Rabani's Photo Collection

See more photos by rabani on TrekEarth

Kota Marudu Adventist 4WD Club

The Best Four Wheeler of the Day... We headed straight to the Kota Marudu-Goshen river to have a look at the "playing" spot for that eve. I have been missing most of the clubs activities since early this month. This time i'm not letting go, chances should be grabed,so that was what i did. After the gotong-royong of the club members to built the new building that will act as the Clubs office, we were so eager to test our offroad driving skills.

Mr James, a.k.a Echo79, went first with his BJ40 into one of the deadly no enter spot. You know what to look out when there is only sand+water-rocks coz you surely get stucked.

(Mr James Gopori with his unlucky truck)

To race the engine more is just like digging your own tomb. so Racing the FUel Pedal is a Great NO when youre stuck on SAND and MUD.

There where about 6 vehicles who played today... one of them is mine.A Suzuki with upgraded turbo-diesel engine. Lightweight and size is always a great advantage in offroad challanges. Mr Lawrance Bingku and a friend Mr Jackin (oops,sorry if i mispelled)
Hurm, a beautiful scene of Kota Marudu River and ofcourse, my LandRover110.
I was also stucked in the Mud... Winch is always a VERY useful recovery tool.Hey, at first it was me... And now when i'm out, the other guy purposedly jump in the trap, just to have some fun...
By the way, we are not only having fun. THis is PART of our Training. We might face such obstacle in the future, by then, we are READY.
another simple obstacle.... for well trained people. Yet, if you dont have good tires... erm, its like having a nail without a hammer...
The supporters of the day...
one of the activity.. offroad 4WD drag race....

Breeze Magazine 2nd Issue

Here is an online copy of Breeze Magazine for everyone to view. Its a new magazine dedicated especially for the people around Sabah, and ofcourse Kota Kinabalu. Its feed with the most update event and information for everyone to see,view, read and gain. Right now, its on its process of growing its popularity in Sabah. The mag is for free (if im not mistaken) at the momenth.

Me? well, im just a simple collector... (duh,si frisco tembirang lagi)... okay... some of the pictures in there are my works. Try find my name in the third page if you can... photographer konon, but i love working with this magazine company... its just that i'm a bit too busy with my other commitments till i could hardly spend time for my pictures for them.

What about it? just click and have a bigger look at it. enjoy the modern design and look. You will never regret viewing it!!!

Making It Right At First Click

I ALWAYS challange myself to make my first shot right thus require me no extra work to deal with the post-processing work that most lausy photographers prefer to do. To be professional means to be able to take control of your tools and produce optimum result at a competant rate... meaning you are accurate in your job. To be professional also means people appreciate your job thus hiring you or paying you for your work. Well, the term "pro" itself can be explained in various ways... for me, i rather want less time but quality produced work.

Photos bellow are ofcourse not the "perfects" that i shot, perfect is self defined in the art world. One may criticize your work, others may value... but still, i say that "beauty is not everything, t's appreciation that matters"... so why care what others say? you convey what you have in mind, thats what artist do and they only gain acceptance when they succed in convincing others what beauty is for them...

These shoots have not been edited for any enhancement. thats what my DSLR sensor sensed when i click the shutter button. You might say its just ordinary, but to get something right at a scene is not as easy as you think it is. Your mind constantly works and if you dont get the calculations right... you'll have to do extra work on the monitor later....

Both shoots above where taken at Warisan Square at night during CNY 2008. To get these result is no piece of cake. You need trained hands and trained technique to produce sharp shoots with the lowest light available.

my tips:
1st, eat enough so that your hand won't shake (as it usually happens to me when im hungry),

2nd, dont use LCD live preview, use the viewfinder and stick it close and firm to your eye,

3rd, Hold your breath at a count of three and click, never breath while snapping since possibility of shake might occur that increase the risk of blurred pictures.

***psst, these tips apply to all camera types... not only DSLR....


These shoot was taken, in the evening. what i like about this is the colors of the sky and the tones shadows and highlights of the buildings. something contrast that makes me feels... GOOD~ what i used? a circular polarizer.. (for those who ain't any idea on what it is, search it at google-circular polarizer). Just fine tune, keep an eye at the viewfinder, notice the color change... when it comes right... you snap...

Im thinking of ordering an NDgrad filter from Cokin, but maybe next time...

I was in Louis Pangs Wedding Photography Seminar

So i was in the seminar? wow... spot me if you can... hahaha... hope Louis wont raise his eyebrows to see me picking his pictures...

The seminar was great, with great food and... great information and educational tips on being a wedding photographer... i will be looking forward to be in his workshop-seminar in the future... Love it much...

(photo by Louis Pang, http://www.louispang.com/blog)

(Guys,do visit Lois Pangs website... i bet you'll like him more when you meet him )

Documentary of-Friends Vehicle Rescue

It was about 3pm on Saturday evening, my friends and I went to a remote place with two 4wheeld vehicles to save our friend's BJ43.. The malfunctioning front axle locking system disabled him to move uphill, moreover it was slippery since it just rained the other day. The wheather was fine, though a bit cloudy here and there, but signs of heavy thunder rain doesnt show up... so guess it would be much easier.

We headed to a place named Torintidon which is about 1.30hours approximately drive at 40km/h speed. There were signs of road damage due to the heavy rain that caused the Kota Marudu river to flood few weeks ago and it was obvious. Even some landscape at some places like the field at Kg Lampada/ Kota Marudu has totally changed due to the flooding.

Here, at the top of a mountain (or hill as some would call it), we stoped by and grasp some air and capture some beautiful scene of the valley bellow. This is the Torintidon River, the source of water for all the villagers around Kota Marudu and Kudat itself.

(view from mountain top-showing Torintidon River)

We arrive at the rescue spot around 3.40pm. The rescueing start with my friends Toyota BJ40 with a 4cylinder B-Turbo engine (3.4 litre), 4 speed gear and a 16inch MT117 trekking tyre. Attempt by attempt was made to pull the BJ43 out but with no avail.... It only paid my friend a broken lips spring (duh... double trouble)..

So the white innocent Landrover 110, equiped with a 11B Toyota Direct Injection engine, 4 speed gear, and a humble non-offroad tyre come to see what it can do. The only advantage with the LR110 is that it is equiped with a winch (self pulling system/ self recovery system)... Not to say that its the latest winching system, but its still handy when it comes to situation like this (",)

(too much of racing the fuel, the tyres begin to burn out... and the smoke covers the scene)

(at last, the BJ43 was been able to come out... thanks to your LR110's winch... hehehe)

(view from inside my LR110... drive and shoot... just can't keep my hands off from my camera...)

Miss Malaysia Universe Sheninegan

Presenting to you, Miss Sabah Malaysia Universe of the day.... miss.... i forgot who, to get a good list, you better check up with Benny Liew's site since he has the most pictures out of these beautiful ladies... Even updated ones. I was only assigned to shoot that particular day and negative for other days. So this is the only few that i got. Missing others ei... what a failure... hehehe...

(Miss popular with her best in action show)

(Miss Talented with her Gypsy Dance Show)

(Entertainers of the day... 2 ladies with the band guys at their background... acting as a team, they really did rock the night)

(one of the contestant, nice voice ei? sayang-couldn't let you hear... its just a photo, not a video)

(Winner for the Miss Popular title)
(The Winner for the Miss Talented Title)

DJunction Miss Oriental Beauty Pageant 2008

Sorry, i just could'nt remember their names. If only i could, i would have listed them down for you. This event was held on the 13 March which was last thursday. Venue? Djunction-Kota Kinabalu. This is the Semi Finals.... The finals will be on the 28th March, so if you get to be free on that date, just stop by for a drink at DJunction....

I Fell In Love With The DJ

Familiar with that song title? welll for those who aren't, its a song sung by the famous world artist Che'Nelle who was born in Sabah, Malaysia and become a resident in Australia. Currently tying contracts with the worlds famous music records company in the states.

I was actually on a task to take photographs in a PUB, a famous pub among KK residents known as Shenanigen-Borneo's fun pub. Located in the heart of the city Kota Kinabalu, one can easily find it just bellow Hyatt Regency Hotel. Im not a clubbing person so im not actually fond of going to socialize there. However this time i was assigned, so i went and prepared my gears...

Inside was like ussual as normal pubs would be, hot songs, people arounds, beautiful chicks and handsome guys as well... me? well im just a normal simple photographer who was acting like a digital pro (ehem-ehem) recording their faces for a magazine... hehehe...

Ok, it started out like this, i went to the bar, with my bos... we searched for kind people willing to share their faces in the magazine. I went'snap' here, 'snap' there, saving their faces in my tiny, magically spelled memory card...

(The Photo i Took-showing Che'nelle in Black and a woman....)

Everything went fine and calm, for that day of course... but later, only few days after that, when i let one of my friends view the shots i've taken, i was totally surprised to find out (friends noticed her) that Che'Nelle was in my savings.... Oh My goodness... i didn't notice her at all... it was probably dark and... to tell the truth, i dont really know her... im just familiar with the song, not the person... and there she was, in my hard disk....

This photo is probably one of my precious 'wasted' moments in my life... i should have recognized her in the dark. I could have asked somebody else to take photo of ourself... Duh, so misfortune was i that day... i miss it....

Try take a look at the picture bellow, i dont know who's the woman beside Che'Nelle, probably her bestfriend or her aunt... who knows....

( Che'nelle's picture in one of her website.)

A Portion Of Me

There's nothing one should be proud of when they own a Digital Single Lens Reflex a.k.a DSLR in their bag. For me, owning a DSLR means you have just stepped in a creative, full of opportunity world that requires one to fully comprehend what stuf they are into. when i first get a hold on a real DSLR, i was kinda shaky, thinking of what possibilities could i do with such a complicated system,ready to get activated and bam... get a shot....

My photography life is surely not a "luck strike me" kind of thing. the skills came not by chance or luck. i strived and sacrificed time and money to reach what i have now. From 'try and errors' to wasted times and films, everything was part of the story that shaped what i have now.

(some of the shots i took during my assignments)

Perhaps, as i stated before, it was my dad's old-old Pentax that influence and attracted me to fall into photography way back about a dacade ago. Amazed with the interchangable lens and autofocus lens system provided by slr, i happen to be lured to know more about this item, which during my young years, i was tottally innocent of what this system would benifit me-in the future... (My dads old-old Pentax MV-1, not in good condition)

The first digital system that i have was a humble Canon PowerShot A540 Digital Compact. It was my first step into the digital world. Previously i never had a digital before. Powered with two AA batteries, a 4X optical zoom capability and geared with a 6megapixel sensor, i thought that this could be an amazing camera to start with. I paid around RM800 for the camera with four batteries and 1x 512mb SD memory card bundled. With that, the personal gain i got from digital started.

I start taking pictures of many things, utilizing the cameras 'manual' option provided, i think most of my skills was learned from that function. While others would just probably use the 'Auto' or 'green mode' to shot, i set it to manual just to test the very theory of photograhy... and it worked.

Then came the day when i participated in the Kinabalu Climbathon and saw a photographer ontop of Mount Kinabalu with his probably weather proof DSLR, i never knew who that guy was, but surely i know that he has one powerful camera with him. After a few days from the descend, i noticed the site "trekearth" which i eventually meet a guy named Rabani who happens to be one of the photographer of the event... i contacted him to know whether he is the photographer i saw... well, to my dissapointment, he wasnt (i was actually planing to request for my photo during the event).... but never did i know that, it was my first introduction and 'seduction' towards online photography sharing community.

(Canon Powershot A540)

Trekearth is a site for people who like to share their travel experience. its more to the theme "travel and places" which the name 'trekearth' depict itself. From there, i started to learn a lot with what the community provides. From voluntary workshops provided by senior members, to the building comments... they really helped and motivated me alot in the digital photography world. Perhaps, one of the friends that has helped me alot was Rabani.

My choices of a DSLR was somehow given by him too. The Pentax K10D that i now own was something he has adviced me buy. It is one of the best body that i could ever think of. with a wheather resistant 10MP body, pluss a good price and rugged body, this camera has been my favourite. Perhaps one of the reason i choose Pentax was because of the influence of my Dads SLR.

(Pentax K10D with its weather resistant body)

I know some say "why pentax instead of nikons or canons?"... well, that will be another story that i'll be sharing on my next post... for now... i will have to go.. but incase, you need any assistant in choosing a good camera, be it a digital compact or DSLR... im always available and feeling free to share with you my oppinions.... Regards..

Bonicks Wedding In B&W

Presenting to you... Bonickly n Sheena's wedding in Black and White. Now its not only those present act as their witness... you become one of them too.. May God richly bless them in every aspect of life...

This is another (should i say "fresh"...) post on the same event that day, this time i converted the images into black and white. To be honest, black and white is not my typical taste since i prefer colours alot more that the monotones, however to consider that artistic style some people prefer, we have to tolerate and follow the flow..?!~ Books tells me that black & white are more on the tonal range, the mood, the contrast, the lightings. Well i say its just a mater of simple picture of two colors in one simple paper... you want to debate with me? i dont mind at all, in fact its actually true... bnw is just simply bnw....

Perhaps the old classical environment couple of decades ago influenced the mind of our later generation. Perhaps the world is not like "the forgotten nutshell" (direct translation for 'kacang lupakan kulit' LOLZ)... Trends do step back, and its like recycling the past eventhough its future...

Stop talking about my views on B&W photographs. As a former art student and an art enthusiast typically in photography, accepting B&W is not a problem, i like them too... (forget about the crap just now...) You need some artistic eyes to see them. Its not that simple to appreciate, you need to train your eyes over and over again to diffrentiate the values in B&W....

A conversion into B&W fan? i dont think i really am, however to suit the need of clients, i prefer showing them the sample sheets first before making the final touch up. its the combination of the artist and the models (my clients) that matters.... and its vital to produce the optimum product...