New Announcement

Im back,

But I still had a lot of things to sort, prepare and arrange. Will be getting my legs active back in photography soon. Stay tunned.

At the moment, I am working out most of my posting at www.friscodaniel.com which will be my new domain for my works.

Thanks,
Frisco daniel

DEAD but now I'm ALIVE

Resurrected? Its Good Friday today and a new start after April Fool which some may regard as the worst day to happen of the year. I have been out from blogging (and I admit I am very bad at it) for (lets see, here, there...) about 10 months. WHAT? 10 months! thats hell of a time! I know I have been very lame and unproductive during this period of time. I have my excuses and I wouldn't want to reveal it now. Its a come back and I'm having a few announcement for everyone who might come to pass by this post.

1st. I'm up to some new jump in photography. And I will share this with everyone soon.
2nd. My camera is rusting out, so am I, but after some waxing here and there, lubricating in and out. I'm coming back.
3rd. I'll be up with a new blogging experience and is expecting to launch it together with my new branding and website.
4th. I'll be giving out Discount by the start of the launch in (expected date on 1st July) June-July.
5th. I'll be spending huge amount of RM$$$$$$$$$ and I'm bankrupt (kidding), in order to serve you well with high-end quality product, I've decided to make a huge step forward. Get yourself updated!
6th. I am still the same Frisco Daniel that you've known for the same period as you can remember, its only that I'm with a new focus and determination now.
7th. I have other things in mind, but since 7 is my FAV number, I'll just end here, and will continue after this.

By the way, MY DOMAIN which you are viewing now will be available till September 2010 this year. Until then, I will still be posting frequently my updates to everyone.!

Regards Everyone... More works to do for now. Meet you in a new appearance in July!

New Website, New Blogging Platform!

click picture to go to my new website at http://www.friscodaniel.com

Open for bookings! (year end tight schedule)

Hi Everyone.

FriscoD Photography has been receiving numerous inquiries and booking request, Some of them accepted and some of them rejected.

I need to announce that our schedule will be quite packed for this years peak session- November till December 16th. For dates ranging from 16th December till new year 2010, there are still available bookings but you will have to book fast!

I currently only receives 3-4 wedding events photography bookings in one week. If you are expecting me to squeeze  in your day, then please be informed that your images processing time will be extended and you might receive your wedding day images quite late.

Couples who are getting married on those peak date, please be informed that you have only 30-40% of getting your bookings through. However if you do have any inquiries, feel free to write and we will assist you in your search for a Wedding Photographer in Sabah.

Couples who are planning their wedding for next year, then it is VERY WISE to seek a photographer in advance. Customers who books as early as a year ahead will have their photographer booked on a 2009's prices, While those who book late, would not be given such discount priviledges. Terms and condition still applies for this matter however. Booking without appropriate date will not receive such priviledges.

Kindly forward us your inquiries to friscodphotography@gmail.com and we will try to assist you in your quest for a GOOD, Professional, ARTISTIC and COOL Wedding Photographer in Sabah and internationally!

Best Regards,
Frisco Daniel

Emotions they don't deserve!

Saturday afternoon, 6th June, 2009. A girl drowned accidentally at a river in Nahaba Village,Kota Belud while attending the Sabah Wide Adventurer Camporee. This is probably one of the worst incident that ever happened in the Sabah Wide Pathfinder Camporee, yet no one should be blamed on it cause its an accident. The funeral service was carried out at Kapa Church, Tamparuli. 2 days after the incident. Family members, friends and even Pathfinder and Masterguides members attended with their respectful uniform. I was there as a Masterguide giving my last respect. Although I wasnt there when the incident happened, but the family and the victim herself deserve the respect by her fellow pathfinder members. (excerpt from my Facebook  photo album)

For event's like this, the most important part to capture is the emotions. Capturing it artistically is not the main purpose, family would ofcourse value your artisticnes, yet the real value lies on the journalistic approach in capturing the emotions and expression of the relatives. I was no official photographer, I was there as one of the members of the clubs, sharing my deepest condolence and symphathy to the family. My heart was sadened by the sudden lost of the family. May these set of pictures be able to comfort them.

Need more space!

With about 6 months of experience with Nikon and adding accesories into my equipments list, I am beginning to realize that travel bags are now insufficient to accomodate the list of stuff I always bring with on a shooting session. I need to have a new sufficient case/bag for my stuff!

My first reliable bag was my Think Tank Photo Speed Demon Beltpack. Loving it for the fast access to my carry on equipments and ability to hold your other equipments/lens close to your waist while exchanging lens makes this Beltpack a convenient gadget to carry your stuff. At that time I was still with my Pentax K10D with few lenses. Slowly my Pentax lenses list grew up and soon I realized I need another space. I do have numerous bags to hold on my tools such as my Acer laptop, cleaning tools, and some cheap lenses, but they are'nt good enough to protect them without paded surface.

My first Camera Bag- Think Thank Photo Speed Demon Beltpack

After following the Nikon route and getting myself some equipments, I noticed that I need extra care for my equipments. Its like giving the finest care to your Ferari.

 

The Kata DR-467 Digital Rucksack (photo link from http://shashinki.com)

As I considered my budget, and made my research, I concluded that I need a backpack to store both half of my camera equipments and my laptop and the choice was Kata DR-467 Digital Rucksack from Shashinki.com. It has good padding with yellow inner color material to help you easily spot your tiny photography equipments. I actually planned to get a better one from Lowepro, or perhaps anything from Think Tank, but after considering the price.... man, its still unaffordable... So I decided to go for Kata. This decision was strengthened when I purchased my MacBook Pro on February. So with a compartment for a few camera stuff, and a 15inch case, this is already convenient enough for me.

Recently... I realized that all these bags are soon unable to support my often used equipments. I need to have a larger case to store ALL my stuff in one pack in order for a much easy manageable traveling.

I travel often with my Kata Backpack, Speed Demon beltpack, Think Tank LC75 pouch that hangs handsomely on my beltpack, a bag filled with my outfit+chargers and other stuff, reflector, and a bag for my monopods, studio tripods, and other stuff.... This burdens me as I need to cary lots of things in one go. Those bags surely make me look like a gadget guy, but with a more MESSY style rather than a good one (Imagine if I have to check in with these things in the airport!). So I decided that I need to have something more convenient, tidy... clean....

I am currently eyeing on Think Tank Photo Airport International 2.0 Carry On Bag for photo gear, perhaps this could lessen two of my backpacks. or maybe Think Tank Photo Airport Antidote Version 2.0 Backpack. Not sure.. But I really think I need one.

So whenever I travel, I will only have to carry 1 bag full of camera equipments as carry on bag, another bag for my outfit, and 1 case for the monopods and studio tripods. This should be better of.

So where was I...

It has been almost 11 years since I first got a hold on a SLR. Back then it was just a Pentax fully manual focus camera, with manual shifting of the film,rotating the focus ring,aperture,zoom, ASA(also ISO), shutter speed... Yeah,those where my stoneage days in photography.

So where was I... Right now,with some highschool knowledge in arts, certificate in arts, and an imaginary visualization of pure reading and experience knowledge in arts (photography), I am now... I could say,still far away from the desired level.

I am BLESSED with:
1. D700 + battery pack (which i love MOST for its high iso low noise features)
2. 24-70 f2.8 (for its excellent sharpness and brilliant focusing)
3. 70-200 f2.8 (for its zooming capabilities while retaining sharpness and focusing performance)
4. 50mm f1.4 (my first Nikon lens which helped me a lot in getting used with my D700)
5. 3x SB900 flash (for its excellent TTL performance)
6. Few packs of MAHA 2700 and Immedion 2100 batteries.
7. Apple Macbook Pro 17inch (No virusses and blue screen eversince)
8. Western Digital External 650GB (gona add the 2GB soon)
9. 2x Manfrotto Monopod
10. 1 studio background tripod set (which I can use the 2 stand as flash stand)
11. A Benro tripod
12. Canon IP4680 (love it for CD prints, Thumbnail Proof prints, Letters.. etc
13. A Reflector
14. 2x Flash Umbrella + Speedlight Softbox
15. Sekonic LightMeter
16. other DSLR cleaning tools

What I'm adding in my prayer wishlist which I PRAY to get soon:
1. Epson 4880 pro A2 printer
2. 2TB hardisk (or the 4 bay HD slot intelligent casing)
3. A REAL website with ONLINE PROOFING.
4. 4 strobes for my dream studio (with a battery pack unit)
5. A second Body (D300 coupled with Tokina 11-16)
6. 1 extra 16GB Sandisk Extreme IV CF card
7. urm.... foremost, a working station and time to manage it.
8. Wacom Intous
9. Monitor and printer profiling tools.
10. Well,I wish I can HAVE IT all... but the ones listed here are the vital things for my career plannings.
11. 1 Apple Cinema display, perhaps aa 23inch or more.

I'll strive to do it. I actually planned to launch a new website + blog this year, but seems like I'm economically down at the moment, money is being invested elsewhere. But hopefully, I believe God is very much pleased with anyone who always acknowledge Him despite the busy schedule and hardwork. as the Spanish says "por la gracia de Dios"... I will do my best, and leave God the rest...

Hope you enjoy viewing my photography works that I have carried out so far.

Kaamatan vs Bridal fair

I might have missed the Kaamatan Festival at KDCA,(not through television) but I didn't miss the bridal fair at 1 borneo. I know many people have been asking me "where you there..?" "did you take photos of..?" But I have to say that, I dont really like gathering in crowds, especially huge crowds. There are lots of possible danger in it-

1. Pick Pocket (one I fear most).
2. Breathing problems.
3. Possibility of disease transmission.
4. Humid weather-really uncomfortable.
5. Its not that I'll benefit from going there aside from any of the above.

Sorry if you are offended, but do know that I wont be doing things that I don't feel worth doing. Ofcourse I'm not the person who trashes our tradition, I love my culture and I am PROUD of it, its just that there are places where I am not comfortable with.

Frankly, I'm really obsessed with getting good quality air, thats why I always avoid places where polution are highly rated.

So what did I do with my time then? Ohw,I went to the bridal fair in 1 Borneo, you know I missed a lot of good events this year that focus on my industry- the wedding photography industry. Thus, my presence there will help me get an insight of the trends and how other people describe their art and craft.

I'll post the wedding gown photo's after this, do view it and let me know what you think about it.

Pentax's New Kid on the Block

Pentax K-7, an improvision of the K20D and trend catch-up of the modern Video tech-dslr

So you think I'm still a fan of Pentax after converting to Nikon? Yes ofcourse I am, Pentax is my ex-lover and I'm still waiting for Pentax to produce some stunning lines of Digital camera tools. I would love to own both Pentax system and Nikon system one day.. ahaks,sorry Canon, no room for you even if I like your white lens.

To be honest, Sony, Olympus, Sigma are left behind by the improved and demanded technologies developed by both Nikon and Canon. Sony still has a lot to learn in terms of popularizing its system, even their array of lens (though its a ZEISS), couldn't overthrow Nikon's 24-70 f2.8. Guys,keep in mind that Sony is an expert in DIGITAL ELECTRONICS while NIKON, CANON and perhaps the digital leftout Pentax are famous lens developer for high profiles groups and organization like the medical sector, military sector... and more. Thus thats why I trust lenses produced by them (except for the plasticy low-end lens which I once owned).

 K-7 owns an ULTRA WIDE LCD for 3inch viewing. 

Among the retained features (which gave me reasons to love pentax) are

Compact, magnesium alloy bod (Tough, Rugged Body)

14.6 megapixels

3 inch LCD

Weather, dust and cold resistant  

Multiple exposure settings

Shake Reduction system (on camera)

Dust-free image capture

 Advanced white balance settings 

Extended battery life

 Mirror Lock-up function

 HDR image capture mode 

RAW f file compatibility compatibility 

Dedicated RAW button 

 

 New features that makes me love this camera are:

New PRIME II Image processing engine (burst up to 5.2 frames per seccond)

 High top shutter speed (up to 1/8000)

New 77-segment metering system

 100% field-of-view viewfinder

 HD Movie Capture 

High resolution playback

 Faster, more responsive AF

Advanced white balance settings

 Extended battery life

Electronic level function

 Custom Image modes 

Dynamic Range setting 

Lens Correction functio 

Composition adjustment feature

 Embedded copyright feature

What else could I say? Perhaps the best thing that would place Pentax in the top lines as Nikon and Canon are: 1st, Full Frame Sensor feature. 2nd, a list of HIGH performance optics such as the 24-70,70-200 f2.8 to rival Nikon and Canon lens. I'm looking forward at Pentax to improve their line of products. Perhaps their business strategy would succed in the least 5 years to come. By then I might be profitable enough to own two system and perhaps trash the current one (if Pentax is capable of overthrowing them) HAHAHA.

By the way, all photos are copied from http://shashinki.com/shophttp://shashinki.com/shop/pentax-digital-camera-146mp-video-advanced-shake-reduction-system-dust-reduction-system-p-3089.html, You can purchase this item in advance from them. according to their note, this item will only be available on the 25th of July. Can't wait to see it appearing on the streets.

Fire razed house

I was on my journey back to Tawau on Sunday 3pm when i saw this big pile of smoke coming from somewhere ahead. At once I recognized it as a house on fire as nothing as big as this could appear in noon time.

This happened somewhere within the Mengaris Village. Upon reaching, it was confirmed that a house made by "papan" or "wood" is in a huge inferno.

I quickly grabbed my camera out of my ThinkThank waist bag and went out to record the event. According to witness, there were no casualties reported. They also managed to save the owners pinky second lorry. The owner was told to be outstation with the family. (lucky them).

One quite dramatic happening I should say happened when in the midst of the watching the fire burning down every single object thats "fire edible", I saw something very miraculous in sight. It was a CAT that suddenly appeared after 3/5 of the house structure was destroyed. I was so amazed to see how the cat managed to CHEAT DEATH and escaped to life. I was unable to capture the scene where the cat jumped down the breaking house because it happened very fast.

Yes, the cat is still alive. You should see the picture to believe... 

 

New Family Member Added

I am very happy to share with everyone the new addition of my camera back pack. After purchasing D700, I really experienced new height in Digital Photography World. The new capabilities of shooting at super low noise values a lot in my photography world.

Yet what worth is a pen without a paper, or printer without ink... My body without proper lens is a waste of tech expenses. So either you dump it, or you strive to find a way to afford it, you must fill in the gap. I chosed to fill in the gap. Remembering I can't afford it all at a time, I planned my time well. bitter by bitter I add sweetness, like mixing a bits and bits of suggar into a mixture of dark coffee... Now thats how I felt while waiting for enough fund to afford it. Time and endurance was the keyword.

 

Nikon 24-70 (equivalent to 16-49mm in DX format) 2.8 Nano Crystal.

First lens used was a 50mm f/1.4, my first purchase with D700 along with SB900. Its apparently hard for me to control extra wide aperture with fixed wide. I have to move a lot to get the right framing. Shooting that I can last a days wedding reduced to just half a day due to exhaustion. But my first task with D700 was very inspiring...

Weeks after, I got my 24-70mm from a local shop in Kota Kinabalu and shoot for Charles' wedding reception at Keningau. Everything went right, with lots of great scene's captured, not until 3 days after, I found out some of the photo's was lost from my storage. Not even my memory card or my hardisk. I was VERY dissapointed afterwards that I couldn't sleep well for days just remembering I dissapointed Charles. I never expected that would happen as it never happened. I was about to do the backup the next day after I transfered everything that night when suddenly, it was lost.

I guess it might have been due to my ACER laptop that performed slow. So I made another EXTREME decission to purchase MacBookPro 15". customized its processor to 2.8ghz dual core from 2.6ghz and cost me exact price of the D700. Phew!

Nikon 70-200 (equivalent to 49mm-132mm DX format) 2.8 with Vibration Reduction.

Later, last week after fully utilizing all what I have for wedding photography and event photography, I decided without much hesitation (while window shooping at Centre Point and saw the 70-200 in box) to get the much admired and dreamed of item- Nikon 70-200 VR 2.8. With this lens, I will be able to capture a much intimate and portray closeness and warmness in their candid faces. Pluss, I love its damn good bokeh that I should say is perfect than my 24-70, yet not surpassing my f1.4.

VR? well I dont really need it as this lens is much stable when handheld due to its weight. I remembered some unfamiliar dslr first timer who got hold of my equipments was VERY surprised on how weighty my kit was, knowing that its carried on all the time on events. its like an endurance 2kg dumbell carry for 10hours.. 

From this onwards, I'm expecting to get new capabilities in my photography works. Aside from the items stated, I do have my 44" wide reflector too handy for outdoors. 1 Benro tripod, a think thank waist pack and a Kata backpack for my MacBook Pro.

To end this, I would like to thank everyone who trusted my works and hired me for the past assignments and for those who confirmed their bookings for future brighter possibilities on their works. What I can promise is, my full effort and performance on that special task you appointed me...

ohw, to my MUM who has always been supporting my works, admiring me on how I manage to improve and overcome every obstacle.. and My sister who is always watching my back. The two kids back home... and Everyone... yes EVERYONE who has been in good contact with me... God Bless us ALL....

GlAD yet MAD they finally approved my payments!!!!!

Sorry guys,

for those of you who have been keeping an update on this blog, I request your thousand apologies since I really could not concentrate posting anything due to the delay of my Macbook orders. Here's the story:

After 33 days of waiting for Apple Online Store Malaysia to confirm my payments, I finally could breath normally and sleep well when I made the call this evening to check for the 3rd time (by phone) on the status of my MacBookPro 15" status.

I made my orders on the 5th of January 2009, choosed Bank Transfer method for my payments (as my CC couldn't pay full the required amount), then made the full (FULL) payments the next day. I called apple the same day on the 6th to check out how I can forward the bank slip and they gave me an email. Yea! good idea, mail it directly to the store_payments department, and that was what i did.

The customer service operater told me that it would take 5-7 working days for the bank transfer lead time and then my payments will be confirmed. But to my dissapointment, I status update on the end of the 7days. I waited patiently... and keep on sending emails requesting for update, but with no replies. I remember on the 8th working day, someone from Apple Online Store contacted me, and requested the bank in slip. I was surprised, how come they didn't received my slip??? Without hessitation, I forwarded to him the bank slips and he did replied that they will make action to confirm them.

After the second forwarding, I didn't receive any replies or status updates from them. I didn't bother for the first 5 days, however on wednesday the next week, I mailed to the same operator to check for the status update, but replies never came. I remembered I sent about 3 emails to him, but no replies was given. The final mail was sent on the 2nd February, which I think was the 3rd, but yeep... No replies.

So in great disapointment and concerns, I made the call to the Apple Online Store on the 3rd of Feb to talk to them. Yeep, they treated my well with a friendly-kindly voice, they forwarded my inquiries to the payment department, and told me that they are going to take some time, and they will call on the same day. So I waited, waited, and waited... till.... the next day and the same thing, no replies!

I made the second call on the 5th of February, and a guy picked my call. He was able to check that I made a call on the 3rd, and he felt very sorry for what had happened. He AGAIN, forwarded my inquiries to the apple payment department, and told me that THEY WILL CALL ME BACK! But the same thing happened, they never called me back.

I was totally dissapointed, If there's a ranking system for Apple Malaysia Online Store, I would probably rank them 2/10. Their customer service system is still VERY-VERY weak. HOW can they FORGET their PROMISE to CALL their customer.

Finally... and finally, I called TODAY, 6th February on 2:15pm, to the same person I called Yesterday, and FINALLY, he told me that my payments was approved. I was relieved, but still I am not satisfied. I will forward my case to the Consumer Affair Department, I hope they can advise how to deal with this case.

My order will arrive somewhere on the 16th or 19th of February, till then, there's still lots of things for me to be worried of. I customized my MacBook, and I don't know yet if its gonna work well or not.

Guys, Thanks for reading and sharing my concern. Im going to forward this link to the Malaysia Online Apple Store, hope they will take drastic option to revise their customer service. I heard that someone paid using credit card and got it cleared fast, however for my case, I expect it should only take around 2 weeks to process and I should be receiving my package in the first day of the 4th week, but.... like I say.. they need to IMPROVISE their system.

They should, and I will make sure they will...

Unproductive-need technology shift

Admittedly, I have been sick the past week. Traces of my sore throat is still present till now. Although I kissed other sickness goodbye, but my productivity this two weeks has been greatly reduced to 10%. For business minded guys, you surely understand how it feels like to be down fallen to 10% productivity.

Why so terrible the fall? Technology, YES... I'm no kidding here, I know I could have been better with my sickness off, but it was my computer that made my productivity fall so great, till I could nearly post anything in my blog. My blogging posting activities has always been at least 2-3 post average per week, but right now, with no good computer to process the words, what more pictures... I really was drag to the slowest condition...

PC...PC...PC... well actually its a laptop, a pc running laptop. I don't know why, for the past 3-4 weeks my laptop has been running smoothly and fast. Although it is 3 years old (and would probably enter its 4 this year), I still expect some good-smooth running programs all the time. But right now, it feels like ditching it away and buying a new one.

Well,I have better plans. I will purchase a new baby. I think its crucial for me to get one as my old-old processor just could't carry my workloads. So what will be the next purchase? Lets see, I need latest power, I need good graphic, I need security, I need aesthetic, I need speed, I need convenience.... I need a MAC...
Is that true? well,I actually wanted to hide this out, but YES... I'm getting myself the infamous Apple Macbook Pro. I feel I really need it. With that, I'll be able to project my mind and raise productivity to a better level.

I already checked out online apple store and will purchase the mac with this spec:

• Macbook Pro 15"
• 2.8Ghz Processor with 6MB L2 FSB at 1066Mhz
• 4GB 1066Mhz DDR3 sdRAM
  
• 250GB 7200rpm HD
• NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT with  512MB of GDDR3 memory
  

Price? you check it yourself, I cant dare announce it here, but anyway, I got some good education discount and is far more cheaper that ordinary purchase at any Apple store around Kota Kinabalu. What I really like about mac is the fact that you can get almost NO viruses and the ability to boot Windows and its related software in one book. This should be an added WOW to my studio list.

I really should have taken just a desktop, shouldn't I? well, I prefer going portable with good power. Some other friends suggested me to go for the Mac Pro... but sorry, its to expensive and I don't think I require such power yet. probably not in the near 3-4 years. For now, my plans will be...
Buy an external monitor for better editing, make it act as a double display togather with my macbook pro. phew.... there's lots of plans in mind but I think this should be sufficient. Untill then, do wait for the updates on the new gadget inside FriscoD Photography® Works.

3 weeks past 09.. and I got my Symptoms

its 3 weeks approximately past 2009 and I have nothing new to post. I am not busy, no I'm not. I have time to do my personal stuff, open magazines and read them... really no sign of busy-buzzy. For those who didn't keep an update of me, recently last week, I got strucked by a terrible illness of... unknown sickness. the symptoms are:

• Headache-dizzy
• unstable fever (or should I say sudden fever)
• sore throat.
• sore joints.
• backbone pain
• eyeballs feeling like... pain
• dry lips (although I drank a lot and went to pee almost thrice in an hour)
• cold (though hot)
• and....... couldn't really remember....  ohw.. another one
• nausea...

worried it might be something worst, I went to check the net for possible diagnosis on my condition. one of the close turn-ups where.. Dengue fever... another was Malaria.... MYGOODNESS! I told myself  "is this for real?" I couldn't help myself. Really, I couldnt get enough sleep at night. The joints in my body keep aching including my backbone. The pain kept me awake every 20-30 minutes at night. When I close my eyes, the aching sensation keep my mind awake... they really gave me no mercy for a good night rest.

Solution? I was once a Panadol practitioner, but not now anymore. I heard that there are people who consume even up to 6 tablets of Panadol to ease the pain. But I don't, I know there's other ways to comfort myself... I know its just a test of my ENDURANCE which I almost FAIL. Well i forget weather if I did consume the Panadol or not, but the fact is, I finished 4-5bottle of mineral water per day.

Oh,I missed one part, my fever started on monday night last week, and it got worst and worse by wednesday night. I bought the RM285 (expensive) MAS ticket on thursday morning and flew back to KK for hometown treatment... (couldn't accept to get myself quarantined in Tawau Hospital). after meeting a good doctor and receiving some more convincing medicationg... I survived until now.

So the diagnosis? Doctor said my blood sample test was NORMAL!...???? What the,so what about the symptoms? Well my mum speculated that because I was a MINERAL WATER drunker...(drinker), with the rate o 4-5 bottles a day, all the virus-virus (malay version) Dengue and malaria got flushed away.... phew! hope thats true.

Again, I thank God that I am now 85% recovering from what i faced last week. I still have my Tonsilitis sweellllllliiiiing like HELL now. But atleast its only on the left. Atleast I can type what is in my mind....

So sorry for everyone who vissited and didn't got an update.... I will, post more about my works and pictures soon... keep the eyes coming in....

Badminton World Super Series- Sabah Masters Final 1

Here are some pics to share with you on my latest task to shoot for the Badminton World Super Series- Sabah Masters Final from 17th-21st December 2008. The event will take place at no other than Likas Badminton Sports Complex...The final will be on the 21st from 2pm-7pm. Cheapest ticket price will be RM105 for the finals. You can get the tickets from http://www.ticketpro.com.my/ or call Ticket Pro hotline at 6-012-8307193.

I will be photographying the event for the organizers. so meet you there....

Taufik Hidayat- World Top Players

Chris Edcock

Lim Khim Wah

Peter Gade

Danish players... or I should say Denmarkians... hehehe

Between Color & Monochrome?

I've been testing my wireless triger while having my vacation camp in one of the beaches of Sabah. I'm trying to master the SB900 in low light situations like sunset. It is pretty tricky to get a ballance of natural light and flash light. One of the best shot is this one. She's a good model ain't she? Well forget about her being a model, what I want to share is the dramatic scene captured. Without a flash, your subject could go dark, but with flash, your subject become more appealing. What more if its a sweet subject like her... Uhum-uhum..

***Color Photo***

Lets see about my theory. I purposedly posted two identical photo for you to judge which look better. I love the color of the first blueish photo, but the black and white isn't bad to in terms of bringing out the tones. I feel the dramatic feel of the monochrome conversion has much heavier impact than the color photo. I think its mainly because the distraction (which is the color in the photo) is cast away, and all you see is mono-tones, lines, and texture-shape. Thus,the brain translate the condition of the photo by interpreting the picture itself. argh, I better learn psychology to get a confirmation on this. I'm trying to relate how the brain percepts art in colors and monochrome... guess this could turn out to be a good thesis... hehehe.

***Black & White Conversion***

For a person who loves color and is untrained to discern the main particles in art, then a monochrome would be boring. For me, I love both. The colored photo has its own artistic side, so is the monochrome conversion. Do you think that the clouds are much intense in the monochrome photo? Do you see that the model/subject is more in contrast than the colored photo? I can see another beauty in Monochrome... and as I say, Monochrome and Color has its own... attraction