.: ShaolinTiger - Kung-Fu Geekery :.

So last week Tim called me and asked me if I wanted to go the Dreamhouse! I said yes of course, actually I wanted to go earlier before Jean, Valerie, Natasha and Alison had gone! I went along with Wen Qi and of course the other official blogger for Dreamgirl - Su Ann!

We headed down there this Saturday afternoon and had a chat with the girls, they made some food for us and we started off with Tim telling some stories and talking a lot..normal for him la!

After that we played a game where you have to draw a face on a piece of paper with your eyes closed! Someone else will give the intstructions and the components will go in a random order like fringe then neck, then eyebrows, then lips etc.

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I mentioned the Malaysian Dreamgirl - Audition 16th and 17th February at PWTC on Friday and I attended the first day on the 16th afternoon to check out what was going on.

Myself and Su Ann (her post about the audition) will be the 'official bloggers' for Malaysian Dreamgirl 2008, we will be following the series through-out - visiting the house where the girls stay and attending some of the challenges they are set.

It was pretty interesting sitting in the Media room watching the live feeds, there were 2 cameras one facing the contestants and one on the judges. Around 8 got through before I arrived.

This was the first girl I saw that qualified, zomg she looks like Suet Li! - Her name is Yvonne Sim.

The crew interviewed most of the girls before they went in, see if they are nervous and what they are expecting.

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If you are a girl and you want the chance to win a nice car (Nissan Latio) and a bundle of money (RM10,000) plus some other goodies you should go an audition for Malaysian Dreamgirl.

12 contestants will be chosen to take part in the show which is the first online only reality show in Malaysia, 30 minute episodes will be broadcast twice a week on the website, blip.tv and Youtube.

The concept is basically a reality model search, the girls will be living together, undergoing various training and challenges all of which will be broadcast. Several interesting and special guests are lined up to take part. Sazzy Falak will be the host and the judges are Elaine Daily, Kenny Sia and Lim Jimmy.

If you are interested in auditioning you can just walk in.

• 16 - 17 February 2008
• 10am - 5pm
• Selangor Room, PWTC, Kuala Lumpur

More here:

http://www.malaysiandreamgirl.tv/

You might remember I went to M-IFW a while ago, I posted one set TIAMO (Sylvia Lim) Presents Jonathan Cheng at M-IFW 2007 and promptly forgot I had stayed for another show after that.

The favourite of photographers, Triumph presents Justin Yap, Jimmy Lin & Ken Wong.

Somehow Triumph shows always tend to be the most heavily popular by photographers, I wonder why that is..perhaps it's indicative of the quality of their models? Or it's just something else. Due to that there's always a lot of heads, lenses and flashes popping into your frame, which makes it even harder.

This show was even harder technically speaking than the previous as the main lights were off and it was pretty dim, I had to bust out the flash for some fill. I tried shooting with the 85mm f/1.8 without flash, but it just wasn't happening.

I would have loved to catch Carven Ong a couple over the weekend, but I was busy on that day.

They started out with minimal clothing right away - always a good sign

I blame the cropped foot on using a prime lens..

Shooting with the 85mm did give fantastic depth of field though.

The models were definitely a class above what I've seen in Malaysia normally.

After that was some stuff from Sloggi, which you couldn't see as all the models were wearing boxes..no not boxers - BOXES!

Following on was some kinda sporty, casual theme with the lingerie integrated somehow.

There were all kinds of accessories like inflatable rubber ducks, raincoats, balloons and vinyl umbrellas.

Big hats were definitely in too.

The last set was a bit more kinky, black and red, lacy and more dressy.

Accidental Strobist

And that was the end of Triumph at M-IFW 2007, that's all I shot - maybe I'll do more next year if I win the lottery and get a 70-200mm f/2.8 VR!

Goodbye!

You can see the full set here:

M-IFW Triumph - Nov 2007

So my first time shooting catwalk actually, I've always considered it but never really tried before. I thought it might be tough as I don't have a f/2.8 telephoto lens as I'm using the cheapo 70-300mm VR (f/4.5-5.6). I love the lens, but I guess I have to get the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens one day - weighs a tonne and costs a bomb *sigh*.

I went to M-IFW 2007 on the opening day in the afternoon to shoot TIAMO (brainchild of Sylvia Lim) Presents Jonathan Cheng, and then Triumph after that.

Designs by Jonathan Cheng and accessories/jewelery by TIAMO.

It was a pretty interesting experience, the lights had a tend to blow the highlights and the background was fairly dark - so getting decent subject separation wasn't too hard. I couldn't get a good spot in the middle at the front though as the platform was quite crowded.

The angle I got wasn't too bad though as it meant I could get the model and the brand in

It was a very subdued collection, mostly black with a bit of white and grey, heavy black eye makeup and solemn expressions.

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Shutter Asia (SA) was set-up in March 2007 by a group of like-minded friends who were interested in photography and travel, the idea was for the site to become a friendly community for photography enthusiasts and travelers around Asia and other areas, for asking questions, sharing photographs & techniques, discussing travel and locations and learning in a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.

It's officially launching today, so do join up and contribute.

http://www.shutterasia.com

There is a lot of information on the Internet regarding photography and especially equipment and technical terms (Aperture, Shutter, White Balance etc) but it can be very daunting for a new user or even confusing for an intermediate user. We wanted to get away from the bad attitudes, gear talk, cliques and flaming of other sites and communities and create a relaxed, but knowledgeable user base that will eventually fill our forum wonderful information and images.

We also have a Flickr group you can join here:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/shutterasia/

And an active Shoutbox for real-time chat:

http://www.shutterasia.com/forum/shoutbox.php

If you have any feedback, let us know. Do introduce yourself and start posting pictures!

For those not interested in the GayPOP saga, here's back to normal programming for a post

The Shong Lee Contest, a behind the scenes look and the 1st prize winner!

These were taken with a super wide angle zoom at 10mm, who else shoots catwalk with 10mm, just me!

The contestants! There were quite a lot, but most of the pros didn't enter, if not we'd stand no chance, respect to them for that.

Quite a lot of spectators too.

A lot were just there for practise too or to get some more portfolio shots in a stress free situation.

Fighting for space.

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This would be part one I guess, seen as though I got less than 10 comments when I use only words it must mean I'm a lousy writer, I better stick to pictures! Hahah.

As I mentioned, I went off to 1-Utama on Saturday afternoon to shoot some catwalk pictures of some lovely young girls holding all the latest cameras. It was a fairly informal contest, you could only enter 1 picture per person, no post processing allowed, you had to print it there on site on one of the provided Canon printers.

The rules were to shoot the girls WITH the cameras, the cam had to be in the shot.

I had a quick triple play and a beer at Chili's then headed down to shoot the contest.

From a photography point of view I think I did ok, pretty well without flash and shooting with a f/2.8 macro lens with no stabiliser

Compositions could be a little more adventerous, but just need to learn the basics first..

Anyway, enough of that, what you want to see is the GIRLS right?

Well here you go..

Christina Ng with a new Sony DV Cam.

The infamous Rose Chin with the Leica D-Lux

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