Eye on Malaysia

KL Eye Firework display, Taman Tasik Titiwangsa

Wanting to know what the fuss was all about with the KL Eye (a swiss technology Ferris wheel), me and nottyboy headed to Taman Tasik Titiwangsa straight afterwork on Tuesday the 16th of January, 2007. Little did we know there was more installed for us.

As we arrived at approximately 6:30pm (okay, maybe a tad later), we saw 1 photographer already stationed by the lake with a big (albeit old-school) large format camera. Stationing by the lake ourselves to get a good view of the Eye with the KLCC twin tower backdrop, we waited till nightfall while testing out the settings on our cameras. We were so caught up that before we even realised it, day turned to night and there were a dozen other photographers with their big-ass SLRs and dSLRs (am assuming they're SLRs ... mostly)!!

Anyway, the big treat (and also as to why there were that many photogs) was that there was a fireworks show that night!! And everyother night apparently untill the 3rd of February (more details in the doument by the tourism ministry here). Fireworks photography was said to be easy but I find it tricky, probably because it was my first time. Anybody interested can get some tips from this link by the Digital Picture.

The link to my first attempts are in my humble gallery here. (more pictures will be added shortly)

Putrajaya02

PutraJaya Mosque at Dawn, PutraJaya

Did a second trip to Putrajaya for some shooting as the weather was quite hazy on my first round of shooting. This time I brought fellow photog Nottyboy. This time around the weather was great as we started from the main bridge for a few architectural shots and then proceeded to Taman Lembah Tasik at Precinct 8 for a waterfront view of the Mosque. Unplanned we also discovered PutraJaya's Lake club within walking distance. One great thing about PutraJaya's main district is that its still a work in progress as we saw at least one or two more buildings being constructed. Why this is good? From a photog's point of view although PutraJaya has been nearly shot to the death, the fact that it still is a work in progress ensures us that there are many more photo oppurtunities to come.

Lake Jetty view, PutraJaya

Please feel free to visit my PutraJaya02 gallery for more images.

*The Lake Club has a life-time membership registration fee of RM1,000 at the moment. I'm not sure entirely what they have to offer but at a glance, they have a pool, a clubhouse for functions etc, canoeing and boating facilities.... and whatever else (we did not enquire much). Looking at canoeing, I wonder what other photo opportunities that will be available using this mode of transport here ........ . . .

Digital Journalist online

Was introduced to this site of an online magazine for photojournalists from a book that I read recently. Good site for aspiring photojournalists and their style of photography. You can browse it here or via the link on the side-bar. One thing of highlight and interest to me was a section on lighting and dramatic portrait by Michael Grecco.

KL Bird Park

'Spot-on Scarlet', KL Bird Park

KL Bird Park in Taman Tasik Perdana is supposedly the largest walk-in free flight aviary in the world. This was a better place to shoot than the National Zoo but I must say more has to be done on the upkeep of Parks like this in Malaysia if we are to ever maintain a flow of tourists (to which there were quite plentiful that day). Note: Currently Malaysian's who present their MyKad only pay RM12 per entry as opposed to the usual RM30. Hmmmm... wasn't the Aquaria around that price too ....?

'Eye-lock (Pelican)', KL Bird Park

Gallery can be viewed here.

Philip Plisson

Just read up on the french photographer, Philip Plisson in the January edition of DCM. His works are simply amazing as can be seen from his uk site. He specializes in oceans and has just released a book titled....wait for it..... . . .Oceans! His site is provided in the link above and on the side panel.

KL Travelogue 01

Masjid Jamek, KL

More pictures can be seen in the humble gallery here.

Deserted

'Deserted', Bukit Jelutong
(residents on holiday)

TTP

Although Cindy's and Saly's portrait shoots has been long past, I do yearn for the next outdoor portrait shootout. Trouble was looking for a suitable location. In lieu of Visit Malaysia 2007, took the oppurtunity of a long dull weekend due to the public holidays to visit Taman Tasik Perdana and scout for some good locations with another fellow enthusiast, nottyboy.

We scouted the the Orchid and Hibiscus garden and found some relatively good locations. Hopefully we can secure someone soon for the models. Earlier, we visited the Butterfly Park.
It was pretty tough to shoot these creatures as it was morning and they were on a feeding fenzy, hence it was tough to follow them around let alone get a decent shot. I have pretty slow lenses, and in slighty low light conditions butterfly shots early in the mornings are hard to come by. Instead, I opted to concentrate on a nearby pond where fauna were aplenty. Next to try on another day: the within-vicinity Bird Park.

Mollies hungry for the early morning breakfast

Other images can be found here though they are not that many and are still being uploaded at time of writing.

Goodbye 2006

Dusk view from office of the new Gardens @ Mid Valley construction site (using the office window as my polariser ..heh )

2006 has been a realtively good year for me. Improved myself workwise but not at a level that I would hope for. Nonetheless, progress is good. It also saw my debut into serious photography with the purchase of the 400D to which I am content with.... for now. I must thank my photo enthusiastic colleagues nottyboy, fox and James for their encouragement.

Hopefully in 2007, I can fill more in this photologue with my new partner. Here's to 2007!