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Malaysia Kuching Based Destination Wedding & Event Photographer
Close Shop?
I have to confess nowadays I am getting more frustrated to blog. Dont get me wrong, I still love updating my on going happenings and my thoughts to my dearest friends here thru www.shenspeaks.com. But, sometimes due to some lack of improvement from either the Streamyx or my hosting company, GoDaddy, access to my blog's dash board is so time consuming.
As a Malaysian and I know the typical Malaysian style, I dont really bother how Streamyx works. Sometimes it's slower than expected but I have no complain to be honest. Dont know why, for no reason I shall put all the blame for the slow internet access at home.
But on the other hand, I feel more frustrated with the hosting company I am using now, GoDaddy. Well, it's a well know and quite a reputable hosting provider from the USA, and it was highly recommended from one of my close friends. Well, it was nearly 2 years ago I think, when he told me "Dont think of other hosting companies if it is not GoDaddy, for it is cheap and good!"
OK, I took his words and signed up for the blog programme called Blogcast. I dont mind paying a little, and that might cost me slight more than the market price in Malaysia, if I were to engage a local hosting company. As long as it gives good service, paying slightly more really doesnt matter to me.
At first, I was a true and genuine happy user for the programme I signed up with GoDaddy. It was user friendly especially to a computer dumb head like me. The procedure from setting up my blog to posting my first post was as easy as 1-2-3. Trust me, it was that easy.
I love loading pictures, and usually loading pictures could take up sometime. But if you could load a few pictures at one time straight to the blog, that would be fantastic. All these features were featured in the blogcast programme. I was once a happy casual blogger.
But, as time passed by and GoDaddy started to change some of the features. It was suppose to be an upgrade to make the programme a much better one, easier to use and more friendly to the users. Unfortunately the system change made my life more miserable in blogging. I needed to go thru a few clicks before I could be at the dash board. I dont mind that if the access is fast but worse, it took me even longer time to load to the page I desire to go. To enter to my blog dash board could easily take me 10 minutes, as compare to the previous time, about 3 minutes in average.
Loading pictures wasnt that friendly anymore. Instead of loading a few pictures at one go, the changes for the feature sux as each and every time you could only load a picture. Meaning, if you have 10 photos, you need to do it manually for 10 times in order to ensure your pictures are loaded.
Now, I am a more busy person, whether in work or photography. Or I even have another site at www.shensnaps.com to handle. Personally I feel I have much limited time as compare to previous time. The waste of time during the loading and entering to my blogcast programme wasnt a pleasant experience especially when you wish to complete a posting as soon as possible.
I seriously consider, or think if I should close down this site just to concentrate in a niche market, photography. Meaning to only maintain www.shensnaps.com and go full blast in talking about photography, particular in wedding and modern portraiture. To give up this site once it is due for renewal. I have thought of this not once, but a few times to seriously consider.
Or, should I create another site at blogspot to get the free service. At least I am not so worried about the maintanance, and could put my full effort on the other site?
Dilemma... oh... dilemma...
Close shop, ShenSpeaks?
As a Malaysian and I know the typical Malaysian style, I dont really bother how Streamyx works. Sometimes it's slower than expected but I have no complain to be honest. Dont know why, for no reason I shall put all the blame for the slow internet access at home.
But on the other hand, I feel more frustrated with the hosting company I am using now, GoDaddy. Well, it's a well know and quite a reputable hosting provider from the USA, and it was highly recommended from one of my close friends. Well, it was nearly 2 years ago I think, when he told me "Dont think of other hosting companies if it is not GoDaddy, for it is cheap and good!"
OK, I took his words and signed up for the blog programme called Blogcast. I dont mind paying a little, and that might cost me slight more than the market price in Malaysia, if I were to engage a local hosting company. As long as it gives good service, paying slightly more really doesnt matter to me.
At first, I was a true and genuine happy user for the programme I signed up with GoDaddy. It was user friendly especially to a computer dumb head like me. The procedure from setting up my blog to posting my first post was as easy as 1-2-3. Trust me, it was that easy.
I love loading pictures, and usually loading pictures could take up sometime. But if you could load a few pictures at one time straight to the blog, that would be fantastic. All these features were featured in the blogcast programme. I was once a happy casual blogger.
But, as time passed by and GoDaddy started to change some of the features. It was suppose to be an upgrade to make the programme a much better one, easier to use and more friendly to the users. Unfortunately the system change made my life more miserable in blogging. I needed to go thru a few clicks before I could be at the dash board. I dont mind that if the access is fast but worse, it took me even longer time to load to the page I desire to go. To enter to my blog dash board could easily take me 10 minutes, as compare to the previous time, about 3 minutes in average.
Loading pictures wasnt that friendly anymore. Instead of loading a few pictures at one go, the changes for the feature sux as each and every time you could only load a picture. Meaning, if you have 10 photos, you need to do it manually for 10 times in order to ensure your pictures are loaded.
Now, I am a more busy person, whether in work or photography. Or I even have another site at www.shensnaps.com to handle. Personally I feel I have much limited time as compare to previous time. The waste of time during the loading and entering to my blogcast programme wasnt a pleasant experience especially when you wish to complete a posting as soon as possible.
I seriously consider, or think if I should close down this site just to concentrate in a niche market, photography. Meaning to only maintain www.shensnaps.com and go full blast in talking about photography, particular in wedding and modern portraiture. To give up this site once it is due for renewal. I have thought of this not once, but a few times to seriously consider.
Or, should I create another site at blogspot to get the free service. At least I am not so worried about the maintanance, and could put my full effort on the other site?
Dilemma... oh... dilemma...
Close shop, ShenSpeaks?
Camera Man, Camera Man
"Oh... this camera man come so early..."
"Cool. You hire a camera man for your wedding!"
"Where is the camera man?"
"Camera man..."
"Camera man..."
"Camera man..."
OK. I accept the fact when you hold a big size DSLR, you automatically become a camera man to those who hire you for the event. But, sometimes it is a bit irritating when people tend not to address your name, altho you have been stressing to them to call your name. In fact, consistently you are always called "camera man".
It sounds so ugly. I have a nice name, Shen.
Camera man is just a common name for this profession. In fact, this title has been faded and gone way out of fashion long time ago. Camera man is now addressed as PHOTOGRAPHER. That sounds much better, and more professional. At least I exercise professionalism and I know we're taking quality good photos for the events, so that would create good memories that last forever.
Unless I serve you lousy, providing low quality of photos, then I dont mind you calling me "camera man" loudly instead of my personal name to hid my identity.
"Cool. You hire a camera man for your wedding!"
"Where is the camera man?"
"Camera man..."
"Camera man..."
"Camera man..."
OK. I accept the fact when you hold a big size DSLR, you automatically become a camera man to those who hire you for the event. But, sometimes it is a bit irritating when people tend not to address your name, altho you have been stressing to them to call your name. In fact, consistently you are always called "camera man".
It sounds so ugly. I have a nice name, Shen.
Camera man is just a common name for this profession. In fact, this title has been faded and gone way out of fashion long time ago. Camera man is now addressed as PHOTOGRAPHER. That sounds much better, and more professional. At least I exercise professionalism and I know we're taking quality good photos for the events, so that would create good memories that last forever.
Unless I serve you lousy, providing low quality of photos, then I dont mind you calling me "camera man" loudly instead of my personal name to hid my identity.
Long Weekend = Camera Hands On
While most Malaysians have had their long weekend, celebrating the Merdaka celabrations and enjoying good holidays, poor me was basically rushing against time so I could have more sleep.
It wasnt easy to see most people were lagging around, having lazy time doing shopping, spending time with their beloved ones while I had to spend three long holidays doing things very much related to photography. I jokingly told Alicia while packing my camera, "Wow, I think I look more like a pro now as on and off, almost everyday I have to get ready and to ensure the camera is well packed for different assignments."
Oh yeah, if that could earn me more money as proper job, I dont mind. But God's timing isnt right for me just yet.
I just love the mood of this photo
The first day of the long weekend, Saturday I basically had privilege to have great moments recorded for a loving couple, Timothy and Lynette. While people were getting ready for the Merdeka count down, I was still busy with the photo backup when it was almost 12am. A tiring but fruitful day, as I always love to see happy moments being snapped.
Price paid tho, for a great wedding. I had my whole body aching the next day. Someone asked, "The camera so heavy meh?"
OK, imagine you have to carry a camera with the body itself is about 1.0kg, with a flash gun no less than 0.5kg as well as a 1.5kg big lens attached to the camera from time to time, not counting in the extra goodies in my camera bag that might weighted at least another 2.0kg, and you gotta run around with them in fast action so you wont miss a moment, for the morning session started at 5am til almost midnight... ...
So, what do you reckon?!
I just felt my right arm was nearly dislocated from the body.
While still recovering from the Saturday pain, I had some simple and nice personal assignment with Alicia and Edwin as early as 7am on the Merdeka day. Will review more of that later.
Sleepy little baldy
And not to forget, I was also a courtesy photographer for Edwin's only precious, Alaxander's baptism at the St. Joseph church. Congrates! This little baby is so cute during the ceremony. From a very energetic little young creature at the beginning becoming a little sleeping cutie. Ha!
Dont you love the blue sky and the hot sun?
Lastly, and the last day of holiday, I was out of town for a few hours. This time, with Edwin again was somewhere about 120km off Kuching for some commercial shoot. And therefore we didnt let go such a chance for this short but sweet 15 minutes outing.
The sun was completely different from the day before. It was hot and bright. The blue sky didnt appear until the mid day but that was good enough to enlighten us in such condition. Sea breeze was great and I thought the sweat was worth it all. I think I might now be missing the burning hot summer in Perth now... ...
Hands off DSLR.
It wasnt easy to see most people were lagging around, having lazy time doing shopping, spending time with their beloved ones while I had to spend three long holidays doing things very much related to photography. I jokingly told Alicia while packing my camera, "Wow, I think I look more like a pro now as on and off, almost everyday I have to get ready and to ensure the camera is well packed for different assignments."
Oh yeah, if that could earn me more money as proper job, I dont mind. But God's timing isnt right for me just yet.
I just love the mood of this photo
The first day of the long weekend, Saturday I basically had privilege to have great moments recorded for a loving couple, Timothy and Lynette. While people were getting ready for the Merdeka count down, I was still busy with the photo backup when it was almost 12am. A tiring but fruitful day, as I always love to see happy moments being snapped.
Price paid tho, for a great wedding. I had my whole body aching the next day. Someone asked, "The camera so heavy meh?"
OK, imagine you have to carry a camera with the body itself is about 1.0kg, with a flash gun no less than 0.5kg as well as a 1.5kg big lens attached to the camera from time to time, not counting in the extra goodies in my camera bag that might weighted at least another 2.0kg, and you gotta run around with them in fast action so you wont miss a moment, for the morning session started at 5am til almost midnight... ...
So, what do you reckon?!
I just felt my right arm was nearly dislocated from the body.
While still recovering from the Saturday pain, I had some simple and nice personal assignment with Alicia and Edwin as early as 7am on the Merdeka day. Will review more of that later.
Sleepy little baldy
And not to forget, I was also a courtesy photographer for Edwin's only precious, Alaxander's baptism at the St. Joseph church. Congrates! This little baby is so cute during the ceremony. From a very energetic little young creature at the beginning becoming a little sleeping cutie. Ha!
Dont you love the blue sky and the hot sun?
Lastly, and the last day of holiday, I was out of town for a few hours. This time, with Edwin again was somewhere about 120km off Kuching for some commercial shoot. And therefore we didnt let go such a chance for this short but sweet 15 minutes outing.
The sun was completely different from the day before. It was hot and bright. The blue sky didnt appear until the mid day but that was good enough to enlighten us in such condition. Sea breeze was great and I thought the sweat was worth it all. I think I might now be missing the burning hot summer in Perth now... ...
Hands off DSLR.
Hands Itched
Sometimes my hands just get itchy... Especially when I am home alone and my mind start to move in to the photography imagination. I then grabbed the camera and do some simply snap shots.
Nothing much to show, just 2 different tripods I have, the heavy duty Keep tripod and the little useful Joby gorilla pod.
<< MORE >>
Nothing much to show, just 2 different tripods I have, the heavy duty Keep tripod and the little useful Joby gorilla pod.
<< MORE >>
My Photography Survival Breakfast
Sometimes when I have a photography assignment, I need to wake up early. It could be anytime early in the morning, especially for the weddings simple because I need to be at the bride's place to snap some good shots during their getting ready time.
If you wonder how early it is, in average I would say I have to be there at around 5.00am. That case, I have to wake up as early as 4.00am to also get myself ready. You just cant complain much. This is part of the service we provide, and we always be sure that we as photographers are the earliest to reach the venue as well as the last to leave.
Waking up early isnt easy, and at the same time I have to ensure that I also fill up my stomach so I am fully charged with energy to accomplish the assignment. But the problem is, eating my breakfast as early as 4.00am could be challenging as we dont usually have I breakfast too early. The most is to have a few bites and I have no appetite for more food. But if I dont fill up my stomach, I soon will get hungry and usually base on my experience I should not have any chance to grab some food.
So what's the solution?
Below are some of the important energizers for the charge up I usually have before going out and some of the light bite to be ready in the car just in case I feel hungry for skipping breakfast.
1. Coffee
My day has to start with a cup of coffee. I can have nothing else but not coffee. Without coffee, I soon will get headache while working (for thinking too much perhaps), even if I have had lots of good food. This mug is essential to ensure everything runs smoothly for the day.
2. Some snack noodles
This is very common to the kids but you may wonder how this would help during the time in need. A packet or two of this will solve your hunger temporary for skipping the breakfast.
3. Water
You can live without this. I do sweat during the assignment as I need to climb up and down, crawl in and out sometimes and thats challenging. I get thirsty easily so having this standby in my Lowepro belting system would help very much. Strictly plain water.
I will still do this again on tomorrow's wedding photo shoot.
If you wonder how early it is, in average I would say I have to be there at around 5.00am. That case, I have to wake up as early as 4.00am to also get myself ready. You just cant complain much. This is part of the service we provide, and we always be sure that we as photographers are the earliest to reach the venue as well as the last to leave.
Waking up early isnt easy, and at the same time I have to ensure that I also fill up my stomach so I am fully charged with energy to accomplish the assignment. But the problem is, eating my breakfast as early as 4.00am could be challenging as we dont usually have I breakfast too early. The most is to have a few bites and I have no appetite for more food. But if I dont fill up my stomach, I soon will get hungry and usually base on my experience I should not have any chance to grab some food.
So what's the solution?
Below are some of the important energizers for the charge up I usually have before going out and some of the light bite to be ready in the car just in case I feel hungry for skipping breakfast.
1. Coffee
My day has to start with a cup of coffee. I can have nothing else but not coffee. Without coffee, I soon will get headache while working (for thinking too much perhaps), even if I have had lots of good food. This mug is essential to ensure everything runs smoothly for the day.
2. Some snack noodles
This is very common to the kids but you may wonder how this would help during the time in need. A packet or two of this will solve your hunger temporary for skipping the breakfast.
3. Water
You can live without this. I do sweat during the assignment as I need to climb up and down, crawl in and out sometimes and thats challenging. I get thirsty easily so having this standby in my Lowepro belting system would help very much. Strictly plain water.
I will still do this again on tomorrow's wedding photo shoot.
Simply Shot With The New Lens
People tend to say long lens provide better bokeh. Wonder how good is it?
I am not a trained lens examiner but the photo of Alicia seems have good bokeh using my latest addition, the Nikon 70-200 mm VR. This is a simply test shot before my last assignment with Timothy and Lynette's pre wedding last Saturday, at 200mm, f3.5, ISO 400, no editing.
I am not a trained lens examiner but the photo of Alicia seems have good bokeh using my latest addition, the Nikon 70-200 mm VR. This is a simply test shot before my last assignment with Timothy and Lynette's pre wedding last Saturday, at 200mm, f3.5, ISO 400, no editing.
I'm Armed With New Weapon
Thanks to my beloved financial controller. Without her, I wont be able to achieve the dream of becoming an owner of this dream lens much earlier than planned. Honestly, I just couldnt wait any longer so I seek special approval from Alicia to purchase this dream powerful photography weapon.
Yes, officially it joined in my photography army camp last Thursday. Let me introduce you, officially, my newly added Nikkor 70-200mm VR tele lens.
This babe didnt come cheap. With the quality build that weighted 1.5kg, I now could enhance my shoot to more close up shots, especially for event sessions like weddings. And of course, dont forget, this is a powerful lens for portrait. With the VR system, it sure helps heaps in stabilising my camera handheld position to prevent in getting more blurred images.
Certainly, you need more practice on this new babe before you can master it. Each lens has its characteristics and I just cant wait any longer to shoot on the field.
However, if you wish to see some sample shots while I had my first touch last Thursday, here are just 2 images shot at home without editing.
I cant complain more about the bokeh...
The Un-Noticed Habit
You might not have noticed this, but this is truth. Ever thought due to some mordernised reasons, people like us somehow have indirectly adopted some un-noticed habit?
We dont even aware of it, but 90% of those I have met have this little habit. It's nothing to do with good or bad. But probably is one of them. And me, somehow to certain extend, yes, I belong to this group of people.
What I am talking about is, due to the common usage of mobile phones, 99.99% of us own one. Some even two, or three. But the modern technology that imposed in the development of mobile phone has become a gadget toy, and it's more than a communication tool now.
That's why everywhere, anytime you'll see this happen: When the mobile phone owners have nothing to do, automatically he/ she will just pick up the gadget and play with it. You certainly wont even notice you're doing this almost every time when you are bare handed. It's like you must hold something... and press on it.
If you doubt so, try notice people around and see if I am right.
Photos taken last week during the a wedding reception at The Banquet.
We dont even aware of it, but 90% of those I have met have this little habit. It's nothing to do with good or bad. But probably is one of them. And me, somehow to certain extend, yes, I belong to this group of people.
What I am talking about is, due to the common usage of mobile phones, 99.99% of us own one. Some even two, or three. But the modern technology that imposed in the development of mobile phone has become a gadget toy, and it's more than a communication tool now.
That's why everywhere, anytime you'll see this happen: When the mobile phone owners have nothing to do, automatically he/ she will just pick up the gadget and play with it. You certainly wont even notice you're doing this almost every time when you are bare handed. It's like you must hold something... and press on it.
If you doubt so, try notice people around and see if I am right.
Photos taken last week during the a wedding reception at The Banquet.
I'm Glad To Be A Fish Eyes Lover
What most people enjoy most while eating fish is mainly the body or some of them might love the head. Not many people like me who always aim for the eyes. Yes, since young I am a fish eyes person, altho I am not very keen on the other parts of the fish.
Recently I received this forwarded mail from my mom talking about "The four tresures of food that shouldn't be wasted when eating". I was surprise to have read this article that is very much related to fish eyes.
This is what it explained here:
Fish eyes, especially markeral family, contains rich quantity of DHA and EPA which are very rare unsaturated fatty acid. The most beneficial property of these natural substances are their abilities to stimulate human brain cells, improve memory and thinking power, and also very helpful in preventing memory decline, high cholesteral and hypertemsion diseases. The common notion suggested that eating certain animal parts would strengthen similar body parts of ours, and this has also be proven correct by clinical experiment where fish eyes are concerned: They can help to reduce the deterioration of eyesight.
Sounds a little bit complicated but as long as it is good, I dont mind continue to aim for that particular part.
No wonder I am still keeping good eyesight.
Recently I received this forwarded mail from my mom talking about "The four tresures of food that shouldn't be wasted when eating". I was surprise to have read this article that is very much related to fish eyes.
This is what it explained here:
Fish eyes, especially markeral family, contains rich quantity of DHA and EPA which are very rare unsaturated fatty acid. The most beneficial property of these natural substances are their abilities to stimulate human brain cells, improve memory and thinking power, and also very helpful in preventing memory decline, high cholesteral and hypertemsion diseases. The common notion suggested that eating certain animal parts would strengthen similar body parts of ours, and this has also be proven correct by clinical experiment where fish eyes are concerned: They can help to reduce the deterioration of eyesight.
Sounds a little bit complicated but as long as it is good, I dont mind continue to aim for that particular part.
No wonder I am still keeping good eyesight.
Posing Shen
Being a photographer you expose to a risk of being paparazied or spy shot by you fellow photographer. But this time, instead of being paparazied, I posed for this photo during our recent shooting project at Camp Permai with Edwin.
I have posed too many couples in front of my camera. And it's turn for me to pose for myself for a nice photo, courtesy by Edwin Lay. This is the outcome. I just love it!
Nice environment, nice color and of course, nice model!
I have posed too many couples in front of my camera. And it's turn for me to pose for myself for a nice photo, courtesy by Edwin Lay. This is the outcome. I just love it!
Nice environment, nice color and of course, nice model!