Preserving memories, sharing memories, through the lenses

This picture was taken with my Samsung DJ Beat mobile phone camera. Sometimes, I am really amazed with the quality of pictures taken with mobile phone camera.

Photography technology has progressed so much these days that even the mobile phone camera can yield pretty good picture quality and with the applications downloaded into the phone, interesting effects can be achieved. The iphones, the various smartphones models from brands such as Samsung and Sony Ericsson, are all equipped with decent lenses, and with a good amount of megapixels, one can snap photos almost anytime and anywhere. 

I got my first camera from my parents when I was twelve, only to lose it 2 years later when I attended the Teacher's Day celebration at my primary school. I had to persuade and guarantee my parents that I was able to take pictures, without photographing only half or even a quater of my subject which many people had done. I also had to convince them that I know how to use the pinhole and that I had manage to take pictures with my friends' camera. I showed them a two to three pictures and then, I got my first camera.

I suppose you can say that I like photography the moment I know how to use the camera. Of course, there were alot to learn but when I was much younger, with the limitation of not knowing and understanding all the technical jargons and with parents and adults who scoffed at the idea that a kid could like photography, no one was there to share the knowledge and joy of photography. All I know was, as long as the subject was "smacked" right in the middle, I could press the shutter. That's all I know.

About 6 years later after losing my first camera, I HAD to get another camera. No one was willing to lend me their camera. My mother had a good point and shoot analogue camera, but she was afraid that I would lose the camera again,so, was reluctant to lend it to me. But I needed a camera rather desperately because I had to do an assignment for the polytechnic's departmental quarterly updates. Eventually, I bought my very own second camera with my own money earned from the part time jobs I had then. It was another Kodak 35mm analogue and it cost S$72.00. I thought it was a real steal. I was able to take loads of decent pictures with my camera and it was then that I realised that one does not need to have their focus their subject "in the middle" all the time. (By the time I know and understand the rule of thirds, I know that there are many a times, one should NEVER focus their subject "in the middle".)

Anyway, in 2001, I took my Kodak 35mm with me to Melbourne when I was studying at University of Melbourne. Because film processing was not cheap (it has never been cheap, even now), I was pretty stingy with the pictures I wanted to take. Unlike digital photography where one could snap as many photos as they want and then checking on the screen within seconds, one never knows how the pictures will turn out until the photos have been processed. You can say that many students were pretty stingy with photography. Fortunately, I did not have the bad experience of bad photos. The only lament I had then was that my camera did not have a zoom lens. Otherwise, I could have pictures with better focus.

Some of my friends had digital cameras, but the quality of the pictures then were bad (come on, that was like way back in 2001, when digital photography was just introduced and 3.2 mega pixels was considered the best!!!). Just very bad - grim and gritty and BLUR!!! So, for a while, I was not a fan of digital photography.

I also remembered back in my Uni days, I would re-develop photographs from my friends' negatives, especially the ones which were nicely taken. We would exchange our negatives to re-develop the photos which we wanted.

And then, the arrival of the much improved digital cameras!!! By the time I bought my very first digital camera in 2005, which was an Olympus miu 300 (S$299), I thought I had one of the best camera in the world. I thought that digital photography would allow me to take those super-nice photos I see in magazines. I thought digital photography and digital camera was the answer to PERFECT photography. HOW WRONG I WAS!!! I could take more pictures then ever but not necessarily better pictures. With the digital camera, I could take as many pictures as I want and experiment as much as I want, but, that does not mean, perfect photography (what is perfect photography anyways? Is there such a thing?) or nicer pictures.

And then, when I spotted the Sony T100 with an optical zoom of 5X, I thought I had bought the most updated camera, only to realise that I had paid S$699 for the name. After a few months, my "friend" bought a Panasonic Lumix with an optical zoom of 10X with only S$569 or was it S$599 after "coercing" my other and I to buy the Sony T100. Despite paying so much for a Sony which was not very popular with amateurs and with limited specifications, I was glad to say that I have been, even now, able to take pictures I was happy with.

After digital cameras, it is now the age of DSLR!!! In the past, I always think that DSLR is only owned by hobbyists who are serious about photography, armature photographers, full-time photographers and perhaps, those who are often appointed as official photographers for their company events and stuff.

But hold and behold, look at the number of people, be it men or women, girls or boys, young or old, lumbering and looking professionally with their bulging DSLR!!! Some of my friends claimed that owning a DSLR is now a sign of wealth (what wealth?) and that they are a class above the rest (Huh?). Some of my friends also believed that having a DSLR will make their photos more superior than the rest (another HUH???). And of course, there are people out there who spend more time editing their photos (shot with DSLR), then trying to take a good picture in the first place. And people who loath at those taking pictures with just the usual digital camera rather than DSLR.

I am NOT a professional photographer and my knowledge is extremely limited, so, I am NOT in position to criticize any one's works. But I have learn alot from my friends who are serious about photography and have been teaching me and sharing their fantastic works with many others online, especially on Facebook. In a way, I have learn alot. But, that's what these serious photographers will tell you too - look and learn to appreciate others' works to improve.

Someone bought a DSLR and told me that the photos were good. There were even some who said the pictures were good and some who would only talk to those with DSLR. Honestly, DSLR, or not, good photography comes with practice. This incident just reminded me of the time when I had my first digital camera and thought "I would be the best photographer in the world". (Read a few paragraphs ahead)

I came to know about scrap booking in 2006 and this has strengthen my interest and love for photography. And it was also around this time I know about photoshop - enhancing photos with software. I soon learn how to use some of the easier functions. Now, I know that photoshop and DSLR photographing goes hand in hand together.

I still believe that good photography comes with experience and practice.

Whether is an analogue, compact digital, semi-DSLR, DSLR, Lomography or any kinds of camera, photography comes with practice and leaning from others. One can only improve their photography skills by reading and learning from books and online forums. At times, attending classes will also aid in learning more.

Be critical about your own work and be generous with your comments when you spot a good photo.

For those who are keen in showing off, sorry,  I will just "speed-see" your photos.

Photography, is all about preserving memories and stories to be told behind those pictures. I love pictures which tell stories or evoke certain emotions or which are simply a piece of art itself. I love pictures which share information too. Pictures for showing off, sorry, this is just too much for me. Sorry. If you want to tell me that I do not know how to appreciate your photos, go ahead. Compact digital cameras with superior specifications can also yield results which are almost DSLR quality.

Meantime, if you love photography, do continue to snap, snap, snap and snap.



523 Days

25th June 2011 - we watched Kungfu Panda 2 together

6月25日的一个星期前，发个了简讯，问他是否要看动画片《功夫熊猫 2》

他，发回的简讯，只说，周日大家得工作，所以，很难配合时间。

所以，一向来都习惯被拒绝的我，并没有想到他，竟然通过Facebook,发了个电子邮件，

问我是否还想看《功夫熊猫 2》。

就这样半开心又有点害羞地跟他一起看电影。（对呀，我也有害羞的时候，ok!)

他，像个小孩似的，对着放映室东张西望。

他，看到《蓝色小精灵》(Smurfs)时，很开心地告诉我，这可是他小时候常看的动画片。

他，看到好笑的情节时，就这样，很单纯地，很开心地，发自内心地哈哈笑着。

他，的确有点单纯得可爱。

看完电影后，就一起去吃个late lunch-

边吃边聊些有的没的。

那么，就看着他吃着一小碟又一小碟的超辣辣椒！

然后，就在街上这边逛逛，那边逛逛，

这里聊聊，那里聊聊。

然后，就到Cold Stone Creamery,

边吃边聊。

聊着聊着，

就问他是否也要结婚了，

他说，523 days later。

聊着聊着，

就问他是否找到了他的Miss Universe,

他说，maybe not Miss Universe to you, but she is certainly Miss Universe to me.

然后，他说我的T恤很可爱

也说我的手表很特别。

但，

他就是没说我怎样怎样... ...(也有可能，我不给他机会)

看来，还是放弃他好了。

他再怎么好，我也不可能是他心目中的Miss Universe.

算了，反正，也习惯被拒绝了。



523

Last day of Railway service - 25th June 2011. And then, the railway station still be shut down and be part of history.

While many Singaporeans and even the foreigners who are living in Singapore headed to the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and Bukit Timah Railway Station for some last photo shots of the railway station, as part of memory archival, I woke up to see an unexpected message in my Facebook inbox.

After a week of asking that Mr Someone if he would be interested to catch a movie with me, and expecting a "no, I won't free" reply, it was surprising to see him send me a message asking me if I was still interested to catch a movie. I was happy, but did not hold much hope. Seriously speaking, after knowing for a while, I was actually unsure of how to behave and what to say and so on now that I could go out with him - yes, just him and me. Besides, I am so used to "No" as replies that his initiative to contact me really caught me off guard.

He thought I was I going to ask a bunch of people, and when I told him it was just going to be him and me, he, I think, sort of "oh". Hesitation? I am not sure. I then told him if he was too shy to just go out with me, he could ask a friend along. Well, it was just me and him.

Mr Someone was really sweet. He told me it would be alright to catch "Kungfu Panda 2". He booked the tickets online after finalizing the details with me over the phone. Honestly, I was not sure if I was to be happy when he called me on my mobile. I know, this may sound kind of stupid (come on, is only a phone call, why the excitement, right?) but, me being me, oh well... ...

And so, there you are, just the two of us, catching "Kungfu Panda 2", having a really late lunch at Ria Ayam Penyant at Lucky Plaza, Orchard Road, and checking out Kinokuniya, and then a sweet treat from me to him at Cold Stone Creamery at Orchard Central. We chatted and then I asked him when he'll be settling down. I do not know if he is genuine about it or just teasing me, but he told me, "523 days later". And when I asked him, does that mean he had found his "Miss Universe", he replied, "Maybe not to anyone, but for me, yes, she's my Miss Universe."

I was a little upset, of course. I mean, I know all along that there was someone who loves him much much more, than perhaps more than he knows about it. And he may have already decided that she IS his Miss Universe. Sigh... ... Really do not know what I am getting myself into. I also do not know if he is just kidding with me either.

Mr Someone is indeed a nice guy. Down to earth and really sweet and I enjoyed myself with him. Listening to all his crappy stuff. Listening to him laugh and listening to him talking about his childhood and that he watched "Smurfs" when he was a kid.

很少有这种纯真的感觉，尤其是跟一个男生出门时

虽然，我们不可能在一起

但是，能够跟他去看场电影，让他认识我多那么一点

也让我认识他那么多一点，

可能，这样的甜美回忆就足够了。

他，真的是个好好先生。

就算不能在一起，

也希望他能找到一个，

配得上他那可爱，他那纯真

的一个好女孩。

It does not matter if we ever end up together. It really does not matter. I am just glad for this very lovely outing. A simple movie, a simple lunch, a simple sweet treat, abit of strolling along Orchard Road and chitchat.

Love the sweetness for the day. 



Appreciating Photography - the Lomo way




The above photos were shot using a digital camera (using camera to take picture of photographs). The actual pictures were shot using a Kodak compact camera, loaded with Lomography brand 35mm colour negative film, ISO 400. Sorry, I have yet to convert the pictures in negative to CD or DVD format which will allow proper upload. Will load more later on, I hope.

I was given a Lomography (lomo) Fisheye analog camera by my friends. My other photography enthusiacs called the lomo camera "toy camera" as the lens were made of plastic. In fact, the entire camera is made of plastic. There's practically nothing NOT plastic.

The first time I tried to take picture with the camera, the "mission" was pretty much a flop. I thought the camera was similar to the usual compact analog camera with the glass lens and was expecting similar quality pictures after developing the first roll of negatives. But, oh my goodness, the pictures were all very grainy, dim and looked pretty much like bad quality pictures! And the focus, a huge failure at that. After seeing the first set of lomo fisheye photographs, I thought it was due to a poor quality negatives and that the negatives were badly developed by the service centre or photo lab. I had a second attempt and this time, I loaded the camera with the film of negatives from the Lomography brand.

The quality was better, yet, the grains "still stay". For a while, I thought it was because I had used the wrong ISO negatives. The overexposure was definitely the result of the wrong ISO negatives used. After analysing the photographs with my phography enthusiac, it was then I came to learn that the grainy effect of the photo was, in fact, the true effect of lomography!!! How silly of me!!! With the advance of technology, I did not bother to find out more about lomo and insisted all along that it was all bad photography to begin with.

The photos seen here were a result of my third attempt with lomo products. This time round, I loaded the lomo film into my Kodak compact camera. The grains are, unfortunately, still there, yet, the colours of some of the pictures were interesting. I would not say that the photography is fantastic or anything, but the hues and the effect - amazing! I have not gotten such effect with my digital camera or seen such with my friend's DSLR's shots. These must truly be the so-called lomo effect.

Alright, that's about it for now. Will show my friends the results of the latest attempts.

Thanks for looking!

 

I need rooms, rooms and more rooms!!!!!

Picture taken with a Sony T100, London, October 2010

No one seems to believe me when I complained that I needed more room and space for myself - physically, mentally and intelluctually.

I have tons and tons of notes, handouts, articles, magazines, journals and so much more reading materials that I believe I needed a room to accommodate all my materials. And on top of that, I still have music scores and books and textbooks to take care of... ... (HELP!!!) Even after discarding all my primary, secondary and junior college notes and handouts, I still have loads of reading materials to clear. I shall really check if there are still notes of more than 10 years still "lurking" around in my cupboards.

And of course, I need either a room or a decent racks for all my albums - the CDs, VCDs, DVDs... ... And if I get to have a room for all these, perhaps I can include a hifi-set?

And I obviously need a room just to cater to the ever-growing scrapbooking stash!!! I know, my friends are also asking me just how much stash do I need. Do I need stash for a lifetime? Hmmm, tough to answer that. Maybe other girls should also ask themselves just how much clothes, bags, accessories, shoes do they need, perhaps? ;) Thank goodness I have an alright collection of clothes for work, fun and formal functions. Talking about clothes, I should also pick and discard those I cannot fit anymore or donate away those which can still be worn. Hmmm... ...

Who do not need a room for themselves? I mean, to be all by yourself to reflect and to think about the future, for themselves or the future generations. Or perhaps, a room for yourself just to allow your mind to go blank after a stressful and busy week, month or even years of hard work. Or a room, just to find out which are the areas one will want to improve or better?

Or even a room for inspiration, a room for mojo?

I need rooms, more rooms, just more rooms please!!!

(Sorry for the random blaberring , must be the hot weather. Gosh, is so warm, humid. Time for another quenching.)



A look at the Pictures of UK, Germany and Russia

And so, there I was, went to UK and Russia in October 2010 to catch some real Barclay Premier League (BPL) and Champions League football action. And also off to Munich, Germany to check out that magnificent Allianz Arena Football Stadium.

Of the slightly more than 5000 pictures taken, it is definitely not easy to sieve out the pictures to share on Facebook. And it is only while selecting the pictures that I realised that I should have taken EVEN more interesting pictures. I know it sounds crazy, but I have taken quite a number of blurred pictures out of the 5000 plus pictures. Or pictures which were just not well taken. I suppose there were probably 3000 plus pictures, which I deemed are alright to share with friends online. But then again, will anyone want to see all 3000plus pictures of mine? (The last time I posted nearly all the pictures of my Taiwan trip on Facebook, I got complains from friends. Is true, unfortunately.)

Well, perhaps this will give me an excuse to go back to Europe again.

Munich - I have not have enough of Munich!!!!!

UK - So much to offer!!!!

I do not think I will travel to Russia in the near future. While there are loads I will like to see and do in Russia but the transportation and the language is posing quite a problem. And having used to travelling free and easy, going to Russia again with a tour group is not a likely option.

Hmmm, perhaps is time to do a layout on one of the venue.

Hope I will be able to upload a layout soon.

Happy Vesak Day!

The Voters of Aljunied GRC - Saviour or Villan?

Aljunied GRC is now officially, together with Hougang, under the wings of Worker's Party.

And so, the voters of the Aljunied GRC have been cheered for bringing more opposition members into the Parliament, in hope of bringing the voices of the people across.

With Aljunied GRC under the Worker's Party, two very capable Ministers and a versatile and talented Senior Minister could no longer hold ministerial positions in the Parliament.

And so, the voters of the Aljuied GRC have been jeered for causing the loss of worthy leaders.

So, are the voters of Aljunied GRC Saviour or Villain?

This is perhaps one of the most difficult question to answer. However, I believe the majority of the voters who voted aggressively for the opposition, did not vote for the opposition just for the sake of opposing, but, it was after thorough analysis of the various current policies being implemented. Even the Mr Prime Minister had told the media that this year's election will have to be carefully analyzed and to hear the voices of the people.

The one other important lesson learnt from the election is that Singaporeans are not as subdued as many pictured to be. Unlike other nations, where the people will strike and stage riots, Singaporeans have decided that the best way to put their voices through, is to practice their voting rights. Only then, will the ruling parties and the opposition parties know what are the people's thoughts and worries.

Only when there are happy citizens, will there be a happy country.