The Left Eye

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2011-03-30T00:30:00.000+08:00

I'm kind of excited for a shoot on Saturday. Shall be shooting apparel for my ex-boss-turned-entrepreneur, Sherolynn! Basically we will be shooting a new batch of clothing for her business, A Beautiful Closet. Image below for illustration purposes only.

Image courtesy of fash-eccentric.com

I'm interested to see how I would approach this shoot the second time, because we had a really good time shooting previously, with Cher Ng our model, but more so our friend. Somehow I believe that there will be something new for me to try out, and something fresh to experience.

I am really tempted to obtain a flash before the shoot, because I've been toying with the idea since the start of last year. Flash or lens? Flash or lens?

But now I'm pretty sure I want a flash, because I believe it would bring to me a new sensibility in the images that I choose to produce, especially with off-camera flash.

Nonetheless, looking forward to it!

I'm Back!

2011-03-26T01:36:00.003+08:00

Feet, originally uploaded by misterthomas.

It definitely feels good to be back blogging on blogger. Don't get me wrong, blogger hasn't been mistreating me; In fact, I have been the one neglecting the blog. I guess school work has really dealt a blow to my social life and whatnot. Nonetheless, I am now back to blogging.

I don't think people(if at all) visit this blog now, but it doesn't matter. Really. Because I think keeping a journal of my own progress will benefit me in the long run(somehow lah).

Thanks to school, I enjoyed a period of being content with whatever equipment I have, and was really happy to hear my friend exclaim, "Thomas, you really know your camera well huh!"

I guess that is the most important thing for anyone dabbling in photography: To know your tools well, and be willing to work with whatever you have.

Again, thanks to school, I was forced away from photography into painting, drawing and other stuff. I can say it was beneficial to me, because it really got me into thinking about images in terms of the formal elements and principles of art. Which I realise that I have unknowingly started appreciating in any image, more so in photography.

More on that next time I guess. For now, I shall continue working on the blog. In the meantime, I shall start posting some of the images that I have taken over the past few months!

2010-09-22T18:15:00.002+08:00

As I begin to feel the many anxieties that result from knowing more photographers (really talented ones), I inevitably begin to ask myself what makes me call myself that as well. Am I only a maker of photos, or am I something more? If so, what?

I would like to think that my insecurities are getting ahead of me, but the contrast in the work is substantial. As others take off in all directions, I look at them with envy. I know for a fact that neither envy nor jealously will take me anywhere - Only action can.

But even so, I am not quite sure how to respond when I think of this question:

Where exactly do my passions lie?

There are some who come for a realization of their career. Others are here to sharpen their industry-ready skills. I come here, without much clue, lacking clarity in vision, and quite simply unsure of the future. What do I want to be?

All I know is I want to take photos, so take photos I will.

James 127

2010-05-01T10:16:00.001+08:00

1 month ago, I was being asked to be the photographer for James 127 camp. I guess it never is something that you get used to, knowing that your task is to take photographs, while simultaneously you would very much like to take part in the activities, being able to interact with your group more.

As the camp progressed, most of the apprehension of what to expect from the camp faded away as the activities began to briefly touch on issues such as child prostitution, poverty, child slavery, etc. As most of the activities were held indoors due to a rainy day, I struggled to keep my iso low inside. Luckily, my prime lens were fast enough to keep the shutter speed acceptable.

Looking forward to taking photographs for youth camp!

Anyway, I'm learning to create slide shows for my photos, I wonder what do professional photographers use for their slide shows?

majun: adventures of the underpass

2010-02-25T01:53:00.005+08:00

What better way to have a first real photo shoot than to have a trusted friend as a model? So I took the opportunity for a pre-flight meet up with Miss Ma to end with a photo shoot. I didn't really have anything in mind, only vague visions of catch lights in the eyes, pretty bokeh, and great lighting. So terms of an objective I really could have done better. Here are the photos:

Things started off slowly, since I didn't really know where to start, and how. Neither did Majun, so we began with more talk than photographs. Still, I got her to laugh a little. Initially, I was going for a contemplative mood, but obviously being the happy person Majun is, I didn't get the chance to reveal that side of her.

So, we spent a great part of the shoot at this underpass, where I saw great light coming down, as well as a wind at the entrances at the tunnel. So I got her to throw her hair around for about an hour or two. Kudos to her for not complaining.

Learning points:

Always have what you really want in mind. Be specific.
Things may not always go as planned, be flexible.
At any point, make sure you know where the nearest toilet is.
Edit ruthlessly.

To the last point, I ended the shoot with 135 photos. But for the sake of quality, I painfully whittled it down to these 6 which I actually can accept. It can be demoralising, to have so many of my own photos being rejected, never to see the light of day. But I know it will be worth it...

arielle

2010-02-20T23:27:00.001+08:00

safe, originally uploaded by misterthomas.

I am thankful that I listened to my urge to take out my camera for some quick shots of Arielle, and that's when I was rewarded with this shot.

Recently I've also been taking up a personal A Photo A Day project, and I guess it's really a good way to learn to see. And to follow up on what you see with what you shoot.

people stared at me while i took this

2009-11-28T12:52:00.001+08:00

people stared at me while i took this, originally uploaded by misterthomas.

I like this photo, but having taken this photo i can't really see this photo with an objective perspective. Nonetheless, it managed to make what would have been a lousy day much better.

jack

2009-10-19T22:13:00.001+08:00

jack, originally uploaded by misterthomas.

As I go along in my daily routine, I am beginning to understand when the more esteemed photographers talk about perfect lighting, and how lighting makes or breaks photos; Because it's about the play between light and dark, and the resulting contrast that makes certain photos interesting.

Very much like how our lives need its ups and downs in order for it to be memorable. How interesting would the biography of my life be if I never felt the extremes of human emotions on either ends?

Back

2009-09-22T17:45:00.001+08:00

Human nature, originally uploaded by misterthomas.

Haven't been able to post here, since blogger has been rather weird for the past few months, rendering me unable to post links nor photos.

Anywho, I've recently been busy with things beside photography, and it's been something that's bothering me, because I really did have a choice. Been finding that I lack the motivation to take out that camera. Just wondering if I would diminish the enjoyment of the moment if I whip out the camera and start snapping.

Oddly, once I take it out, I can only stop when the batteries die on me. When I chance upon a photo among the "un-useables", and I really like it ie. the one above, all that hesitation to document my life eases away.

Time to get into it.

Home Away from Home

2009-04-18T23:00:00.003+08:00

Came across this Saturday special on The Straits Times(18th April 2009), which talked about this photojournalist who stayed at a hostel for immigrant workers for a total of 5 weeks. In it were his experiences living amongst them and a photo essay which I thought was pretty outstanding. Great photography.

It fully encapsulated the little joys, frustrations, and moments of solidarity between workers of different races, origins, backgrounds, and reading the article- I could feel myself jumping into their world just by looking at the photos and reading their captions. It hit home the message that they're really not that different from us after all. I mean we all know that they are also human beings, have rights, etc etc, but I guess it takes a deeper level of understanding that in the end, their stories can only be as real as ours, and what they are going through probably wouldn't strike our fancy even a little bit. So, go and have a look, let me know what you think.

2009-03-15T22:15:00.002+08:00

a single look spoke volumes of our journey through Singapore's IT show.

We bargained, waded reluctantly through the muddy crowd, went without water, grew hungry and sore, collected flyers, compared prices, but ended up with the realisation that we didn't have the money we needed in the first place. All the effort and false hopes down the drain...

how do you see yourself?

2009-03-02T23:25:00.002+08:00

Renewal Idol 2008

2008-12-29T22:31:00.008+08:00

Really had great fun with renewal idol, good exposure to the horrible conditions for photography on a budget. Poor lighting(well, lighting effects were great, but just very little light), and lots of movement = plenty of blur photos. Shall not bore with the technicalities, but took me quite some time to figure out how to take the best photos that i can manage with my current equipment and skills.

Some photos from the rehearsal:

And some photos from the actual day:

Some contestant photos:

Looking forward to Renewal Idol 2009!

2008-12-02T00:05:00.000+08:00

sent to sentosa

2008-11-18T00:41:00.005+08:00

Had a great time at sentosa with rym youths/teens, really could not match their energy when we reached there. Here are some photos that I took over there, the rest are on facebook.

Photos courtesy of a super camera-friendly bunch.

body language speaks volumes.

I'm so proud of this shot, when we finally coaxed a natural grin from her.

2008-10-23T22:55:00.001+08:00

yum yum

More mist

2008-10-11T23:44:00.000+08:00

5 in a day

2008-10-06T00:24:00.006+08:00

To improve, I guess we need to look at only the best from our effort. So here are 5 photos that I picked out from today's walkabout at esplanade/town.

Perspectives

2008-09-30T16:20:00.001+08:00

2008-09-28T22:56:00.000+08:00

The things photographers do in search of perfect light.

Sights and Sounds

2008-09-28T03:52:00.002+08:00

Soul

2008-09-21T23:26:00.003+08:00

Someone once said when you take a photograph of someone, you take a part of that person along with you. People may like it, or people may not.

But one thing's for sure, a great photograph, like all pieces of art, will evoke a response from the person viewing it. A great photographer can even determine the kind of emotion that his works plant into the viewer. It speaks to them on a personal level.

That, is something special.

For me, until I get there, I'll probably keep trying.

Ultimate Frisbee @ East Coast part 1

2008-09-08T21:55:00.013+08:00

Promised to help MJ out for the Ultimate Frisbee tournament at East Coast. First time shooting for people other than myself, so kinda stressed in the beginning. But as it went on, it turned out to be quite fun. Of course, the wonderful weather helped lots=)

Young team, lots of fun.

Another young team, even more fun. Kept asking for more photos, more and more.

A little cheer helps a ton.

Some planning before the match starts...

Game on.

Time out, debrief.

It got boring for some...

Not so for others, apparently.

But it was great fun at the end of the day, all in the name of sportsmanship.

GG.

RSAF Open House

2008-08-31T23:10:00.009+08:00

birthday go eat cake

2008-08-24T09:29:00.004+08:00

:

my two favourite shots of the day:

Dinner @ Arab Street

2008-08-04T02:09:00.005+08:00

Museum Go Gai Gai

2008-07-29T00:59:00.005+08:00

Of all places, me and my NS brothers, actually spent a good hour or so at the Singapore Museum for something, on a saturday night. Got life or no life, you decide. But it was great because there were already lots of people(and cameras!) there. Apparently it was the last day of Night Festival. So.

This was the focal point of our museum trip, and I'm pretty sure its the same for others. Interesting to see the reactions of relatively conservative aunties and uncles, shy shy, yet, something fresh being presented to them.

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 Goodness

2008-07-26T09:56:00.006+08:00

Brought my new 30mm Sigma prime lens(can't zoom) out for a test run, and what better opportunity than having dinner with the judo peeps at Carl's Junior?

And then there was kah poh.

Shot of the day

Chillin' @ Jetty

2008-07-21T21:26:00.001+08:00

Tough

2008-07-14T02:46:00.002+08:00

Sometimes fountains stand in all their majesty before hundreds, all because of that one little cluster of ugly looking pipes pumping water out of that tiny hole. Water gushes out of its confines, ecstatic at its newfound freedom, free to create marvelous patterns and shapes.

Yet, we are often too oblivious to the fact that without the initial trappings of the pipes, the water would never have come with such force, such ferocity. All the patterns would have been reduced to a useless trickle.

As cliche'd as it seems, it does remind me tough times don't last, tough men do.

Bugis

2008-07-07T20:43:00.003+08:00

Met up with jiangyue at bugis today, and happened to pass by every photographer's dream: little kids + lots of water.

Moments of innocence are really abound, we just have to open our eyes to them. Even so, we often just pass by it, or stand around and watch.

With envy?
With a frown?

Youth Sunday

2008-07-07T00:23:00.004+08:00

Regrettable to say that despite the waves of laughter, fun and joy experienced during the youth carnival today, I didn't manage to find the time, nor freedom to whip out my camera for shots. Thus had to make do with people preparing to prepare for the carnival, whatever that means.

This brother of mine has an endless library of weird expressions to show, as you will find out soon.

One of my favourite shots of the day

Needless to say, we were all tired out from all the shouting, climbing up and down, and rah-rahing. Still, the carnival couldn't have been better for me.

oh so tired

2008-07-03T23:43:00.002+08:00

We need to sleep more.

Youth Camp

2008-06-25T23:35:00.006+08:00

Here are some photos taken during youth camp:

You can find the rest here.

landscapes @ youth camp

2008-06-18T22:07:00.003+08:00

Spent a very fulfilling weekend at Changi chalets, participating in the youth camp. I took the liberty to sneak in some shots before breakfast, as well as during the day.

First attempts at landscape shots, thus the heavy photoshop'ing. Long way to go before I can start using straight-from-camera shots. But still, watching the sun slowly rise from the horizon can only be described as 'shiok'. I guess opportunities to capture magnificent scenes is our honour, perhaps warranting a little more appreciation for God's masterpiece that is earth.

the many faces

2008-06-11T22:21:00.003+08:00

Actually my brothers can be very photogenic too. ladies, watch out.

This one I should send to anti-drug campaign, could become a great poster:

mouth-watering

2008-06-09T21:24:00.003+08:00

Nothing but a plate of Manhattan Fish n Chips can satisfy these hungry men after a hard day's work.

Raffles Lai Gai Gai

2008-06-04T20:03:00.006+08:00

Played with the idea of juxtapositions, and selective colouring, fun

Of Videos, Scripts, and Sweaty Shirts

2008-06-02T23:28:00.006+08:00

Had a little outing with boardgames day committee yesterday, helped out with the videoshoot. Awesome-ly tiring work. Never realised how complicated the video-making process can be until I actually tried to film one down for them.

Angles, timing, composition, perspective, concept, crazy work, I tell you. Not to mention my first time handling a video camera.

But all this can't beat actually being in a committee for any youth related activities, I feel. All the planning, promotional videos, flyers, logistics, student saving plans(every month 10 bucks, anyone?), and of course, advertising gimmicks. Whatever happened to the simple 'sign up, pay up, and buckle up for camp'?

The bar has been raised, ladies and gentlemen.

Anyway, couple of random shots before I actually start doing any real processing.

Card Games @ Mind Cafe 24/5

2008-05-28T00:07:00.006+08:00

Had a splendid time at Mind Cafe near Dhoby Ghaut last saturday, packed with people. Didn't really shoot much due to poor lighting, so mostly passed it to deren to have some fun.

Never knew the extent of huat huat's(brotherly) affections for deren...

Moments

2008-05-24T00:33:00.002+08:00

Two interesting photos that I came across in forums:

I can only give 2 thumbs up for these moments.

Recce @ Ubin

2008-05-19T23:20:00.010+08:00

Went for a little outing n monday with Yihao, Cheri, and her NPCC friend (can't catch his name), out to pulau ubin. Huge amount of activity, swarming with people, tourists and locals alike. And so we went ahead, even under the scorching heat.

Needless to say, my toes were pretty much roasted by the time i reached this shot, the sun was unrelenting.

Dinner @ spagheddies's 17/5

2008-05-18T01:06:00.000+08:00

Met up with some six seven peeps at marina square, nice people, decent food, poor lighting.

1.

2. Hungry Me

3. Fussy

4. Chilli

5.

6. Guess who I saw

7. Canon Cannon

8. Drive One

9. Hungry part 2

10. Salad

11. Dinner!

12. Spoils of war

13. Chicken Wing

14. Wave

15. Deep thought

16. Smirk

17. Vroom

18.

19.

20.

GDOP @ indoor stadium 11/5

2008-05-12T23:02:00.000+08:00

Great chance to test out what iso1600 at the highest should look like, and it was still pretty manageable.

Graduation Ceremony @ Wesley Methodist Church 10/5

2008-05-11T03:03:00.000+08:00

Lots of People + Lots of Food = Relaxed and ready to pose for photographs.

Where were the guys?
1 word. Buffet.

outing @ toa payoh 2/5/08

2008-05-09T22:21:00.000+08:00

Had my lunch date with huat huat pangseh'ed, and ended up alone in toa payoh. So I decided to look around for some interesting shots.

Great weather.
An uncle I saw along the way to toapayoh, under the scorching heat.

Another uncle, albeit with a rocking hat, proceeded to ask him for permission to take photos.

and I got this:

Cool huh.

And then I saw this marvelous sculpture, placed in the middle of nowhere, with nobody to appreciate.

Another shot.

some fountain thingy

Optical illusions

Now for some 花花草草。

Fruitful by all accounts, good day out.