It’s that time of the year again…
The stress… the gloom… the deadlines…
Good luck my friends! The sun is still shining beyond the clouds!
=)
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Thursday, November 05, 2009
What is a camera?
Isn't it frustrating every time when one sees a nice scene, and realizing that you don’t have a “camera” with you?
To me, a camera used to be something that shoots in RAW, has manual controls, responds quickly and produces decent detail up to iso 800 (for compacts), or iso 3200 (for dSLR). The problem is that while I have one that meets these requirements, it pulls my pants down if I force it to go into my pocket.
Well.. the heavy rain in the late morning today created such a different atmosphere, I was beginning to regret not bringing a “camera” with me. So I whipped out my handphone and for the first time (i think) i started using the camera function.
Whitebalance? Atrociously green. Responsiveness? Lag like siao. Noise? Plenty…
But when converted to monochrome… I thought this was a great representation to what I felt and saw at the moment…
So.. what is a camera?
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
How many sunrises have I passed sleeping?
I shouldn’t dread waking up early in the morning for school.. seeing how much there is to enjoy by waking up just 1 hour earlier than usual, and how much more enjoyable the walk to school seemed to be, with someone to talk to..
Ok now back to work =)
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
无言
Sitting under the deep blue sky, watching the clouds roll by… singing to myself, and dreaming of yesterday…
Light you don’t normally see…
Finally gotten around to do some IR pictures. Shot this handheld while on the way to school. It takes quite a bit of estimation to compose this picture, as you can’t see through the R72 filter.
I admit this picture has nothing special, but i missed the IR tonality…
Nice blue skies today!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
So happening, yet so boring…
MAF again. The bigger the crowd, the lonelier you feel. Is there any point left in going back?
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
有阳光，有流水，还有微风吹 ……
When placed strategically, texts can make an otherwise mediocre picture look polished, giving it an additional point of interest, and helping to balance the elements in the scene. I personally refrain from adding them as it will make me lazy with my composition. (with the exception of photos taken from assignments)
Not in this case though.. coz I really wanted to use this picture.
5 exposure HDR (photomatix) + manual blending + slight-defishing
Saturday, September 12, 2009
To watch a Sunrise…
It’s a race against time.. to see who reaches the spot first… the sun or you.
It’s a bet against nature, your precious (and most comfortable) hours in bed, in exchange for a show that is unknown and unpredictable.
It’s test of endurance, to move around with no food in your stomach, but a sole purpose in your mind.
It’s a lesson on determination, to learn not to despair should you come back with nothing.
It’s an appreciation of life.
In summary.. it’s a great way to start the day with you =)
Monday, September 07, 2009
Sunday, September 06, 2009
嗡嗡嗡。。。
Insects are amazing… especially flying insects. The control involved in keeping such a lightweight frame aloft, to be able to react with such accuracy and agility… all packed into a processor measured in terms of millimeters… from an engineering point of view, the technology involved is simply incredible. It is humbling to know how backward human knowledge is compared to the power of nature.
First time using a dedicated macro lens (a borrowed sigma 150mm F2.8). It’s great to have AF, as it helps to save time when shooting subjects that vary their distance quickly. (and i can MF by just grabbing the ring to fine tune the focus) A great lens with beautiful bokeh, but I doubt I have the budget and time for macro anytime soon…
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Sunshine
Never have I wanted a day to be sunny so badly…
And I’m glad my wish was granted yesterday =)
Sunday, August 30, 2009
一个风和日丽的下午。。。
灿烂的阳光，灿烂的笑容，灿烂的你 =)
For high levels of detail, only my D300 is up to the job. With a very light anti-aliasing filter and proper processing in raw, together with a quality lens at optimum settings, not only can I count the number of kites in the sky, but also the lines attached to each kite too.
I’d love to see a compact that can deliver similar amounts of detail… the closest currently is probably the G10, but still not close enough…
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Far far away…
Will we get there?
Third consecutive image taken by a compact. The convenience is tempting… my D300 must have been jealous.
This shot isn’t taken by me.
Update on 200809: It seems that Canon has finally woken up from it’s Megapixel dream, and recently released 2 比较像样的 compacts – G11 and S90. Both shoot RAW (yea!), and I’m enticed by the articulating LCD on the G11 (it’s damn useful.. not a gimmick at all), but none of them goes wider than 28mm (and offer uncropped 3:2/16:9 outputs). I love wide-angles.. and am hoping Panasonic would finally release something that’ll make me part with my mula…
Sunday, August 16, 2009
花香
花，有永久不谢的吗？只要是真的花，开得再灿烂，再芬芳，都有它凋谢的一天。它的存在只是为了完成更大的任务，任务一旦完成，它也就失去意义了。
人生也不过如此。
人有生、老、病、死。物有成、筑、坏、空，这是自然的循环理，没有必要执著于某个阶段。事来则应，事去则尽。只有这样才能达到逍遥自在的心境。
no more emo =)
Saturday, August 08, 2009
The lure of compacts
There have been interesting development in the camera arena these days. The most interesting being micro 4/3rd camera systems (especially the Olympus EP-1 and the rumoured Panasonic GF-1). These systems serve to bridge the gap between the versatility and image quality of DSLRs, and the portability and stealth of compact cameras. Another interesting development being the back illuminated CMOS (by Sony). This technology potentially brings high ISO capability of compacts closer to entry level dSLRs. Ok I’m going to rant now… don’t blame me if you fall asleep.
I’ve never seen a compact with image quality that is as good as a dSLR. Can’t really stand the smudgy foliage and noisy shadows (especially after using the tokina 11-16). However, I have to admit that the portability and stealth of compacts cannot be underestimated. I tried bringing my family camera (TZ-3) around for a few days with no aim in mind, and whenever I spot an opportunity, I’m genuinely glad I have a camera with me to capture the moment. Some opportunities are just 可遇不可求, and the D300 system (even with my changeup) isn’t a viable setup to bring along everywhere i go.
But the TZ-3 is just so… dumb. It is fully automatic, meaning I can hardly tell it what i want. It is also very noisy, meaning no photos between 7pm – 8am. While it is frustrating to not have a camera when an opportunity arises, it is as frustrating (if not more) to be unable to create a picture you envisioned, simply because your camera is stupid. =P Ok.. i’m just psycho-ing myself that I need a “clever” compact.
For a moment i’m genuinely interested in a micro-4/3rds system like the EP-1. It will be even more tempting if Panasonic managed to get everything right in the GF-1 (better focusing, built in flash). However, this is a system.. meaning additional lens/accessories to go with the body. Probably cost a bomb (i’m thinking of the 7-14 f/4), and i still have to decide on lenses to bring out everyday. Kind-of defeats the purpose.
For compacts, the only one that caught my eye currently is the Panasonic LX-3. Small enough, wide enough, probably just fast enough. But not cheap enough. (still $700!!) The image quality, while best among compacts, is still far from good (max iso 400 for me). But at least it shoots RAW, and has an excellent Dynamic BnW function. Also has a hot-shoe where i can jam my SB-800 on for shooting indoors. Hmm…
For now, I shall wait. I foresee a dramatic improvement in image quality among compacts, should the back illuminated technology becomes more widespread. (and iso 800 becomes usable). I just want:
- Ability to shoot RAW
- Wide and fast lenses (24mm f/2 is at least)
- Clean and detailed IQ at base ISO
- Usable iso800
- A dynamic range as good as Fuji’s F200EXR
- Fully Manual functions
- Almost pocketable in size
- <$600 price tag
I can dream.. can’t I?
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Seeing Light
Taken by a compact. Converted to black and white because the WB was off. Nevertheless, the noise was already rearing it’s ugly head at iso160.
But then again.. the mood was there… and a compact is user-friendly enough for others to take a portrait of yourself.
Compacts… better than nothing.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Stephanie Sun @ Singapore Indoor Stadium
Crammed pit, high stage, crazy contrasty lighting, dangerously close pyrotechnics… do u even expect me to shoot?
Most pictures here have gone through some pretty shameless post processing work. If i shot such concerts for a living the D3 is a necessity, not a luxury. There isn’t enough highlight headroom at iso2000 on the D300, and the noise is getting pretty intrusive.
Waited an hour before the concert began.. WTH. Seeing how the arena was arranged i sort-of knew what’s to come… 7 of us photogs were sandwiched between 2 huge video cams. I’m in for a rough time.
The high (taller than me) stage meant that full body shots were almost impossible. The “extra” dancers were also always around her, thinking that they were some multi-coated high transparency glass. Gits…
As we shoved and stack over one another in a bid to get a few bread-and-butter shots, they decided to give us a little treat by blasting some pyrotechnics aimed dangerously low below the waistline… Everything happened so fast there wasn’t time to dodge. In the end all of us looked like clowns in golden feathers. I know my outfit isn’t as fancy as yours… but at least respect my choice ok?
Talk about finale…
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
学...
6 lengthy days. 6 sleepless nights. 44gb of pictures. Countless thoughts. What have I learnt? What have I understood?Learning is a slow and on-going process. The same applies to the CAM3500DX focusing on my D300. The same applies to shooting a table tennis competition. The same applies to things in life.Different players have different habits, different playing tactics, different reactions when they win/lose, and love to face different directions. Observe. Study carefully, and only then can one get the better pictures. Don't rush.While the focus tracking on the D300 is certainly very good, it has many limitations too. The point you first focus on is very important. It will affect how the camera will track the subject subsequently. Depending on situations, one might have to turn on the focus lock-on so that it doesn't get distracted so easily. I personally find dynamic 51pt autofocus, with lock-on set to "normal" tends to be most suitable.Same goes for life. 出发点要对. Have a strong purpose and clear goal in life. Without it, it's easy to lose your way...Do not fret when you miss a picture. Chances are you'll miss even more while fretting.Stamina is crucial, one must be prepared for the long run. Know when to rest. Know how to work out with your team to optimise the effort you put in. Know where each other are, so you don't duplicate/block each other.Mutual trust is important.Everyday is a learning experience.
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