A Life Shot In Black And White
FM2 | 50/1.4AI | Tri-X 400
Chendering Fisheries Complex, Kuala Terengganu (2007)
One of the best things about street photography is that it is like going on an unknown voyage. You just never know what you are going to find, or what shots you are going to make. Maybe a real nightmare for the average coordinator but such a treat for those who dislike any form of planning. And mind you, most other forms of photography demand heaps of preparation in advance. So there! A life shot in black and white.
D50 | 50/1.4AI
First day of Ramadhan, Tok Jembal, Terengganu (2009)
Many people believe it is necessary to study arts and design in order to come up with a satisfactorily constructed picture.
But since photography is a tool for both documenting and self expression, the design of a photograph is inferior in importance. The composition of a photograph should be spontaneous to the scene and employed by the photographer’s vision not by a set of rules for correct design.
Not that a basic understanding of composition and design could hurt anyone, but don’t let that bother you too much and definitely don’t let it be the main factor when making your choices.
Next I’d like to quote an article from a young photojournalist, Lizane Louw, where she described how her passion in photojournalism has affected her life very much. This is what she had to say,
FM2 | Tokina RMC 135/2.8 | Tri-X 400
Under Kuala Ibai Bridge, Kuala Terengganu (2007)
“In my job I meet many influential people. Sometimes my road crosses with a person that inspires me on various different levels. I had the privilege to meet someone that changed the way I think, that changed my spiritual perceptions and that moved me and my thoughts very deeply.
Since meeting Hylton, I have been spending many days sitting and thinking about his story. In my heart and in my mind there are so many emotions that jump around if I think about our brief encounter. I struggle to find words to describe my gratitude and admiration. I thank the creator for choosing me to take these photographs and to let my path in life cross with his. It was a privilege to speak to him.” (Quote from Source: Lizane Louw)
Nikon D50 | Sigma 70-200/2.8
SUKMA XII Swimming Competition, Batu Burok Swimming Complex, Kuala Terengganu (2008)
However, one has to remember that in some unfriendly neighborhoods, shooting on the street can be extremely difficult and close to impossible. Any attempt to take pictures would inevitably lead to unwanted attention from the neighborhood drug dealers who populated the street corners and alleys. I personally do not believe in “assaulting” people with a camera. Don’t be surprised when most of the subjects that you approached may not be willing to be photographed. Should they be blamed?
There have been so many approaches to street photography, so far ranging in their unique style, that I believe the lack of exploitation and ability to contain meaning into the image which is technically competent are the big necessities in street photography or photo journalism.
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.
My favourite spot under the bridge has never let me down (36850021)
Gears: Nikon FM2 with Nikon AFS Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 on Kodakcolor GOLD 400
Location: Under the bridge in Kuala Hiliran, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
Gears: Nikon FM2 with Nikon AFS Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 on Kodakcolor GOLD 400
Location: Under the bridge, Losong
Are you afraid of the dark? (DSC_3887)
Gears: Nikon D50 and Sigma 70-200/2.8
Location: Oyster farm, Kuala Marang, Marang, Terengganu, Malaysia
Gears: Nikon D50 and Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM APO
Location: Oyster breeding spot, Marang Fishing Village, Terengganu, Malaysia
Processing: White Balance, Contrast
Wild Fire (DSC2298)
Gears: Nikon D50 and Leica Leitz Wetzlar Summicron-R 35/2.0
Location: Gong Kuin, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
After the heavy monsoon season settled down these 6 to 7 feet tall grass just grow like wild fire in my backyard. As much as I like them for photography subjects they are also the breeding ground for some ferocious cobras.
Nikon D50 | Leica Elmarit-R 90/2.8
Pandanus greeting the beachgoers (DSC2495)
The art of weaving with the leaves of the pandanus or also known as the thatch screwpine tree, is pivotal to the history of the Terengganu people, with everything from thatched floor mats, baskets to traditional thatch wall panels being made in this fashion.
The weather’s been great this past few weeks thus we can see people start flying kites by the beach.
Nikon D50 | Leitax mounted Summicron-R 35/2.0
Being a photographer is more like being a composer
Gears: Nikon D50, Vivitar 24mm f/2.0 Location: Chinatown (Kampung Cina), Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
The Terengganu state government is going to turn Kuala Terengganu into a waterfront city soon. The master plan for the Shah Bandar area is being finalised and is likely to be shown to the public later this month. “The state government will then call all stakeholders to respond,” a conservationist, who declined to be named, said.
Under the plan, Masjid Putih (Zainal Abidin) will be rehabilitated and more public places and boardwalks culminating in Kampung Cina and Pasar Payang will be created, she said. While new public plazas will take on Islamic designs, the Chinese theme in Kampung Cina will be preserved, she said. “There are proposals to build shop houses on stilts or on some reclaimed land in Kampung Cina. These shop houses will be fronting the sea and will be similar in design to the old shop houses that have the back facing the sea,” said the source, adding that houses with illegal extensions will have to be demolished.
Points to ponder:
The “guitar:guitarist, hence, camera:photographer” metaphor is a bit off IMO. Being a photographer is actually more like being a composer. You create new works, rather than simply playing/interpreting works written by others.
Morning Catch (DSC2208)
Nikon D50 | Leitax mounted Summicron-R 35/2.0
Skipping on mud (DSC9294)
It was late afternoon, passed by the riverside on my way back from seeing a friend mending his yacht. The light was too beautiful to miss the opportunity of wetting my pants in the mangroves.
Leitz Wetzlar Elmarit-R 90/2.8 | Leitax Adaptor
Tagging along the route of the photon particles (89800004)
We were special guests for Mr Tseng Lip the generous and hospitable resort owner of Laguna Redang Resort
in Redang Island of the shores off Terengganu
The photon differs from many other elementary particles, such as the electron and the quark, in that it has zero rest mass; therefore, it travels (in a vacuum) at the speed of light.
This guy (I mean Photon) is the elementary particle responsible for the electromagnetic phenomena. His scope of work is to carry electromagnetic radiation of all wavelengths, including in decreasing order of energy, gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet light, visible light, infrared light, microwaves, and radio waves. Oh yes, of course he also carries the visible light that we all use for photography.
Photon particles travelled through the: Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI lens, into a Nikon FM2 film SLR body and finally it arrives on the Fujichrome Velvia 100 (RVP100F)
And all this took place at the: Redang Island, South China Sea, Terengganu, Malaysia
And I: Did not mess with what the photons did to the film emulsion afterwards
A study of ripples and bokeh (DSC8056)
Gears: Leitz Wetzlar Elmarit-R 90/2.8
Location: Pengkalan Mercang, Marang, Terengganu
Being limited in its maximum aperture, dramatic bokeh isn’t expected; however, you can see how there is a smooth gradation between the in-focus foreground and the out-of-focus background (an important consideration). That is one aspect of bokeh character that I like most with my Leitz Wetzlar Elmarit-R 90/2.8.
writing with light 