Featurings & Awards Update

Awards update as of 07/09/2013

WES BIENNIAL PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION 2013 - ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINIBILITY

I was happy to learn that 2 of 6 of my submissions to "WES Biennial Photography Competition 2013" was awarded Merit under the "Youth Category"

NOISE Singapore

I'm proud to announce that I was shortlisted and selected as a NOISE Singapore Artist 2013 with the photographs submitted under the "Open Category".

Thank you all for your support.

Featurings

"From Then On" is an exhibition run by a group members from Junior Shooting Home 2011 and 2012 alumni to showcase the recent photography projects/works they've been working on. I was more than pleased to receive such a wonderful opportunity by Objectifs to start off our very first exhibition.

In the speech

Self-Introduction

I started photography at a very young age and discovered my true passion at the age of 10. View at some of the breath-taking images on travel magazines and photography sites has inspired me to start off my photography journey. My aspiration was to capture memorable moments and document these personal memories of precious moments in images to share with friends and family.

My dad was actually the key influencer to my interest in photography as he occasionally brought me with him for seminars and outings.

I started taking photos of anything that interest me and have not attended any course since I started shooting.I often meddle around with any equipment I have and figure out on how to use the camera.

What I like best about photography is that it helps me to be more observant and aware of things around me in greater details. I believe every photography tells a story, and in my opinion, photographs with unique or interesting subject matter with good composition and lighting are most important.

I like how it really brings back great memories, be it travelling or capturing different moments around me. It allows me to capture wonderful moments which will never come by again and also, to express beauty as seen by the eyes. To me, its all about capturing personal memories of a given place and time of a precious moment.

My primary passion for photography is more towards nature, events and travel photography. If only allowed to choose one, travel will definitely be my choice without hesitation. One reason being, it allows me to visit and explore new destination on other parts of the earth, immerse and capturing different cultures and activities.

During my school holidays, I'll be attached to one of the professional photographer, following him on his different assignments, projects and photo-shoots to understand more about the photographic industry and at the same time to learn and gain guidance from him.

About the Project

Today, its an honour for me to share about my recent project on Mt. Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia and the photographs I've taken during this expedition.

After my trekking expedition to Mt. Ijen and Mt. Bromo last year, my appetite for trekking and exploring increased tremendously. Upon reading many enriching articles on Mt. Kota Kinabalu, it became my next default destination.

My vision for this expedition is simple - to reach the top of the summit, to clock this adventurous journey as part of the National Youth Achievements Award and also to feed my passion to photograph this "Once in a life time" expedition.

As I've seen many pictures and heard many stories from friends that have climbed the mountain, I was more than keen to experience the same sense of satisfaction and achievement they have experienced when they made it to the top.

One of the main motivational factors was the scenic view that we could enjoy at the summit. The view is mesmerizing, as fingers of mist creep up the mountain while an undulating cloud-covered blanket of hills and valleys stretches out to the horizon.

I've never actually done anything that is so close to the physical demands required for this expedition, so I wanted to prove to myself that this is something I could do.

The reason I decided to photograph this whole expedition as part of a project, is to allow viewers to know and understand the different types of terrains that climbers have went through and also to capture the mesmerizing view at the top of the summit, which every climber was talking about.

[Singapore] River Safari

"Ugly Duckling"

Red Panda

Panda

Curious Red Panda

Squirrel Monkey

Piranhas

Freedom 

An afternoon spent at River Safari was an eye-opener, being able to see and experience animals which we don't get to see in our daily lives. Was lucky enough to capture the last few photographs before the sun sets, it was totally jaw dropping !!

I've pinned this location & I'll be back :D

Have a great week ahead.

Expedition Journey to Mount Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

They say "A photo speaks a thousand words".

Beautiful Islands surrounded with Crystal Clear Water.

View from the top

Street Artist

Mosque with a scenic mountainous background.

Mosque @ Sunset

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL - Self Portrait

"Life is a journey, not a destination" - A visit to an abandon fishing village

Base Camp - Night before the expedition

Terrains through the expedition.

Misty

The explorer

Base Camp 2 (Mid Mountain) - Sunset

Trek at 2 am the next morning, to the peak of Mt. KK

Journey up - Self Portrait

Group of explorers 

"A path with no obstacles wouldn't lead you anywhere" - Self Portrait

TOP OF THE WORLD - Self Portrait

Journey back to base camp.

The journey was expectedly tough, being both physically and mentally challenging. I was somehow self-motivated to be at the Low's Peak before sunrise and get self-portraits of myself by mounting my camera "dangerously" on a tripod. (because none of the explorers in my group made it to the peak with me)

Being in a group with 11 other explorers, most only made it to 'Sayat-Sayat' checkpoint, it was really physically challenging even with a strong mindset, one might not be able to make it to the top. I've always repeatedly reminding myself that "the peak is not the finishing point", the amount of distance we've inclined in 2 days, is what we are going to cover back and make it to the base in half a day.

Coming across such a rare opportunity to be able to expedite in Mt. KK is somehow once in a life-time, though I really have the urge of going back and up to peak again...it was quite costly for foreigners, therefore..I've gave this one try and push myself to the peak, to be at the top of the world. That sense of achievement after having the first step in, back to the base camp was the best ever.

Now, I'm proud to announce that  I've successfully completed the expedition journey up to Low's peak (4,095m) and also my expedition section for the National Youth Achievement Award (GOLD).

Hooooray!!! Up next, I'd definitely like to visit Nepal for my next expedition.

Have a great week ahead.
Cheers!

High rise in the fast developing country.

This is home, truly.

Singapore, in my opinion, it's developing quickly into a concrete garden. Having more man-made over nature, back then what was Singapore like in the early days? Having to experience the life in the kampong..where have all of these been to?

Evening by the bay

Double Pointers

Sunset by the bay

Cool and blue evening

Under the twilight

Good Afternoon People!

It was a great day shooting and chasing the sunset, was quite surprised with the changing colour from the dull grey stormy sky to purple-blue sky after the sun sets. Stars were visible as the sky clears itself from the stormy sky.

I find that the weather nowadays is getting harder to predict, in one moment the scorching sun can be shining at you and "biting" your skin, the next moment a heavy rain with strong wind. I believe its really luck and hard work to be able to experience and capture such a beautiful evening in Singapore. (We hardly have "purple-blue" sky)

Enjoy your weekend,
Cheers.

Featuring & Contest

Contest update as of 19/02/2013

I'm proud to announce that 1 of my 5 photographs submitted for "Heartland Stories" have been shortlisted under 'Youth Category'

Please do spend a minute or two to support me for "Viewers Choice Award" by voting.

Steps on voting:

- Enter http://www.heartlandstories.sg/gallery.php?category=2

-Search for "2318"

-Tick on the photographs and click "Submit Votes"

P.s: You're able to vote the photograph once every 24 hours. Voting ends on 1st March 2013 :)

Thanks in advance !!!

Featuring

I was pleasantly surprised to spot two of my photographs taken during "Protest against 6.9 million population" featured/published on http://singaporedaily.net/2013/02/19/daily-sg-19-feb-2013/

Thanks to all for your support,

Have a great week ahead :)

[Singapore] Protest against 6.9 million population

Creative shirt design saying (Say No to 6.9 million population)

"We are not your sheep"

Despite the rain, the crowd still continues building up

Under the rain

The recent news from the government were said to be increasing the population of this red little dot, Singapore to 6.9 million in 2030. Thousands of Singaporean went for the protest against having 6.9 million population in Singapore.

Location of protest was held at Hong Lim Park, despite the heavy down pour hours before, having muddy fields and drizzling evening, the crowd continues building ever since the protest started at 4pm. Target of this protest was 1000 people, "unexpectedly" turns out to be approximately 7000 people on the day itself.

It was my very first time witnessing a protest in Singapore as I thought it was an illegal thing to do. Great experience photographing events like this, and joining the spirit of Singaporeans in this protest. It may seems scary, but nevertheless it was really something different throughout 17 years of my life.

Now, I can tell how angry many Singaporeans are towards having 6.9 million population in 2030. Speeches from speakers were really strong and mostly young overseas graduates.

Shall let the photo speak the rest of it. :)

Have a great evening !

Festive Season - Chinese New Year

Arrival of the Year of a Snake.

Busy streets of Chinatown

Trail of the snake.

(Above are shot on 23/01/2013)

Friendly Shop Owner

Colours of Spring

(Above are shot on 30/01/2013)

Make your whole years plan in the spring, and your days plan early in the morning. A fresh start and a new beginning, may we enjoy a wonderful year ahead. Happy Chinese New Year.