Actual Day
Pre Wedding
eShoot
Solemnisation
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Posted on September 29, 2011
Last week I went to Bintan with the missus and a group of friends for a quick weekend R&R, plus some photography on the sidelines, of course! Bintan island is just a 2 hour ferry ride from Singapore, but it was my first time there so I was pretty curious to check the place out. The island reminds me of Pulau Ubin, but it was a more interesting version with many more things to see. For instance, the many quaint fishing villages that seemed untouched by outside influences. The people were very friendly as well, and most of them would even smile at the camera – a far cry compared to some other places I’ve been where one would get an annoyed stare, or an outstretched hand demanding money for a picture taken.
It is a beautiful place (especially the sunrises and sunsets) and I would not mind going there again, and for couples who like to venture just a little further than our Singapore islands, I think it makes a great location for pre wedding photography as well!
There's my wife and friends capturing the sunrise also!
I thought this picture would look more interesting if there were a human element. So I just composed the image and waited. True enough, someone walked on the plank and here it is!
These group of fishermen went fishing for ikan bilis well before dawn and here they are back with their catch of the day
Posted on November 10, 2010
I was at Kuala Lumpur over the last few days to do 2 important things. To seek MPA qualification and to attend Yervant’s lecture.
What’s MPA? Some of you may not know, but it is actually one of the more prestigious and recognised professional photographer associations around. To be a MPA member, one needs to present a selection of images and be judged by a panel of international expert master photographers.To quote from the MPA website:
What is the Master Photographers Association?
The MPA is the premier professional organisation for Wedding, Portrait and Commercial Master Photographers…
All qualified members adhere to a strict Code of Conduct and have undergone qualification to at least Licentiate standard.
For the past few weeks, I have been preparing for the qualification which would take place in Banker’s Club, Kuala Lumpur. The preparation involves selecting some of my works to be judged and it was an intensive process of refining the selection again and again until the final images are determined. I underwent the qualification process and I’m glad to be awarded a Licentiate grading. To this, I would like to specially thank Ryan Wong from Vue Photography for his invaluable advice and mentorship during the qualification process. On a personal note, I am also grateful to my long time photographer friend Tze Yong from Wedding Moments Photography who, if not for his constant promptings, I may not have participated in the grading.
The qualification is a great encouragement to me and I look forward to creating more wonderful images for all my couples!
Yervant is one of the most celebrated and respected wedding photographer in our time and I think I can say his wedding images have inspired many photographers around the world, myself included. So it was truly a treat to witness the man himself sharing the business and the art of wedding photography. Having seen and heard Yervant up close (literally as I was seated at the first row haha), I can still sense his genuine passion and love for his photography even after 25 years in the business. I am impressed by his humility as a person as well, and indeed, it was a privilege to learn from him, and more importantly, to be inspired all over again!
Finally, what is a blog post without some pictures?
Yervant demonstrating some finer points in photographing a bride indoors while we all looked on
One of the things that we learnt is how to take great pictures in any common place!
From left - yours truly, Tze Yong from Wedding Moments, Yervant, Guowei from Double Happiness, and Joe Teng from Acapella (special thanks to Jim Liaw for taking this picture)
Posted on December 13, 2009
My wife is a teacher in Sunday school in our church. Today, we decided to bring out her students for a day out at Jurong Bird Park for some fun and time together. Of course being the good husband that I am, I am naturally the driver, caretaker and the photographer for the day. Not that I am complaining, what can I ask for more than spending a good part of the day with 4 pretty ladies heh.
I recalled how excited I was during prescription drugs without prescription my primary school days whenever there is a school outing. Those days, it seemed we only go to the zoo and no where else! However, the excitement never once waned. Grace, Carmen and Olivia seemed just as excited when we picked them up from their homes. Looking at the kids and observing them during our time together, I cannot help but realise what tremendous energy they have, ah… the exuberance of youth was indeed displayed in full force!
Meet (L-R) Grace, Carmen & Olivia
Check out Olivia's cute bag.. color coordinated!!
This image cracks me up. I call it... "Journey through the valley of scary birds"
With vigor and courage we will prevail crossing the precarious footbridge!
The kids took pictures of almost anything and everything.
Enjoying some cool ice cream... the day was hot!
Yes, enjoy the breeze.. enjoy the freedom.. enjoy your youth!
Both Ivy and I hope that the girls would take back some fond memories of this outing. Next year they would be assigned to different classes, but I trust that their friendship with one another will remain for a long time 
Posted on October 29, 2009
Siem Reap is a city within Cambodia where the famous Angkor Wat temple complex is located. Built almost eight centuries ago, it now stood as Cambodia’s most famous historical and religious landmark.
I have never stepped foot into Cambodia, so it was with some sense of curiosity and excitment when I embarked on this relatively short trip. It was also a photo trek with a group of like minded photography enthusiasts, and it was really fun getting to know them especially when we all have a common interest.
I think Siem Reap is probably what Singapore looked like in the 50 and 60s. The roads are dusty, and the most common form of transport are bicycles and the tuktuk (something like a motorcycle with a 4 seater carriage behind). To get to places, we hire a tuktuk and negotiate the price with the driver. Usually it is USD1 per person.
I also found out that the people there do not earn much. We asked a waitress in the hotel that we stayed what her monthly salary was. It was USD50, not inclusive of transportation, housing or lunch. That really don’t leave her much!
During this trip, I realise that I was drawn to the children of Siem Reap. They are mostly poor, and the more fortunate ones get to sell bits of art and craft, and tourist knick knacks such as postcards. Many of them are orphans and they were forced to grow up quickly and learn to be independent.
I hope you can catch a glimpse of how life is like in Siem Reap in the following images.
One of the many sunrises we get to see at Siem Reap. Mind you, we got to wake up at 4am!
The well familiar Angkor Wat
Another view, from the West Gate
This was taken near to the Terrace of the Leper King. I wonder what is the story behind the name...
Water buffalos are quite commonly seen in the countryside
Just one of the few locals we see without their limbs. We believe most of them are the victims of landmines that is scattered throughout the countryside. These mines are still not completely cleared.
Children rushing off to school at first light
And having fun before the first class starts
We were met with curious stares when we visited a school at the outskirts of town
This lady saw me outside her gate from afar and walked towards me to welcome me. Many Cambodians are friendly and warm in nature. When showed an earlier picture that I took of her and her child, she broke into a large smile!
We saw this group of children looking at us. Most of them have a curious fascination with strangers and they are not afraid to stare, and sometimes giggle at us
A scene taken in a busy local marketplace. I like this place as tourists do not usually come here. The locals do not mind a stranger with a camera pointing at them. In fact, they would often tease each other when they see me trying to shoot their friends
A worker of a temple taking a breather and washing her hands. Did I mention that it was really hot and humid there?
Many young children, like this little boy here try to sell postcards and other things to tourists. Although they are small, they are pretty persistent when trying to sell!
I was simply captivated by the look of this little girl in this image. To me, it represents the innocence of a child, rendered helpless in the face of reality and hardship
One of a student in a school. Many children do not have a chance to go to school, for this little boy, I wonder what his future holds?
I was at an old temple waiting to shoot the sunrise when I spotted this little monk sitting at the entrance of the temple. I reckon he was also waiting to see the sunrise, so I snapped this picture before he realised it. The very early morning light just created this beautiful soft golden glow on the temple walls and on him...
The same little monk, but I think he realised what I was doing this time round haha
One of the many foreigners that like us, is trying to enjoy a beautiful sunset!
Posted on October 26, 2009
After a relatively short 6 days in Siem Reap, I’m back to Singapore. Like they always say, there’s no place like home! How true it is!
I went for a photography trip with a group of like minded photographers to Siem Reap. Over the past week, we have been waking up at ungodly hours just to catch the perfect sunrise. Unfortunately, the weather was not as ideal as we expected, and it rained quite a fair bit. Nevertheless, we enjoyed ourselves and to most of us who went to visit Angkor Wat for the very first time, it was truly an eye opening experience.
I have many images to share with you, but I’ll start off by sharing with this. More to come!