provides clear evidence that these large gatherings of trees encompass an unseen mystical force that can only be described as a forest.. Oh! How I miss the forest…
Waiting for the right light
Gears: Leica R6 and Leitz Leica Summicron-R 35/2.0, on Fujichrome Velvia 50 (RVP50F) Location: Terengganu State Museum, Losong, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
With practice and patience, one can anticipate when the conditions will be favorable. After a while my senses are more attuned to things like clouds, weather, and distractions. Rather than relying on luck and serendipity, I usually plan, research, and study the scene for long periods of time before I find “the right light”.
Sure, one can manufacture it, and we’ve all seen the wonder shots in the galleries of others – but if you think about the time and energy that goes into capturing that perfect scene, imagine all the “almost” shots, and the time and energy that went into them.
I would suspect that many photographers would say there is value in every shot. Because, even if they didn’t get the light just right in their location, someone – somewhere – when the sun set, nailed it perfectly!
However primitive or sophisticated your photography equipment, from a home-made pinhole camera to the most modern, totally-digital wonder, you, as photographer are striving to control, manipulate and exploit light.
Photography depends on light. Therefore, an understanding of light, what it is, how it behaves and how you can learn to use it, is essential to creating superlative photos.
Because the character and quality of a photograph can be altered by the character and quality of light, even the most-seasoned photographers puzzle over how a scene should be lit, what lighting angles to use for good results, and what exposure settings will bring out the best detail and tonal shading. When you are armed with the basic facts about light, you will find that such elementary questions become more easily-answered.
Decadence
Gears: Leica R6 and Summicron-R 35/2.0 Location: Pulau Ketam, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
It was a very fine morning, the river was so calm, soothing to my heart, so I decided have another shot at the Crystal Mosque coupled with the main landmark of the “city”, the Bukit Besar. The ruling government have been trying so hard to justify building such a monument for the people, well I guess this presentation wont help much.
Yacht Club vista
Gears: Leica R6 and Summicron-R 35/2.0 Location: Heritage Bay Club and Marina, Pulau Duyong, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
This facility has been developed by the government to cater to the yachting teams and officials who attend the annual Monsoon Cup held late in every year. I should come to this yacht club during sunset more often. I like the reflections on the glass walls.
Hydrocarbonic Sky
Gears: Leica R6 and Leitz Leica Summicron-R 35/2.0, on Fujifilm Superia 200 Location: Kerteh Oil and Gas Processing Plant, Kerteh, Terengganu, Malaysia
It is your employer’s duty to protect you from hazardous substances and hazardous situations whilst you are in work to minimise the risks of you developing an Industrial Illness or Industrial Disease.
For example, if your working environment is very noisy, it is your employer’s duty to reduce the noise to an acceptable level or, if this is not possible, to provide you with ear defenders to prevent Industrial Deafness or Noise Induced Hearing Loss. As long as your employer provides you with these ear defenders, it is your responsibility to wear them.
If your job brings you into contact with dangerous chemicals your employer should have already investigated the possibility of replacing the dangerous chemicals with less harmful ones and ensured that you have the minimal amount of contact with them as possible. If your employer has concluded that there is no way around you working with the dangerous chemicals, they should then provide you with protective clothing to wear. Again, it is your responsibility to wear the protective clothing once it has been provided.
Just a quote from a legendary art critique of our time for us to ponder for a bit:
"I know too that the powerful fear art, whatever its form, when it does this, and that amongst the people such art sometimes runs like a rumour and a legend because it makes sense of what life’s brutalities cannot, a sense that unites us, for it is inseparable from a justice at last. Art, when it functions like this, becomes a meeting-place of the invisible, the irreducible, the enduring, guts and honour." John Berger
writing with light 