REMARKABLE, LIFE AS IT OUGHT TO BE
My job requires me regularly travelling from place to place. Sometimes it can be tiring but I really love it. Because this is what I love doing all day – firing away with my camera! Over the weekend we arrived at Queenstown the day before the actual photoshoot and we had an awesome time together at the top of the Mt. Remarkables. Life as it ought to be – to be remarkable!
Thanks Andy for taking this pic for me. I don’t have a big collection of photos for myself so I am grateful for every one of them. : )
The name The Remarkables reminded me of the movie The Incredible…lol
Some fake snowing moments…
Andy just gone crazy about showing off his “snow-bumming” skills.
While Andy was doing his snowbumming he was also being laughed at by Anna.
There seems to be fewer snow around this year compared to the same time last year. But the breathtaking view hasn’t changed. Sill marvellous!
A cute little boy running by Lake Wakatipu.
THE QUALITIES
It has been another half a month since my last entry. There are too many stories to tell. There are too many photos to post. And there are by far too many thoughts came across my mind. Right now, allow me just post a few random shots.
Comfortable, tough and classic.
Creative, thoughtful and pleasing.
Pure, elegant and simple.
THE HOLY TRINITY
Recently I had been waiting for a new additional to my lens lineup and I was so excited to received it yesterday. Thanks Andy for helping me deliver! Now I have the complete “Holy Trinity”. Exciting!
MINI DIANA & FLASH LOMOGRAPHY CAMERA
Diana & Flash, originally uploaded by eyeport.
This is what Nic Sang showed us today – her birthday present from her good friend Jess. I remember Esther used to be trading a few of these while she was still in NZ and this certainly made a wonderful gift for photographers. I still remember how excited I was when I received my CREATIONHEART camera from Lena, I am sure Nic Sang will be excited too. Did Jess buy this from Esther? hehe…
This is a photo we produced today in studio using a very simple lighting set up. This is not only a toy, it’s a real camera. A lomography camera. So it’s a very simple construction and the entire thing feels just nothing more than a piece of plastic. But we don’t despite small things since tons of stunning images were produced by them. Capturing the essence of mood is what lomography is all about. Can Nic make beautiful pictures out of this camera? Let’s wait and see… ; )
MANNEQUINS
[玩偶]
都市沒有帶給他 們一絲絲熱鬧
霓虹燈無法帶給他們一點點溫暖
一張張木納的面孔, 櫥窗裡未被察覺的生命
被壓抑, 被遺棄, 活在沒有靈魂的身軀
這方尺的空間怎能與外面繽紛的舞台相比
他們一直向往着玻璃另一端的世界
沒有人能念出櫥窗裡他們的名 字, 人們只知道他們叫玩偶
GG FOR GOOD GAME
I have not been able to update my blog for a long time. Now I think I should.
Last week 8 of us had a great time going, shooting, eating, playing away. It’s a memorable trip and my only wish was that we could at least stay for another day or two. It would be really nice if we could double the duration of our trip. I am just a bit greedy I guess. XD
I am just very proud to say that whoever in my team always win no matter what we played. Such a humbling experience. haha
We also made the worst investment at Lake Taupo – we went pawn fishing!! So after making the entrance payment we sat there for over an hour, starving and needed to stand the cold wind and occasional drizzles. And in the end here is the $160 pawn I fished. What a beautiful creature!
LIVING PHOTOGRAPHY & PHOTOGRAPHIC LIVING
It’s been 8 years since I came to NZ. I made a few trips home during holidays but I still feel like I have been away for a long time. I remember about 8 years ago I was full of dreams and purposes, waiting to depart from a place where I had been leaving all my life. I still remember the night before my departure mum was there helping me pack my luggage. I remember I was plucking the only melody I knew at that time on my guitar. I remember we didn’t talk much but enjoy spending that moment together. It was very peaceful. Around this time of the year this scene would play over and over again in my head like it was yesterday.
Photography is an invaluable gift, helping us to document life. It is invaluable only when we appreciate it. And what’s invaluable to us could mean absolutely garbage to someone else. People often talk about capturing the moment or freezing the moment in photography. Sometimes many of us really wish we could have such ability in real life. But we couldn’t. The sun still sets and life goes on. We can’t hold life, nor we can keep it. More than often our eyes are the most reliable lens and our brain is the largest storage device (although memory leakage sometimes does occur). Let them serve you well. So enjoy taking photos. No camera? Don’t worry because there’s more to it. Go ahead and enjoy life.
Here are some random images I captured during the past month or so. I hope we all can enjoy talking living photos, and live passionately.
GIVING BACK
As a photographer how can we bless others with the professional skills and equipments we have? Besides being doing documentary for local churches, meaningful events what are the other options out there we can do? As I was browsing Rich Legg‘s blog I came across Dale Welcome‘s video GIVING BACK AS A PHOTOGRAPHER (click to watch), which inspired me to get involved in the community and offer our services to the underprivileged for free. So those who can’t afford having professional portrait taken will have something nice to keep for a life time.
Here’s a photo taken at the Waihiki Island 2 weeks ago. Less is more. : )
MY DREAM CANNON L PRIMES
My blog is due for an update! It’s been an interesting few week and finally…I’ve made the move, jumped the boat, switch to the Cannon camp. Finally. So now basically I could grab either Canon or Nikon gears and shoot. What a lovely feeling. I am still getting used to the camera and there’s a lot more to learn about still. Once again this proves we could never learnt enough. Just like how I love to use Nikon prime lens, I do the same with Cannon. It’s just that with the full frame 5DMarkII these primes have become easier to get used to. I tested out these 3 primes and I love each of them. Their construction, their look and the beautiful images they are capable of producing. To be fair though they do have their weaknesses but I do believe if photos don’t turn out nice it’s definitely my fault, not the lens.
This photo is captured with the 17-40L and I was amazed at how close I could focus with it and how stunning sharp the photo is when I view it at 100%. I begin to adore the out of camera photos taken with 5DMark2 which renders excellent skin tone. Is it because of the colour profile setting or did I miss something with my Nikon D300? Anyway, not bad Cannon.
SHOWCASE ::: MY PHOTOGRAPHY GEARS
I just came back from the South Island. The trip was surely amazingly more than expected because it was full of unexpected experiences. I will be sharing them together with photos as I find time to sort them out later. Today, I got to fill my bag with all Nikon gears, laptop and some accessories. I guess what’s missing in this photo may be my strong tripod and tripod head. Together the camera bag was satisfyingly HEAVY…but I was told I could still make it on the plane like this, which makes me wonder if it’s necessary. : )
You can click on the image to view the notes which detailing each piece of equipment.
Perseverance Series
I am collecting photos that represent Biblical meanings and they are hopefully inspirational. Here are the first 2 photos from the Perseverance series. I will keep hunting for more photo opportunities and ideas.
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. – James 1:12
CREATIONHEART PHOTOGRAPHY FACEBOOK PAGE
Get serious…I’ve just created a facebook page called “CreationHeart Photography”. I’ll pass David Jay’s advice. I am labelling it as “photography” because there are more people who are simply interested in photography than a businesses or just myself. Haha.
The point I am trying to make is simple – You guys should seriously consider becoming a fan. LOL!
BECOME A FAN HERE on Facebook! Well…at least check it out. Hey, com’n!
FOCUS
I have been doing a such wonderful job with my consistent blog updates – consistently lack of update at all! I believe Spiderman must have taken a few visits of my blog…HAHA! Now I confess that I have to pay more attention and focus on what I do. Here are 2 photos I took at DY’s farewell party. I need to learn how to concentrate just like them.
Sanctuary needed to produce some presentation materials and we contracted SODE to do the filming. It was interesting to see how studio filming was conducted. And for the second time, I met Aaron and his team.
Last weekend I was honored to travel away from Auckland to shoot location photos. It’s one of those days that I have to get up at 6ish in the morning – it’s never easy! The hotel was covered by fog in the early morning and it looked like it’s haunted just as in the movie. LOL
THE BELATED SING SING – AUCKLAND FESTIVAL 2009 PHOTOS
Once again I dug out some photos I took during the Auckland Festival back in March. The council set up a stage right across the Queen Street next to the Aotea Square. The the dusk hit, the stage was surrounded by spectators.
“Sing Sing honours the songlines of Oceania. It celebrates the links between diverse yet connected nations as “one saltwater people” and brings together the region’s most significant singers, musicians and dancers. Sing Sing is a concert that interweaves a dynamic mix of traditional and contemporary musical forms from downbeat acoustic soul to tear-jerking ballads.
International Sing Sing performers are joined for this event by Maori and Pacific Island artists for a journey through the landscape and texture of urban and village life. Accompanying projections and aural soundscapes add to the spectacle and capture a sense of place. The concert is an exhilarating wall of sound with pulsating slit log drumming, dynamic walls of choral vocals and sublime world fusion grooves.” – Auckland Festival 2009
The concert was such a passionate celebration. Sing, sing for freedom; dance, dance for liberty.
LET US REMEMBER…512
It has been 365 days since it happened. Everyone…everyone has lost something precious. Many have lost homes, dreams, families, and friends. Working together…now we can make new homes, and new dreams. Although I know the journey will be hard, we have lots of time. Together, we will rebuild the city. The road is ahead of us, so let’s start out today. Just…one more thing. The people and friends that we have lost…or the dreams that have faded…Never forget them.
- Inspired by Yuna’s final speech in Final Fantasy X
A single candle lights up hope
An old man was interviewed by a news reporter
Many children also participated tonight
Everyone expressed their deepest condolence to the lost
She’s a video-cam operator
A single candle lights up hope,
a thousand candles have the power to change our hope into reality.
Let us remember…512
MELBOURNE
It was already later afternoon when we reached Melbourne CBD from Philip Island. By the time we finished hotel checked in and dropped our luggage there we’ve missed the best time for shooting already.
This is a random “lomo” shot which surprised me. I like the colour, the composition, especially the mood which gives a Tilt & Shift feeling.
There are beautiful architectures in Melbourne, plenty of them!
It seems like every western county has Queen Street…In Melb CBD, four streets, “King, William”, “Queen, Elizabeth” interestingly parallel to each other.
Part of the King St looks very similar to Hobson St in Auckland. It makes me feel familar with the place. The AMP building also reminded me of ANZ tower in Auckland. Hehe.
I don’t remember which building is this. By memory, there was a ANZ building which got a similar facade to this.
This is something unique to Melbourne CBD. There’s this rather “strange” traffic rule – “Hook Turn”. The cars turning right at the intersection must wait on the left, in the centre of the intersection. All of us (from Auckland) found it was not making sense. It was until Liang explained to me I realised the necessity of such traffic rule.
The Parliament of Victoria is a very spectacular building. Even my 12-24mm lens found it hard to capture the whole thing. This place is opened for visitors in the morning, with a free tour to guide you around. It’s a very interesting place.
More architectures…
A bit similar to I-Max in Auckland.
The old building (day time)
The next morning we went for the free tour. Before you go in you have to go through security check. ; )
The splendid interior decorations
Does it look like Vector Arena Stadium?
Taken in Aquarium. You could use the (about) 20% voucher you pick up from the airport to get discount.
I have no idea what these are.
Jelly fishes are very attractive, but they are toxic.
I took this because I really liked the lighting. It looks blur because it was through a thick glass. I think I still prefer Hong Kong Ocean Park more.
We spent a night in Jack’s luxury apartment in Docklands. The surrounding looks like Viaduct, Auckland. I magine I was lying on the sofa while listening to piano musics, whatelse would I be dreaming except for something nice. ; )
Federal Square
Pattern…
Yay! I was the first passenger who boarded the plane!
WHEN YOU NEED HELP, PRAY FOR THIS…
when you are feeling down,
upset,
angry,
anxious,
worried,
just pray for the following…
because…
ENCOUNTER: THE RETURN OF THE QUEEN
Auckland is set to smash its record for the number of cruise ships to dock there in one week, with 12 expected to have dropped anchor by Sunday.
Queen Victoria VS Princess Wharf
Yes, she’s HUGE!
Tonight Queen Victoria will be parting from the Auckland dock. And the Queen Mary 2, one of the world’s biggest cruise liners and the largest ship to visit New Zealand, will visit Auckland for the second time on February 23. I can’t wait to see!
THE RUNNER
After a quick nap this afternoon, I went for a walk at Auckland Domain. It’s getting dark and there’s still this lady running in the field. She was actually running at a not-so-slow speed which I presumably might not be able to follow to be honest. And I sat down with my tripod together with my only not-so-tele (85mm) lens attached to my camera. I had my lens close to wide open (F1.4 to 2.0) and ISO cranked up to iso1600, attempting to get a feel of being a sports journalist. From these photos below straight away I am sure you could tell I am far away from being one. LOL…
In that very last photo, her eyes were actually looking towards the camera which gives a sense of “focus” and “determination”. I actually quite like the original shot (you could see her eyes) but I think the noise ISO1600 plus underexposure produced is not so pleasant to the eyes. Despite all that technical stuff, what I enjoyed most was during her last few loops we started talking to each other. She was of course aware of that I was taking photos while she’s running and she asked me if I’ve got any good shots and if she needs to run another around, and then in the next round she said she couldn’t run anymore. Haha. Yes, when she ran, she did not just run for herself.
SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY FIVE STEPS
A stranger, an acquaintance, a colleague, a friend, a lover, family member…people nowadays are broadly categorised into the above-mentioned status based on relationship. Great relationships formed because of a great deal of love which surpasses our understanding. It is clearly defined in the Bible that “Love is patient, love is kind. It dos not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps not record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” And in the end The Bible concludes the definition with a short but powerful sentence – “Love never fails.” – This is the true love our Creator desires. However too often it is easily misinterpreted by our own actions. Sometimes it takes seven hundred and fifty five steps to understand this.
photos taken 755 steps away from home
