Thursday, January 28, 2010

Club Shooting

After getting my dSLR, my first experience was a club shot. My friend invited me to join his team and shoot for magazine and the club itself. At first, I was a bit reluctant because of various reasons:
1. I never go clubbing (pura-pura *pretending).
2. Shooting with good lighting condition, the outcome already like sh*t.
3. I am afraid that I can’t provide good outcome and spoiled my friend’s reputation.
And the list goes on.

My friend encourage me to go and shoot with him and he told me the team will teach me. Although I still feel reluctant to do so, I was telling myself I got to make the first step or else how could I learn something new. Thus, I went for the shooting session.

After entering the club then only I realize that, this is not low light condition but NO light condition. Wow…this is gonna be very challenging to me as a newbie. Anyway, since I was there, just do whatever my sifu (master) told me.

And here I took out some of the club shots to share with you all.

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Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Privacy Screen Filter

There is this new trend by using a laptop and go online in public such as Starbucks, Coffee Bean, cafe and so on. I wonder how many people actually did think of information security and data privacy.

Apart from network security, I am going to talk about physical security first. Do you know or even aware that when you online in public places, other people might look at your screen and peep at what you are doing? Maybe you would say it is only a “normal” website such as facebook or twitter and you are not a famous people that others are interested in. But for information spy, they might not think it this way, while they are doing data mining, any information come across to them is valuable. Maybe after surfing a while, you have forgotten where you are and you login to your bank to do something. Now the information is very sensitive, remember that.

That’s why I only use my iPhone to online in public because of the screen size is smaller than laptop and thus increased my privacy, at least it is not easy for others to see the information displayed on the screen.

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One day when I was sitting beside my friend, he was using his laptop to surf net and guess what? When I looked at his screen, it was totally black, I can’t see anything on it. I was curious then I started to ask him and found out that he is using this thing called “privacy screen filter”. I was like “wow, amazing, how come I have never heard of this before?”.

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After knowing this amazing magical screen filter, I tried to asked around in lowyat plaza and almost none of them know what is it about. Finally, after walking up and down for a few hours, I came to this shop and got the filter, I was so happy and bought it immediately.

If you would like to get one, please make sure you are buying a privacy screen filter but not the normal screen filter. How do you differentiate them? Easy, the price will tell the difference. A normal screen filter will only cost you RM20-50 (depends on your screen size and brand) but a privacy screen filter will cost you more than RM100. My screen size is 14.1”WA and the cost is RM130.

Oh ya, how the magic worked on this screen filter? It is actually a polarizer. it filtered out lights at certain angle only. Simply means if people stand behind you or look at the screen at 90 degree angle, they can see everything clearly. From 45 degree downwards, people will see the screen as total darkness.

From the photo below, you can see half of the screen but the other half is totally dark from certain angle.

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Although the screen filter is not able to total eliminate people from seeing what’s on your screen but at least cut down the viewable angle and thus reducing the risk of information leakage.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Being taken for granted...

Last night I was in KL Convention Center to attend an annual dinner. For this kind of event how can I left my D90 sitting at home and do nothing? Of course I brought it to the dinner and hopefully to take some good photos and could share with my blog readers. I was a guest and not an O.P. So taking photos there was just to pursuit my personal interest.

While you are holding a "big camera" with external flash gun, people tend to think that you are an O.P. or at least professional photog (but I am not a prof one, still learning).

After taking photos with my friends, I went back to my table and continue to take the food. Some where in the midst of me taking this delicious fish, one of a friend in the gang called me, waved at me, asked me to go there. They were already in position and ready for a shot. Somehow in my mind, I was thinking, how can they be so damn good ask me to join the crowd for the shoot?

Without figuring out the answer, I jumped in and smile at the camera in front of me. The one who waved at me told me "hey, not asking you to take photo with us la." I wasn't sure what I heard and another person repeated that to make me feel worse, "aiyo, not asking to jump in with us la, take your camera to take this shot for us".

Then only I knew the "purpose" of me being called and cleared the doubt when I was jumping in earlier.

Guys and gals what do you feel and what would you do when you were in this situation?

OK, I was trying to be nice and not to spoil the situation so I walked all the way back to my table and get the camera and shoot for them. And guess what? I couldn't even hear a word saying thank you to me, my work wasn't appreciated and do REMEMBER this, I was NOT the O.P. (Official Photographer) for the event. For those who knew me, how can I only took 150 photos for a 4 hours event? simply because my mood was spoiled for the whole night. Damn! WTF...

Some times, I really think that is it I am being too nice and easy-going with my friends and they have started to take for granted? Should I set this as one of my new year resolution of not being taken for granted anymore?

This wasn't the first incident from the same gang of people. Should I tolerate further? Everyone has their limit and quota, and mine was reached!

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Portrait Photography – Chu Yee (2)

As promised in my previous post, these are the outdoor photos for my friend. I just can’t find a good background for outdoor shoot in Genting. I have not try driving out from the hotel car park yet, my friends told me the scenery at the temple is not bad. Maybe I should stop by that building next time.

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

What’d happened in 2010?

It is only the beginning of the year but there are so many incidents happened. From what I can remember, first it was started with earthquake in Haiti and then accident from the CLHS dragon boat training. What’d happen to the world? What have predicted in 2012 come earlier?

I felt so sad after I knew this incident happened in my hometown and my juniors. 罹难的学弟们,愿你们早嶝极乐,不要再留恋凡尘了。

(槟城18日讯)截至周一下午4时,“钟灵龙舟撞翻”惨案的4名失踪学生吴奕樟、杨延开、谢子俊开及黄雍翔的遗体均已寻获,使到惨剧共夺走6条人命。

搜寻拯救队伍于周一清晨7时余,在槟威海域重新启动搜寻行动。在约1小时的搜寻后,搜寻队伍于上午8时03分,在丹绒游艇俱乐部寻获吴奕樟的遗体。据了解,吴奕樟被发现时七孔流血,全身已僵硬。随后,搜寻队于中午12时15分,即在渡轮码头附近,捞起同样气绝多时的杨延开。

另外两具尸体则在下午4时10分寻获,罹难者的家属在现场哭得呼天抢地、情绪激动,有者更不甚刺激随之陷入暂时昏厥。槟州总警长拿督威拉阿育耶谷副总监,则于上午8时40分抵达案发现场,随即投入指挥工作。

元首首长神色凝重

极度关心这事件进展的槟首长林冠英,陪同槟州元首敦阿都拉曼阿巴斯于中午12时抵达现场。两人神色凝重聆听救援队伍的汇报,并陆续安抚及慰问在场悲痛万分的家属。由于尚有2名失踪者仍不见所踪,导致现场气氛悲恸,哀号处处,令人见者心酸。

这起“钟灵龙舟翻覆”惨案于周日早上8时许,在五条路海域发生。18名钟灵国中龙舟队好手和顾问老师,为国际龙舟赛备战训练时发生意外,老师、学生总共6人失踪,另12人获救,而顾问老师秦裕翔及学生庄纬翔先后于周日寻获。

罹难家属情绪激动

据消息称,两名死者被发现时,据知遗体上并没有救生衣。两名罹难者的家属在现场哭得呼天抢地、情绪激动,有者更不甚刺激随之陷入暂时昏厥。槟州总警长拿督威拉阿育耶谷副总监,则于上午8时40分抵达案发现场,随即投入指挥工作。

尸体呈半浮状态 最后2死者同时同地寻获

钟灵中国龙舟队意外,最后两名失踪者谢子俊和黄雍翔遗体,周一下午在同一时间同一个地点被寻获。

将其中一具尸体打捞上岸的消拯队搜救官员罗斯迈迪说,他们几乎是在同一时间和同一地点,与另一支由警方组成的搜寻队发现两名失踪者的遗体,即下午4时10分,地点在槟岛度轮码头外约1公里的海域,当时两具尸体都呈半浮的状态。

他说,消拯队打捞的遗体当时身着白色T恤,身上有一些伤口。两名失踪者的遗体在被寻获时身上都没有穿救身衣。

两具尸体被运送回五条路出事地点的海岸,并经由等候在现场的亲人辨认。

在尸体被送到岸上时,守候在岸边的队友和同学都悲痛的高喊两名死者的名字,场面叫人心酸。

现场为亡者招魂

在谢子俊和黄雍翔遗体被搜寻队送回岸上时,周一中午被寻获的另一名死者杨延开家人正在现场为亡者招魂。

内政部副部长拿督威拉阿布瑟曼于今日下午3时35分也携夫人和其特别官员邱加新到五条路拯救现场慰问死者家属及了解搜寻情况。

昨误传已获救 杨延开双亲哭断肠

案发首日一度误传指已获救的杨延开,在隔日证实已罹难。其父亲在认尸时情绪激动,大喊爱儿的名字,令人心疼。

杨延开的尸体于中午时分被寻获后,杨父即被安排前往认尸。经过一天一夜的守候,杨父的神情显得憔悴与低落。见着爱儿冰冷的尸体后,他既无法压抑内心的激动,悲伤过度导致无法自行站立及移动,需要旁人的扶持才有办法移动。

同时,失落的他也声声呼唤爱儿的名字,对爱儿的离去显得非常不舍。现场一片悲恸,悲凄的呼叫声敲入在场每人的心坎中,无不使人动容、心酸。

K9消拯搜寻犬 加入搜寻队伍

K9消拯搜寻犬,加入寻找失踪者的救援队伍!

据槟州消防队副主任拉展对媒体指出,进入第2天的搜寻行动,搜寻阵容除加入经过特别训练的K9消拯搜寻犬外,也从吉打州调动支援,目前现场进行搜寻工作的救生艇已增至5艘,以加速搜寻其余两名失踪者的工作。

他也提及,搜寻行动分为A区及B区进行,并以槟城大桥为中心点;A区是大桥以北,B区是大桥以南。

K9消拯搜寻犬简介

K9原本是警犬,并在近年加入消防拯救队。这类警犬经过特别训练,并在发生天灾人祸时,加入搜寻工作。K9能带头领著警员寻找匿藏匪徒或隐藏的证据,甚至能在事发地点找到生还者或尸体。

K9这个称号也是全世界大部分国家的警犬组名称,尤其是美国和俄罗斯。大马警犬组总部设在士马勒警察训练中心,其余警犬组则分别设在吉隆坡国际机场、马六甲、昔加末、新山、双溪大年、黑木山、怡保、槟城、瓜拉登嘉楼、哥打峇鲁、关丹、砂拉越美里、古晋、诗巫、沙巴亚庇、山打根和斗湖。

据悉,美国看到第一次世界大战期间军犬在战场上发挥的巨大作用,于是也开始组建自己的拥有2万只军犬的特种部队,用于执行侦察、放哨、探测地雷、警卫等军事任务。

4错酿惨剧

槟城锺灵中学龙舟队发生海难,18名师生翻舟后,12人获救另6名落海者,其中4人被捞起时,已成冰冷的尸体,目前2人还下落不明,综合这次惨剧的肇因,有4项错误或疏忽酿成:

1错-天然(农历初三为大涨潮日)。

2错-地点(五条路海况比新关仔角及峇都丁宜险恶,有暗流。)

3错-疏忽(龙舟队没有全部穿上救生衣。)

4错-人为(顾问老师不谙游泳,竟然受委为龙舟队顾问老师。)

正值农历初三 海水大涨潮

意外发生离不开许多的巧合。

当天正值农历初三,海水正值大涨潮的日子,发生意外的时间是上午9时左右,也正是海水正在涨潮的阶段,海流湍急的时刻。

因为受到月球引力的左右,海水在每月的初三和十八皆会上涨到最高潮,一般潮汐在中午及午夜都会上升到最高水平。周日初三上午,海水高涨时刻的海流特别湍急,对船身瘦长的龙舟会构成一定的危险。

海峡地势暗流汹涌

钟中龙舟队意外,除了遇上了不利的天时,地点和人为因素也间接造成不幸发生。

五条路外海处,虽然获得槟威海峡的庇护,海上一般不会有大风浪,但也因为是海峡地势,涨潮时海水涌入也特别急。

当天,钟中龙舟队训练时,也因为救生衣不足,所以没有全部的队员都获得分配。这使到发生意外时,增加了风险。

加上学校的顾问老师秦裕翔是一名不识水性,没有划龙舟的经验者,不幸在这次的龙舟意外中,断送教育英才的抱负。

Monday, January 18, 2010

Portrait Photography – Chu Yee

After Aaron’s personal album now I got a female model and she’s willingly to be my model. She is a pretty girl with sweet smile.

All these photos are taken in Genting and it was indoor. I will post the outdoor photos in my next posting. Stay tuned and check it out frequently.

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Sunday, January 17, 2010

Jogging

It has been a long and really long time that I didn’t do any sports and ya, everyday after work i will just sit at home. I know your next question will be "why the heck I am sitting at home?". I am quite busy after work because I need to process the photos that I have taken.

I suppose to join a gang of friends to go for hiking yesterday morning but due to an ad-hoc training being scheduled on the same timing, I got to let go the hiking session.

I am going to hike Mt KK, Sabah in 5 months time and I don't want to be the one who can’t catch up, this will be very embarrassing. Therefore, I have decided to go for jogging today. Since I didn't do exercise for such a long time, I am giving myself an allowance, only run for 10 mins then stop. Haha… I know it was not enough yet, I will increase the period from time to time.

By the way, I was in the garden at odd timing (I guess) because I was the only one running on the track. Feel unsecure and weird.

Here are some photos taken with my phone camera. Next time I will bring a "real" camera to take nicer photos and share with you all again.

So for the time being, I got to use these 2 photos first. :)

The sun light is actually very strong and brigt but in these 2 photos, they gave you a very gray feeling, I guess the white balance and metering is not accurate. A phone is not designed to take photos like a "real" camera does…so the outcome are like…

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Saturday, January 16, 2010

Portrait Photography - Aaron

I don’t know this is consider as portrait photography or should it be having some other name? Anyway, both also shooting human.

I like photography but I don’t have $$$ to buy a DSLR yet so I borrow one from my brother who is using Canon 1000D. It was the first time I touched on DSLR and then I found that it is so as easy to use as I expected (although it is only an entry level DSLR). But with the interest that I have I keep learning how to handle it.

So my first guinea pig…

guinea-pig

is a friend of mine who likes photography too (being a model). And he agreed to become my test specimen. Haha… (By the way, the cute piggy above wasn’t taken by me).

Here are some sample shots, you are welcome to give me comments / feedback. As taking photo with DSLR is still very new to me… and I am still learning. These photos were taken with 50mm and kit lens.

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Thursday, January 14, 2010

Kenny and Mei Zhen R.O.M.

I wanted to say Congratulation to both Kenny and Mei Zhen. They have invited me to be one of the OP (Official Photographer) for their ROM day. Oh by the way, lots of people don't know what is “ROM”, it is an acronym for Registration of Marriage.

This is the second time I got the chance to take photo for ROM. I found that there are still rooms for improvement. You all are welcome to provide me any feedback.

Here are some photos taken during the event:

Check and make sure all the information written on the form is correct.
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Start signing on the paper.
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EErrr… this pos was requested by the photographers… Hahaha…_DSC8891 copy

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Although it was still a Christmas day but Thean Hou Temple already hang up lanterns and get prepared for the coming Chinese New Year. _DSC8923 copy _DSC8928 copy

Does it look like some MTV shots? :)_DSC8966 copy