.: ShaolinTiger - Kung-Fu Geekery :.

Well I don't know if I'd call myself a photographer yet...but I've just passed my second year in photography..

I got my Nikon D70s on June 7th 2006, 2 years ago last month. I had some cameras before that, an old Olympus mju 35mm film point and shoot and I got my first digital camera in 2001 (which cost me a fortune) - the 3.2 megapixel Canon Powershot A70.

It did me well and most of my earlier pictures on this blog were from that camera.

I'd say I started photography properly when I got the D70s, before that I'd just started exploring what I could do with with the A70 and was starting to find it's limitations in terms of speed, noise at high ISO, accurate white balance and fine tuning controls. I decided against getting a bridge or prosumer camera and to go straight for a dSLR.

My choices at that time were the Canon 350D, the Olympus E-500 and the Nikon D70s.

I hardly got chance to use the camera, and had only just bought my first lens other than the kit lens (A Tamron SP90mm Di Macro Lens)...and my camera was stolen only 3 months after I'd bought it.

That was heartbreaking to say the least...by that time I'd completely gotten the photography bug though so I couldn't give up...I had a choice to make between getting the Nikon D80, which had just been released or the higher model the Nikon D200. I went for the D200 for various reasons (solid build, more accurate metering, CF card rather than SD and so on) and I have to say I've never regretted the decision.

Anyway here are a few of my personal favs I've taken in the 2 years since I've gone from complete noob to slightly less noob.

With the Nikon D70s

With the Nikon D200

I've had a stranger buy one of my pictures though, I've been published in quite a few magazines and national papers, I'll have a spread in FHM August, I've shot a major musical event and I've recently seen one of my pictures on a billboard! I've got a lot of unpublished stuff, so perhaps I'll make an effort to get it on my blog. Also of course we started Shutter Asia to expand my learning and network of photographers for outings and trips - so far it's been great!

It's a start!

I've still gotten a long way to go though, only 2 years into photography...probably another 23 years to go before I get any good Most things take at least 25 years to master reasonably well.

So last weekend I was shooting a couple of Korean girls in TTDI, Taman Rimba Kiara park to be precise. You might recognise one of the girls

It was unfortunate that the whole week was glorious weather with beautiful sunsets...but that Saturday the haze came down and flattened the light. I had to play around a bit with a reflector and some off camera lighting (tried to make it subtle). A lot were shot with a SB-800 in a silver reflective umbrella gelled with a CTO gel to warm up the flash light. Rear/rim light provided by SB-600 naked on a stand (about time I got a decent snoot or some grid-spots...waiting for Honl!). Anyway enough photogeeking stuff.

Read more

This is what you've been waiting for isn't it?

A treat for you all on Friday!

The final and last set from Kharu - you can look forwards to some from Krystal soon as I've gotten these out of the way.

It was pretty tough shooting this last set as the clock was ticking closer to midday (the worst time for photography) so the light was getting pretty harsh, I tried my best to use the shadows and play with the light, I'm reasonably happy with the results!

Summer Rain

Cool Down

Heavenly Rain

Read more

A few more before the bikini set from Kharu.

Latino Rose

Lines

Goddess

Read more

A few more from the Kharu set I processed last night, bikini set is coming soon don't worry

Number One Fan

Protective

I Command YOU

Read more

This image makes me very happy..

Why you might ask?

Well for one I really like it, and for two a complete stranger from Pennsylvania in the USA messaged me and asked to buy a print.

John C in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania here. Would you care to sell a print of your Come To Me image, or perhaps sell me the use of the file so that I may print it? It's a great image, in my view, and I'd like to display a print.

Do you have the means of printing monochrome?

Many thanks,

John-
412.999.9999
john_c@xxx.com

As I explained I can't provide a print in Malaysia, I agreed to sell him the Jpegs for print for personal use.

He paid up front and I have sent him the files, he has said he will send me a picture of the print hanging in his house when he's printed and framed it.

He seems very happy with the transaction.

This is my first real print sale, my first overseas sale, and my first real accolade.

I guess I can be proud now.

I hope this is the first of many to come, although I still don't really believe anyone wants to buy my pictures..just a fluke!

Or perhaps not....a book one day? Haha.

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!

An ex-colleague of mine has such a beautiful son, I offered to do a set of family portraits for him.

The kid has such big eyes I thought he must make a good model, and a cute subject.

It turns out I was right! It was an interesting experience and the first time I've done any family type portraits. It was challenging too, to think of positions and compositions that would be interesting, aesthetic and convey some kind of emotion.

Anyway here's the shots, do tell me what you think and which you enjoyed the most!

The boy started off a little shy and nervous, he didn't know us and didn't really know what was happening, he soon warmed up though

Intense

Look Over THERE!

Read more

It was fun!

No time to post yet...still have to post first model shoot from TTDI! Melaka Trip, Butterfly Park Macro pics, UK trip still not all posted yet, argh!

The youngest of the 3 sisters, Pamela.

The Putrajaya Botanical Garden is really beautiful.

Damn hot, will post the rest soon...eventually!