Nothing cheers me up like a good old table of meat. Not particularly a meat lover myself but eating that stuff can be satisfying, probably some ancient mechanism to encourage hunting behavior. Anyway, feel totally cheered up now. Poor at portrait? That only means more practice! Street photography next week with David! Challenge: Who can be the weirdest weirdo on Orchard Road (Holding a camera)! WOOHOO!
I failed to realize again. Worst fear is usually reality. I should have turned back. I should have polished my skills more. I am still not ready to capture people. Why did I see, that I am still just a beginner. Why did I even try to capture the beauty of others?
Going to stop working with people for now. I started this journey staring at things, not people. And rightfully I should continue looking at things.
Then this sudden realization hit me: I grew up. Though I'm venting my frustration here, I don't feel sad at all. I understand.
Hahahaha... So that's the lesson of my 21st? Just like what you said. Expect everything in life but don't expect anything from it. What you believe is a job well done may just be a total screw up in others' eyes. Does it mean that I should give up my dream too? How would I know that my "help" won't be another's "trouble"?
No, I'm not going back to there again.
Going to stop working with people for now. I started this journey staring at things, not people. And rightfully I should continue looking at things.
Then this sudden realization hit me: I grew up. Though I'm venting my frustration here, I don't feel sad at all. I understand.
Hahahaha... So that's the lesson of my 21st? Just like what you said. Expect everything in life but don't expect anything from it. What you believe is a job well done may just be a total screw up in others' eyes. Does it mean that I should give up my dream too? How would I know that my "help" won't be another's "trouble"?
No, I'm not going back to there again.
Just want to thank all of you who become part of my 21st birthday. The book is really really well done and I love it.
To be very very honest, I never for a moment considered myself to be a good photographer. I am always afraid. I fear that my pictures are unsatisfactory. I fear that my pictures fail to show the true beauty all of you possess. All of you are so bright in my eyes, full of beauty, wisdom, fun, everything.
It's this fear that pushes me forward. No, it's not only fear. I work hard because I want to capture each of you in your full glory before I no longer have the chance to just like so many times before. It's ok. I will continue to learn and surely one day I can capture each of you in your full beauty.
All the best to myself! Hahahahahahahaha!
Merry Christmas & happy new year. Wish all of you a fantastic year ahead.
Eunice: Yep, the album is really nice. And your job next year will be to convince everyone to smile more... ESPECIALLY TOWARDS MY CAMERA!
William + Xinlian: It's a great joy to have you as my leaders too! And I've already been blessed beyond my wildest dream. You all are a blessing so great to me that I dare not ask for more.
Fiona: Yep, wish to know you better too!
Julia: Sometimes I think I see His plan for me, then some other time He seems to do things beyond my wildest expectations. All that I can say right now is that He has a fantastic plan for me. And that He has a fantastic plan for you, for all of us. May God's hand be upon us all. :)
Jeremy|cruse: Thank you. Hahahahahaha!
Eric: I'm glad to have you as my brother in Christ too.
Shenyu: NS days are well, nowhere near that end and have zero stress on me. :) And I know my 21st year walking on this little rock will be fantastic. Wish you a wonderful 18th too!
Ivan: And I will be a better 'IT'. Trust me.
Renshen: You used one of my favorite quotes. And that's awesome!
To be very very honest, I never for a moment considered myself to be a good photographer. I am always afraid. I fear that my pictures are unsatisfactory. I fear that my pictures fail to show the true beauty all of you possess. All of you are so bright in my eyes, full of beauty, wisdom, fun, everything.
It's this fear that pushes me forward. No, it's not only fear. I work hard because I want to capture each of you in your full glory before I no longer have the chance to just like so many times before. It's ok. I will continue to learn and surely one day I can capture each of you in your full beauty.
All the best to myself! Hahahahahahahaha!
Merry Christmas & happy new year. Wish all of you a fantastic year ahead.
Eunice: Yep, the album is really nice. And your job next year will be to convince everyone to smile more... ESPECIALLY TOWARDS MY CAMERA!
William + Xinlian: It's a great joy to have you as my leaders too! And I've already been blessed beyond my wildest dream. You all are a blessing so great to me that I dare not ask for more.
Fiona: Yep, wish to know you better too!
Julia: Sometimes I think I see His plan for me, then some other time He seems to do things beyond my wildest expectations. All that I can say right now is that He has a fantastic plan for me. And that He has a fantastic plan for you, for all of us. May God's hand be upon us all. :)
Jeremy|cruse: Thank you. Hahahahahaha!
Eric: I'm glad to have you as my brother in Christ too.
Shenyu: NS days are well, nowhere near that end and have zero stress on me. :) And I know my 21st year walking on this little rock will be fantastic. Wish you a wonderful 18th too!
Ivan: And I will be a better 'IT'. Trust me.
Renshen: You used one of my favorite quotes. And that's awesome!
Whenever I am weary of this world, I go and listen to this song. "Seeking faith and speaking words that I'd never known I'd said..."
Lord... I beg you... Make me believe in my work. Guide me by my hand so I know it is from You and so I can continue walking despite the storm against it. Oh... Please... I believe in miracles because I believe in You. I believe that my strength is weak in front of You so it can be stronger and You can make my weakness my strength. All I need is that feeling, that feeling that You are behind me wherever I am, that nothing can stand in my way because You are with me. Oh Lord, bless those who are around me and make me a blessing to them. Give them the capacity to raise one another up and not put one another down. Give me the power to heal broken relationships and not to watch them get broken further.
And finally, a selfish prayer for myself. To have someone who can understand this me who can't be understood. To let me see that person, whoever she is. And grant me the ability to understand her.
And thanks in advance.
Amen. †
I find myself craving for faces today. The emotions, the feelings, the figure, the poster, the moment. It's like a drug. The catch light, the smirk at corner of his mouth, the soft smile on her lips, the fringes, nothing can compare to the feeling of capturing those moments on a photo.
Anyway, been talking about life with a few people lately. One of them nearly made me decide to move out of my position as an observer. I took a tiny step forward but nothing happened so I moved back to where I was. But with what I saw, I can never be a true observer again. "If you don't jump, how would you know that you can fly?" I jumped. I didn't fall or fly. I just float there. It's ok, I'll be even more active soon. An active observer... Seems like an interesting idea.
I also began to realize my role as an observer. To capture beauty and through this beauty, somehow empower others. It's needs skill and talent, which will probably take years for me to accumulate. But at least now I know where I want to go as a photographer. It's time to move!
Anyway, been talking about life with a few people lately. One of them nearly made me decide to move out of my position as an observer. I took a tiny step forward but nothing happened so I moved back to where I was. But with what I saw, I can never be a true observer again. "If you don't jump, how would you know that you can fly?" I jumped. I didn't fall or fly. I just float there. It's ok, I'll be even more active soon. An active observer... Seems like an interesting idea.
I also began to realize my role as an observer. To capture beauty and through this beauty, somehow empower others. It's needs skill and talent, which will probably take years for me to accumulate. But at least now I know where I want to go as a photographer. It's time to move!
The final album of photos. Will relax for a while after this one. All these time, you ladies and gentlemen have been my candle in the darkness, my bonfire under the moonlight. Wish to take this opportunity to thank you all, those who are included in this photo and those who are not. All of you share one common title: N350. You have brought so much joy into my life that I can hardly contain it all. Thank you!
Same rules, click to enlarge. Enjoy!
Since the light is in quite a monotonous yellow, I thought I must well make it black and white. And it works unexpectedly well!
Passing of the flame, from one heart to another.
Dazzled by the little kindle, how amazing is this little flame?
Mama goose of the group! Cheers!
A smile in the darkness can brighten up the day of any one, keep smiling!
A young girl wondering in her dreams. Keep dreaming and it will keep you alive wherever you go.
Your voice ringing like tiny little bells, jingling in the mist, guiding those who are lost.
Looking at this wild fire, even I want to shine.
Don't take photo for me. A photo of this one is not necessary.
Just keep on being awesome.
Your flame brightens up the darkness.
Your very existence keeps me staying here like an invincible, unrelenting force.
Don't fear uncertainty, embrace it.
Don't hide because even you do, I will one day catch on.
It's never about here, there, anywhere.
Or what you are holding.
You standout without trying.
And standout even more when you do try.
I observe your every action.
And every emotion. You can call me a "stalker" but I prefer the name of an "observer".
In short, I love you all. I love to observe you, to see you, to understand you. So be with me till I can't be with you anymore.
After info obtained from the skin tone test, I embark on the next batch of my photo stockpile. The most notable part about this batch is "the moment". The moment he smiled, the moment he frowned, the moment he acted...
Click to enlarge, enjoy!
Click to enlarge, enjoy!
The moment he saw his prize and his victory. Would be my prize of the day if it were not for another picture. A balanced composition.
That's what he looks like when he prepares to hit. Doubt he realizes that himself.
A moment of tranquility. The place we played pool was nice and quiet on that day. Another shot that I would have called prize of the day in other circumstances. But not this time.
Gay boy playing with my camera. I guess I look slightly better when I'm concentrating.
Calm before the storm. Rich color and void of people. That makes a wonderful place and wonderful pictures (taken by me. hahahahahaha!).
Beginning of a storm. Dazzled by the rich color of my lens. Looks like my old 50mm is not useless after all.
Keep your shitty music to yourself! Hahahahahaha!
Undisputed prize of the day. Wonderful color, wonderful smile, wonderful spin. Naise!
Concentration, concentration, this is a game of concentration... Nice composition and layering though.
One of my best shoots so far, 3 prize out of 40 pictures. Just fantastic.
People look at their best when they are concentrating on something. And I am fortunate enough to take picture of these beautiful ladies and handsome guys when they are concentrating on pool. Same rules, click to enlarge. Enjoy!
I swear cotton candies are evil! It is so sweet that it is evil!
I like the balanced spread of cue balls and their reflections on this shot. It is right to place Eric in the center for a balanced composition.
Ivan aiming for a shot! Shouldn't have cut Sheng yu's head off in this picture though. My oversight...
I love Julia's concentration, vision and posture (probably because most people seldom pose themselves into a diagonal line?)! Wished to have cropped this shot a little better though (there's another one that is cropped better but lacks the concentration Julia is showing in this shot).
Ivan teaching Eric pool. Just love my timing. Lol!
Not as nice as the last one in my opinion. Julia occupied too much of the frame, makes viewer wonder what is she aiming at.
Love Sheng yu's expression and lighting. Maybe better if I move the frame a little lower to see what he's looking at.
This is a problem I've not encountered on the other shots. Due to light reflecting off the pool table, Eunice's face appears blue. Wonder why it didn't happen on anyone else... The angle of light?
A closeup. I just like it for some reason...
Ivan's going for it... Ivan's going for it!
Got the exact right aperture to make Jeremy's face sharp. And I love the angle of this shot. Wish I showed Eunice's face to balance Jeremy's but then the bottom half would be too empty. Maybe a few cue balls?
Ivan's concentration. It's almost like he's hunting and he's aiming at his pray. Lovely!
Jeremy preparing for a shot and Renshen is giving advises. Brother in arm.
Another concentration shot. I focused the attention on the white ball letting Ivan's vision and aim balance the top half of the shot.
Attracted by the smile of a happy man. Hahahahaha!
Favorite shot. The vision, the drive, the balance and the goal. Bam! A clean shot! Beautiful!
Should have let the cue balls occupy a space further right. And my focus is slightly off. But I guess everything turned out ok in the end.
Fantastic!
PS: While going through all the shots I suddenly realized that during pool, it's never nice to take from behind a person. It doesn't show their expression and somehow just dilute all the emotions. Note taken.
A series of photos taken near Tiong Bahru on top of some sky bridge with David Gan. One of the more boring shoots we had... But still, this bridge in the sky totally amazed me. We passed by this garden that reminded me very much of my past. The memories are so vivid that I could almost saw a kid playing around the stairs... Was that reality? Or was that a dream? Have I been to a garden just like this? Or was it my brain messing with me? Did I even have a past? Maybe I was made just yesterday, filled with memories like this. Nobody could tell.
The wooden floor of the sky bridge, curled up in this perfect curve with wooden texture.
Some buildings in the distant and the majestic clouds.
Through the gaps of the wooden planks, a taxi flashes by.
Then we arrived at this garden... A garden so strange yet so familiar. I used to go to a garden just like this when I was in China, together with my primary school friends... Memories, dreams and reality... They are now just a huge mess.
The aged and corroded concrete railings.