Reminiscing 2013: 1st photo

The first photo I would like to share on the year 2014 is among my most favorite photo for last year. It is my future wife's photo looking out of the window. I took this photo while she was attentively looking out of the window. Her expression as well as pose makes me fall in love.

Figure 1: Looking outside.

This year 2014, I am going to propose and marry her. I look forward to that fateful day. I am still nervous about moving up to the next phase in life, but I know that together with her, she'll complete my lacking and I hope to be the best partner for her.

Cat like

Cats are adorable creatures, I am exposed to household cats since I was a little boy and have lots of experience with it. Some are enjoyable and some are sad experience of getting clawed at, even bitten. Still, cats are nice to touch and are cute when snuggled between my legs for a nap.

Figure 1: Playful cat.

People say that cats have nine lives. I really believe in it. I have seen cats take the leap of faith, and ended up falling from such great height but still manage to survive the fall. Cats which have fall down into the depths of the river, yet manage to save itself from the calamity.

Figure 2: Nose focus.

Cats like dogs, have a certain connection to human and can live together in a household. I especially like cats which can catch mice though but nevertheless despite their smelly manure, cats makes nice pets. Especially if you have those beautiful breeds, given they don't bite and scratch. 

Figure 3: Always eyeing the prey.

Mi sunset

Figure 1: Reddishness of the sunset.

It has been raining almost everyday of the weeks of December, and now going to the end of this month, I was looking forward for some night cycling but due to the unpredictable weather it has never materialize. Thus every other evenings before the sun sets, I cycle for a bit.

However, last Friday, I was cycling around and looked at the sky with its tiny little clouds hovering, the storm clouds are faraway and the sun looks clear and a yellowish light engulfs the horizon. I was excited to finish my ride and continue with shooting the sunset.

And, wallah, these are the shots that I managed to get. I was so glad to be able to settle down for the beautiful sunset shot just close to the island's runaway. For me, it is a shot worth waiting, rushing and capturing.

Figure 2: Steaks of light.

20 best photos of the year 2013

Dear all,

I will be joining top 20 photos of 2013 which is hosted by Mr.Duncan, who is an avid blogger at *The KUANTAN blog* . As I have been learning photography since early of the year, I am always seeking to improve myself through learning photo composition, camera settings as well as capturing the moment at the right time. 

It is tough, but along the way of learning I discovered that I am actually passionate in photography. Thus, I would like to share what is to me among the best photos for this year 2013, next year starting from the 1st of January 2014 till the 20th with a photo each day.

For those reading this and have great interest in photography, you are also invited to join in the fun at the link below, 

Registration for Top 20 photos for 2013

Thanks,

Best regards,
-al-

Reddishness

Figure 1: Horizon stretched in red.

Checkered clouds, just leaving the horizon, leaving a red tinge of red. It's December now, and the storm clouds are everywhere, times to capture the glorious sunset is getting rarer each day. I want to do something different soon and very soon, to go forward and pursue my passions. 

Elkhorn

Figure 1: Elk-horn sunset.

Every time I see the sunset, I felt so happy that I manage to survive that day or survive the whole week. It is a blessing to still be able to breathe in the fresh air and shout out loud at the beach. When the world is reaching to an end, I am still able to hold on to what is important to me.

It is inevitable to understand or perceive the truth through own limited knowledge. The urge is there but the path is already clear to me. My doubts are gone and I fully trust in Him. No matter what others say, I have full justification in my heart. 

Figure 2: Massive and prominent.

These days are filled with greed and misleading facts. The days of truth and real agape intentions are gone in the hearts of people. Money is more important than kind spoken or deeds to help others. Everyone says, without money, the world won't turn around.

So elk-horn, please bear until the sun sets into the horizon. This is just for a little more time. Just a little bit and we're done.

Yesterday's

Figure 1: Sun starts to submerge through the clouds.

Yesterday's sunset is still today's joy. I was so excited to see and capture the sunset yesterday that, right after work, four thirty p.m sharp. I ran off from work and drove to the best place to watch the sunset which is the beach. I prepared my gear and waited for the moment to come.

Figure 1: Bright lights burning through the horizon.

For all I know it was worth it. There are people who sometimes say I am out of my mind chasing sunrises and sunsets but well, you can call me that for I am crazy about those sort of things. Still, I would like to share the images which I manage to capture. Credits all goes to God Almighty.

Figure 3: The burning sunset, I love it.

4-hour memories

Last week I was blessed with a brief but memorable encounter with my good friend, Mr.Rynn. We used to work at the same company and have been good friends since then. While he is a very outgoing and enjoyable person, I respect his character the most.

Figure 1: Handsome guy.

My first job was a very challenging job, where I work 12 hours and only have 4 rest days per month. Since then I have moved to a normal 5-day job, but my friend is still there and going strong. He is a very patient and humble guy. Those are his strong characters.

Figure 2: An excellent bowl.

When I arrived around 9am in the morning, we had a simple Sarawakian mee for breakfast. We exchanged quite a long conversation, especially regarding his recent travel to Ho Chi Minh city at Vietnam which he recommended me to go if I have the chance.

Figure 3: Two to strike.

Rynn, is a very frugal person and always keeps a healthy lifestyle. He also gave me tips on how to be healthy and I believe for someone with an unhealthy lifestyle it is quite tough to change it. I will try my best to shift from unhealthy food to healthier alternatives.

Figure 4: Lost to Rynn by one point.

After breakfast, we went for a bowl, Rynn got some free tickets and we have just enough time to play a game. I never played bowling before and today I decided to try it out. Picking the right bowl and the correct stance to bowl is quite tough. A few bowl of mine went straight into the gutter.

Figure 5: Typical japanese conveyor style servings.

One of Rynn's specialties is that he organizes events very well, especially travel events. His friends are very lucky as from the tickets, guides, places to go until the hotels is researched and organized by himself. So, they only have to apply for leave, pay and attend. I'm signing up for next year's travel if he organizes.

Figure 6: Attentively choosing wisely.

We share a lot of similar way for thinking and ideas. He is a very smart person and a graduate from a reputable university. About an hour left, we decide to get lunch and we chose this healthy looking steam-boat based restaurant where you can eat all you want for an hour.

Figure 7: Eating a lot of greens won't make you too full.

The tips to not getting full is to not consume too much, rice, flour or fried items. So, I take as much vegetables, mushrooms and fish as I could. I have discovered that I have problems with my liver due to high intake of carbohydrate. I reduce my intake ever since and take liver tonic.

Figure 8: Sushi King.

I can't resist eating the sushi though, but I limit it due to its starchy carbohydrate nature. It is important to learn to eat wasabi with sushi if you can stand the heat. The taste of wasabi is like an explosion of heat in your mouth. Not recommended to chew until wasabi fully dilute in the mouth.

Figure 9: Chicken and tom-yam sides.

I had memorable times during the short four hours with my friend and I hope to meet up again. I am supposed to meet up with a few Indonesian friends but they aren't able to make it due to the security tightening at the township.

A few little things

Figure 1: Tripod replacement.

My name day is coming, I am getting older and time seems to pass-by so fast. I am afraid that I will miss a lot more shots if I don't get a replacement soon. I need support which has better built quality and last longer. Due to my frequency of use I need to get one of the best.

I choose the brand Manfrotto as I have did a thorough product research and I want the best stability and flexibility in terms of cost too. My experience with my previous tripod was Weifeng, Made in China, I didn't have that great solid build quality and it wobbles so much. 

The legs doesn't stretch well and to my dismay, the plastic locks snapped off. I couldn't find a replacement anywhere. Without my tripod and for my type of photography I am totally crippled. Due to that, I missed a lot of chances to capture moments.

I am a fan of books, and for my name day, I decide to buy a book for my own reading. I love to read fiction and fantasy books as they take me away from my mundane life. My imaginations know no limit when it comes to books. 

Figure 2: The Songs of Wind and Fire.

So these are the few little things that I get for me self. If you have a passion, then, it is very important that you invest some time and money to do it and enjoy it. There should be no age limits nor compatibility limits as long as that passion stays with you, it will be passed on for generations to come.

My confessions

Figure 1: The best pictures are those without filters.

I am a self-confessed photography addict who is especially stingy on gears. 

Whenever my mind is into the work, I would blank out just to find myself reading about photography.

I always tried my best to make time to take a photograph despite the challenging weather.

Whenever I go, I always try to frame something and kept noticing small elements and details.

I always stare at something/someone until focused and the background turn into bokeh.

Whenever I have to go for chores or other activities, I always find an excuse to cheat a photo.

I love to separate the subject from the background, it is a special type of photography.

Whenever I saw someone using pro gear, I get GAS, Gear Acquisition Syndrome.

I always think so much about my gear and so far, most of my gear & camera are secondhand.

Whenever I see a great image, I will stare at it for hours.

I get stressed if I don't take pictures for more than 3 days.

These are some of my confessions, yet there are sweeter confessions from people around me who are really passionate about photography, and as always, I would like to remind you that pro-gear doesn't mean you will get pro-images. It is all up to you to include the soul into the pictures.

Figure 2: My D70, wish I can repair it.

What are gears?

Figure 1: Mirror mirror on the wall, which is the best lens of them all.

This is a big question for all photographers, especially photography freaks who collect gears but rarely utilize it. This is not such an issue for people who are lucky enough to be financially blessed with a lot of money. But for me, since I have limits in my spending I monitor my lust daily.

Having the best gear, but not using the correct technique to use the lens is a fail in the face. It is also true, when you simply just buy it just because other photographer recommended it as a good lens. If your passion is not in that zoom range then, its always best to skip it.

Pros always says its all about the lenses, well that's true, if you have a wide selection of lenses according to your brand, then stick to that brand. Jump ship or changing brands is really quite a waste of money. Always changing camera bodies one generation after another is also another common indicator.

For me, since I am just taking photos as a hobby, it doesn't make sense to invest in the most expensive gear. I just can't afford it. So I take second hand stuff, I help those wanting to dispose their unneeded gear and I utilize it fully till it can be properly disposed.

For now, I am a Nikon user and have only two lenses which I always use. One wide angle lens and another fix focal large aperture lens. I enjoy photography and it has opened a door which has once closed to me after I left drawing. It relieves me from worries of the world.

So keep to your passions and let those creative energy flow instead of gear acquisition.

My favorite pastime

Everyone has something to do during their free time, it can be reading the newspaper or a novel. Or it can be going through a recipe book and getting ready to prepare a delicious dish for tonight. Or just a simple relaxing snooze on the rocking chair. There must be something for everyone.

Figure 1: Clouds passing by.

For me, I love looking at photo books, especially on landscapes and potraits. From these photos, I can learn and visualize on how to do composition and certain special settings for my own applications. I also enjoy looking at pictures from other blogs and other source of professional images.

Figure 2: Golden glory.

I enjoy creating an image with something special in it. An image with soul and hidden beauty. I even tried hard as to learn how to use new techniques such as using filters. My images before that are quite bland, and this new filter using technique improves it a lot. There' ,much more to learn.

Figure 3: As the fisherman paddled by.

Still using low quality filters though as expensive ones are really expensive and for now I have to make do with what I have. My tripod is sturdy enough but very soon I need to find a new replacement as its legs are getting quite problematic. Will procure these stuff once financially steady.

Figure 4: Smeared skies vs land.

My favorite pastime is photography. I wished I learned it a little earlier in life but better now than never right. Whatever your pastime is the most important thing is to do it with passion, never give up and always be ready to take the challenge. Cheers.

Journey

Life has been so good to me, I went abroad, ultimately to only get rejected, I've wasted two weeks of my life waiting for that one in a million offer to work overseas. Still, is it really a waste of time or am I just exaggerating my own feelings. Life has been tremendously good to me and I felt to blessed.

I journeyed to be accepted in a company which pays high amount of money in a foreign land, I had been promised a place, where I resigned from my company in pursue of a new work environment and also to be able to achieve more. However, after waiting two weeks I was rejected and so I went back empty handed.

Figure 1: My work pass.

So, finally I was received in a company which promises me more than just my dedication but the whole of me, to be able to work in a company which ranked no.68 in the Fortune 500 is a dream come true. I am psyched to be able to contribute not only to the company but also to the country.

I am now at the capital city of my country, being trained and brainwashed to be a staff aligned with my company's agenda. I am willing and God willing I will be a newly transformed executive and will be a better behaved person reflecting my values which comes deep from my heart. 

For everything I want to thank God.

Viewfinder

Yesterday after work, my friend bugged me into the idea of him interested to get a digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera. I was happy to talk with him about it since I am in love with photography not so much with the technology involved with photography. So, I asked him what's lacking with your point and shoot?

That question basically check-mated him as if he was playing chess with me. It took him like minutes of shutdown before he gave me a long and non-consistent list of answers. I don't need him to convince me, but rather I doubt if he was really into photography or only just poisoned by the trend of having a DSLR.

Still I accompanied him to town just to check out some of the latest DSLRs available. Well, he was very knowledgeable regarding each of the camera's specifications as well as image quality aka noise. Still, I am not sure what is really in DSLRs that made him go for it besides technical sides.

For me, I love photography but it didn't click when I was holding a point and shoot, I don't like looking at screen and framing at once to capture a moment. For me live-view is useful only if I shoot video which I really don't enjoy or taking shots using a tripod and perspective from the ground.

Still, I prefer the viewfinder. I prefer to get down on the ground myself just to get that shot instead of looking into the live-view screen. When I frame the picture through the viewfinder, it feels like I get what I wanted just like what I imagined it to be. That is why viewfinder size, clarity and brightness in a camera is important for me. 

Next would be the controls, to get the correct exposure as well as let in the amount of light I want in to the camera sensor, I must be able to control, the camera's shutter speed, the film speed and also the opening of the lens. So, a DSLR camera of my preference should have two control dials.

Ergonomics is truly important for me, so the grip should be comfortable to hold, not too small, not too thick but it should allow a firm grip. Buttons placement not too much and arranged in a proper way for easy reach. Shouldn't be too small either.

For those who hate the bulk of a DSLR shouldn't even think of buying one, as DSLRs are bulky and quite heavy once lenses are mounted. So, just walk-away and pick one of those smaller mirrorless cameras which can also provide excellent image quality.

A big plus for shooting using a DSLR are interchangeable lenses, but pick only lenses which you will definitely use most of the time. Lenses aren't cheap especially if you are using more than one camera system. I am using two currently and I really-really need to have 100 reasons before buying another lens.

So, there are a lot of consideration to take in a DSLR, as it is considered as an expensive investment especially if you aren't making money out of it. As a enthusiast photographer as I am, I'll just worry less about getting the latest tech-savvy camera out there, but pick one, with the best value for money and go all out on it.

Another life

In this life full of different paths, we have to decide what is the best outcome for ourselves and also what's best for others. Recently a good friend of mine has come to a very tough cross-road decision and this certain decision effects her future and also her own relationship with another person.

She asked me for advice and after listening to her and some reasoning, instead of giving her an absolute advice, I asked her a few questions to ponder before making that big decision. The questions I gave her are in a way are linked to both her main decisions.

In my list of trivial questions, I don't require an answer but need her to think thoroughly as in it is consists of her own fundamental principle of life, which is important and other small details which will have an impact of her future. As a good friend and listener, I can only offer such assistance.

I am glad that, she went with her passion and heart, for this is what will truly make someone happy despite criticism and negative views of her other friends. I believe that one should never be judge despite her decisions as the one person that is going through it is her.

All the best in life watashi no yoki yujin.

Imagination broadens..

Since I was a little kid, I hate to read. My life is filled with games, hanging out with friends and more games. I am a true example of a gaming addict, I grew so adept at my games that I even started to gamble real money online. It ended abruptly due to the relatively expensive internet bills which was a fact about 10 years ago.

I never had the passion to even touch a book, either spiritual nor educational. I have lots of books of course, bought by my loving parents, yet I barely touched them. Even reading homework given by my teacher wasn't read by me, but I simply asked my friend to eventually tell me the whole story.

I manage to make it through my high school days with decent results even by barely even touching a book unless forced onto me. I never had any intention to actually open up a book and start to eventually read and digest any information from it. Am I lazy or I don't have interest? I myself couldn't decipher myself at the time.

To keep the story short, when I reached university, I was forced to read in order to pass my tests, and it was never voluntary. I even asked my girlfriend to study ahead of me and teach me. This was usually futile as I have to read and actually teach her. So in the end, it's all about reading and studying just to survive university.

One day, my sister, introduced me to a book, she asked me to read it and of course I didn't. I didn't read it until I finally landed a job and started a new life as a working person. I found that I have nothing to do on my rest day and absolutely nothing of interest came to my mind.

So I opened my bag and found that there is a book in it, I was shocked as to find something which I really have no interest in popped right in front of my eyes. Finally, without much effort, I opened up the book and start to read. I fell asleep at the introductory paragraph, but as soon as I woke and start to read the first chapter, I simply got hooked. I don't know why.

I read it until the next day, I didn't slept the whole night. It was a truly magical book. It's a book written by Neil Gaiman entitled Anansi Boys. The book rocks, seriously. It opened up my mind and imagination by simply just reading. It's like a new music in me and that music really makes me dance inside out.

Figure 1: Anansi Boys.

I have to thank my sister for this gift. I can now read with a broadened imagination. Reading is now a part of my passion besides my collectibles. Anansi Boys a truly recommended novel.

Adventure..

Its been sometime since I've had an opportunity to have an adventure. A particularly dangerous adventure, where there is a certain potential where I might not even live to tell about it, but it seems very unlikely I'll reach to that certain point of time. So I guess I'll be dormant for the time being and relax. 

But I'm not that kind of person who just sits there or stay in a place without anything to do. I need a certain adventure. It doesn't have to be dangerous but I need to at least get myself moving and working. The gears in my body will cease to allow me to move freely if I never use it. My mind is wrecking itself if I keep staying walled up.

Urban adventures or even jungle adventures all makes me rile up in glee. I didn't even manage to join the last hike due to business at the University. Well, at least after this I'm done, but will I ever encounter another adventure soon? Pretty please?? 

Still anywhere I go, every adventure I participate in, I will submit to my Creator, at all times..