Trying out Handheld HDR

Usually HDR photos are done using a tripod, as you need to take multiple shots and later merge them using software. I'm trying out Aurora HDR that automatically aligns photos so that burst shots I took handheld with my D750 can be merged successfully.

A'famosa Safari Wonderland

I did another animal outing, this time it's not a zoo but a safari... well, a more open-concept than a typical zoo. They had a safari ride in a caged mini-bus, that drove through the animal's enclosure, such as this tiger's lair. They also had a cowboy and indian show that was pretty entertaining. It was a good thing that I brought along my Sony RX100 as it proved useful in confined spots, like this mini-bus, and when I needed a wide-angle lens.

I met one of the senior manager who told me that next year they'll open up more areas and exhibits that they are currently renovating. Will need to revisit this place again....

Take a look at more safari photos......

Taman Wetlands Photowalk

Being a cool Sunday morning, I decided to take a drive to the wetland park in Putrajaya and take some pictures of the flora and fauna over there, in particular the flamingos. Apparently, there are seven of them in the pond, presumably tagged and serialised. This one could be #007....

All photos taken with my Nikon D750 and Sigma 150-500mm f5-6.3 telezoom lens, set on manual exposure but using auto ISO, with landscape profile.

You can see the rest of the pics here....

A Major Upgrade - Fuji X100V

Good gosh, time flies! I somehow have not updated my blog for yonks! So much so, that I had bought sometime in February 2020, the newly released Fujifilm X100V as an upgrade to my existing first-gen X100. I skipped the next four versions, and got the X100V which has some major improvements in the sensor, processor, viewfinder, lens and body weather resistance. Since it was in special introductory offer, I also purchased its wide and tele converter lenses.

Have a look at more X100V pictures....

Walk of LIfe Photo Exhibition

I attended an exhibition by local street photographer Che Ahmad Azhar at the Starhill Gallery in Kuala Lumpur. He presented two dozens of his iconic pictures of life in and around Petaling Street and Pudu Market. I also met Reuters photographer Bazuki too.

You can view a few more pictures....

My first ever Photo Exhibition!

Over a year ago, I had joined the Nikon Shooting Stars programme, which was aimed at mentoring enthusiast photographers who wanted to improve their skills and project work. Lead by top Malaysian professional photographers, we had monthly meetings where our photos were reviewed and we were guided on clarifying our storyline and vision. It was harder than I thought it would be, and the year-long programme was too tough for many to endure, till only a handful of us survived at the end. However, we were rewarded with being able to exhibit selected photos that went on display at the Kuala Lumpur Gallery (beside Dataran Merdeka)! To top it all, the entire programme and expo was free!

Here are some pics during the exhibition launch....

A Pocket Rocket!

I think my search for the pocketable digicam is over...my previous ones like the Lumix FX55 and Sigma DP2 both had image quality issues, but with this Sony RX100 that I purchased in Aug 2012, not only can it fit in my trouser or shirt pocket, but it produces amazing pictures through its wonderful Carl Zeiss 28-100mm (equiv.) f1.8 - f4.9 zoom lens. Very easy to use and filled with an incredible amount of advanced features, from multi-frame auto-aligning mergeable photos as well as HDR to automatically generating a second image cropped according to what it thinks is a better composition than your original person shot!

Sony did some fantastic tricks to ensure that although it packed 20MP into a 1" CMOS sensor, it can control noise to a minimum even at high ISOs and give us fast response in AF and continous shooting or video.

You need a pocket-sized digicam because 1) the best camera is the one always with you, and 2) the need for discretion at some events, like visits to the hospital, going to funerals, attending meetings at office, etc... yet you would like to capture moments of these scenes. So far, the RX100 has done an excellent job!

More cool pictures of my Sony RX100...

Storytellers

Jerod Foster, 2011 [Technique]

This is a refreshing take on approaching photography by applying the art of storytelling. This book guides you to develop story themes and how the photographer can use his craft to tell great stories. Jerod does this by explaining the language of storytelling using the visual elements and shooting techniques, and covers the process of story design and workflow. Each chapter contains a storyteller profile that is an interview with professional photographers and how they do their storytelling. There are also a few exercises and case studies scattered throughout the book to strengthen your skills and understanding.

More information on Amazon.

X100 Firmware v1.21

Fuji has recenly released an update to the X100 firmware - I've installed this and it has made much improvement to the usability and performance. Focusing speed and accuracy has got better, and you can now reprogram the RAW button, just like the FN button! Here's a photo I recently snapped:-

Another New Toy

Although my Nikon D700 is the killer DSLR for assignment-type work, most of the time you just want to carry with you a light compact that is not intimidating to other people. Thanks to Fujifilm that released their Leica-like X100, an APS-C sized sensor rangefinder-like digicam, that doesn't just have superior image quality but looks beautiful too. I bought this in early April 2011 for RM3,888 and got the leather case for free.

Henri Cartier-Bresson - The Modern Century

Peter Gallasi, 2010 [Biography]

This very large book covers the life of perhaps the greatest photographer of the twentieth century. It chronicles his career that spans over sixty years, and shows his photojournalistic pursuits and endeavours, always capturing the vagaries of human behaviour and to produce some of the most memorable and compelling photographs ever published. You can flip though tons of his most famous pictures, and included are a great number images that will be unfamiliar even to specialists. The extensive supporting material - featuring detailed chronologies of the photographer's professional travels and of spreads of his picture stories as they appeared in magazines - will revolutionize the study of Cartier-Bresson's work.

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More information on Amazon.

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Street Photography Now

Sophie Howarth and Stephen McLaren, 2012 [Technique]

This large book presents the work of almost four dozens contemporary image-makers noted for their candid depictions of everyday life in our streets, interspersed with four thought-provoking essays that explores the compelling and often controversial issues in the genre. If anything, the selection of photos makes you realise that there is such a large spectrum of subjects and scenes that can fall in the category of street photography, and an infinite number of styles and approaches were used to express them. Certainly the skills of the photographer, in terms of his vision, observation, anticipation and perseverance outweigh the technical considerations of camera brand, lenses and accessories.

More information on Amazon.

Within the Frame : The Journey of Photographic Vision

David duChemin, 2009 [Technique]

This is a book about chasing your vision and telling your stories as clearly and passionately as possible with compelling photography. It emphasises on discovering your personal vision, evolving it and then expressing it through the visual capture using your camera. It encourages to shoot what moves your heart and mind, and necessitates the need to care and understand the subject. What to include and exclude in the frame, and the consideration of light and time, are part of the discussion on composition, and proceeds to enlighten us on storytelling approaches, and the various styles and techniques on capturing people, places and culture.

More information at Amazon.

My New Toy

I don't carry my DSLR all the time. But my Lumix FX55 follows me everywhere. However, its image quality kinda sucks. So, I wanted a better yet compact digicam. After some reading, I decided on the Sigma DP2 that uses the APS-C sized Foveon X3 sensor paired to a 41mm-equivalent f2.8 lens. It costs a bomb - RM2,985 - but delivers exploding picture quality.

Have a look at the DP2..... and some test pics...

My Travel Photobook

I decided to make a photobook album of selected travel pictures I've taken over the years. This is an A3 size album and is printed on high quality textured paper. It's an excellent way to publish your own works and should last many years.

See my photobook gallery.....

500GB External Harddisk

To minimise the likelihood of data loss, I purchased a Transcend USB 500GB external harddisk, even though I burn my photos and datafiles onto DVD. After connecting this device to the PC, you can press a button on it that initiates file synchronisation or backup. It so simple to use!

Kata 3N1-30 Bag

When shooting outdoors, I find the Crumpler 7MDH a little inadequate, especially when I want to use my superzoom Sigma 150-500mm lens. I needed a sling-type bag that allows for quick retrieval to equipment, and at the same time can also be setup like a backpack. After doing my research, I settled for the Kata 3N1-30. You can see it below compared to my existing smaller Lowepro Photo Runner and Crumpler 7MDH.

Read my review at DPreview and see more pictures of the bag.

Nikon MB-D10 Battery Pack

I finally decided to buy this as it makes it easier to hold the camera for portrait shots and gives a good balance when paired with long lenses, like my Sigma 150-500mm. Also, it raises the speed of my D700 to 8fps and extends the battery life. At the same time, I purchased a Maha PowerEx 8-cell charger and 12 pcs 2700 mAh batteries.

You can see my D700 with the MB-D10 attached.....

Sigma Monster

My DSLR lens arsenal is now strengthened with the new super-tele zoom Sigma 150-500mm f5-6.3 APO DG OS. This will be very useful for my travel and nature pics. When I bought it, the shopkeeper was surprised how light it was. It is well made and is quite handholdable, balancing nicely on my Nikon D700. With its built-in optical stabiliser, shooting at max zoom is not a problem, with the image becoming almost rock-steady in the viewfinder after a second or so once it kicks-in. So far, my initial tests showed that the lens performed well, focusing accurately and quickly, with sharp images that are rich in contrast and natural in colour. I liked that the zoom ring is a little stiff - this makes it stay in place and not creep. A further zoom lock switch makes for safe lugging around. As a bonus, it fits in snugly unmounted into my Crumpler 7MDH with the rest of my photo equipment! It costs me an affordable RM 3,840 and is certainly an eye-turner...

Take a look at my Sigma monster....

Whaletail Clone

I fancied a more elaborate flash diffuser than the one provided with the Nikon SB-800. Mainly needed it for better outdoor night pics and also indoor shots of portraits with softer shadows. I liked the idea of Gary Fong's new Whaletail, but it costs a bomb. I discovered a clone version which performs virtually the same, yet costs almost a 1/3 of the real thing.

See some test pics of the Whaletail clone...