Sunday, January 31, 2010

Thaipusam 2010

If I can remember, I've skipped about three Thaipusam's shoot from my last session. I've been putting off to attend this event for years and this year I made myself go. It was a beautiful day, the week's weather was good with blue sky and I didn't want to miss that for the world. Besides, it's probably a good time and place to hook up with fellow photographers. There was no specific shot that I wanted to take. I just wanted to go as an observer and look out for any interesting photos. Thanks to my good friend and photography associate, Chan (Chan Leong Hin), I got some advice on some of the good spots, energy conversvation tips and a good ol' chat to catch up on news. It took me a while to upload these images yesterday, perhaps because a thousand other photographers in Malaysia are trying to do the same thing and jammed up the internet line. Anyway, enough yapping, here are some of the photos I took. Enjoy!



Hindu devotees getting their hair shaved before beginning their walk up the stairs of Batu Caves. When I reached Batu Caves, this was one of the firsts shots I took.

A young Hindu devotee getting her hair shaved during Thaipusam.

I just found out about this new structure. It's the ramp that crosses the new operational railway track that terminates at Batu Caves. This is the original showering and Kavadi preparation area. Today, there's another location for this part of the Thaipusam preparation, which is on the other end, near the rail terminal.


Here's where the Hindu devotees shower after getting their hair shaved.


A Hindu devotee showering right after having his hair shaved, in preparation for the walk up the stairs of Batu Caves during Thaipusam.


A family of Hindu devotees preparing milk containers to be carried up the stairs of Batu Caves during Thaipusam.


Right after saying their prayers near the river at Batu Caves, a Hindu family prepares to carry the milk in stainless steel containers for the walk up the stairs of Batu Caves during Thaipusam


A Hindu couple saying their prayers on the riverside of Batu Caves during Thaipusam


Devotee in the state of trance during Thaipusam.


A Hindu devotee carrying milk in a stainless steel container on his head, walking towards the stairs of Batu Caves during Thaipusam.


Piercings on the back of a Hindu devotee, while performing the walk towards the stairs of Batu Caves during Thaipusam.


A Hindu devotee calmly getting ready to carry the Kavadi, while several men prepares the piercings on his back during Thaipusam at Batu Caves.


Men piercing the back of a Hindu devotee, who's about to carry the Kavadi during the walk up the stairs of Batu Caves during Thaipusam.


Piercings on the back of a Hindu devotee, before performing the walk towards the stairs of Batu Caves during Thaipusam.


Devotees taking a break.


Rythmic music accompanying the Thaipusam celebration. It's a very festive mood. I love the music.


I saw a man being lifted up amongst the crowd. Little that I know of what he, or shall I say they were up to.


A devotee walking on sharp blades during Thaipusam celebration at Batu Caves, Malaysia.


Last image for the day. Here's my good buddy, Chan Leong Hin. Fabulous travel stock photo photographer.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Happy New Year 2010 + My Food Photography Project

Hi all,

Coming into the New Year 2010, I made a new resolution to become a better proactive photographer. In order to achieve that goal, I've started a side project called "My Food Photography Project". The goal is that every week, I will photograph one dish or food for a year, starting January 2010 until the end of December this year. There's an average of 52 weeks in a year. Therefore, hopefully this time around next year, I'll have at least 52 decent food photos that I can be proud of. This new journey will be an exciting one, as along the way, I'm sure in one way or another, it's gonna change my life. I hope that my journey will also inspire you towards a better progression in your life.

Check out My Food Photography Project blog here at
http://myfoodfotoproject.blogspot.com.

Thanks for reading!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Simple Lightroom Workflow for Photographers Seminar

The Seminar
This seminar is a "simple" seminar, tailor-made to busy photographers who have a day-job (or full-time photographers too). Most of the part-time photographers in Malaysia that I meet has this common problem, which is: "It takes too long to process the images".

This seminar will show you the "light" out of your current "darkness". You will soon know how to be able to free yourself from long nights of post-production and editing, and actually enjoy shooting more photographs without worrying about the editing process.

Learning Outcome
What are you gonna learn in this seminar?
Here are some key expectations.
  • How to get back your life, by getting organised by having a systematic post-processing workflow.
  • How to speed up your image sorting and selecting process.
  • How to process multiple photos at once.
  • How to rescue burnt highlights and shadows.
  • How to get some early sleep.

Previous Postings
Here are previous posts on this seminar
1st Simple Lightroom Seminar
1st Simple Lightroom Seminar FAQ
2nd Simple Lightroom Seminar at Republik Studios



FAQ
Here are some FAQs for my upcoming Simple Lightroom Seminar

1. Q: Is a computer/laptop provided for participants in this seminar?
A: This is a seminar, not a workshop. Therefore, no computer/laptop is provided in this seminar. However, you're free to bring your own laptop if you wish. If you wish to bring a laptop, please install a trial version of Adobe Lightroom 2 available here.

Note: Although this is a seminar, I've designed a simple Lightroom Workflow System for busy photographers that works. I should be simple enough to understand that you can try it at home. To those who wants to polish their Lightroom skills after this seminar, they can attend my Lightroom workshop in the future.

2. Q: What's the maximum number of participants for a seminar? Can I concentrate?
A: The maximum number of maximum seats available would depend on the venue's capacity. By default, our studio at FOTOMOMO STUDIO will accomodate 20 participants maximum at one time.

Regarding concentration, this workflow system is designed with simplicity in mind. A lot of people worry about the complexity of editing tools. Tools are simple, as long as you understand the concept and principal of any design tools/software. They're all almost the same. You're here to learn how to harness the tool in a systematic way to your advantage.

3. Q: Where is the seminar going to be?
A: Map to the venue is here.

4. Q: How to register?
A: After making payment for the retainer, kindly email me at azhar@fotomomo.com your full name, telephone number and bank payment transaction reference with the subject "Simple Lightroom Seminar". It's easier for me to filter your emails with this subject.

Simple Food Photography Workshop

The Workshop
Since 2007, I've shared my food photography techniques in my Simple Food Photography Workshop. Until 2010, I've had twelve(12) of this workshops done successfully. These workshops once organised in a while, which is more actually based on the days that I'm free. Due to the limitation of the workshop frequency and the maximum number of five(5) participants per workshop, the demand is quite high, which translates to fast sign-up almost everytime I advertised these workshops.

To better fulfill the demand for my Simple Food Photography Workshop, I've blocked out a couple of dates for 2010. I've commited to share my knowledge in Food Photography on a predictable schedule for 2010. It's good for me, and it's good for you to plan out. Check out the dates here, or scroll down to the bottom portion of this page.

Previous Workshops
Here are some links to my previous workshops in this blog:
6th & 7th Simple Food Photography Workshop [Registration info]
8th & 9th Simple Food Photography Workshop [Registration info]
10th & 11th Simple Food Photography Workshop [Registration info]
12th Simple Food Photography Workshop [Registration info]

Upcoming 2010 Simple Food Photography Workshops

If you're interested in joining my Simple Food Photography Workshops, please checkout the available dates in the calendar below. Thanks!

Packages

One(1)-session
  • Approximately 4-hrs event coverage
  • Short outdoor session included, if applicable
  • Transportation included for Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley area
  • 1 unit of 10"x12" storyboard album
Rate: RM1,XXX


Two(2)-sessions
  • Approximately 4-hrs event coverage per session
  • Short outdoor session included, if applicable
  • Transportation included for Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley area
  • 2 units of 10"x12" storyboard album
Rate: RM2,XXX


Unique Sessions
Please contact me if your wedding session arrangements unique or complex in any way. I'll be more than happy to accommodate your needs.


Album Samples:

IMAGE:10
IMAGE:10

Past Clients

Here are some of my past wedding clients that I've featured in this blog. Other clients are featured on my business site at FOTOMOMO STUDIO.

Update: Commando Lighting Postponed

Hello all,

I'm sorry to say that the Commando Lighting workshop will be postponed due to low sign-up. We did not meet the minimum required students. Please hold your money. This workshop will still go on sometime in the near future. I'll keep you guys updated on this blog.

Thank you so much for your support!

ShareThis