Archive: ‘Musing’



Quotes

November 24th, 2009 | 1 Comment

Godard
“It’s not where you take things from; it’s where you take them to.”

Cartier-Bresson
“For me the camera is a sketch book, an instrument of intuition and spontaneity, the master of the instant which, in visual terms, questions and decides simultaneously. In order to “give a meaning” to the world, one has to feel involved in what one frames through the viewfinder. This attitude requires concentration, discipline of mind, sensitivity, and a sense of geometry. It is by economy of means that one arrives at simplicity of expression.

To take a photograph is to hold one’s breath when all faculties converge in a face of fleeing reality. It is at that moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.

To take a photograph means to recognize – simultaneously and within a fraction of a second – both the fact itself and the rigorous organisation of visually perceived forms that give it meaning.

It is putting one’s head, one’s eye, and one’s heart on the same axis.”

Adams
“There is nothing more useless than a sharp photograph of a fuzzy concept.”

Weeks
“The fondlers can fight over that whilst looking at their photos of brick walls.”

Twain
“You cannot depend on your eyes if your imagination is out of focus.”

Avedon
“I hate cameras. They interfere, they’re always in the way. I wish: if I could just work with my eyes alone. To get a satisfactory print, one that contains all that you intended, is very often more difficult and dangerous than the sitting itself. When I’m photographing, I immediately know when I’ve got the image I really want. But to get the image out of the camera and into the open, is another matter.”

Einstein
“Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler”

Leibovitz
“I’m always perplexed when people say that a photograph has captured someone. A photography is just a tiny slice of a subject. A piece of them in a moment. It seems presumptuous to think you can get more than that.”

Two

June 27th, 2009 | No Comments

The receipt states that the 400D was bought in 24th June 2007. That makes a two-year (and 3-day) anniversary.

His flickr sets has gained quite a collection, especially the travel trips. After all, that’s what the camera was for in the first place.

Been to Vietnam twice, almost covered the whole country from south to north. Perhaps the most unforgettable trip to date ever since they ditched guided tours. Sadly, also the furthest he has traveled since he got hold of the puppy. Traveled to several cities in Malaysia too – Melaka, Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang – all in the name of sight-seeings and attending friends’ weddings. On the other hand, jalan-jalan around Singapore was not as bad as he had assumed.

Speaking of weddings, he had unexpectedly received more requests than what he had asked for. Taking this whole wedding photography stuff to the next level has not crossed his mind yet (lest his bosses reading this decided to invite him to chat over a cup of coffee).  But it’s good to have a side income (as opposed to, donation, if ya catch his drift) to fund the hobby, while knowing that there are people actually appreciating his works.

Kai Yu is one of the most important series of photos during this period and it’s still ongoing. It’s fascinating to watch your niece growing up day by day, not to mention, the ability to rewind and watch it over and over again!. Recently she has gotten a little brother, but her dad too has gotten a DSLR.

Missus switched her career path from being a teacher to a makeup artist early this year (insert tyre screeching sound here). Opened up plenty of options for him – fashion, portraits and off-camera flash lighting techniques (which means more toys/junks).

All in all, it has been a great ride as far as his photography journey is concerned. Who knows what the future holds?

Is your platform ready for the future?

June 2nd, 2009 | No Comments

The caption on the poster. Above the oil rig, in the middle of nowhere. Far across his cubicle, it challenges him with the same question every weekday.

“Is your platform ready for the future?”

He rarely gave it a thought, until today.

If the answer is yes, he wouldn’t be there.

If the answer is no, he shouldn’t be there either.

State of the Nation

August 31st, 2008 | 1 Comment

State of the Nation
Displayed for celebration, disposed with humiliation

How much more can we take? How long more to be awakened?

He wonders, he wonders how, he wonders how he wonders…

Happy National Day.

The Day After Tomorrow

March 9th, 2008 | No Comments

Braving the crazy traffic and crossing the Causeway on foot (thanks to the limping terrorist), they managed to reach home safely the night before the Election Day.

Greeted by loud banners and posters everywhere, they felt fortunate to be able to participate in this event. Casting a vote seemed such a simple, almost insignificant act from one’s perspective. Little had they known the magnitude of things to come.

Earlier, weather forecast had predicted a heavy downpour in the afternoon. He only noticed a drizzle in the evening after dinner. But no one had seen expected to see a tsunami coming.

It was a Hari Ini Dalam Sejarah! The rakyat has spoken.

There is a way to be good again after all.