ej

Wordpress-ed!!!!

2008-01-29T17:24:00.000+08:00

My blog is finally PROPERLY hosted at http://www.expressivelyjoho.com/blog which should be the same links everyone's using, it's just that i had to do a redirect to blogger for some admin reasons before, but now it's not necessary.

Everything managed to be imported over to the wordpress engine, so blogger will not be updated anymore. This link will still be here, but you really should move on!

Thanx to my ADMIN for the speedy and excellent work, it's so cool!

http://www.expressivelyjoho.com/blog

HK photos... (some)

2008-01-28T19:44:00.000+08:00

my new "processing method" =P

typical HK street shots:

One from the wedding:

Waiting for the train:

Me on the train... helps when there's a xmm next to me. heeee~~

all shots clickable. =)

good ol' fuji superia from 7-11. and fast service from Mr Wong from Fotostation!

Reached HK!

2008-01-23T16:34:00.000+08:00

Skip this post because it looks to be a whole heap of blabber....

Didn't get much sleep last nite, nor on the plane, but I'm cool with not sleeping on the plane on short flights anyway, read the papers (I only read papers on planes, seriously), found out that there was some panic in the US market yesterday, so does that mean bus fares will go down??? I don't even take bus.... =P

Anywayz, reached HK airport, had the ricoh with me, but didn't take pics. Still haven't taken a single pic. I guess I've been here often enough to not be that excited to be here again.

Mama and Daddy are in HK too, to rendezvous with me enroute to somewhere, so they managed to get my at my hotel and we'll be meeting later for dinner.

Why all the non-consequential facts? Cos i'm bored in the hotel room and I can't do any work since it's all back in SG......

Weather, you ask? I have no idea really... Airport was warm enough, airport express train was warm enough, free shuttle bus from HKG station was warm enough, hotel lobby was warm enough, but... THE ROOM IS FREAKING COLD... probably from the aircon.

So no, I have no idea what the real weather is!

Right... enough of that. i TRY to take some "normal" photos with my ricoh ok? take already nevermind, still have to upload and post... i don't like my chances. =P

and no way i'll be bringing my SLR along to walk walk. noooooooooo way. who say a normal digicam not good enuff????? =P

Going Hong Kong

2008-01-23T06:13:00.000+08:00

Leaving for Hong Kong like... now!

So please forgive me if updates here and replies on email are slow. They are usually anyway, but this time I really do have a good reason.

Back on Sunday!

=)

E-Session Photo/Video

2008-01-22T03:54:00.000+08:00

Dino and I have been doing a couple of E-Sessions together for our lovely couples, him on video and me on photo, and with this combi, here's what happens:

Click on image for video. (lovely artwork by Dino, i have no idea where he finds the time to doll up his DVDs so....!)

Generally, an E-Session stands for "engagement" session, and it's not so much that the couples are engaged (to be married) but rather for the photo/videographer to engage with the couple before the Wedding Day so everyone is comfortable with each other. With Dino and I clowning around, we are already comfortable before the E-Session starts, so actually can cancel it, just that they already paid, so we went ahead to have more fun! =P

I have not been selling this package actively, rather have been talking about it to some couples who have booked me and/or Dino for AD photo/video.

One perhaps, not so obvious advantage of this combo is that you have a video to showcase at your wedding banquet, should you choose not to take up express edits from the photo or video package, or if you do not want to show the baby/growing up photos...

Anyway, let me/us know if you're interested to do such a package, we always have alot of fun and we do NOT plan anything, we just go SOMEWHERE and take SOMETHING and really test the random chaos theory. =)

arthur . gerline

2008-01-21T02:41:00.000+08:00

This couple reminds me of a couple of things:

mouths wide open in laughter is NOT ugly!

and... on a more serious note, they remind me of the respect, gratitude, and compliments for my life's work that not only they, but many of my couples have graciously given me. this is something i can only TRY to thank them for by producing these images, and promise to keep continuing... (even when i'm sick!)

Guys, i will TRY to visit you guys in shanghai, maybe enroute to xi'an while visiting my parents, IF they are still there WHEN i get round to it. notice the lack of commitment in my statement? =P

PICTURES PLEASE!

(click for slideshow)

Santorini, Greece, Aug 2008, by 2 of us!

2008-01-19T22:51:00.000+08:00

Thought it would be nice to put faces to the two who are gonna make great images in Santorini in August.

Taken by eric at andrew . vivien

Anyways, now that you know who will be shooting, can you please EMAIL US??

I've set up an email address just for those who'd like to enquire for our Santorini, Greece package in Aug 2008: santorini@expressivelyjoho.com

In case you have no idea where/what santorini is, here's a pic:

image above NOT taken by me... copyrights as stated in image.

FAQ for the package:

Q: Have you ever been to Santorini, let alone shot bridals there?
A: Nope, never been close to the place.

Q: Then how can you be so sure you can shoot well when you haven't been there?
A: I shoot well when I go to 3rm HDB flats that I've never been to for AD weddings... so I'm guessing Santorini shouldn't be a problem. =P

Q: Make up / hair how?
A: No idea, this one KIV, package does not include make up but we might fly a make up artist over (at your cost, shared by all the couples)

Q: Won't it be hot in August?
A: Yeap it will be!

Q: Isn't that bad?
A: Hot is better than cold for taking photos.. TRUST ME on this.

Q: Why two photographers?
A: We're there on our honeymoon anyway, you guys are just the extras.

Please gimme more questions and i'll update this FAQ!!

santorini@expressivelyjoho.com

bernard . sue-lyn

2008-01-18T16:17:00.000+08:00

I'm SICK!

no.. not of weddings.. sick physically and desperately trying to get well to... shoot more weddings!

anywayzzzz... sue-lyn couldn't stop smiling, and bernard couldn't stop looking at his skull-with-tophat cufflinks. =P

Click on image for slideshow.

Thanks to Michael Chan for coming along as my associate photographer. Your shots are great!

Eleganz shoot

2008-01-16T18:22:00.001+08:00

Did this quite a while back for a new agency called "Eleganz", and here's a b/w version of it:

Click on image for slideshow.

2 of them really melt my heart ehehhe... regular readers would know who. =P

andrew . vivien

2008-01-15T04:38:00.000+08:00

William Chua and I shot this wedding together and the results were... AMAZING.

andrew and vivien you are so lucky!! hehehe..

slideshow time! as usual, pls click on the pic. =)

Bridals in Santorini, Greece for Aug 2008

2008-01-11T04:40:00.001+08:00

It's confirmed, we will be going to Greece for Bridal shoots in Aug 2008 so please enquire for details.

And yes, there is no typo, the word is WE. there will be myself and another distinguished local photographer shooting your bridal album together for the ultimate in covering all angles!

To find out who the other photographer is, EMAIL ME NOW!

jon@expressivelyjoho.com

_______

do i really suck at writing self advertisements? EMAIL ME NOW to tell me your views!

jonsux@expressivelyjoho.com

seriously, if you do email me at that address, i will still get it. really.

Spring Romance at Meritus Mandarin

2008-01-11T04:25:00.000+08:00

I will be at the Spring Romance at Mandarin show this Sunday 13 Jan 2008.

And I will be walking around with a camera shooting for the show so....

See you there!!!

Wedding Masters Singapore at BOWS 2008!!

2008-01-04T03:50:00.001+08:00

Wedding Masters Singapore (WMS) is formed!

We will be having a booth in BOWS Wedding Show and I will be one of the photographers there, under the umbrella of WMS. It's 4 - 6 Jan from 12pm to 10pm.

Do come and visit me for special promotions!

This is the (under contruction!) WMS website:

www.weddingmasters.sg

sean . chloe

2008-01-03T03:30:00.000+08:00

as promised, some pics:

all clickable to larger images.

Happy New Year!!!

2008-01-01T22:40:00.000+08:00

I would like to wish everyone a great new year ahead! Thanx to all the well wishes, sms, phone calls and emails!

Unfortunately I did not reply some/most of you guys as I have been back to back shooting for the last 2 weeks. 90% of smses came in when i am chasing that once in a lifetime shot, so sorry!!!! =P

The new year started with an ultra fun bridal shoot with Sean and Chloe, and i immediately took a liking to this couple because she has the same name as my future daughter, if any.

pics soon.

I do miss 2007, it was a great year and I achieved heaps. Looking forward to 2008 tho!!

成功男人背后的女人

2007-12-27T15:18:00.000+08:00

you cannot imagine the power of that statement...

just makes you (me) want to be a better man. =)

today's wedding i didn't do express, so can blog here about... ideals. =)

Christmas wishes

2007-12-27T01:02:00.000+08:00

A feeble, late, BUT SINCERE christmas wish to everyone out there:

Merry Christmas and may all your wishes come true!!!

it's an oversaid line, but to elaborate further, for wishes to come true, don't stop dreaming!

Ok now.. back to work!

weiyang . jaslyn

2007-12-23T17:09:00.001+08:00

earlier today....

i am SHACK but happy. =)

(click on image for slideshow)

ok gotta rush off to their ROM before dinner soon. =)

Eric and his theories.

2007-12-22T12:18:00.000+08:00

Over breakfast today, Eric had a revelation.

I gave him an example saying, say I decided to quit photography and be a graphic designer (it'll be a cold day in hell b4 that happens, but it's just an example!), but the graphic design firm used macs.

Should I spend 80% of my pay in that new job to buy myself a PC to use at work becos i hate macs and love PCs?

His answer was YES.

Suddenly the birds flying around starting making alot of noises.. i swore it sounded like laughter.

Wedding Slideshows

2007-12-22T04:44:00.000+08:00

Forgot to mention that I've written a page with a selection of wedding slideshows here:

Wedding Slideshows

It is also linked from the navigation bar on the right.

=)

December is like a water tank on stilts...

2007-12-20T04:29:00.000+08:00

while it's pouring monsoon rains.

and the stilts are bowing to the weight above, but refusing to give way.

every december i come out stronger, this will be no exception.

YEEHAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

now, where's my ventolin? (i'm not even asthmatic...)

anson . yen li

2007-12-17T12:02:00.000+08:00

Trivia:

Did you know expressively jOhO had not shot at fullerton hotel before until december 2007 where he has not one, not two, but three weddings there that month?????

So this is the second couple, in straits room (i haven't shot the ballroom yet, the first couple was steven and janice, see post below, and that was on the roof).

when it rains, it pours. this is good rain, i am kinda beginning to like that hotel. not just becos it's "the fullerton" but there are quite a few 5 stars hotels that i think are the pits (for weddings anyway, and not just for photography).

ANYWAYZ...

i only met anson and yen li in person a few days before their wedding as they're based in hongkong. and i'd say it was worth the wait, lovely couple, and i kept telling eric, WAH LAU she's got a great figure!!!!!!!! ahhaha... why? photographer cannot compliment the bride ar?

here we go, click on image for slideshow:

i'm back to black and white. hehehehehheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

steven . janice

2007-12-16T00:52:00.000+08:00

Just in case some pple think i'm colour blind as my last few slideshows are in b/w, here's one to dispel that myth! =P

congrats to you steven and janice, it was such a beautful night!

click image for slideshow:

Where should I go for Bridal shoots in Aug 08? Part 2

2007-12-15T20:19:00.000+08:00

Greece is looking good now. In particular, Santorini. We might extend the trip to other nearby parts/countries.. but for now, my dream of going there is slowly coming true!

A distiguished local wedding photographer and I are discussing about a joint promotion to go there in Aug 2008. So anyone who wants any kind of shoots there, please let me know!!!

yes, i mentioned any kind of shoots, you don't have to be getting married to take photographs there... =)

Where should I go for Bridal shoots in Aug 08?

2007-12-13T06:06:00.000+08:00

Not the best time to be thinking about this since i'm in the middle of the busiest month for weddings, but:

1. Australia (again!)
2. Ko Samui
3. Phuket
4. Bali (go there and look for kelvin and yuhsin hahaha)
5. Europe
6. Carribean Islands....

ok that last one is quite tough. have a friend working there and can do quite alot of the planning for me, but it's gonna be... EXTREMELY COSTLY.

I think ko samui won't be cheap either but i have lobangs there. hehehe...

as for europe.. i may want to attend the MPA awards in London next year, but then i think that's in sep, if that's the case i prob won't go cos er.. i'm gonna be quite booked in sep next year...

ok back to work.

james . regina

2007-12-03T03:15:00.000+08:00

December is... a great month for weddings!!! See, I'm optimistic.

Here are the day time highlights of James and Regina's wedding. Had a great time!!!

click image for slideshow:

James Blunt - amazing...

2007-11-25T06:39:00.001+08:00

really do love his songs and videos...

James Blunt - 1973

James Blunt - High (original video)

James Blunt - High (new video)

the new video of "High" is just... amazing! so simple in concept but... just great...

MSN crack up...

2007-11-23T10:15:00.000+08:00

was talking to silk on msn and:

Eithyn says:
wah
mm
i have an idea! (for photoshoot)
floaty stuff!

eJ - AMPA!!!!!! says:
u mean blow u up with air and get u on the water?

Eithyn says:
o_o
that's be cool

eJ - AMPA!!!!!! says:
i can volunteer to blow u
oh hmm
that didn't come out right

Eithyn says:
LOL

From a wedding photographer's heart.

2007-11-21T06:11:00.000+08:00

Mine, that is.

Eric this is for you! =)

To think that one of the most important persons in my career gets mentioned so little in my blog, so that's gotta change now.

Firstly, Eric isn't gay. not that i know of anyway.

OK now that that's out of the way...

Over the months, I have shared so many things with you. and if i may even attempt to recap what was said, this would be it.

We are humans first, photographers second. Humans feel, and by certain standards, it is what defines us separate from animals. And then we shoot what we feel. I think alot of photographers "forget" that they are human, and get consumed by photography. that is the biggest wrong any photographer can do, is to let photography get bigger than, well, humanity.

You walk into an empty church full of flowers and ribbons. It is a beautiful sight and you have to shoot it, not just because it is beautiful, but because the bride would certainly like a record on the money she spent. So you stand there for half a minute composing the best shot of the interior.

Suddenly this really cute little girl in her flower girl white dress comes out of one of the pews and runs towards you with the biggest grin on her face, and you realise she saw the mother of the bride behind you, her favourite aunt, whom she hasn't seen for 2 years, and this aunt always buys her lollies (not that you would know this). you have no time to recompose, and you snap the SAME shot that you did seconds ago. Think about the power of such an image, and you didn't have to do anything different. That is what defines a powerful image. Same place, same settings, same light, same composition, RIGHT TIME. Your "photographer mentality" was to shoot an interior shot, but being human, you know instantly that her joy can't wait, but the interior can.

Being human is easy, we ARE human. Take heart in the fact that there are little girls everywhere at weddings, but for this particular little girl 20 years later, she will remember this moment with such joy, or if she was too young to remember, she'd be facinated by the story of the image told by her aunt. Imagine, you were that little girl.

There are two things that I feel defines a great photographer. One is dedication. Dedication is a very broad word to include the amount of time and effort needed to train in the craft. Reading articles, asking questions, browsing the net and magazines, seeing/analysing/copying(!) other photographer's work, shooting, reshooting, making mistakes, learning from mistakes, editing, re-editing. all these, and many other things in the aim to create better images, and getting more experience. Weddings certainly calls for more than photographic skills, you have to learn to deal with all kinds of people, you have to conduct yourself professionally, but not coldly. you have to be firm with pricing, and contract details, yet be lovable, personable and approachable. you are the person that the couple will see the most of, besides each other, on the wedding day. you are so many things at one time.

After the wedding you have deadlines to meet, images to edit, albums to complete. you have other jobs to get, close and/or deliver.

in your business as a whole, you have costs to manage, equipment needs and replacements, repairs/servicing, insurance, rent, suppliers, quality control, business development and marketing. you have an assistant that you need to type long blog entries to.

this all requires dedication. all this can be trained, and together with time and experience, will bring such a photographer quite far, but not far enough.

the second thing that makes a brilliant photographer, is talent.

i have yet to figure out if talent can be trained. i am inclined to say no. you have it, or you don't.

talent is the reason why two photographers can have an exact same path, but one has so much more powerful images than the other.

talent is the reason why he is always "lucky" to be able to get those shots. remember, i told you to learn, memorise, and know the full meaning of the word "serendipity". somehow, a talented photographer seems to have serendipity as his twin brother.

i have this simple analogy on how to describe talent. most of us are used to the phrase "we are good at what we like doing". i like driving cars, but i don't think i could be a formula 1 driver. perhaps, the statement of "we like doing what we are good at" is more apt. in this statement, dedication is akin to what we like doing (that's why we dedicate ourselves to it) and "what we are good at" is akin to.... talent! it starts with that.

you might be assuming that i have talent, or i found my talent in photography, and that is why i like doing it, because the more i do it, the better i became at it and it makes me want to do it more (remember, i like doing what i am good at). if so, your assumption is true. as proud as this might sound, i believe i am talented in photography. it is actually, believe it or not, dedication that i sometimes lack! laziness being my bane. thankfully, that can be trained!

I want to end this entry with a statement that I have been known to make, either in speech or in writing, and this is perhaps the most convicting statement that keeps my passion alive at present:

The reason for my life, is photography. It has kept me alive, and is the reason why I continue to live happily. (i might change this statement if i ever get married, but as of now, this is it....)

Thank you Eric for our journey thus far. You are the only person in this world that knows the most of my work thoroughly, my workflow, my passion, my reasons, my secrets, my style, and my personality as a photographer. I have not shared so much with anyone and it does me proud to see you growing. I wish you all the best in your photographic journey.

Remember, you are human first, photographer second.

boonseh . peisan

2007-11-19T03:53:00.000+08:00

just got back from banyan tree bintan yesterday, boonseh and peisan got married on the golf course so it's a totally different setting from zul and aileen's, who also held their wedding at banyan tree.

i still love that place, so romantic, it's just that... the last two times i went was with guys, william then, and eric this time. next time i go, i SWEAR, it'll be with a girl!!!!

congrats boonseh and peisan, you guys, your guests, and your wedding was SO LOVELY!!!!!!!!

click image for slideshow:

More from ixiz:u calander shoot

2007-11-18T22:33:00.000+08:00

Just got back from bintan, will be posting up those wedding pics soon, bintan (at least banyan tree) is just.. the loveliest place for couples that's soooo near to sg...

anywayz:

Elynn

Hannah

Cordelia

Danielle

and of course, one more Summer =)

guess u can tell which two are my favourites. mind you i shot 17, it's hard to just pick one. =)

ok enuff of girls, back to wedddings.

One more Iris

2007-11-15T06:22:00.000+08:00

Iris

2007-11-15T03:48:00.000+08:00

FINALLYYYYYYYYYYYYY i get to shoot her again.. after more than a year....

my skill doesn't do her beauty justice:

Photography / DI : jOhO
Assistant : Eric
Light : Ukay
Makeup / Hair : Janice

Photography / DI / Light : jOhO
Assistant : Eric
Makeup / Hair : Janice

Summer

2007-11-14T05:10:00.000+08:00

it's not always that i'm easily amazed, especially photographically, but today i shot someone who has never been shot "professionally" before. This was her virgin shoot.

and this is what she came up with:

of course thanx to the team:

Me - Photography / Light / DI
Eric - Assistant
May - Make up / Styling
Janice - Hair

but she was so easy to shoot...! love the make up and hair, i had a TOP TEAM! =)

like i said i'm seldom amazed, today i was. i still don't really believe it's her first time.

james . allyson

2007-11-13T16:46:00.000+08:00

Long delayed slideshow preview that i wanted to do for james and allyson on their actual day, but better late than never! As usual, less talk more pics!

CLICK ME for slideshow!

jonathan . catherine

2007-11-12T02:12:00.000+08:00

Apparently she wept when she saw this after their dinner banquet today (they were outside when this slideshow was playing before the second march in).

i'd say tears of joy, and certainly hope so. even more, i am so glad to be able to bring back such emotion.

congrats to u both, blissful everlasting marriage to you!

CLICK ME for slideshow!

(Admin note: i've included links instead of embedding the object in my blog as it loads even if you don't want to view it, clogging yours and my bandwidth, so.. slideshows are going to be on a separate page from now on.)

Bridals from yesterday

2007-11-10T02:47:00.000+08:00

Thanx to stephen and rachel for being so organised on their PW shoot, even got driven around in a porche, and a nice dinner to end off! here's a few shots!

all clickable for larger versions.

David Oliver Seminar

2007-11-06T02:53:00.000+08:00

In conjunction with the MPA qualifications, David Oliver, a reknowned wedding and portrait photographer from Australia (born in England) gave us a brilliant insight to his work, and possibly, his heart. What a sincere man, and it pleases me to see that REAL photographers shoot REAL things with REAL passion. And if you think his weddings and portraits are good, wait till you see his landscapes and personal projects... amazing stuff. very very REAL.

Here's David, i just went up to him and whacked a frame while we were getting ready for a group shot, and i do hope he likes it, will be sending it to Colin who would probably forward it to him.

And below is the group shot, many of whom i have deep gratitude for, for their advice, guidance, encouragement and friendship!

click for a larger image.

Back row:
William Ng (FMPA), Jonathan Ho (AMPA), Damian Tan (AMPA), James Tan (AMPA), William Chua (LMPA), Matthew Tan (FMPA), Zhang Jingna (AMPA), Ryan Wong (FMPA), Kenneth Choo (LMPA), Eric Tan.

Front row (seated):
Albert Lam (FMPA), Linda Buck, David Oliver, Charlie Lim (FMPA), Colin Buck (Hon FMPA, CE MPA)

Associate, Master Photographer Association

2007-11-04T22:35:00.000+08:00

Finally, after weeks of sleepless days and night at the computer and the printer, the grading is over...

I was awarded an Associateship with the MPA after a double promotion today. I have many people to thank, especially all my couples that have had the confidence in me to shoot their weddings, allowing me for this portfolio.

Thanks go to many other important people, as credited in the slideshow below of the 38 final images selected for grading. 12 of them will be entered for the Singapore Masters competition tomorrow.

for a larger slideshow, click here.

randy . huifang

2007-10-29T09:41:00.000+08:00

Havne't posted a b/w series for a while so here's one taken a couple of days back.

randy and hf, i FINALLY shot your wedding, after soooooooooooooo long...!!

willy, was great shooting together again, the live photocards are stuck on my monitor with bluetack already!

for a larger slideshow, click here.

EJ Selections

2007-10-19T04:09:00.000+08:00

Was having a harrowing experience looking for all the different files on my 4 external hdd and two PCs for my MPA grading and in the middle of it all, instead of pulling out my hair and getting into a worse mood, i decided to collate the images i have so far into a slide show. mind you, selecting the song took a while, i'm not even sure it's suitable but it has a nice feel to it.

Hope you guys enjoy it, looking thru it made me believe again, that i have found out what i was born to do. i've said that b4, it's not pride, it's revelation.

even if i never ever become a good husband, i guess this is enough. yes, always on the topic of looking for a wife. ha... this blog's been around for how long? some things don't change easily.

ANYHOW, pictures please!!!!

click here.

I want to thank everyone that had been an influence in my work, especially the lovely couples that i have had the pleasure of photographing. if this pleasure stops, i will stop shooting, that is a promise.

MPA, here i come!!!!!!!!!

perth ramblings...

2007-10-17T03:25:00.001+08:00

i'm so sian so i thot i might grab a few of the perth pics i have processed so far and ramble about them... might cheer me up!

The two subjects in this image certainly have a strong affinity for each other. hahaha.. got there on the first day, the rest of the gang were already there, and since it was very early, my room wasn't ready for check in, so eric and i crashed in william and james' room. and this is what i found lar, natural air freshener!

william again, looking so stylo, prob cos u can't tell it's him. i just love this shot..

damian's quite expressive with his poses, and william in the background makes a good kelefe!!

a cheerful huihui, i think she was quite happy, at least on the first couple of days, we had fun waiting for the sun to come out from behind the clouds while we were shooting this.

amir looking stylo as usual. it's amazing the light u get in australia. this is DIRECT OVERHEAD SUN... look at those specular highlights.... and amir had to say it.. his skin nice mar! puiiiii

william looking slim becos of wide angle, taken at little creatures... lovely place with great beer and food. it's actually a brewery turned.. pub/diner?

wat do you get when u cross michael jordan with a camera? ukay, in fremental, on a beautiful day, jumping off god knows what that is...

eric's version this time, first he looks scared, second, he doesn't look like he has a waist level finder, so i wonder which part of "jump off and pretend to be shooting" did he not understand....

experimental shot outside coco's where we had a beautiful steak dinner. done on long exposure light painting with the same stobe going off multiple times.... COOL RIGHT????? we tried this SO MANY TIMES.. froze our nuts off. now i replaced them with fruits... juicier.

a highlight of the trip was eric's incessant kissing of whoever was next to him in group shots, as highlighted in william's blog entry here. so william took this pic for us with my camera, since it's a group shot, he should attempt to kiss me, and this is what happened. the next few frames are censored, blood and gore are R(A) rated and this blog is only P(G)....

let's just say alot of new relationships were formed from this trip. taken at little creatures again, at a different occasion. we went there three times altogether in the whole trip!

linesssssssssssssssss... or not? james' fetish for lines include those on a young caucasian boy's er... head?

ukay and dovile on the way back to the train station from carousel. can u tell who's who? =P

the "Linessssssssssssssssssssssssssss Portrait Series". James only loves lines, and i only love pple, but i thought i'd give in and try to satisfy him a bit. shiok anot bro?

i just love the mood of this shot... at first i was like.. GET LOST GUYS i wanna shoot the wall.. then i decided, hmm this is actually a better shot, dunno why man.. and.. i can't remember which train station this is liow..

yo james, the large resolution to this file is on sale, how much u gonna pay me to get this printed large?? such a cool shot of you, see, your camera got periscope to enable you to shoot the proper perspective of buildings. POWER!!!!

Bad mood!

2007-10-17T00:24:00.000+08:00

it's not like me to be in such a foul mood to blog about it, but today is one such day.

even loading this damn blog to write into it took ages...

sometimes when things seem wrong, or just sucky (sucky dun necessarily mean wrong..) it's good to try to focus on good things. so what good happened today?

thanx to natalie for popping by to sign the contract for her wedding in december. you're the only human i saw today, and you gave me money! (thanx to ead for referring her too btw!!)

so yeah, see, one good thing, focus on that.

on another note, everyone's asking who 1179 is.. it's her name lar, last time during (numeric only) pager days, cannot use letters so write in numbers lor...

eh.. 13 years ago leh, what do u expect?!? =P

happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts

A simple sms...

2007-10-14T04:25:00.000+08:00

"I still think your love for me thirteen years back was the purest."

I seldom get smses that confounds me, as I never thought smses could hold that much content within a few words.

But that one did.

I am happy you think that way, perhaps a little sad that it was in the past, and definitely hoping, for your sake, that it will not hold true forever. Because if it does, you will never feel such love again, and you definitely deserve much more than what you have now.

Happy Birthday 1179. =)

Aural Orgasm

2007-10-09T15:43:00.000+08:00

CTR test drive in perth..

2007-10-08T19:03:00.000+08:00

all i can say is... BUY!

not much of a review is it? well, go tell kah motors that, in sg pple buy this car without being allowed to test drive..

ukay and i drove it, took turns to do the filming on my ricoh. =)

Perth Bridals

2007-10-08T01:48:00.000+08:00

Some random shots for now:

Perth - random pics

2007-10-07T02:07:00.000+08:00

It's been such a great trip, tiring as well. here are some random shots, bridal ones will come later. =)

more here!

The Third Party

2007-09-29T01:59:00.000+08:00

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA

Dino's Blog post refers...

blog design

2007-09-27T06:54:00.000+08:00

suddenly, well not really, been thinking about it for a while, i need to find someone who can do blog design. i'm SO SICK of my blog design....

which brings me to the point, if anyone knows how to do blog templates and stuff, whether they can migrate this whole blog to another better blog site like .. wordpress or livejournal?

and.. how come i ALWAYS have to log in to blogger to post, can't it remember cookies? have had this problem since they "merged" with google..

anywayz.. email me charges and suggestions -> jon@expressivelyjoho.com

thanx!!

Flowergirls

2007-09-27T05:56:00.001+08:00

I do shoot kids at weddings, as do most photographers, but this one really speaks to me...

guess you just had to be there to understand =)

clickable.

e-session pics

2007-09-27T05:39:00.000+08:00

just some pics from the e-session. =)

more here!

james . allyson . e-session

2007-09-26T05:50:00.000+08:00

thanx to Dino for the work he put in to this, and to james and allyson for making it so fun! =)

Good old photo...

2007-09-20T04:25:00.001+08:00

Was reminded of this image when Charis and I spoke for the first time since we added each other on msn a couple of months ago...

Shot her wedding i dunno, maybe a year back, still one of my favourite images of all time, was on my old website, but it's now back on the new one. =)

Have fun in sweden charis, come back i call u doc! =P

Why do you wake up in the morning?

2007-09-19T06:57:00.001+08:00

Because you have to go to work, and earn lots of money.
Because you have a passion in what you do, and can't wait to continue doing what it is you do.
Because you have to feed your dog, or at least let him out to do his sh!t.

or

Because you want to wake up to someone smiling at you without make up, saying "Good morning".

That's why I wake up in the afternoon.

2007-09-18T20:29:00.001+08:00

More from the workshop...

2007-09-18T04:50:00.000+08:00

I am so tired...

but, look at these! =)

yeah i know.. colours always different, can't process the same way all the time.. looks like i'll never be able to do a spread with consistency... =P

Fashion/Beauty Workshop

2007-09-16T02:00:00.000+08:00

I am SO SHACK from the workshop and lack of sleep.

Just a few done up quickly... i think/hope there are better ones.

Learning heaps, 2 more days!

Why are you in it? - Wedding Photographer Speaks

2007-09-13T16:40:00.000+08:00

I thought of pasting it here, but it's a really long read, and perhaps not everyone would want to read it all the way through... so here's the link to a very moving story of how proud a wedding photographer is to be one.

And he says nothing of the images he produces... and while reading, i never once wondered if his images were good, it wasn't the point.

read on:

http://www.newschoolphoto.com/blogme/2007/09/03/why-are-you-in-it/

originally from the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/29/AR2007082902031_pf.html

zul . aileen . bintan

2007-09-11T07:39:00.000+08:00

We had such a great time!

Thanx to William and Flo for helping me out.

Less talk, more photos:

As Zul told me, "Thanx bro, it was REAL!"

Indeed...!!

*thumps fist on chest*

Memoirs

2007-08-24T15:50:00.000+08:00

For some reason, while we chatting, i showed rockclimber jas a story that i wrote ages back, so i thought i could post it here, i don't think i did b4? so take note, long post ahead, and enjoy.

MEMOIRS

Part I

Her smile lighted up my day.

She had just walked out of the office tower where she worked but looked like she had just walked out of a make-over. Whereas I, with my Armani tie half-loosened, and God knows what else, was standing there waiting for her with my filthy, half-smoked cigarette. I'll have to quit that habit soon...

"Hi bunny", she smirked. GAWD why is she so happy? Unconsciously I smiled back.

"Hiya baby", I managed, taking her document bag from her. "I didn't manage to collect the car on time, so it's still at the workshop. Let's take a cab, shall we?"

"Can we walk to the Esplanade and skip the peak hour traffic? I haven't been there since the opening and I'd really like to go again to have a look. It's just so beautiful there!"

I tried to hide my wince. But I couldn't disappoint her sweet anticipation. She did have a point though. Catching a cab at this hour would be like would be like catching a fly with a pair of chopsticks.

The journey made her document bag seem to weigh like a tonne of bricks. However, her light-hearted cheeriness and animated chatter made my heart flutter weightlessly. How could someone describing how her boss tripped over the photocopier power cord look like such an angel?

We reached the Esplanade in no time, although not without my tie being taken off and my shirt tucked out, while she still had her suit jacket on and of course, that million dollar smile.

Correction.

No amount of money could replace that smile.

Feeling slightly peckish, I muttered if we could grab a bite. She said she would prepare something when we got home and I immediately rescinded my request. She made the simplest meals fit for a king, and I thank God everyday that I was her king. They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. I say even without my stomach she's there to stay.

We seated ourselves on an empty bench. I couldn't help but ask, "Baby, how do you do it?"

"Do what, bunny?"

"Make me so happy..... so effortlessly! "

I thought the smile when she greeted me earlier was flawless. Yet she managed to surprise me with yet another smile that was even more flawless when she heard that, if that was possible. It was a rhetorical question. Yet I was puzzled. Maybe I shouldn't question why. If only she knew how happy I was.

She leaned against me amorously. Since I wondered if I stank like sweat and smokes, I shifted uncomfortably.

As if reading my thoughts: "How much did you smoke today, bunny?", she asked dreamily.

"Too much...." Wrong, but truthful answer. Her frown made me wince the second time since seeing her but what she said made me want to slap myself.

"I love you anyway you know that right?"

Damn, she's good. Ok, I'm quitting.

The rest of the evening was spent in a silence that was soothing, even satisfying. I even wondered what I would do if she ever failed to be part of my life. I shuddered at the thought, and mentally chided myself at my pessimism. Again, as if reading my thoughts, she snuggled up even closer; her thoughts intimated that she would never leave me. I believed her.

When we finally got home I was an absolute wreck. I must be getting old, ten hour days in the office seemed more labourious than a seven day field camp with my old commando buddies. She of course got undressed and promptly went into the kitchen to whip up some goodies for her husband, whom thankfully, was me.

The hot water splashing on my face was the second best thing I felt all day. The best of course, was her gentle touch and mind-boggling smile. My thoughts drifted to when I first met her. She was, and still is, the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on. For the first time that day, I smiled so uninhibitedly that I was thankful I was in the privacy of my bathroom.

Part II

I remember how I met her.

I was shopping for a bath robe for my mother at Robinson's and being the typical male, could not, for the life of me, find where they were. I looked around, found a staff member and asked for help. Goofy was how I sounded.

"Would you mind telling me where I can find the bath robes?"

Her delayed reply rather annoyed me. I was already silently cursing at the screaming kids, irritating Christmas jingles and mindless people that were foraging through the Christmas items on sale. Lucky for her, or me, she was rather good-looking. That helped things a little.

"Why don't I bring you to that department? Maybe I can help you select a suitable one. Is it for your wife?"

Now, I don't remember Singaporean sales staff being that helpful, nor personal. Before I could think of a suitable reply, I found myself following her to a section that I swore I browsed through moments ago. I guess being male makes you blind when buying bath robes.

"Well? Who is it for?" She asked again.

"Er... My mother." I replied.

"Her favourite colour?"

"Yellow."

When we (more like she) finally decided on which one to get, I proceeded to the cashier and paid for my purchase. She was still with me, like she was worried I wouldn't pay or something.

"Say, do you want to help me shop for something for my dad now?"

My dumbfounded look was a Kodak moment. I couldn't really find anything intelligent to say so I muttered, "Huh...?"

"I said, I need to get a present for my dad, and I'd like you to help me out. That's why I'm here. I don't work here."

I wanted to dig a hole and bury myself. And plant some cabbage while the soil is still soft. I don't know how long it took me, but when I finally found my voice,

"Then why did you....?"

"Because you're cute!" She cut me off. It's like she anticipated my every move. Are men that predictable? "So are you gonna help me or what?"

I had never experienced the feeling of total elation coupled with extreme embarrassment at the same time. My heart was beating double time and my stomach, triple. I looked at my feet. Damn! My shoes needed cleaning.

She slid her hand under my arm and started to head for the men's section. "Come on, relax, it's not that hard, my dad isn't really fussy."

After we selected a blue pinstripe Aldo Rossini business shirt size 15, and paid for it, I was feeling much more comfortable with her. She showed no hint of remembering my embarrassment from moments before. Instead, by that time, I not only knew her father's shirt size, I also knew that he didn't like green, that his favourite food was fettuccine carbonara, that he called her roly-poly when he wanted to annoy her (she was a fat kid) and that his golf handicap was 18. I was smitten by her through and through. So lively and spontaneous, open and uninhibited, charming and intelligent.

"I want to see you again." I said as we left the department store.

"Why?" I swore that sounded a little cold.

"Because I still have other presents to shop for, and I'll need your help again." Of course, that wasn't the reason.

She raised an eyebrow, and then smiled. It was then that I was taken. The pure, unadulterated smile that is her signature.

As we navigated through the Christmas crowd that evening, I could only sense all things beautiful, the Christmas carols lingering in the festive air, the smiles of little kids eating lollipops, and the joy in my heart that would only grow in time to come.

Part III

Our relationship was just so right. We were attuned to each other in such a poignant way that it was astonishing. Six months had passed, she moved in, and we shared each other's lives in a way that re-wrote the meaning of love.

"Bunny! Let's go to Australia!" She exclaimed one night, looking away from the LCD screen.

"Err, you're talking to me right?" I looked up, beyond the rim of my reading glasses, giving her the most incredulous look I could muster.

"There's no one else in this room, you goondoo! C'mon, let's go, let's go, let's go!" The shine in her eyes near blinded me.

"How? I mean... you remember this little minor detail called "work" don't you?" Sarcasm rippled off my tongue. I shifted slightly under the covers of the bed.

"We'll take leave. We'll quit, whatever!! Look here, I'm at this website and there's this wonder offer from SA Tours for only $888 to any city in Australia....&;quot;

Her voice trailed off. Even though my eyes were rolling while I was listening to her, my heart marvelled at her sweet innocence. I instantly remembered why I loved her. Such positivity, such optimism, devoid of gloom. The perfect complement for me. I gazed at her dreamily. The LCD screen seemed to be reflected off her rosy cheeks, as she meticulously read the contents of "this wonderful offer" out loud.

"Hey! Are you listening?" An ever so slight tinge of annoyance rang thru her voice.

"Yes dear, I'm listening." I didn't hesitate. "When shall we leave?"

Her excitement burst with all the vigor I had ever seen. "Really?!! This is great! We're finally going for a holiday together!" She jumped off her chair and flew across the room to give me the most endearing hug a man could ask for. After I found my breath, she propped herself up over me with her elbows and started visualising: "We could go to Brisbane first, and you can show me all the places you grew up at, see your parents, meet your brother, then down to Sydney, can we still make it for the Mardi Gras? Then Melbourne, the penguins, it's winter right?....."

Here we go again. I had my jaw semi-opened, stuck. I swore she said all that with one breath. Women sure are interesting creatures. They don't breathe when they talk. Cool.

"...then Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road.."

I lifted my hand, and slightly brushed her lips with my thumb. Her eyes, filled with joy, found mine, filled with awe. I leaned forward, then hesitated. She was silent now, her lips still, moist, with a half-smile soft and tender. She spoke to me now, not through her lips, but through her eyes, still glistening, this time with coy ardency. Gently, she removed my glasses, and placed them beside me. "I love you", she whispered softly, and transfered her weight off her elbows onto my naked torso. We embraced, united in sweet romance.

My reading glasses broke that night.

Part IV

September was a great time to be in Brisbane. The winds of Spring gently coerced the chills of winter away, making way for a gentle sun that seemed to smile upon our love. She was effervescent. Was she never?

"Dear," I said, as we walked towards the cab stand. "You excited about meeting my parents?"

"Not really, I just wanna get that part out of the way so we can enjoy the rest of the holiday."

I was taken aback. "I thought you were dying to meet them? You should've told me!"

She stared giggling. "You goondoo! I'm joking! Geez, trust you to take that seriously."

Ooooh, she got me that time. My face held the expression of an incredulous loser. I pulled the cabin luggage I was dragging to an upright position before getting in behind her and lifting her up by the waist. She was wearing one of those thin summer dresses with speghetti straps that was most probably lifted up accidentally from the boisterous attack.

"BUNNY! Put me down, you just lifted my skirt! We're in public, you know!"

"Doesn't matter, this is Australia, no one knows you here anyway!" I grinned and put her down. She turned around and gave me a punch in the chest. "That's what you get for bluffing me." She reasoned. She wasn't angry with me, and smiled to show it. I had my arms around her waist, and continued, "Oh and I put you down only because I didn't want to share with everyone what only I could ever have access to." My sly grin exuded enough charm to warm a cup of coffee on a cold winter's day.

"Yeah right, you're still a goondoo though!" Her attempt to hide her blushes was futile.

The ride to my parents place seemed short, only because I couldn't stop telling her about the landmarks as we passed them by in the cab. I felt invigorated, like my life has come one circle, only in this circle I found what I never knew was missing in my life: happiness. All the memories came flooding back when I saw familiar sights, except I couldn't remember the heartaches. She was leaning against me in the cab, the air-conditioning possibly a little cold for her, so I put her cardigan around her, only to find her sleeping sweetly, terribly tired from the flight. I stroked her hair gently, while she murmured something incoherently. Almost everything she does is so angelic. I am indeed a lucky man. I sighed contentedly and succumbed to slumber.

I woke to the voice of our cab driver. "Hey mate, which street in Middle Park?" Arr, the familiar, authentic Aussie accent invoked lukewarm nostalgia within me. I never did think that it was particularly charming.

"Cara Close, you know it?"

"Yeah mate, like the back of my hand. My folks live in Westlake, just down further."

"Fair dinkum!" I sucked at sounding aussie, but what other place do I get to use that phrase? "Might wanna pay them a visit after dropping us off then, hey?"

"Yeah, good one mate, just in time for the scones, I reckon!" His smile shone through the rear-view mirror.

"Rightio, we're here!" said he, as I pointed to a house with cream bricks and a red roof. The paved driveway was long and in yet a deeper red, maroon. A double garage stood at the end of the driveway, while the rest of the house angled out, giving way to a well-kept garden with a numerous palm trees. Rose bushes crowded against the brick wall, but were devoid of flowers since winter had just passed. The lush green grass was basking in the gorgeous sun, while our dog, Pepper, was resting in the cool of the shade provided graciously by the trees. I woke Chloe up, paid the man and proceeded to unload our luggage from the boot.

"Ta, mate," the cabbie almost yelled as he sped off. Even the sound of a Falcon sounded astoundingly familiar!

"Wow, you used to live here?" She rubbed her eyes, as if not believing them, but really from the sweet slumber she had just risen from. "It's so beautiful! I'm not going back to Singapore, I don't care what you say!"

"Well, who says you could live here permanently with me? Unless you wanna marry my brother. But he's already married. Then how?" I teased. "My mum won't let me live with a girl unless I marry her." That was, of course, plain bull!^^@, since my mum knew she was living with me, and highly encouraged it because "at least there's someone to take care of your lazy bum", in her exact words.

I had hardly finished my sentence when my mum opened the front door. "Boy ar!! You're finally here! Alamak, we've been waiting so long for you to come and visit. You ar, must wait until Chloe suggest then will come right?" My eyes rolled, either due to her Singlish that she never managed to get rid off despite being here 15 years, or her reverence for Chloe, someone whom she'd never met, possibly both.

She looked at Chloe and smiled. "You must be Chloe. Wah so pretty. Boy ar, much better than your other one, what's her name ar? Andree, or something...";;

"Mum! Aiyoh can don't mention anot? So long ago already, and the name's Andrea, by the way." My annoyance at my mum's tactlessness was also fueled by the fact that I had to stoop to speaking contrived singlish to bring myself to her level. Thank God I had told Chloe about Andrea, I thought to myself.

Chloe beamed. "Hello Aunty!" She exclaimed. This is where she shone best. The first impression she gives anyone is second to none. I had no qualms about my mum accepting her, but I slightly feared for the contrary. "Thanks for letting us put up here on our holiday!"

"Aiyoh, so hak hei for wat, almost family lar. Come come, let's go inside. Daddy's doing his stock market dunno what thing on the net as usual." My eyes couldn't roll anymore, for goodness' sakes! Although I had to admit, I was smiling inwardly. I did miss my parents terribly.

I needed no directions once I got into the house. Everything was pretty much the same, and I didn't really bother to look around much, as I ushered Chloe up the stairs, through a long landing, and into my room, which was brilliantly clean. The queen-sized bed looked small compared to the rest of the room, like I almost forgot that this used to be where my wonder years were spent. Well, at least now, I thought to myself, this bed would come to good use. I'd always slept on this bed alone.

"Sorry about before dear, my mum's like that."

"Your mum's cute! I think I'm really going to like her."

I laughed. "You better not eat your words!"

Part V

After freshening up it was time for dinner and I couldn't wait to savour my mum's cooking after all those years. My brother had arrived with his wife, and to my greatest surprise she was already 6 months pregnant! Time passes fast, and I felt like I'd lost touch with my family. Yet I never felt alone, and I attributed that to the love that Chloe had shown to me the past months, and instantly felt that there would be no one else in the world that I would ever love again.

Chloe was already downstairs helping my mum with dinner preparations. I was just beside myself with glee. How could she just blend in so well? Chatting with my brother and his wife while fiddling with tongs trying to get little bite-sized appetizers on a large dish seemed like something she’d been doing for years. She obviously needed no introduction to the rest of my family.

“Bunny, you didn’t comb your hair again! It’s so messy!” She exclaimed while I sat myself down on a chair giving my brother a friendly punch on the shoulder.

“You know, I’ve never said this to you before, but while my mum’s still around, you are not to take over her role to nag me.” I smirked back. Ha! Looks like I won that one.

“That’s not funny…” She trailed off, and continued with what she was doing. Oh no, was she upset? I didn’t have time to think before my brother and I started busying ourselves with man talk, which always seemed to divert towards the topic of photography. I guess that was one of the rare things that he and I had in common. Still, I loved and missed him so.

Dinner was, as usual, belt bursting, even though I wasn’t wearing one. Thank God for elastic bands, I thought to myself. However, I wasn’t too worried about my over-eating as I was about Chloe’s silence towards me. She was amiable to the rest of my family but it seemed weird that for once, her attention wasn’t on me. I couldn’t quite figure out if I was just being sensitive, or that she was deliberately ignoring me. Sometimes I hate being male, for we can never tell such things.

After my brother and I did the dishes, I grabbed Dad’s keys and said, “Dad, I need to go out for a sec, taking your car hor?” and didn’t bother waiting for an answer. He probably just grunted anyway. To my surprise, Chloe didn’t bat an eyelid. Didn’t she want to know where I was going? Looks like I’m in the deep end this time, I thought, and left.

When I returned, she was already in bed reading. I entered our room tentatively, and she put her magazine aside and snuggled under the covers, facing away from me. I walked up to her from behind and sat down beside her.

“Dear, I’m back. Can I have a kiss?” I coerced.

“I’m trying to sleep…” She managed. The temperature definitely dropped a few degrees there.

OK, I thought to myself. This wasn’t going to be easy. I left her alone and proceeded to undress myself and got into my pajamas, hoping that she’d break the silence. I knew her well; she just wouldn’t be able to keep mum about her unhappiness for long. And I was right.

“Where did you go?” Her icy-cold voice stung.

I remained silent for a while. “Well?” She demanded.

“When I left the house I knew you were angry at me because you didn’t even bother to ask where I was going. I didn’t have anywhere to go, just wanted to see if you were really angry.”

“I’m not angry what…” She was such a bad liar, it was almost cute.

“Anyway since everything was closed, I drove around aimlessly for a while until I remembered a MacDonald’s restaurant that opened late. So I went there and got a few straws to make you these.” From my pockets, I produced twelve stars made out of folding the straws and showed them to her, hoping she would notice the sores on my fingers from folding the thick plastic. They don’t make them that thin like those found at the kopitiams in Singapore that’s for sure.

Her eyes lighted up.

“I’m sorry dear, I think I have a good idea why you’re pissed off. I just don’t want to start this holiday on a bad note.” I sat next to her while she picked up one of the stars off my hand and threw them childishly back at the rest of the eleven. And repeating that a couple of times. Her sweet innocence was returning, and a hidden smile seemed to slowly reveal itself on her tender lips.

“So you like the stars anot?” I probed. “I haven’t made these in 5 years. Wasn’t easy since these straws are so hard, you know.” The most innocent look of my life adorned my face and I took a great deal of effort to make it stay, since my smile was also oozing out of my lips.

She grabbed a star, and instead of throwing it back at the pile, she threw it in my face playfully. “You’re not off the hook ok?” This time her smile was uncontrolled, and turned away so as not to give me the pleasure of her immaculate beauty.

“Oh yes I am!” I exclaimed. “Yippie! I’m off the hook liow.” I stared jumping up and down on the bed and sprinkled the stars on her head. That was certainly something I did not want anyone else to see. A 30-year-old man treating his bed as a trampoline yelling “Yippie” wouldn’t go down well with society, I figured.

“Hey stop it, you’re making me dizzy!” So I stopped, and asked her, “Do you know why I made twelve stars?”

“Well, I know twelve roses means ‘Be mine’, but I’m already yours mah.” Cheeky grin. “So what does it mean?”

“It means the number of children you’re gonna bear for me!”

“Yeah right, in your dreams!” Now she was really back to her usual self. I was just so happy. I never ever wanted her to be angry with me again. Not that it’s easy though. I moved under the covers so she could snuggle tightly in my arms. Her breathing was light, and I could feel it on my bare chest. She started to speak again.

“Bunny, you know why I was angry right? When you were gone I was thinking that I was over-reacting, but then, did you know I’m under a lot of pressure?”

I was a little shocked. What did she mean by that? Reading my thoughts, she continued. “Meeting your family has been one of the things that I’ve always looked forward to, yet I feel pressured because I didn’t know what they would think of me. Especially when you told me about Audrey and how your mum hated her. That scared me you know. And just now, your stupid comment on how I was taking over your mother’s role wasn’t funny at all. What if she took it the wrong way? I just didn’t like it. Luckily she didn’t seem bothered by it. Obviously she knows your nonsense better than I do!” With that she proceeded to thump my chest. She’s been in the habit of doing that lately. “So that’s why I was all annoyed and scared. I really love you, and your family, and I don’t want them to hate me.”

She sounded so forlorn that it wrenched my heart into the most oddly contorted shape. I was so touched. Here I was thinking it was a little squabble between a couple that I knew I could “fix” while she was introspecting about the future of our relationship. For the first time in my life, impending commitment in a relationship didn’t scare me at all. I knew I was important to her since she felt this way, and felt so idiotic that I hadn’t been able to sense this apprehension in her. ‘Bloody men’, I used that excuse again.

I sighed. “I’m so so so sorry dear. I had no idea you thought that much. I mean I always knew you wouldn’t have problems with my parents. I guess I should’ve reassured you. Why hadn’t you spoken to me about this?”

“Didn’t want to worry you lor. I usually just tell myself that I was thinking too much.”

“Hey, I don’t want you to keep anything from me ok? And stop feeling that you’re not as important to me as my family and all that nonsense, in case you are thinking that way, ok?”

“Ok bunny…” She was sleepy now. All the anxiety about meeting my family and the long periods of traveling seemed to finally culminate in an exhausted and spent body and mind of my beloved Chloe. I was glad she was in my arms. No one in this world would ever fill those arms again.

We slept soundly that night, under the clear star-lit skies of Brisbane, and among the MacDonald’s straw stars scattered over lilac satin sheets.

Part VI

Southbank hadn’t changed.

Man-made and poised by the banks of Brisbane river lay the picturesque esplanade, adorned with places of pasta, lobster and sirloin. A wading pool formed from a rock waterfall could be found at one end of the esplanade where fragrances of charred, barbequed meat lingered.

That evening, we found ourselves patronising one of the bistros situated along the esplanade.

“Bunny, this place is just so peaceful. Do you think we could live here next time?”

I smiled approvingly, since I had every intention to. I didn’t know how serious she was, and whether she thought about her friends and family that she’d be leaving behind in Singapore, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was that she was in front of me, making me the happiest man alive. However, the fact of whether she was also the happiest woman alive was unbeknownst to me.

I took a sip of my red wine gave a nod of approval to the anticipating sommelier. “You’ve indeed chosen an excellent wine, sir. Please allow me to serve your lovely companion so that she may also savour this excellent wine.” He said, with a smile that could probably win more awards than the wine in his hands. Chloe grinned and allowed her glass to be filled.

Beyond her, the bistro was filled with soft jazz, dampened by constant chatter from the guests and their occasional bouts laughter. Teak dining tables with matching table runners stood on matte parqueted flooring. In contrast, the shining silverware that reflected a single tea-light candle on the tables added a touch of class to the ambience of the bistro.

“Bon appétit,” The waiter said as he laid our main courses in front of us. Chloe had ordered the grilled salmon, while I opted for the lamb rack.

“Dear…” I started to speak.

“Yes, bunny?” She replied, taking a bite of her fish. Without letting me continue she commented, “Wow bunny, this salmon is good! You wanna try some?” That smile again. It almost felt like I never had to eat again if I could see that smile for the rest of my life.

“Alright!” I replied as she placed a slice of fish in my mouth. “Hmm, it’s pretty good, huh? But I reckon you could do a better job!” I smiled back. I was telling the truth. Food prepared by her with an extra ingredient called love could not be bettered by the best chef.

“Oh, you’re kidding. Don’t tease me like that. Don’t forget, you’re the one who taught me how to cook, so in other words you are praising yourself lar?” She sniggered playfully.

Dinner continued with playful banter and I felt at the top of the world. She was such great company and even after all these months I felt that everyday with her was like getting to know her again. The excitement, freshness and vitality exuded from her never seemed to fade. In fact, it seemed to grow with time, much the opposite of my previous relationships where the spark seemed to die with the passing months.

“Chlo, I want to ask you something.” I said over dessert. “Are you happy?” I asked apprehensively.

“Of course I am! We’re on holiday bunny, our first holiday ever. And this place is just great! I love the weather, and even the air, it’s so fresh! Then it’s not really crowded like in Singapore, and people here are just so friendly! And oh, your family, they’re just wonderful. I’ll definitely have to learn more dishes to cook from your mum.” Her exuberance never failed to elate me, even though she hadn’t really answered the question.

“And I’m sure she’ll be more than happy to. But I meant to ask, are you really happy?” This time I looked serious. The glint in my eyes surely communicated to her that I meant if she was happy with our relationship.

Her smile faded slightly, and her face turned into an almost confused look. Her arched eyebrows showed concern as she responded, “What do you think? Don’t you have any idea?”

“Well, let’s just say when something perfect in my life presents itself, I would think it was too good to be true. And dear, you’re prefect.” I didn’t know why I was so negative. I had always been a pessimist, and this time was no different. Maybe, for once in my life, I actually feared that someone walking out of it would probably kill me. I took a big gulp of my wine and emptied the glass.

“Bunny…” She spoke softly. “I love you. I know you love me too. That’s enough for me. I hope that answers your question.” She stretched her arm forward and placed her hand gently on mine and stroked reassuringly with her fingertip. She looked at me with contentment in her eyes, something which I was sure I’d seen, but never noticed. Tonight, I certainly noticed it, and was relieved. I leaned forward to give her a peck on the lips, tasting partly of lip gloss and partly of the sweet wine she just had, but mostly the assurance that she too, was happy. I was the reason she was happy.

Part VII

Her squeals of excitement turned quite a few heads, as we approached Circular Quay. We were in Sydney.

“Bunny, look! The Harbour Bridge!! And there, the Opera House! Wow… this is so beautiful!” She put her arms around my waist while walking side-by-side, and I gave her a peck on the forehead.

“Look at you, you’re acting more like my little daughter than my girlfriend! Anyway, you have to make a choice now, do you want to go left to the bridge or right to the Opera House? Cos if we keep walking straight, we’re gonna get wet!”

“OK, let’s do the Opera House!”

Walking hand in hand with her, we were just like a couple out of high school. Swinging our arms, with her skipping every now and again, pointing to this and that and asking me to “Look, dear!” when I was already looking anyway. I was so glad that she was happy.

As we approached the Opera House, the familiar sound of a didgeridoo filled our ears. So we walked up to the aboriginals playing the unique music, which seemed to awe her. Was she never filled with excitement?

“Dear, I want to take a few photos, why don’t you wait for me at the café over there?” I pointed to the numerous white umbrellas sheltering a charming alfresco style café.

“Sure, strong latte for you? Oh no, better not, by the time you come it’ll be cold already. I’ll get you an ice-coffee instead ok?” Big smile. And then off she went like the angel she is.

Out came my camera and before I knew it, three quarters of an hour had passed. Oh no, I thought to myself, she must be bored! I threw my camera into my bag, conveniently forgetting to put my lens cap on, and headed towards the café.

I saw my baby sitting at one of the tables near the thoroughfare, with a very worried look on her face. Next to her, a pretty large built Caucasian man loomed over her small frame spoke animatedly. As I hurried closer, I saw that he was a photographer too, carrying plenty of gear and a very expensive tripod.

“What’s up baby?” I gave her a soft but reassuring peck on the cheek. Immediately she grabbed my hand, a firm grasp would be an understatement. She was obviously very flustered. I looked up at the man.

“Joshua.” I stuck my hand out sincerely.

“Lance. G’day!” and a firm handshake was the reply.

“I see you like to take photos too, hey?”

Slightly taken aback by my thick Aussie accent he responded: “Yeah mate, love it. Ya born here?”

“Almost!” That was the truth. “This is my wife, Chloe.” I looked down on my baby.

“ Fair dinkum! You’ve got yourself a pretty decent sheila there mate! Look man, didn’t mean any harm just now, thought she was a tourist, a good-looker too, and wanted to take photos and send them to her. Honest to God.”

He smiled. I believed him.

I nudged him to the side walk, and spoke in soft whispers to him. He nodded vigorously and beamed. Gave me a pat on the back and waited for my cue.

When I got back to Chloe, she looked at me with the most bewildering eyes. “Bunny…? Why did you call me your wife?” Her voice a little unsteady, either from the scare she got before, or from my remark, or both.

I took my stance on one knee, pulled out from my pocket a 50 point single solitaire diamond ring in white gold and looked at her. Her expression was priceless. And her eyes glazed over. Holding the ring with one hand, and holding hers in the other, I said slowly, thoughtfully:

“Chloe, you’ve only ever brought me joy, joy that I have never experienced. I want to be selfish and keep that joy forever. If you say yes, it means that you’re selfish too, because the joy that I give you is also unfelt of in the whole of your life, and you too want to keep it forever. Marry me, my baby.”

Tears steamed while by-standers looked on expectantly. I looked at her and smiled. I never thought this day would come, that I could propose to the woman I love without a doubt. Without a doubt that she would be the first person that I will see every morning, the only person to share my children with, the only person to come back to Sydney with, to this spot and relive this memory in our old age. She is the only one I have ever truly loved.

I sure was well-prepared. A clean tissue came out of my pocket to wipe her tears away. She wasn’t wearing any make-up for it to smear, as I preferred her without make-up; she was a natural beauty, I kept telling her when we first started going out. A gently sniffle and she smiled.

“Yes, bunny, of course. I love you too much to ever lose you.” Oh no, I think I need more tissues.

I was surprised at the loud applause that ensued. Quite a sizable group of by-standers had gathered, even the didgeridoo player happened to walk by after his performance and decided to see what the gathering was all about! Of course, he started to play some lively tunes to reflect the happiness, according to him when I tipped him afterwards.

I slipped the diamond ring over her finger and kissed her gently. “You’re so beautiful, even when you’re crying. I love you!”

As the crowd dissipated, Lance appeared again. Chloe instinctively grabbed me tighter, as though the embrace we were in wasn’t suffocating enough.

“It’s ok dear, don’t worry, Lance played a great part during my proposal just now!”

“Huh? What do you mean?” That bewildered look again, eyes still moist, slightly red.

Lance congratulated me with a handshake and a slap on the shoulder. “Here you go, mate, your compact flash card!”

“And here you go, for your time!” I passed him a fifty, and he said, “Get outta here, I’m not taking that. It’s your day today! You’re the man!!”

I insisted, we exchanged name cards, and he’s expecting an invitation in the mail.

“How come your CF card is with him bunny?” She asked as Lance left.

“He was taking pictures of the whole event baby. And it’s all here, for us to look at when we are old and wrinkled, to remind you of how you agreed to marry a good man!”

She laughed, “I thought he was some crook! You’re so clever you know that! Oh, I’m so happy, and I want to see the photos can? Put in your camera now, show me on the LCD please please please???”

While I smirked and she giggled at the screen on the camera, seagulls were heard as singing, celebrating our love, the harbour bridge lighted up as the sun set, but our spirits remained high. As we playfully discussed the names of our kids, a waitress came with a slice of mud cake and a lit candle, and we blew the candle off together.

This was the stuff of dreams. The date was September Fifteen, Nineteen Ninety Eight.

~*~

The Scientist - Coldplay

2007-08-19T06:23:00.001+08:00

Thanx to Jas for sending me that song, on the soundtrack of "Wicker Park".

Incidentally, i edited this image to that tune going on repeat:

clickable.

Bad shit happens to good pple....

2007-08-17T18:56:00.000+08:00

met Bertrand Lee at my studio today as he is getting married. Ill-informed and never-reading-the-news me had totally no idea who he is, but a short search in google revealed one blatant statement coming from me.. "bad shit happens to good pple...."

but u know he and his fiance seem happy and very normal (even tho he's minus one leg) and i really meant it when i said to him "it's great you're getting married and in a way starting a new chapter in life!". best wishes to them, whether or not he books me!

if u're reading this Bert, it was my pleasure meeting you guys, yes, i did google you and found out about ur accident, but you both look happy and definitely very strong. eye opener for me; u guys are great!

Brisbane part 2!

2007-08-15T23:17:00.000+08:00

Jonathan and Raine wanted me to announce that they'll be joining me in Brisbane for their bridal shoot, so cool!

But tell you guys first hor... we won't be looking for Cheryl there. ahahha...

Happy reservist-ing Jon, keep urself healthy and injury free, cos when u come out u have to sign the contract!!

no photos for this post... ehhe..

anyone wondering how come i kinda like stopped posting images from my ricoh? i'm wondering too... damn.. better bring it out more!

One more that i like!

2007-08-14T17:59:00.000+08:00

From the same couple, Kevin and Priscilla.

They were like superstars walking thru vivocity the other day, EVERYONE was looking at them. so fun, so colourful, so real.

but.. this one was at sentosa... ehhehe

This pic speaks to me...

2007-08-12T01:46:00.000+08:00

no idea why but it does... so i went and "spoke back" and came up with another version. ahha i seldom do this but was waiting for my macs to arrive so played ard a bit... spot the difference? hehe...

clickable.

Writing and Brisbane...

2007-07-29T04:43:00.001+08:00

Rockclimber Jas tells me my personality really shines thru when i write, as i sent her a write up of my thoughts for a special project of mine (more details when it's done) but i dismissed it cos i don't have time to write. write what? no inspiration too. but yes jas, i love writing, it's an outlet, and sometimes, it doesn't need to be read... blogging well... it's still public. and i will not, or very very seldom, implicate someone else in my blog.

anywayz.. that's that... nothing much to write about there.

now to brisbane... met a couple today (jonathan and raine - woohoo same name!) who were interested in wedding photography (hey u come to the right person!) and also studied in brisbane. so we, or at least chatterbox me, couldn't stop talking (and thinking!) about brisbane. damn i spent at least 10 years there, of course i have so many memories. one that comes to mind...

one day after coffee at milton (park road), cheryl and i (just friends then, i was after her) were kinda twiddling our thumbs over coffee. i was vexed because i had this feeling that she didn't like me, but i just wouldn't give up. she was probably twiddling thumbs wondering why i liked her and why i wasn't giving up...

so i said let's go for a walk, so we walked along coronation drive by the river and was pretty much silent. prob a good time for an "ultimatum" but nope, we decided we walked far enuff, so let's walk back. you can actually walk for long distances in australia cos it's so cool, altho the mood was colder. so i couldn't take it anymore, i stopped, looked at her and asked her to hug me. she gave me this dumbfounded look and asked "why?"...

i was like... WTF? i can't remember what i said, it must have been to the effect of "no reason just thot it'd be nice" so she gave me the awkwardest hug in the world.

so prepare for the anti-climax.. i drove her home and went back feeling stupid.

many months later when we were already together, i asked her when she started liking me, or when she thought she'd like to be with me. she said it was when i awkwardly asked for a hug that night. i was like WTF (part 2).....??

i still have no idea what that was all about, but she was a great gf...

why is it that i remember all these?

i miss brisbane. jon and raine, let's go there to shoot lar, i'm sure u guys have your own love stories there, except yours ends (or starts, depending on how you look at it!) in marriage, whereas mine... er, yeah, nvm that... (anti-climax part 2)..

What is wrong with me?

2007-07-27T00:49:00.000+08:00

I watched Jerry Maguire again after so long and was crying quite bad (for a guy at least).. WTF??????????????

Am I THAT lonely? I refuse to admit it.

Right, don't anyone leave a comment, thanx.

The sweetest kid I ever met at a wedding..

2007-07-26T22:08:00.000+08:00

and.. i think i got a bad angle of her too!

she was always smiling, always obedient, and i got the bride's newphew ( a couple of years older than her) to pose with her and she was SO SHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!

ahah so sweeeeeeeeeeeet cannot take it. dammit, never thought i'd say this, but i wish i had a daughter like her!!!

arrr.. couldn't stop smiling when editing these pics.

Wedding shots!

2007-07-15T01:47:00.001+08:00

yes.. as usual, as a wedding photographer, i dun post all that much wedding photos here... well, hope this makes up for it. =)

Bel & Rex

2007-07-05T03:24:00.000+08:00

as simple as that:

Wedding Invitation!

2007-07-01T11:10:00.000+08:00

no.. not mine!! lol..

got it from Dino's blog, congrats on your blog bro!

More Rex

2007-06-30T13:47:00.000+08:00

Well Rex had diarrhoea after his birthday from his birthday cake.. but anyway here's today, when he's well again!

Bridal Rex?

Rex trying to be a doe?

This one already has a caption!

Happy birthday Ben and Rex!!!

2007-06-28T05:24:00.000+08:00

well.. non humans have birthdays too... =)

and Ben, is my dear brother!

I dunno what I should do for Rex.. maybe give him the meat in his dogfood and put a candle on/in it, make him sneeze, and viola! he'd have made a wish and blew his candle out. "lim beh *woof* wish for *woof* bel and ahma to remove me from jon's clutches *WOOOOOOOOOOOOF*"

okok.. now uneartly hour, no one blows candles at 530am, maybe later tonight i go try do a dog food bday cake and take photo.

as for my dear brother ben, honestly, we're too old to celebrate birthdays, but never to old to enjoy every day anyway. u're way more fortunate than me, loving wife and lovely stacy... good stuff! see u guys soon!

come to think of it.. stacy is turning one soon too huh... wah lau.. time flies even when you're NOT having fun!! hhaha...

oh and er.. i might be taking up video, just for fun... yeah.. more on that next time. =P

VVV - Verdict V1 or V2?

2007-06-25T20:21:00.000+08:00

*drum roll*

V2 it is!!! i'll be emailing the artwork later. thanx everyone for your inputs, very much appreciated!

and.. i never knew so many pple read my crap!! woo.. i feel popular and i'm not a girl!!! ahahhahah...

ok... *ahem* sorree about that, let me get back to my fake modest self.

Past...

2007-06-25T11:34:00.000+08:00

was talking to "rockclimber jas" and u know how conversations go.. it led to me talking to her about an ex of mine.

so i went back to the blog we both shared and i found this:

extracted from here

Reasons why I love you.

I was a little unhappy today, so I thought
I might list down the reasons why I love
you, that should make me happier.

I love you because ...

1. when you smile, I can't help but smile too.
2. even when you frown, you are cute!
3. you make me smile when I read all the
mindless chatter from you on msn after
being away from my desk at work.
4. I feel loved, every moment of the day.
5. you grab my arm whenever you think
i'm unhappy with you, like you never
want to let go.
6. you are a good kisser!
7. you take great pains to wake me up
everyday, even when you are already
late, or still asleep.
8. of all the liang cha you've made
for me to drink, I feel very cool!
9. of the look in your eyes looking
at mine looking at yours.
10. you just messaged me to pick
you up! (Seriously!)

I think i better continue this list
another day. But there's one last
one that's very important.

I love you because I am a better man
with you in my life.

OK.. hmm i'm not so unhappy now,
but I miss you more. argh!

don't ask me why i'm posting this.. i guess.. i forgot wat it was like being in love, that reminded me with a smile.

thank you "rockclimber jas" for the invigorating conversation, and for reminding me that i can still smile instead of lament, about the past. =)

so now.. can you please sign your wedding package with me already????????????? ahahahah...

Haven't posted a wedding pic for agess....

2007-06-24T02:53:00.000+08:00

clickable.

i need EVERYONE'S help

2007-06-23T03:44:00.000+08:00

I'm deciding on the artwork for a 2 page spread advertorial in a bridal magazine, and here are two versions and i would REALLY love to hear which one you'd think is better. remember, it's an AD, not for competition, not for albums, not for my/your/their wall... =P

email, call, sms, msn, pm, comment etc me PLEASEEEEE!! =)

(click for larger versions)

VERSION 1

VERSION 2

Eye power

2007-06-21T18:42:00.001+08:00

Why no taxi...??

2007-06-21T18:36:00.000+08:00

I cried watching this...

2007-06-19T06:32:00.000+08:00

mind you.. probably only because i was in private.

i don't even know how to describe it...

watched in on eadwine's blog.

PsOYY

2007-06-17T15:57:00.000+08:00

pics of yesterday's yesterday...

bought new shoes... FINALLY

the man in the bowl

power stride

bel

WPN guys:

Had dinner with them at Brazil @ Sixth Ave, packed, but food was great! As for whether it's worth $50 per mouth (food only), hmm...

PsOY

2007-06-16T02:31:00.000+08:00

stands for "Photos Of Yesterday"... cos by the time i edit and bother to post.. it's the next day liow.

i guess i'm putting the gx thru it's paces...

snoopy's evil twin

snoopy's evil twin and chalie brown's evil twin sister... (the owner of snoopy's evil twin) this is getting confusing...

????

Jared - look for him at Clarke Quay

New toy!!

2007-06-14T15:45:00.000+08:00

Ok, impulse buy again, got the ricoh gx100. i was telling james about it one day, and the next couple of days i got it liow.. and he was like HAR SO FAST???

well i told him, the ricoh decision was done in 2 days. the need for a useable camera that doesn't weigh 50kg has been around for 50 years... or so. =P

anywayz, less talk more pics. i HOPE i can start shooting "crap" more now. i miss that u know... i remember when i first got my digicam, it went everywhere with me everyday for the first 6 months..

i will be using this camera for b/w shots mainly.. and here's the first few "test shots"... =)

no i didn't use this card to pay for it.. it was another!! =P

i've always loved ryan's expressions..

while stopped at the traffic lights!

Rex!!!

ok update about rex.. he barks too much and more or less it's prob due to the lack of attention. will have to do something about it... cos the neighbours will complain...

I'm actually at my dentist now and it has a "built in internet cafe" for patients to use.. so i guess if u're hacking and wheezing with TB u might feel better if u can come online to chat with ur frens on msn. how nice!!! =)

did my new IC today too.. 1 year and 18 days late. and i had to write a declaration explaining why it took me so long to get it done. i essentially wrote "i was busy". period.

altho i don't wanna be, but if u wanna fine me, just do. if not, don't. what's the declaration for? i just wrote three words! like that also shiok? i'm never gonna turn 30 again to have to change my IC. when's the next age to change IC anyway?

but the experience there was quite the pits. when i took my passport photo, the aunty there insisted that my hair was too long for the photo. after checking with her colleague next to here, to which the reply was "can lah!" she still insisted for me to get some water and comb my hair behind my ears, nag nag nag nag. i just stared at her and said, just take the photo, ur job is not to regulate it. for $5.25 you sure are "helpful".

i was pissed off becos firstly, the "second opinion" already said it was alright. secondly, you want me to use some pissy dirty comb to touch my hair? thirdly, you know the typical chinese aunty.. they come across as very.. i dunno the word.. how about KIAM PAH?

and then i thot to myself.. alot of these "aunties" i meet at weddings, being the relatives of the brides or grooms that i shoot. how is it that i can mainly get along with them at such occasions, but not at ICA? so then i thot, perhaps pple act differently when put in different situations (mainly true i feel) and quickly dismissed any thoughts as i thot, it's just a damn passport photo, why get all phylosophical over it?

i even thot of sim wong hoo in "NUTS". the working mentality. but really wat it is to her if my NRIC photo "fails". and oh.. better yet.. she isn't even the one taking the damn photo. she was just COLLECTING MONEY to issue me a coupon b4 i go to the booth.

i shoulda taken a photo of her with my gx. ahhaha...

ok waiting to go in to get my teeth raped.. er i mean cleaned by my dentist. nooooo.....

REX!!!

2007-06-12T03:52:00.000+08:00

no.. not the car.. but a dog's name!!

yeap.. i am looking after a dog on bahalf of a friend's friend... nvm that part.. but the dog.. he's a beagle/daschund mix, and i've got him for 3 months till his owner can have him back.

took him for a walk just now and the first thing he did was to pee at the tree right outside my gate. no wonder he was making so much noise in the house! and it's good that he's still toilet trained, cos apparently he's been at a pet farm for the last year, and might have "forgotten" about toilet training since it's not needed there...?

anywayz.. yeap i guess i'll be going for walks often then. which brings me to the next point.. while walking.. i wanna take pics leh!!! so i am thinking if i should get a gx100... it's expensive for a digicam.. but well, i guess only pple who really know about photography would see it's value. anyway it's not that i need to take pics while walking rex, i've always wanted a digicam since there's no way i would bring out my dslr on a regular basis unless it's for a "proper shoot". even travelling.. dun wanna lug all the stuff around.

so ron, if you're reading this - was gonna see if u were on msn if not will call you - can you tell me (if you know) if the gx100 is worth it, or should i get a GRD instead? the gx is appealing because it has a zoom, and without the WA convertor it's already at 24mm, which is plenty wide. also another plus point is the IS on the gx100 sensor. the 10mp doesn't bother me much, actually it probably produces noisier images as a result?

man.. trust me to link a (temporary) acquistion of a dog to a (permanent) acquisition of a camera... wat the....???!!

back to rex.. i think he's a little scared/uncertain/unfamiliar so he's kinda making funny noises and barking intermittently. hopefully he gets used to the place and me soon, but otherwise he's much of a pleasure to be with. i mean, being toilet trained, that is VERY GOOD liow lor, i can't ask for much more on the first day.

oh.. and the owner of this dog.. she's quite cute.. and.. very sunburnt!!!

i'll take pics of it.. maybe with my gx100 which i don't have yet.... lol...

ron, talk to u about it soon! =)

Soulmates and cycles.

2007-06-08T02:51:00.000+08:00

How long can you go without speaking your heart about your worries, inadequacies and fears? Especially when it's not because of pride that prevents you from doing so, just lack of listeners?

and to make it a little more interesting, what if the listeners had to be QUALIFIED to listen? i mean, bluntly put, why would u bother letting a person listen to you if you felt they wouldn't understand? then, how sure are you know they wouldn't?

that's wat soulmates are for...

anywayz...

wedding season is starting for me again..

so.. what's life about...? soulmates and cycles, perhaps.

Sabrina this is for you....

2007-06-04T00:43:00.000+08:00

and wondering..

WHY U NEVER WISH ME HAPPY BIRTHDAY?????

hmpffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff~~~~

=P

What happens when you need test models to check the light?

2007-05-29T05:34:00.001+08:00

This:

enuff said.... AHAHAHHAHAHAHahah

Bday photos!

2007-05-27T17:33:00.000+08:00

Had myself in stitches all night last night, where ryan, damian, william x2, eric, james and grace (all photogs except the womam!) celebrated my bday at this brazillian restaurant near ryan's studio...

it had this card where one side was green and the other was red. it's for you to flip it over so the chef knows if u you want more food on your plate (green) or not (flip it to the red side). i told the waiter when he informed us of the "system" that u no need to bother with me, just gimme a green plate! ahhaha

anyway, a very special thanx to eric who BAKED ME A CHOCOLATE BROWNIE CAKE. u got that straight, a man who bakes, and is hell good at it. u think i know alot of girls? u dunno this guy yet. baking his way to nirvana it seems... MAUAHHAHA

i had a great day guys.. didn't expect such an odd numbered year to have so much fun, it's always just an excuse to have dinner for me, wat a great excuse it was this year!

thanx to more smses that came in, in total 3 ex-gfs smsed, ahha i guess they don't hate me. *bleah*

ok enuff talking, how about some pic whoring...

and the three afgan "girls" mauahaha..

thanx to william chua for these pics. william yang.. i still waiting for yours!!! will chua couldn't stop laughing at "afgan ryan". we predicted that when the couple that he's shooting today gets married in church he will burst out laughing..... he was laughing so hard i think i saw an aneurism happen right there.....

thanx again guys! =)

Hilarious!

2007-05-26T04:14:00.000+08:00

Got this from Feliza's blog... ahahah it's damn funny!!!!!!!!!!

Title: 'No honey, I don't feel like it tonight....'
Author: Guy

One evening last week, my girlfriend and I were getting into bed. Well, the passion starts to heat up, and she eventually says,'I don't feel like it, I just want you to hold me.' I said, 'WHAT??!! What was that?!' So she says the words that every boyfriend on the planet dreads to hear... 'You're just not in touch with my emotional needs as a woman enough for me to satisfy your physical needs as a man.'

She responded to my puzzled look by saying,'Can't you just love me for who I am and not what I do for you in the bedroom?' Realizing that nothing was going to happen that night, I went to sleep.

The very next day I opted to take the day off of work to spend time with her. We went out to a nice lunch and then went shopping at a big, big unnamed department store. I walked around with her while she tried on several different very expensive outfits. She couldn't decide which one to take, so I told her we'd just buy the mall.

She wanted new shoes to compliment her new clothes, so I said, 'Let’s get a pair for each outfit.' We went on to the jewellery department where she picked out a pair of diamond earrings.

Let me tell you... she was so excited.She must have thought I was one wave short of a shipwreck. I started to think she was testing me because she asked for a tennis racket when she doesn't even know how to play tennis. I think I threw her for a loop when I said, 'That's fine, honey.'

She was almost nearing sexual satisfaction from all of the excitement. Smiling with excited anticipation, she finally said,'I think this is all dear, let's go to the cashier.' I could hardly contain myself when I blurted out, 'No honey, I don't feel like it.'

Her face just went completely blank as her jaw dropped with a baffled, “WHAT?' I then said, 'Honey! I just want you to HOLD this stuff for a while.You're just not in touch with my financial needs as a man enough for me to satisfy your shopping needs as a woman.'

And just when she had this look like she was going to kill me, I added,' Why can't you just love me for who I am and not for the things I buy you?'

Apparently I'm not having sex tonight either....but at least that girl knows I'm smarter than her.

Fu Qi Xiang? and bday crap...

2007-05-26T03:29:00.000+08:00

got my film back:

shot on ilford xp2

I love this shot!! and i love how it reminds me of the short but fun conversations we had during the time i shot this!

anyway that's portia in the background and... *ahem* some handsome guy in the foreground. portia if u want this pic u'll have to somehow navigate to this blog cos i ain't telling u about it! ahhahaha...

more from that day on film:

a couple more shots, lighted my my "mi mi wu qi"! b/w but shot on digital:

these are of huirong... ehhe first to message me on the day itself... so sweet!! *muakZ*

__________

thanx to adrian and wendy for dinner and the shirt... purple?? ahhaha.. u know since u bought it i will wear it, i'm not that fussy!

and in chronological order, thanx to those for your well wishes thru sms: laifong and shervon before midnight, huirong, gary, jaslyn, oyster on or after midnite.

laifong amused me today.. she smsed me and said, just pay justin (they are both my cousins) back $200 minus $1 change as she was gonna get him to buy her a bday present on my account; she's got the same bday as me, one year younger. i was like WTF???? then nvm lor.. play along, so i asked for justin's a/c i trf to him, she say nvm trf to me then i pay myself, and gave me her a/c number instead.

so i transferred lor.. i transferred $1.99. MAUAHAHHAHAHAHHA

and smsed her said trf liow.. she so happy still can call me chit chat happily.

later at night she found out and was she livid!! MAUAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH serves u right for being so thick skinned in the first place. i told her, put it this way, at least it's a bday present u will never forget, being 30 somemore! (shit now everyone knows my age...) married with two kids lor please! u are so XIN FU!!!!!!!!!!!!!! best bday present, and it happens.. everyday!

happy bday to u too laifong!

Testing 5D...

2007-05-21T04:21:00.000+08:00

and what better subjects to test on than huirong and portia? =)

Huirong:

Potia:

u know where to find the rest...

Was using a few lenses.. 70-200/2.8L (no IS), 35/1.4L, 85/1.2L, 24-105L and my fav of the lot was the 35/1.4

ok i seldom equipment wank but this i gotta say, TOTALLY backlighted and wide open, the 35/1.4 controlled flare so well, and the most amazing part is... totally no CA...

85/1.2 is too damn heavy and i can never get a good focus at f1.2. of course i dun have to use it at f1.2 lar, was just testing. altho alot of wedding photgs that have that lens, use it at f1.2.... i was like HOW???? my skill lousy.. teach me leh. WILLIAM CHUA!!! oh ya that reminds me, i want the shot u took of me at TCC.. yeap.. at f1.2!!!

24-105 won't be a lens of my choice, becos it's at f4. i guess being a nikon user.. we don't have f4 lenses, so all 2.8 or faster. also, at 24 the barrel distortion is too much for me, i wouldn't sacrifice that just for a longer range zoom. i wonder how the 24-70 fares at the 24 end...

then the body.. 5D, yeah.. nice piece of work, image quality wise. body wise, average, controls are ok, anything is better than the 1D series where it's like trying to mutilate a rubix cube.. i still like how nikons feel in my hands.. but then i suspect that's totally something you get accustomed to...

i was blown away.... damn.. DAMN. nikon.. wat are you doing??????????????????? and can you do it soon?!!!

don't be surprised if i turn up to a wedding wielding both systems.. madness economically, but totally making the best of both camps. like, i can't give up nikon's flash system. even a 5yo can shoot with a nikon flash and expose correctly ALL THE TIME. =P

many thanx to james for loaning me the 5D and 24-105, and william for the rest. and REAL friends do not poison each other, both of them have advised me to think carefully before making any decisions.

ok equipment wank off. got a wedding to shoot in a couple of hours. (with nikon!)

Mercedes-Benz Centre turns one!

2007-05-12T06:41:00.000+08:00

And as a valued vendor to them, they called me 2 hours before the event. What notice!

Anyway, i got this shot tonight, forgetful me, can't remember her name...

i seldom post event shots altho i shoot quite alot of them... here's a few from tonight that i liked:

and the chiobu of the night (non-model/actress) goes to Pricilla (notwithstanding the messy hair!).. hope i got her name right:

on second thought, i think i liked her best including all the models there tonight. and please, try not to tell me about how i freely like to express my thoughts on beautiful females. cos i already know that.

Some pics from over the weekend...

2007-05-07T11:39:00.000+08:00

i didn't sleep at all on sat nite.. zombied...

Amanda:

Huirong:

self portrait...

2007-05-04T02:14:00.000+08:00

tah daaaaaaaa:

go until where take photo until where... zhi ye bing! ehehhe..

thanx maddie for a great nite. u look so cute behind there!!

Greetings from BKK...

2007-04-29T01:39:00.000+08:00

and my blogger panal is in thai!! wah lauz..

anyway just got here, flight was terbulent-y, and i'm shack man.

brought 4 different types of film.. including one slide film, so let's see whether i got enuff energy to shoot.

nitezzz~

MM

2007-04-26T06:30:00.000+08:00

stands for more madeleine.. hehe

more at my usual gallery.

btw, i realised when someone asked me about the title of the song in the previous post that i didn't state it, anyway it's "Stars are Blind" by Paris Hilton, and that person mentioned i was a little shallow since i only mentioned the part where the model flirts with the photographer, and that's not very becoming to imply that i advocate it.

i wondered, what is so unbecoming about flirting? flirting is not casual sex! especially if you wanted that kind of look with your images/videos (as in the paris hilton video). perhaps if i was attached, flirting with my models won't go down too well with my better half but alas, i'm as single as the iceberg that the titanic hit (ok bad example.. sorry!).

anywayz, if i need to redeem myself, it's this: i love the video because i like paris hilton and the video is well done in my opinion. the monochrome works with the contrasty lighting, and the song is catchy, and witty with hidden meanings. go look up the lyrics and think naughty!

sex or sexuality is a big part of (some/most of) our lives, it's how we perceive it and act upon it that reflects on oneself. i still dun feel i am discounting or degrading myself when i say flirting is (or can be) good. i dun have qualify my statement.

anywayz, AWeSOME video hehe..

Maddie, got a scene in the video i wanna try, with the ropes... game? =)

Another photographer MTV

2007-04-25T01:57:00.000+08:00

Saw this quite a while back but never really found it on youtube, remembered it yesterday while shooting madeleine. (esp the part where the model starts flirting with the photographer)... hahaha..

Continuous shooting in the studio will give u eye hernia...

2007-04-24T17:31:00.001+08:00

if there was such a thing.. lol.

anyway, one from yesterday's, more soon:

clickable.

Alcohol is a depressant

2007-04-22T04:39:00.000+08:00

yes indeed.

(that was all i was gonna write for this post but i thot that seemed a little too attn seeking)...

had a great time with some friends and friends' of friends with korean food, chocs and booze - try this combination, seems to work well! playing host is quite fun, u know every conversation only lasts 5 mins at the most, cos after that u need to go to some other part of the party and do something (like force cheryl to drink her warm champaign that she was holding in her hand for the last 45 mins). wonder if she reads my blog...

thanx to james and amir and rosie for cleaning up this morning, the place is now cleaner than before the party!!

anywayz, was great meeting up with roy and vanes today, i am ever so amused by their "couple communication", hahaha.. i think he'll know wat i'm talking about, hor boss?? heheeh.

thanx for dinner and wine again =) get ur car washed then can shoot liow. u want a model to pose with the car?? lol...

ok that's it from me tonite, while it's been a pretty good day, i think i should end it. it just sux when ur mind just wants to ruin an otherwise good day....