Andai Ku Tahu
19 May, 2008 by malcolm-
Korat
04 February, 2008 by malcolm-
Oh my! This is my very first post of the year. And I guess this post is actually quite meaningful to me. Was sent to Korat, Thailand, from 27 Jan to 1 Feb, due to my job requirements. It's the city where the last SEA games were held.
During that period, I had the opportunity to visit two local villages due to the community involvement programme in which I had to cover.
I got to say it has been very enriching. The photography I got to do there was something I haven't done in a long time (ever since the old folks home last year). The style that I have been looking for. The type of photography that tells a story behind every shot. Behind every smile, behind every tear that was captured, is a story of its own. The type of photography that I wish and want to pursue. It certainly beats all that I have been shooting all this while...
The above shot is my favourite of all that I took. I guess the colours and the depth of field really makes the boy stand out. He was a curious little boy, running all round the place. It was really hard to capture him being still, not until he stopped and looked at another guy with a camera.
The community involvement included medical services and also hair cutting services. It kinda reminded me of BMT, but obviously it was different. The guys got almost the same hair cut, which was kinda cute actually. This photo also struck me, in how I got the eye contact of both and how it actually turned out to be. It make them look like twins actually, but I doubt they are.
Well, having to mention about the medical services, it wasn't only limited to just the kids of course. Even before the place was set up, many locals have already gathered there. Many were old folks actually, because health care was quite inaccessible for them or simply could not afford it. The wrinkles on both their faces really tells me that every stroke on their face is a story. These are stories that have been left untold, and probably will never be told.
Another person that caught my eye was this old lady. She was all along at a corner, sitting on nothing more than a metal cart with a straw mat. It began obvious later why it was so. It was actually a make-shift wheelchair, or rather that was what it was. This old lady had some problem with her leg joints that prevented her from walking long distances. And what I saw later on really struck me. It wasn't the son or a young man who pushed her all the distance to the place, but rather a hunched-back old man, who slowly pushed her all the way. That really showed me the meaning of true love.
This little girl also touched my heart. I guess it was her cuteness and the way she would get jealous that her younger sister drew more attention than she did. She would just go over and hug on to the younger sister whenever some stranger tries to carry her. And she would really hug her tight and so close. Childhood innocence uh...
Another thing that the kids really touched me by were their genuine smiles and laughter. They showed me that the simplest of things were really enough to be appreciated and make their day or maybe even two. It really left me thinking how lucky or privileged we are, but we never appreciate it. Give a kid in Singapore a plastic toy, he'll demand for a Lego one. But what these kids at Korat really showed me was the true meaning of being satisfied of what we have. A small cheap plastic helicopter was enough to make a kid all so grateful. Or just even a bun or a bottle of flavoured drink, which was all they got, but you could see the true smile of happiness that just overflows into your heart...
This trip has really been an excellent experience for me. It really encourages me and I really hope to one day be able to pursue this... All I ask for is just for my works to touch one heart or spread an otherwise untold story...
*More photos are at my flickr site
During that period, I had the opportunity to visit two local villages due to the community involvement programme in which I had to cover.
I got to say it has been very enriching. The photography I got to do there was something I haven't done in a long time (ever since the old folks home last year). The style that I have been looking for. The type of photography that tells a story behind every shot. Behind every smile, behind every tear that was captured, is a story of its own. The type of photography that I wish and want to pursue. It certainly beats all that I have been shooting all this while...
The above shot is my favourite of all that I took. I guess the colours and the depth of field really makes the boy stand out. He was a curious little boy, running all round the place. It was really hard to capture him being still, not until he stopped and looked at another guy with a camera.
The community involvement included medical services and also hair cutting services. It kinda reminded me of BMT, but obviously it was different. The guys got almost the same hair cut, which was kinda cute actually. This photo also struck me, in how I got the eye contact of both and how it actually turned out to be. It make them look like twins actually, but I doubt they are.
Well, having to mention about the medical services, it wasn't only limited to just the kids of course. Even before the place was set up, many locals have already gathered there. Many were old folks actually, because health care was quite inaccessible for them or simply could not afford it. The wrinkles on both their faces really tells me that every stroke on their face is a story. These are stories that have been left untold, and probably will never be told.
Another person that caught my eye was this old lady. She was all along at a corner, sitting on nothing more than a metal cart with a straw mat. It began obvious later why it was so. It was actually a make-shift wheelchair, or rather that was what it was. This old lady had some problem with her leg joints that prevented her from walking long distances. And what I saw later on really struck me. It wasn't the son or a young man who pushed her all the distance to the place, but rather a hunched-back old man, who slowly pushed her all the way. That really showed me the meaning of true love.
This little girl also touched my heart. I guess it was her cuteness and the way she would get jealous that her younger sister drew more attention than she did. She would just go over and hug on to the younger sister whenever some stranger tries to carry her. And she would really hug her tight and so close. Childhood innocence uh...
Another thing that the kids really touched me by were their genuine smiles and laughter. They showed me that the simplest of things were really enough to be appreciated and make their day or maybe even two. It really left me thinking how lucky or privileged we are, but we never appreciate it. Give a kid in Singapore a plastic toy, he'll demand for a Lego one. But what these kids at Korat really showed me was the true meaning of being satisfied of what we have. A small cheap plastic helicopter was enough to make a kid all so grateful. Or just even a bun or a bottle of flavoured drink, which was all they got, but you could see the true smile of happiness that just overflows into your heart...This trip has really been an excellent experience for me. It really encourages me and I really hope to one day be able to pursue this... All I ask for is just for my works to touch one heart or spread an otherwise untold story...
*More photos are at my flickr site
Back?
22 December, 2007 by malcolm-
Well it's been a good 4 months since I was back. The link to my has always been on my Favourites toolbar, but I hardly ever click on it anymore. I have been lazy to update, but recently, I guess I need an avenue to just let off some steam.
I have been ultra-busy at work lately. With my two upper studies clearing leave, I'm the only Air Force News guy left. With events and all to cover, it simply means that tons of articles are still left undone. Well, it's not that I don't wanna do them, there's simply no time. Oh wells....
At least I have been enjoying part of my work. Shooting the RSAF Black Knights was simply amazing. Just in case you didn't know, the RSAF Black Knights are the only aerobatics team in Singapore. They are currently training for a comeback at Singapore Airshow 2008 come February. Featuring 6 F-16 Fighting Falcons, what more can you expect?
Okie, the introduction aside. So guess what? I've been assigned this task of shooting for the Black Knights. Yes, I'm the "Official" photographer for the team. Sad to say, I can't release the photos, they are embargoed and considered as "Property of MINDEF". So you might well just get to see some of my works next year during Singapore Airshow!
Talking about next year, this year has sure gone by all so quickly. It has been 9 months since I've been enlisted, and I got to say I've learnt a lot on the job, and was given the chance to go Australia too!
Christmas is just round the corner, so wishing all a great Christmas ahead. (",)
I have been ultra-busy at work lately. With my two upper studies clearing leave, I'm the only Air Force News guy left. With events and all to cover, it simply means that tons of articles are still left undone. Well, it's not that I don't wanna do them, there's simply no time. Oh wells....
At least I have been enjoying part of my work. Shooting the RSAF Black Knights was simply amazing. Just in case you didn't know, the RSAF Black Knights are the only aerobatics team in Singapore. They are currently training for a comeback at Singapore Airshow 2008 come February. Featuring 6 F-16 Fighting Falcons, what more can you expect?
Okie, the introduction aside. So guess what? I've been assigned this task of shooting for the Black Knights. Yes, I'm the "Official" photographer for the team. Sad to say, I can't release the photos, they are embargoed and considered as "Property of MINDEF". So you might well just get to see some of my works next year during Singapore Airshow!
Talking about next year, this year has sure gone by all so quickly. It has been 9 months since I've been enlisted, and I got to say I've learnt a lot on the job, and was given the chance to go Australia too!
Christmas is just round the corner, so wishing all a great Christmas ahead. (",)
Celebrate Singapore
11 August, 2007 by malcolm-
Well after sucha long long time (3 months) since my last post, I'm finally back. You can call this an extended coverage of the NDP 07 I guess. It has pics all the way from Combined Rehearsal 1 way back in June. Never had I thought I would be given sucha opportunity to cover the nation's birthday!
So let this be a tribute to all those people out there who worked really hard to get this National Day Parade 07 @ Marina Bay a resounding sucess!
So let this be a tribute to all those people out there who worked really hard to get this National Day Parade 07 @ Marina Bay a resounding sucess!
Simple and Complicated
16 May, 2007 by malcolm-
It's been a good one month since I last visited this place. I wonder how many people actually bother to come. But there aren't the point I guess, this is just a place for me to pen down my thoughts. Just suddenly felt like coming back to just pen down some of my thoughts in these couple of days.
Just yesterday alone left me wondering on some things. Was at Holland V when I saw this 3 kittens. Just the normal black and white patched ones, but they were really cute. Playing on top a covered walkway, it was by chance i saw them. At first, one of them saw a branch there and started fiddling with it, curious and playful I suppose. Then the other two joined in as well. It was quite nice to see them just playing around. There were two other larger cats not far away, but were peacefully asleep.
It just struck me how simple live could get. How pure and innocent live can be.
It left me wondering why humans make things so complicated. Are all these things that we do really necessary. Okie, you might say the cats are fed, they have nothing else to worry about. But the thing is, why do we need to have an endless chase on things. The rat race never seems to end. At times, people even do stupid and evil things just to get their goals. Are this really called for?
Just watching the news for the first time in the past week left me thinking more. It somehow seemed that the news on tv has lost its purpose. It somehow has turned into more of a orbituary. In this part of the world a bomb was set off, killing 25. In that part of the world, someone was killed. Is there really nothing else that the world needs to know?
I always have this thought in me. You attack me, I go your house attack you. I don't get out of your house you attack me. I attack you back and stay longer because you attack me and your house is not safe for your family. So you continue to attack me to chase me away, but I won't leave because you are dangerous, I want to make this place safe.
Sounds confusing? It's like a never ending cycle. A vicious one.
More recently, everybody is upset over the Taiwan fighter crash incident. Everybody are so concerned about the dead, the injured. Blame starts to pile up on why an old plane was used, why the pilot this and that. No doubt, the incident is uncalled for and totally regretable. I know the heartache of the people. But how many people took to notice some details in the reports?
The plane came into trouble over very populated area. If the plane came into trouble, the pilots could always choose to eject. But why is it that they chose not to. They could have abandoned the doomed plane and let it crash to save their own life. But they chose to fly away towards the military camp where it was less populated with civilians. They gave up the chance to save themselves, to reduce the casualty toll. No doubt, they sacrificed their lives and two others. But would it have been more if the plane went down over much more densely populated areas? Would we feel the pain then? Would we pay so much attention if our fellow people weren't affected? Are we really that self-centered?
(That's my own personal opinion. My own take on the incident. Not necessarily true or factual.)
Just to end this post on a lighter note, couple of Saturdays back, Khee Ling and Steve Tan finally tied the knot, in what I thought was a really simple wedding. Simple it may be, but it certainly was meaningful. To see friends and familiar faces all gathered back at exactly the same ballroom where our church service was held. To see a once together worship team gathered together to worship at their wedding. It really is heartwarming. So I did some shooting, to capture this wonderful occasion moment by moment. 144 pics in total, all in the album below.
Just yesterday alone left me wondering on some things. Was at Holland V when I saw this 3 kittens. Just the normal black and white patched ones, but they were really cute. Playing on top a covered walkway, it was by chance i saw them. At first, one of them saw a branch there and started fiddling with it, curious and playful I suppose. Then the other two joined in as well. It was quite nice to see them just playing around. There were two other larger cats not far away, but were peacefully asleep.
It just struck me how simple live could get. How pure and innocent live can be.
It left me wondering why humans make things so complicated. Are all these things that we do really necessary. Okie, you might say the cats are fed, they have nothing else to worry about. But the thing is, why do we need to have an endless chase on things. The rat race never seems to end. At times, people even do stupid and evil things just to get their goals. Are this really called for?
Just watching the news for the first time in the past week left me thinking more. It somehow seemed that the news on tv has lost its purpose. It somehow has turned into more of a orbituary. In this part of the world a bomb was set off, killing 25. In that part of the world, someone was killed. Is there really nothing else that the world needs to know?
I always have this thought in me. You attack me, I go your house attack you. I don't get out of your house you attack me. I attack you back and stay longer because you attack me and your house is not safe for your family. So you continue to attack me to chase me away, but I won't leave because you are dangerous, I want to make this place safe.
Sounds confusing? It's like a never ending cycle. A vicious one.
More recently, everybody is upset over the Taiwan fighter crash incident. Everybody are so concerned about the dead, the injured. Blame starts to pile up on why an old plane was used, why the pilot this and that. No doubt, the incident is uncalled for and totally regretable. I know the heartache of the people. But how many people took to notice some details in the reports?
The plane came into trouble over very populated area. If the plane came into trouble, the pilots could always choose to eject. But why is it that they chose not to. They could have abandoned the doomed plane and let it crash to save their own life. But they chose to fly away towards the military camp where it was less populated with civilians. They gave up the chance to save themselves, to reduce the casualty toll. No doubt, they sacrificed their lives and two others. But would it have been more if the plane went down over much more densely populated areas? Would we feel the pain then? Would we pay so much attention if our fellow people weren't affected? Are we really that self-centered?
(That's my own personal opinion. My own take on the incident. Not necessarily true or factual.)
Just to end this post on a lighter note, couple of Saturdays back, Khee Ling and Steve Tan finally tied the knot, in what I thought was a really simple wedding. Simple it may be, but it certainly was meaningful. To see friends and familiar faces all gathered back at exactly the same ballroom where our church service was held. To see a once together worship team gathered together to worship at their wedding. It really is heartwarming. So I did some shooting, to capture this wonderful occasion moment by moment. 144 pics in total, all in the album below.
Click on the picture to view album @ Flickr
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Picture of the Month
I guess it's here as I just like the treatment done to the photo. Taken at Katherine Gorge during my trip to Darwin in June for work!
Your Turn to Shoot
