Adobe Lightroom 4

I was really stoked after collecting my package at the distributor in Sunway Damansara.

This might be old news, but it's been a month since I bought myself Adobe Lightroom 4. I've been testing out the beta version for a while and once the full version was released I couldn't believe how affordable it was. I got it for RM 505 through The Network Hub Sdn Bhd, who is one of Adobe's Gold Distributor as listed on Adobe's website.

What I like about Adobe Lightroom 4.
Although you can be content if you still have Lightroom 3 at hand, having Lightroom 4 does give you some edge in processing your images.

1. Better shadows & highlights rescue than LR3. I shoot a lot of high key portraits on a white cyc. It's easier to clean-up the highlights in LR4.
2. More options on the adjustment tools (gradient and brush tool). More control on highlights, colour, saturation, clarity and almost all of the basic editing variables are also available on the adjustment tools to be tweaked, hence more control.
3. Superb noise reduction. I shot an ISO 2500 image and it did wonders in cleaning up the noise.
4. More stable tethering than LR3.

If you're interested to learn more about Adobe Lightroom 4, why don't you attend "The Ultimate Lightroom Workflow" , a 3-day workshop by Jared Platt all the way, LIVE from Seattle via the internet, from 14-JUN till 16-JUN. It's FREE!

More info at:
http://www.creativelive.com/courses/ultimate-lightroom-4-workflow-jared-platt

creativeLIVE

Attend a Wedding Album Workflow Seminar just for a White Folding Chair.

Hi All,

Welcome to 2012!

To inaugurate the 2012 workshops, registration for a Wedding Album Workflow Seminar is now open.
This round is a unique round of seminar in terms of the fees.

We're currently expanding and upgrading our studio to serve as a multipurpose venue for future workshops and seminar. It will be a place where knowledge sharing is more accessible for all. To start-off this goal, we need lots of chairs to seat the future attendees to workshops and seminars, which could be you!

Therefore, instead of charging a normal seminar fee, we're almost giving away this seminar for free, in exchange for an IKEA JEFF (white) folding chair. All you have to do is bring this chair along as your fee for this seminar. If you don't have the time or means to buy this chair, we'll help you get it, for RM29.

Learn how to quickly sort and select your wedding images and layout your album more efficiently. Details and registration below.

Location of the seminar is at FOTOMOMO STUDIO. Map below:
http://www.fotomomo.com/contact/

Thank You!

AZHAR ARIFF

Please Register via the form below:

Register Now: 3-day Adobe Lightroom Workshop. RM24 Only!

Hello Friends,

I'm letting you know of this great opportunity to learn Adobe Lightroom for cheap! It's a 3-day workshop in a computer lab, for only RM24!

Why is it cheap?
This programme is subsidised by the Malaysian Government under the 1Malaysia Funds via local community colleges. In this case, it's being organised by Kolej Komuniti Klang.

Printed notes will be given.

All you need to bring are:
1. Some pen and paper
2. Some images you'd like to process in Lightroom during the exercise, approximately up to 300 images in thumb drive or portable drive that you'll connect to the computers.

We're looking for 20 participants.

Please register via the form below. Thank You and see you there!

Bengkel Teknik Fotografi DSLR JPA (Basic DLSR Photography Technique Workshop)

Hi all,

I had the opportunity to host a Basic DLSR Photography Technique Workshop for staff of Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA), yesterday 21-DECEMBER-2010 at their headquarters in Putrajaya, Malaysia. JPA is the Malaysian Government's Public Service Department.

Many thanks to En. Shahril Nizam, En. Sariffudin and En. Izuwan from JPA who co-organised this event. This workshop would not be successful with the help from my team: Razali Hassan (my partner), our two facilitators Reza and Fauzi. Last but not least models Nila & Farah, who I couldn't thank enough their agent, Anna Sha for providing such prompt service for my short notice. Of course not to forget, our students/participants whom are the staff of all levels from JPA. Hope you all had an enjoyable time as much as we do.

I didn't shoot much but here's a group photo for your momento. High resolution image of this group photo available for download, below (in case you'd like to sent them for printing & framing):

For Participants: Download full resolution of this group photo here.

Participants having a go of what they learnt during the workshop. Now it's shooting time.

Registration: 14th Simple Food Photography Workshop

Hello All,

Yeay! My 14th Simple Food Photography Workshop is now open for registration. This would be my 14th workshop since 2007. After three years of running a food photography workshop, this simple crash-course has evolved to become better and more efficient, with additional jam-packed information about food photography. I do make it a point to keep this workshop up to date at every point of time it's being held.

It has been quite a time gap between my last Simple Food Photography Workshop last year, due to my busy schedule on photography works. I'm happy to say that now I've got some allocated time to spare for teaching workshops to fellow photography enthusiasts.

Here are some good news to share:

1. Our studio has been going thru some minor renovation work to suit a more comfortable working space.
2. Some of us might not have any speedlights/flash, therefore, I'll be teaching some additional new information with regards to photographing your best with available light. Not to worry, learning to shoot with flash is included as previous workshops.
3. I love to support upcoming photography enthusiast in picking up new forms of photography. With that note, I've decided to maintain the registration fees same as the last workshop, which is only RM220. No price increase in fees! Cool 'eh, especially in this economy?

What you'll learn?

Food photography, from start to finish, including: preparation, lighting, composition, styling, shooting, edit, and selling.

Well, let's jump to it then. Registration's now open. Limited to 5 seats only. Please register first in the registration form below. After registration, you'll be emailed with payment instructions. Payment terms is round about 50/50, which is RM120 to confirm your seat, and RM100 paid on the workshop day.

What to bring?

1. DSLR

2. 50mm f1.8 (if possible, otherwise, a kit lens will do)

3. Plenty of CF/SD cards because we'll be shooting RAW

4. Thumbdrive. Just in case you'll like to transfer/copy some files.

Cheers!

Now, please remember to fill up this form below to attend:

Registration: 13th Simple Food Photography Workshop

Hi All,

It's been a while since the last Simple Food Photography Workshop was held. I was pretty busy for all my weekends, and even my food photo project blog got stuck. There are a lot for me to catch up, but my silence was because I was prepping new techniques to add into this workshop series and also prepping for Level 2 Food Photography.

Well, let's jump to it then. Registration's now open. Limited to 5 seats only. Please register first in the registration form below. After registration, you'll be emailed with payment instructions. Payment terms is round about 50/50, which is RM120 to confirm your seat, and RM100 paid on the workshop day.

First Night Class Review

Hi All,

Our first Night Class was a blast!

Started at 8.00pm and we wrapped out nearly over an hour past 12.00 midnight. This night class is a short introduction to studio lighting. It's kinda like your "first date" with studio lighting. The participants got a chance to know how studio lights work, studio etiquette and how to communicate with a talent.

With 4-hours of time, all participants get a hands on with measuring light with a flashmeter, and understand the  concepts of exposure and tonal range based on Ansel Adam's zone system.

In summary, here are what we all learned:

1. Difference and similarities between studio light and speed light.
2. How to measure light? Using a flash meter, histogram method and guide number.
3. Exposure basics, f-stop, compensation and such.
4. Ansel Adams Zone System. How to get white, gray and black background with the same camera exposure settings.
5. Studio ethics and safety.
6. Model-Photographer ethics.

To those who missed this Night Class, register for the next Night Class on Friday, 23-APR-2010, 8.00pm-12.00am. Yes, it's a Friday night, so you can catch some sleep the next day. :)

Here are some images I took during the Night Classs. For more behind the scenes images, please check out Mus'ab's facebook gallery here.

Here's our first test shot. One light, 45 degrees from camera right.

Here's our second test shot. One light, 45 degrees from camera right.

Same exposure, but we increased the light for the background to 3-stops. We got a white background, with the same camera exposure.

Another white background example.

Here's a group shot of us, round about 1am. Wrapping the up class.

Commando Lighting Workshop: Now Open

Hi All,

Save up your money for the most value-for-money (compared to other lighting workshops in Malaysia) lighting workshop you've been waiting for in 2010. Further details after the poster.

I've whipped up a whimsical poster for this exciting workshop too. Here it is:



Payment Details:
Workshop fee is RM380 only.
Maximum participants is 10 people.

1. RM180 to confirm seat.
2. RM200 due during workshop date.

Please make payments to this account:
Account name: FOTOMOMO STUDIO
Maybank account: 562366109121

The step. Important:

1. Once you've made the RM180 initial payment, please email to azhar@fotomomo.com with either these topics/email title:
   
   "Commando Lighting Workshop"
   
   I will be able to filter your messages and sort them accordingly. This way, your email will be safe from getting mixed up with other incoming mails.
2. In your email, please write your:
   a. Full name (so that I can verify this against the bank transfer receipt/notification)
   b. Your phone number (so that I can contact you for urgent updates)
   c. The transaction time stamp and reference number of your payment transfer. The transaction time stamp will differentiate your payment and the other participant's payment.

---

Workshop Details/FAQs

Is this an outdoor or indoor workshop?
The workshop starts with an introductory and theory session in the studio, and some indoor shooting. After lunch we'll move out to location shooting that will be determined prior to the workshop. At this moment, I'm still scouting for a nice location to shooot, that is convenient for us to move about.

I don't have a camera. Can I join?
This is a hands-on full manual lighting workshop. You can have the cheapest China Made flash, but you would at least need a DSLR with a kit lens to enjoy the benefits of this workshop. Therefore, the answer is sorry, if you don't have a camera, it would be unfair for me to let you join. I suggest you get to know your camera first and enrolling in several basic photography workshops out there. The Commando Lighting Workshop aint goin' nowhere. We're still here and you're welcome to join the next workshops in the future.

I have a camera, but I don't have a flash gun(speedlight). Can I join?
Yes.

12th Simple Food Photography Workshop: Quick Register

DECEMBER WORKSHOP

Hi all,

Thanks for your support! I've received inquiries regarding December workshop even before the 11th Workshop has even begun. Thank you! Thank you! :)

Here's a quick registration update for the 12th Simple Food Photography Workshop, on 12-DEC-09. Other participants are communicating with me via email and pending confirmation.
1. Sitizya (RM 100 received. Thank you!)
2. Halim Jasmi (RM 100 received. Thank you!)
3. Aiman Ridhwan Anuar (seat #1 confirmed)
4. Aiman Ridhwan Anuar (seat #2 confirmed)
5. Seat still OPEN.

For payment details and registration instructions pls follow previous workshop details here.

Freakin' Hell! Joe McNally's coming to KL!Let's go!

Stop Press!
Joe McNally's coming to KL!
Hot Dang!

Achtung All Malaysian Photographers & my fans!javascript:void(0)

The almighty Joe McNally and his assistant Drew Gurian will be coming to KL for two workshops, in collaboration with Louis Pang.

Here's the ad, courtesy of wedshooter.tv


Schedules:
Let There Be Light
one-day seminar by Joe McNally featuring Louis Pang

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
6-FEB-2010, 09.00AM-05.30PM
MYR 380.00 (approx. USD109.00)

Hot Shoe Diaries
one-day intensive lighting workshops by Joe McNally

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1-FEB till 4-FEB-2010 (5-FEB-2010 full!), 09.30AM-05.30PM
MYR 1400.00 (approx. USD400.00)
max 15 persons

Complete article here:
From Joe's Blog (what a shocker to find this out from my RSS feed!)
http://www.joemcnally.com/blog/2009/11/16/heading-east/

From wedshooter.tv:
http://wedshooter.tv/blog/joe-mcnally-in-kuala-lumpur-2010/

10th Food Workshop Report

Hi All,

The 10th Simple Food Photography was a success! It was just two participants, Kelvin and Mohd, and we had a great time messing around with the food to get our shots. I'm also excited to look forward to share with the 11th Simple Food Photography Workshop participants in this coming 21-NOV-09.

For those who missed these fabulous workshops, I'm holding another Simple Food Photography Workshop on 12-DEC-09. You can email me at azhar@fotomomo.com to reserve your seats. I'll post an official post regarding this December workshop in a bit.

Till then, here are the pics. Enjoy!

Here's my favorite


This shot demonstrates one of the ways of how to arrange three dishes in one frame


Mohd reviewing his shots


Kelvin going in for the high-key shot.


Spagetthi Beef Bolognaise with Meatballs. Shoot in the DIY light tent.


Here's a test shot with the Whibal.


Another test shot with the QP color chart.

10th and 11th Simple Food Photography Workshop now open for registration

Hello All,

I'd like to announce that I'll be hosting another Simple Food Photography Workshop in November. There are two(2) workshop dates for you to choose from, which is on the 7th or 21st November 2009. Please email me at my FOTOMOMO email at: azhar@fotomomo.com to register or for any inquiries.

This workshop is open to all photographers from all levels. I'll introduce you to the simplest form of food photography, which something attainable for everyone. You'll learn how to light your food, compose, crop, edit, prepare a portfolio and market your services.

I only take five(5) persons max. per session to give each participant ample time to shoot their food. I've been asked several times from the past nine workshops whether I can slip in another one or two participants on top of the five persons. The answer is no, I'm sorry I can't, because that will be unfair to the other five participants. The duration of the workshop is just nice for five people to take turns to shoot and ask questions regarding food photography.

If you can't make it for November, watch out for December's workshop soon.

What to bring?
1. DSLR
2. 50mm f1.8 (if possible, otherwise, a kit lens will do)
3. Plenty of CF/SD cards because we'll be shooting RAW
4. Thumbdrive. Just in case you'll like to transfer/copy some files.

Payment Details:
Workshop fee is RM200 only
1. RM100 to confirm seat.
2. RM100 due during workshop date.

Please make payments to this account:
Account name: FOTOMOMO STUDIO
Maybank account: 562366109121

The step. Important:

1. Once you've made the RM100 initial payment, please email to azhar@fotomomo.com with either these topics/email title:
   
   "10th Food Workshop" or "11th Food Workshop"
   
   I will be able to filter your messages and sort them accordingly. This way, your email will be safe from getting mixed up with other incoming mails.
2. In your email, please write your:
   a. Full name (so that I can verify this against the bank transfer receipt/notification)
   b. Your phone number (so that I can contact you for urgent updates)
   c. The transaction time stamp and reference number of your payment transfer. The transaction time stamp will differentiate your payment and the other participant's payment.

Cheers!

---

Here are the updates on the participants list.
Update Daily

10th Food Workshop (7-NOV-09) Workshop successful. Thank you!
1. Kelvin Yong (RM100 received. Thank you!) ref:PK
2. Mohd Zainal (seat confirmed)
3.
4.
5.


11th Food Workshop (21-NOV-09) Full House. Thank You!
1. Fariz (RM100 received. Thank you!) ref:PS
2. Muhammad Zainur Bin Alias (gizmo) (RM100 received. Thank you!) ref:PS
3. Adi360 (RM100 received. Thank you!) ref:PS
4. Farhan (RM100 received. Thank you!) ref: KRMT
5. Azizan (seat confirmed) updated!

FAQ for Simple Lightroom Seminar

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 wedding 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: Isn't 40 people too big for a seminar? Can I concentrate?
A: 40 people is small considering that this is a seminar. If you compare this to one of Malaysia's famous wedding photographer who held a few seminars at KLiUC with a capacity of 100 people plus, you'll notice how small this seminar is.

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 CADC Kompleks 3C Subang Jaya?
A: Map to the venue is here.

4. Q: How to register?
A: After making payment for the retainer, kindly email me 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 Lightroom Workflow Seminar now open for registration

Hello all,

I'm glad to announce a brand new "simple" seminar tailor-made to wedding photographers who have a day-job. Most of the part-time wedding 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. More after this seminar ad below:



Typical situation of a part-time wedding photographer:

Saturday
9.00 am-12.00 pm: Shoot wedding event 1
5.00 pm-6.30 pm: Outdoor shoot
7.00 pm: Head home, transfer CF cards and sleep

Sunday
11.00 am-5.00 pm: Shoot wedding event 2 + Short Outdoor session
6.00 pm: Head home, transfer CF cards and catch-up on rest. Sleep.

Monday-Friday
9.00 am-6.00 pm: Work
6.00 pm-8.00 pm: Stuck in jam heading home.
8.00 pm-11.00 pm: Dinner, TV, family time with family
11.00 pm-12.00 am: Sit in front of the computer, surfing, checking mail, chat while photoshop is opened at the background.
12.00 am-2.00 am: Attempt to select and group some photos, edit a couple of photos and too tired and sleepy.
2.30 am: Sleep
6.00 am: Wake up and routine loops.

Now tell me, if this is your typical routine, when can you get your photos done? It's like burying yourself deeper into delaying your work. It gets frustrating over time and you've become de-motivated to even look at the photos you passionately shot over the weekend.

Revelation
What this seminar is going to show you is how to have a typical routine like this:

Saturday
9.00 am-12.00 pm: Shoot wedding event 1
5.00 pm-6.30 pm: Outdoor shoot
7.00 pm: Head home, transfer CF cards, have dinner, watch TV and spend some family time
10.00 pm-12.00 am: Select, sort and group images, process and apply editing effects, export to final edited files
12.01 am: reward yourself by surfing internet, reading, YM chat or sleep early.

Sunday
11.00 am-5.00 pm: Shoot wedding event 2 + Short Outdoor session
6.00 pm: Head home, transfer CF cards, have dinner, watch TV and spend some family time
10.00 pm-1.00 am: Select, sort and group images, process and apply editing effects, export to final edited files
1.01 am: reward yourself by surfing internet, reading, YM chat or sleep early.

All images processed!
Now you can choose how you want to spend your week.

If you'd like to know how to get back your life and escape the horror of editing wedding images during the weekdays, you will attend this seminar. You will see how easy it is to process 4-8 gigs of CF cards within the same night.

I will share with you a system that works for me, and insya'allah will work for you too.

To sign-up, please email me with the subject "Simple Lightroom Seminar" so that I can filter the emails easily. There are 40 seats available for each date of this seminar. The introductory price is RM150 only for these two dates. Next seminars will have the normal rate.

Payment terms
- RM50 retainer due before seminar date
- RM100 due on the seminar date

Maybank Account Details
Account name: AZHAR ARIFF
Account no.: 514365104584
Email: azhar.ariff@gmail.com

I will update your registration status on this post. Keep yourself updated.

Thanks for your support!

Registration List (Updated daily)
31-MAY-09 (Done succesfully! Thank you)
1. Nazri
2. Kyrol
3. Chita

13-JUN-09
1. Zaza/Haslizan Long
2. Kevin Rakesh
3. Vickneswaran
4. Khairi Jalil
4. Azri bin Nasruddin
6. Amru
7. Amru's friend
8. Mohd Salme Mohd Ali
9. Zubir
10. salina ismail
11. Noranizah Md .Isa
12. Bob
13. Zainuddin

I'm Back!

My chicken pox is almost over, which is at the last buffer stage now, and I'll be back to work on Monday, 13-APR-09. Man, there's tons of things I've planned out to do. One of 'em is a continuity of my Food Workshop. I'm cooking up some syllabus and materials for "Basic Food Styling Workshop", which introduces what food styling is all about. Of course, previous particiants in my Simple Food Photography Workshop will get some cool discounts privileges :) Will update y'all soon. Cheers & thanks for your support!

My Food Photography Workshop

Last two weekends I've conducted my 6th & 7th Simple Food Photography Workshop. It was a good turn out and I was very excited to inaugurate my studio for this workshop. The space was good, the food was good and we all were on track on time.

There are a lot of great food photographers out there who does this for a living. My Simple Food Photography Workshop intends to give an insight on how it works, from preparing the food, styling, shooting, and marketing.

The objective of this workshop is that at the end of the course, each participants will have a set of food photography portfolio that they can use to pitch for future photo work. For this purpose, my class is limited to a maximum of 5 persons per workshop so that each participant have a comfortable shooting time and enough attention from me.

Overall, the workshop went smoothly and I couldn't help myself from photographing some of the food, during conducting my workshop! :)

I'm conducting more workshops in February, and hopefully at least once a month from now on. Keep checking out posts on this blog! Cheers!

Tasty Spaghetti Beef Bolognaise


Grilled Chicken with Tumeric Sauce


Classic Macaroni & Cheese


Grilled Chicken with Tumeric Sauce, on white background


From Left: Yaziz, Arief, Azhar, Sham (looks kinda like Vin Diesel's brother don't u think?), Shafik and Zuraini. Group photo of the 7th Simple Food Photography Workshop held on 31-JAN-09, at FOTOMOMO STUDIO.


Zuraini evaluating her shots.


Shafik's turn photographing food.


Yaziz in the background while Sham shoots.


Our food prep station. This is where the styling and preparation takes place before the shoot.


Sham Abdul, photographing food at my studio where I conduct my "Simple Food Photography" workshops. Next to him is Shafik from Penang.


Arief & Zuraini, discussing some shots.


Here's my studio. In the background is Kyrol and Azuddin, who's working on the laptop. Unseen here is Jailani during the 6th Simple Food Photography Workshop.


Another view of my studio from the main entrance. It's quite spacious, which makes work so comfortable.


Jailani (on the ladder), with Azuddin and Kyrol (on far right).

6th & 7th Simple Food Photography Workshop open for registration

It's here! My 6th & 7th Simple Food Photography Workshop is now open for registration. Each workshop caters for 5 participants max.

Email me at: azhar.ariff@gmail.com to register & secure a seat.

I'll update the list of the participants here on this post, so please check which slot would you like to enroll.

Updated:
25-JAN-2009 (6th Workshop)
1. Mohd Faiz Hashim (paid RM80. Thank you!) pushed to 28-FEB-09.
2. Apan Rashid (paid RM80. Thank you!) pushed to 28-FEB-09.
3. Jailani Besar (paid in full. Thank you!)
4.
5.

31-JAN-2009 (7th Workshop)
1. Shamabd (paid in full. Thank you!)
2. arief hamid (paid in full. Thank you!)
3. Yadziz (paid in full. Thank you!)
4. Shafik (paid in full. Thank you!)
5. Zuraini (paid in full. Thank you!)

Payments:
Kindly email me your transaction number after you've made the RM80.00 retainer fee.

Cancellation:
By all means, if you can't make it to the workshop after paying the retainer fee, please inform me as soon as possible. I will only refund 50% of your retainer for any cancellations. This is because of the slot has been allocated for you and finding are replacement for your slot is uncertain.

Alternatively, you can get your RM80 retainer back if you find a replacement for your seat in the workshop.

What to bring?
1. DSLR
2. 50mm lens (f1.8 or better) if possible. Otherwise, kit lens or any lens will do.

Cheers!

Azhar Ariff.