K Y R A : wrapped in confidence

OMG i LOVE this shot.



Make up : Lyndnn
Hair : Bryan
Photography, lighting, DI : jOhO

Club 30

I'm tired from editing the girls' photos...

anyway, thanx to everyone who has given their well-wishes, my closer friends will know what i truly want. it's not something that can come wrapped with a ribbon. well, not usually anyway!

maybe i'll write more about life thus far tomorrow.. maybe not.

Happy? *nods* happy enuff. i don't usually have to try too hard to be positive. things are good, they are. =)

For those who are lost, i am THIRTY today lar... KAOZZZZ stop giving me that look!! *growLz*

More studio stuff.. with a twist.

Thanks to Lyndnn for providing the opportunity to shoot a portfolio project. She's building her make-up portfolio, got another make-up artist in and a hair stylist, 8 girls, i got myself and ron in (2 photographers) and all of us had a mass orgy in a 3rm flat. ok.. that last part ron didn't take part, in case ms clover reads my blog. TRUE!!! eh bro.. i haven't "officially" met her leh...

ANYWAYzz...

some pics.. not all processed yet. and as usual u know where to find the rest.

Miriam:






Destiny








Maggie




Kyra




Iris






CREDITS:
Lighting : Ron
Make-up : Lyndnn & Shirley
Hair : Bryan
Photography : *duh*


Iris is SACCHARINE SWEET... kaoz.. major toothache like you would not believe. take note, sweet does NOT mean the cutesy "teh" kind.. sweet is sweet is something u shouldn't take too much cos diabetes is an expensive illness to treat.. that kind of sweet.

check the gallery for more.. i haven't processed most of them yet.. still got alot...

She's so cute!

This song always reminds me of Jean... maybe becos it's been on her blog for the longest time..

anywayz, the camera in the first scene is a Nikon FM ... steady!!

i especially love the part where she's jealous when he was shooting another girl.. ahhaha.. oh my... ok.. enuff of this. =P

D & C

As promised:











Congrats again bro!

Congrats in advance to Dennis and Christine

Dennis called up while i was watching Da Vinci Code with adrian and wendy, returned his call and the conversation went something like this:

"eh broooo... i very gan cheong leh!!"

"why? worried something will go wrong?"

"yeah.. just gonna be a big day tomorrow."

"you know, anything can go wrong, the bouquet can wilt, she can even trip over her own dress, but as long as you are not marrying the wrong woman, no matter what else goes wrong, it will be right. so are you marrying the wrong woman?"

"no, she's definitely the right one."

"then you have nothing to worry about. congrats bro!!!"

I'm glad i could make him feel better. still, he won't get much sleep tonight!!

Hope the photos convey how "right" the occasion will be. can't wait!

Falling sick...

I think too much nosebleed..

ok i PROMISE not to post such pics in the next one... wait you also sick then i feel bad.

but truly, i'm under the weather.

Anywayz:







yeah those should be my favourites.. the rest are in my usual gallery. u know where to look.

---------------------

I'm shooting "passport photos" for Miss Singapore International. you know those mug shots on the media posters and stuff for pageants... yeah those. today and yesterday. no comments so far... not that any are needed!!

ok i'm gonna suffer thru the shoot later with runny nose.. no blood for sure.

Charby's Models....

yet another uncreative title...

anyway, had a GREAT shoot today, with william and kenneth. kenneth is just excellent at lighting. credit goes to him for lighting up those images which well... have light! (for the uninitiated, by "light" i mean where strobes, or "flash" were used, incl the coloured ones..)









the rest are here.

i know some of u will really enjoy these... glad to be of service. =D

Finally!!

got the studio set up today.. was meant to be up and running before CNY.

oh well no point giving reasons... but definitely a must post first few test shots with the new studio.

willy and i took turns taking photos for each other. here's one he took of me.



and a more intersting shot:



my d2hs being used as a counter weight for the reflector holder.. MUAHAHAHAHAH

the umbrella was there in case it fell off.. bleah.

Piano...

no not another piano post... but then again, i just shot another piano recently, at dennis and christine's MTV video shoot at mark's place.. maybe i could post a couple of photos up.. ehheh

but anyway, yeah piano?

yes lar.. PIANO lar.. the WILDEST thought came to me during the MTV shoot and it was spoken out loud to no one in particular: "Am I too old to learn the piano?" to which mark's reply was "It's never too old to do anything...". I guess his case is laid to rest.

So how? learn piano? have to buy a piano first, a cheap electronic one is $1.5k.. just forgo one lens, got that money liow ahahhahaha.... no way i'm gonna get a real piano and try to squeeze it in this flat, and squeeze it out if i move out.

ok.. let's see wat should i post tonite.. hmm

ok here's one:

Wedding photos!

It's amazing that being a wedding photographer, this is the first time i'm using this title. lacking in creativity.

Been quiet for a few days, but these should be worth the wait i hope!















taken on sunday.

will post pics from sat's portrait shoot another time..

Another piano shot...

I can't get enough of the piano.... but only when someone is playing it.

Just a photo that I enjoyed very much:

Listen...

Taken from a wonderful place called the internet:

We all know what it's like to get that phone call in the middle of the night.

This night's call was no different. Jerking up to the ringing summons, I focused on the red, illuminated numbers of my clock. Midnight! Panicky thoughts filled my sleep dazed mind as I grabbed the receiver. "Hello?" My heart pounded, I gripped the phone tighter and eyed my husband, who was now turning to face my side of the bed.

"Mama?" The voice answered.

I could hardly hear the whisper over the static. But my thoughts immediately went to my daughter.

"Mama, I know it's late but, don't. . . . don't say anything until I finish and before you ask, yes, I have been drinking. I nearly ran off the road a few miles back and . . . and I got so scared. All I could think about was how it would hurt you if a policeman came to your door and said I'd been killed. I want to come home. I know running away was wrong. I know you've been worried sick and I should have called you days ago, but I was afraid."

I paused and tried to think what to say before I could go on, she continued.

"I'm pregnant, Mama and I know I shouldn't be drinking now especially now-----but I'm scared, Mama. So scared!" the voice broke again and I bit into my lip, feeling my own eyes full with moisture. I looked at my husband, who sat silently mouthing, "who is it?" I clutched the phone and stared at my husband, seeking guidance.

"I'm here. I wouldn't hang up," I said into the phone.

"I should have told you, Mama. I know I should have told you but when we talk, you just keep telling me what I should do. You read all those pamphlets on how to talk about sex and all, but all you do is talk. You don't listen to me, you never let me tell you how I feel. It is as if my feelings aren't important. Because you're my mother, you think you have all the answers but sometimes I don't need answers.. I just want someone to listen."

"I'm listening," I whispered.

"You know back there on the road, after I got the car under control, I started thinking about the baby and taking care of it. Then I saw this phone booth and it was as if I could hear you preaching about how people shouldn't drink and drive. So, I called a taxi. I want to come home."

"That's good honey." I said, relief filling my chest.

My husband came closer, sat down beside me and laced his fingers through mine. I knew from his touch that he thought I was doing and saying the right thing.

"But, you know, I think I can drive now."

"I know, but do this for your mama, wait for the taxi please." I listened to the silence, fearing. When I didn't hear her answer, I bit into my lip and closed my eyes. Somehow I had to stop her from driving.

"There's the taxi now." There was a click and then the phone went silent. Moving from the bed, tears forming in my eyes, I walked out into the hall and went to stand in my 16 year old daughter's room. The dark silence hung thick.

My husband came from behind, wrapped his arms around me and rested his chin on the top of my head. I wiped the tears from my cheeks.

"We have to learn to listen", I said to him.

He pulled me around to face him. "We'll learn. You'll see." Then he took me in his arms and I buried my head in his shoulder. I let him hold me for several moments, then I pulled back and stared at the bed.

He studied me for a second and then asked, "Do you think she'll ever know she dialed the wrong number?"

I looked at our sleeping daughter and then back at him. "Maybe it wasn't such a wrong number."

"Mom, Dad, what are you doing?" The muffled young voice came from under the covers.

I walked over to my daughter, who now sat up staring into the darkness. "We're practicing," I answered. "Practicing what?" she mumbled and laid back on the mattress, her eyes already closed in slumber.

"Listening," I whispered and brushed a hand over her cheek.

Videographer in the making?

Met Mark for dinner and he passed me a couples' wedding video that we shot together. (I on photo, he on video). It had footage that i took in it! ahhahah so happy, captured some moments of the couple towards the end hugging each other and waving bye to the camera.. and i caught it on video ahahhahaha.. happy sia i dunno why.. sibeh kns i know, but i guess video is a new thing to me, not that i have time to take it up lar.

I'm still listening to Rainie... left it on overnight and i think i dreamt of her!! wah lau.. sadness.

IF ONLY i can remember my dreams.. i NEVER do! even if i do, like i would probably remember who i dreamt of, and as for whatever else, i would forget! but if i could, i would definitely write a story of the dream, and dramatise it. but.. i can't remember leh!!!

u know now i recall, there is this one dream i remember, becos when i woke up, i WILLED myself to draw all the details back.. it's very vague but this is how it went:

My parents gave me a present each. My dad's present was insignificant (i assume) because i have NO IDEA wat it is, forgotten. but my mum's gift was a cheque to my name, starting with the digits "1" and "2" and is had a total of 6 digits, excluding cents or not i can't remember. now comes the strange part, in the dream, i thought to myself, as soon as the cheque clears, guess what i'm gonna buy...? A NEW PAIR OF SHOES..

i got AT LEAST $1200, and all i can think of was a pair of shoes???

so.. i've never gotten that dream interpreted... anyone? this happened oh... at least 2 years ago, the dream i mean.

ok i'm gonna have an early night.

The miracle of family....

I just watched The Chronicles of Narnia on dvd, what an extremely beautiful story. And the theme? As above: The miracle of family.

"He's our brother."

There are no exceptions.

Bless you, those who made this show. =)

My favourite character is Azlan. What a symbol of respect, power and wisdom!

I wasn't expecting much as it's more or less a "kid's movie" but i guess i was proven wrong. Should have caught it on the big screen. Enough said!

Rainie Yang : Meeting Love

Just bought her album:



it's great!! she's been one of my "idols" since "meteor garden" days. the character she plays is just so befitting her...

had the chance to see her when she visited singapore, dunno why i never bought the album then, but got it eventually. here are some shots from 29 Dec 2005:







think this was promoting her other album.

anyway she cried on stage (as u can see in the last pic) becos she was so touched that she got presented a surprise gift. can u beat that!!! awwwww.....

oh btw.. the images in her album.. i can shoot better lor!!! i mean.. they are nice but.. i'd like to do better, if i had the chance.

ok fine.. idolatry should only go so far. now on to real stuff.

u know, when i get too much free time, as with most others, u start to think. no it's not about love, love eludes me lar, we all know that, so no point playing a harp with no strings.

it's about work. directions. quality, pricing, style. i'm constantly "crossroading"; if there's such a sport i would win gold!

not gonna bother rambling about it here becos it's a little disjointed, but i'm sure it'll work itself out.

just completed the album i wanted to showcase. honestly, i'm not happy with it. i think i need to go out and shoot another portfolio album. well then again, each wedding should be aimed to be portfolio, meaning, shoot the best i can all the time. that's the minimum i gotta give to my couples. of course, each wedding comes out different, wat remains the same is that i have done my best each time.

listening to her now... her voice is so cute!! SHE is so cute!!! *arghhhhhhhh*

i wonder if she reads my blog? MAUAHAHHAHAAH u friggin idiot..... back to Earth... in Toa Payoh.

boring entry

Met with Ron Ead and ws today, and it isn't the first tiime i'm the only nikon user around! ahahha.. thanx for making me feel at home guys!! =P

Just watched King Kong on dvd. I have no comments - really. ok.. i lie. IT SUX! damn.. wat a waste of 2 hours (or more?) I guess i should justify why i think it sux for those of you who love that movie, but neh... it just sux to me lar.

i'm tired, but i need to get a new 4r album up for portfolio. the one i'm using is getting stale..

geez wat a damn boring post after a pretty boring movie... no photo somemore!

ok lar.. i'm gonna start re-editing the wedding i've chosen as a portfolio. see if any interesting shots pop up...

Tiring day..

Slept about 4 hours which is hardly enough, and spent the rest of the day at Pena.

Watched Memoirs of a Geisha on DVD, finally...

Would I be the first to say that I didn't enjoy the show? Well, i wouldn't say i didn't enjoy it, but i think we have seen too many films where duty is placed before love, and see what happens...

Anyway, on the more technical side of things, i found it too draggy.

One thing that amazes me, is in the final scene, she resembles herself as a child SO MUCH, while the rest of the movie didn't at all. It's amazing, the likeness, and i'm sure the directors did that on purpose. We all grew to love her as a child, and they brought her back right at the end. It was amazing, and that's what saved the movie from being average to good. My opinion anyway.

On another note, here's a photo for today, taken when i felt awe thru the viewfinder:



this is still not doing her justice. not sure if i'll ever have the chance.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T

Daphne looked great today, even though she was tired as hell. I guess we all are, but at least i don't go for days on end without resting.

There was once i caught her (with my eyes, not camera, a pity that..) at an angle where she reminded me of the korean actress Jeon Ji Jyun. enough said huh? (Think, My Sassy Girl). The straight hair and turtle neck she was wearing completed the image, albiet only in my mind. well i guess not everything needs to be digitised. the eye is by far the greatest lens ever made, by god! and it's powered by the greatest imaging sensor, the brain!

OK, now on to the main point of this entry.

I had the UTMOST pleasure today shooting Kevin Thornton's Culinary Workshop and Lunch at the Grand Hyatt.

Kevin is Irish with a son that had contracted a blood disorder. He is also a 2-star Michelin awarded chef with his restaurant called "Thorntons" in Dublin. He has also published a book of HIS OWN photographs of HIS OWN culinary creations and all proceeds from the sale of this book goes to the reaseach for blood disorders, as this organisation (can't remember the name) helped find a cure for his son, now 12 years old, and 100% recovered.

I had a look at his images. This, from an "amatuer". MY GOODNESS - in case you're wondering, yes, the shots are excellent. shoots with large and medium formats, and with a dSLR.. guess which one.. the S3 pro! ahhaha had a lovely chat with him a couple of days before, when he came up to me and started talking about photography.

I didn't know then that he was a photographer. I also didn't know he was a 2-star chef, as he wasn't preparing anything that day in the kitchen, just having a look see, so i thought he was just a normal chef that works in the kitchen. no airs whatsoever, he certainly didn't come across as someone who has achieved so much. such humility is so respectable, hence the title.

He has passion (two of them at least, cooking and photography), a family he loves, and the humility that hides the achievements to his name. there is no other word but: RESPECT.



He even preps his own vegies! Does it all himself, during the workshop. No assistants (unlike most chefs) except that he's a little messy so some one else was clearing his stuff, which i think he would rather not have, as the guy seemed more of a hindrance than help.

Ok.. photos:


Chef Thornton with his sea urchin cooling on a bucket of dry ice.


His scallop dish, need to find out the name of this dish - paiseh!


His book - SGD128. Sells for EUR100 in Ireland. Don't forget, all proceeds goes to his adopted charity.




Portraits of Thornton with his book.


And finally, self-portrait of the photographer!!

I AM INSPIRED by this man.

Goatie... another one!

i realised alot of pple who haven't seen me for a while think i look very different now.. well here's an updated photo, taken a couple of days ago, by daphne, from the event company, with my s3. maybe i should take on another "student" like i did colin. ahhahaa.. right.

anywayz.. as usual, talking too much cock. here's the real cockster:



yes i have been to lazy to shave, and i changed my glasses. got a few complaints liow.. but my usual answer, (same one i give for my hair) too long can cut, too short cannot pull out, so relac!!

i'm tempted to post daphne's photo up (fair exchange i shoot her she shoot me back ahhaha) but i'll resist. for now at least. =P

actually i'm quite surprised she asked for my camera to take a photo. most pple (non-photographers) are worried that they might damage the camera or have no idea how to use it, think it's too heavy, and probably crumble at the knees if i tell them how much it costs. but not she, just grab and go. lucky it was the s3, if it was the d2hs, knowing how i always leave it in continuous mode, my flash would have burst.. ahhaha *heng*

anyway, in the photo i'm holding my d2hs, and it might surprise some of you that mounted on it is the afs18-70dx. don't PRAY PRAY this lens is GOOD!!! took it out for a few events to give my 17-35 a break, the only complaint i have is barrel distortion. obviously the 17-35 is much better. but as for sharpness, it's all there, rarely you get cheap and good in this world! if you have no idea what the last paragraph was all about, i'm sorry. not really actually, but i'm sure it'll make you feel better!

i'm wondering, like you are (are you?) why i'm up at this hour when i said i was gonna sleep after the movie. cannot sleep lar!! got to bed at 12am, woke up at 2, zhun zhun.

guess i'll try to get a couple of hours more, then it's back to Hyatt for a luncheon shoot.