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Showing posts from 2015

HAPPY 2016!

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Hello friends, I'm going to join the masses of people saying "I can't believe it's 2016 already!" When I think about 2015, it seems to zip by, yet I can't remember much of what I was doing a short 12 months ago - this either means that I had so much going on that my brain could not keep up or I was just on a lot of drugs, hahaha ... because I don't remember taking any, I am going to go with the first option.   I know this is a bit late for Thanksgiving and all the thanks that comes with it. I was going to write a a bit about all the things I’m thankful for this year, but then I thought that’s been done by like every blogger in the universe. So I will keep it simple, by saying I am thankful just to be alive and to love and be loved. Wishing all of you a fabulous 2016! 

Shadow Dancing

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It was a typical harsh tropical mid afternoon, I had some time to spare in between errands and the park was within my sight. So I grabbed the OMD EM-10, alighted from my car and stormed the park. And for the first time, put my "free"  40-150mm F4/5.6  lens to the test.  I'm not sure if the park sweepers there are used to seeing a lone ranger with a camera at this time of the day, but they sure did give me some "interesting" glances. No, I did not take their portraits, haha. Chasing harsh light is not an easy situation to tackle. Basically I'm using contrast and looking for patterns or shadows created by the light.  round and round stone trooper waves of steel now, which is the right way? "tree" on the greens in between... 2015, you did me well my friend. Until next year ...

Mindfulness

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The sky is deeper blue today Because I have awareness.   ~ Sister Dang Ngheim In a mind clear as still water, even the waves, breaking, are reflecting its light. ~ Dogen Zenji As the year draws to a close,   having lost two friends,  I really needed to read about happy stuff and all that to remind me of, not only the things that make me smile, but also that I have a crazily good year to be looking forward to. Reconnecting with photography is one of the highlight of my year and starting this blog recently sets up a sweet end to an otherwise difficult year in many aspects. It has been about connection for me. To reconnect to a hobby that I have set aside for many years. To connect to my deeper core of what is really essential in my life. To further cement the many parallels and connections of photography and life. The process of contemplative photography, by itself can be a meditative and intense experience, connects seamlessly with my spiritual practi

Visual Haiku

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Haiku originates from Japan.  It is a minimalist form of poetry. The writer has 17 or fewer syllables through which to convey an experience.   It usually consists of three lines, containing 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively. These three lines pare down an experience to its essence, you say what happened in a few chosen words. Writing haiku is also a form of meditation that begins with the recognition of something occuring in the everyday Traditionally, haiku is about nature, sometimes serious, often comic. It did not rhyme. The poem usually referenced a season of the year. Long called the “wordless poem,” haiku was a way of life. It was associated with spiritual practice. Poets and common folk alike wrote haiku to praise, describe, and to open the heart and mind. Basho, the best known haiku poet, was a Japanese samurai who devoted his spiritual life to writing poetry. One of the principles in contemplative photography is  reducing the subject matter down to more simpl

Photo Walk : Chinatown

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I was up early yesterday because I was joining a photo walk session organised by Olympus Malaysia lead by  Robin Wong . He calls it "shutter therapy". The walk is popular and I am lucky I got a spot this time.  Here's an excerpt from his blog post ; However, when I am doing shutter therapy, the main objective is actually to do whatever I want to do, and the main person I am doing my best to please is, myself.  Sometimes, I compose in a certain manner that only makes sense to me, and it does not matter because photography is a selfish game. At some point of shooting for the fun of it, I have to start having fun. I have to be the one enjoying the game, I have to do what I want to do to make the best out of the limited time I have. I do acknowledge that the photos I show here are not National Geographic worthy and will never be award-winning. Should I care about these achievements?  To me, I am just happy being able to pick up a camera and shoot. That is one of the

heART of Seeing

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What it means to see with the contemplative eye? Patricia Turner, a contemplative photographer, revealed that The Contemplative Eye Sees beauty in the commonplace Looks for the subtle language of pattern and texture Seeks out the metaphoric capabilities of the landscape Develops a personal symbol system Is unhurried and patient Looks beneath the surface qualities to reveal the hidden layers of meaning Revels in the interplay of light and shadow I vaguely recall the day my hands wrapped around my dad’s camera at the ripe young age of eight, it was a special and exciting moment, because it meant that I was given the go ahead for my school’s photography club trip to the Lake Gardens. I would not have known then, that today, I would still feel as special and excited with a camera in my hand as when I was at eight. Being around friends with a liking for photography ensured it was a hobby that stuck with me all through my teens and onto my late twentie

Outing

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Framed The world is a looking glass and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face. - William Makepeace Thackeray   Water’s water and that’s why it’s beautiful. ―  Alberto Caeiro   Stairway to heaven? Life begins ...

Two People

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Memories aren't stored in the heart or the head or even the soul ... but in the spaces between any given two people. ~Jodi Picoult, Vanishing Act

The Story Begins In Autumn

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Autumn is a bridge to the past and future, rolled into one moment of waking to a golden sky, when the leaves fell from the trees and their branches stood bare against the wind and cold air. This deep ache to shed, perhaps it is a yearning, for the moment when my heart can breathe free. Over on this part of the world, it is not really autumn, but when we see and feel with our hearts, the four seasons are just a heartbeat away. This lovely morning The nameless bird sings for joy Spirits having flown