Lost my Phone

Hi guys, I lost my Celcom Nokia phone model 1200, I need sponsors to donate for me to get a new 1200... please#$%^&* Just Kidding, well I really did lost my phone, although its just a cheap one that nobody would look at when you answer the call, yet the contacts in them are far more valuable than you can imagine. I have many contact list and some would be hard for me to retrieve. Even if I do have a second phone for my Digi number, there are still contacts in my celcom that is unavailable in my digi number. So.... For you guys who called me and I couldn't identify you.... forgive me... I lost my phone and your number.

Emotions they don't deserve!

Saturday afternoon, 6th June, 2009. A girl drowned accidentally at a river in Nahaba Village,Kota Belud while attending the Sabah Wide Adventurer Camporee. This is probably one of the worst incident that ever happened in the Sabah Wide Pathfinder Camporee, yet no one should be blamed on it cause its an accident. The funeral service was carried out at Kapa Church, Tamparuli. 2 days after the incident. Family members, friends and even Pathfinder and Masterguides members attended with their respectful uniform. I was there as a Masterguide giving my last respect. Although I wasnt there when the incident happened, but the family and the victim herself deserve the respect by her fellow pathfinder members. (excerpt from my Facebook  photo album)

For event's like this, the most important part to capture is the emotions. Capturing it artistically is not the main purpose, family would ofcourse value your artisticnes, yet the real value lies on the journalistic approach in capturing the emotions and expression of the relatives. I was no official photographer, I was there as one of the members of the clubs, sharing my deepest condolence and symphathy to the family. My heart was sadened by the sudden lost of the family. May these set of pictures be able to comfort them.

Need more space!

With about 6 months of experience with Nikon and adding accesories into my equipments list, I am beginning to realize that travel bags are now insufficient to accomodate the list of stuff I always bring with on a shooting session. I need to have a new sufficient case/bag for my stuff!

My first reliable bag was my Think Tank Photo Speed Demon Beltpack. Loving it for the fast access to my carry on equipments and ability to hold your other equipments/lens close to your waist while exchanging lens makes this Beltpack a convenient gadget to carry your stuff. At that time I was still with my Pentax K10D with few lenses. Slowly my Pentax lenses list grew up and soon I realized I need another space. I do have numerous bags to hold on my tools such as my Acer laptop, cleaning tools, and some cheap lenses, but they are'nt good enough to protect them without paded surface.

My first Camera Bag- Think Thank Photo Speed Demon Beltpack

After following the Nikon route and getting myself some equipments, I noticed that I need extra care for my equipments. Its like giving the finest care to your Ferari.

 

The Kata DR-467 Digital Rucksack (photo link from http://shashinki.com)

As I considered my budget, and made my research, I concluded that I need a backpack to store both half of my camera equipments and my laptop and the choice was Kata DR-467 Digital Rucksack from Shashinki.com. It has good padding with yellow inner color material to help you easily spot your tiny photography equipments. I actually planned to get a better one from Lowepro, or perhaps anything from Think Tank, but after considering the price.... man, its still unaffordable... So I decided to go for Kata. This decision was strengthened when I purchased my MacBook Pro on February. So with a compartment for a few camera stuff, and a 15inch case, this is already convenient enough for me.

Recently... I realized that all these bags are soon unable to support my often used equipments. I need to have a larger case to store ALL my stuff in one pack in order for a much easy manageable traveling.

I travel often with my Kata Backpack, Speed Demon beltpack, Think Tank LC75 pouch that hangs handsomely on my beltpack, a bag filled with my outfit+chargers and other stuff, reflector, and a bag for my monopods, studio tripods, and other stuff.... This burdens me as I need to cary lots of things in one go. Those bags surely make me look like a gadget guy, but with a more MESSY style rather than a good one (Imagine if I have to check in with these things in the airport!). So I decided that I need to have something more convenient, tidy... clean....

I am currently eyeing on Think Tank Photo Airport International 2.0 Carry On Bag for photo gear, perhaps this could lessen two of my backpacks. or maybe Think Tank Photo Airport Antidote Version 2.0 Backpack. Not sure.. But I really think I need one.

So whenever I travel, I will only have to carry 1 bag full of camera equipments as carry on bag, another bag for my outfit, and 1 case for the monopods and studio tripods. This should be better of.

Frisco Daniel Revealed

Have you ever thought of how I really looked like????? (laughter), for those who added me in their Facebook, they surely have seen the real me. But for those who are not that into online networking?

(Photo Courtesy of Candy)

(Photo Courtesy of Fanny Sakandar)

Well,here I am... Revealed. Take a look (just don't copy it and paste my head to another persons body..LOL)

So where was I...

It has been almost 11 years since I first got a hold on a SLR. Back then it was just a Pentax fully manual focus camera, with manual shifting of the film,rotating the focus ring,aperture,zoom, ASA(also ISO), shutter speed... Yeah,those where my stoneage days in photography.

So where was I... Right now,with some highschool knowledge in arts, certificate in arts, and an imaginary visualization of pure reading and experience knowledge in arts (photography), I am now... I could say,still far away from the desired level.

I am BLESSED with:
1. D700 + battery pack (which i love MOST for its high iso low noise features)
2. 24-70 f2.8 (for its excellent sharpness and brilliant focusing)
3. 70-200 f2.8 (for its zooming capabilities while retaining sharpness and focusing performance)
4. 50mm f1.4 (my first Nikon lens which helped me a lot in getting used with my D700)
5. 3x SB900 flash (for its excellent TTL performance)
6. Few packs of MAHA 2700 and Immedion 2100 batteries.
7. Apple Macbook Pro 17inch (No virusses and blue screen eversince)
8. Western Digital External 650GB (gona add the 2GB soon)
9. 2x Manfrotto Monopod
10. 1 studio background tripod set (which I can use the 2 stand as flash stand)
11. A Benro tripod
12. Canon IP4680 (love it for CD prints, Thumbnail Proof prints, Letters.. etc
13. A Reflector
14. 2x Flash Umbrella + Speedlight Softbox
15. Sekonic LightMeter
16. other DSLR cleaning tools

What I'm adding in my prayer wishlist which I PRAY to get soon:
1. Epson 4880 pro A2 printer
2. 2TB hardisk (or the 4 bay HD slot intelligent casing)
3. A REAL website with ONLINE PROOFING.
4. 4 strobes for my dream studio (with a battery pack unit)
5. A second Body (D300 coupled with Tokina 11-16)
6. 1 extra 16GB Sandisk Extreme IV CF card
7. urm.... foremost, a working station and time to manage it.
8. Wacom Intous
9. Monitor and printer profiling tools.
10. Well,I wish I can HAVE IT all... but the ones listed here are the vital things for my career plannings.
11. 1 Apple Cinema display, perhaps aa 23inch or more.

I'll strive to do it. I actually planned to launch a new website + blog this year, but seems like I'm economically down at the moment, money is being invested elsewhere. But hopefully, I believe God is very much pleased with anyone who always acknowledge Him despite the busy schedule and hardwork. as the Spanish says "por la gracia de Dios"... I will do my best, and leave God the rest...

Hope you enjoy viewing my photography works that I have carried out so far.

Bridal-Wedding Fair at 1Borneo

Here are some of the gown designs that were being displayed on the fair. Beautiful models showed off these dress that and make the whole environment more happening. There is 1 that I feel quite... unimpressive. Others were well crafted, but not for this one. Well,not to mention which one, you find it yourself.

By the way, credits should be forwarded to Ivory Romance who provided and "maybe" designed these gowns. 

Kaamatan vs Bridal fair

I might have missed the Kaamatan Festival at KDCA,(not through television) but I didn't miss the bridal fair at 1 borneo. I know many people have been asking me "where you there..?" "did you take photos of..?" But I have to say that, I dont really like gathering in crowds, especially huge crowds. There are lots of possible danger in it-

1. Pick Pocket (one I fear most).
2. Breathing problems.
3. Possibility of disease transmission.
4. Humid weather-really uncomfortable.
5. Its not that I'll benefit from going there aside from any of the above.

Sorry if you are offended, but do know that I wont be doing things that I don't feel worth doing. Ofcourse I'm not the person who trashes our tradition, I love my culture and I am PROUD of it, its just that there are places where I am not comfortable with.

Frankly, I'm really obsessed with getting good quality air, thats why I always avoid places where polution are highly rated.

So what did I do with my time then? Ohw,I went to the bridal fair in 1 Borneo, you know I missed a lot of good events this year that focus on my industry- the wedding photography industry. Thus, my presence there will help me get an insight of the trends and how other people describe their art and craft.

I'll post the wedding gown photo's after this, do view it and let me know what you think about it.

Azriq & Rozana Wedding Photos

Ok,guys,I admit it that I'm very slow these days to update my blogger pals who sometimes take their time to view my bloggie. Thanks to those who do come and see whats up in my works. Just to share with you a few shots of a couple I worked for dating 3 months ago. They are really brilliant couples I must say, producing good shoots of them is not much of a hassle with their good personalities.

The event took place somewhere around Putatan area and the reception was held in Tabung Haji, Kota Kinabalu. This is really a grand wedding as not only ordinary people where there, but even a list of our state leaders where present to respect and bless the newly wed. It was my priviledge to photograph their once in a lifetime moments. Kudos.

Pentax's New Kid on the Block

Pentax K-7, an improvision of the K20D and trend catch-up of the modern Video tech-dslr

So you think I'm still a fan of Pentax after converting to Nikon? Yes ofcourse I am, Pentax is my ex-lover and I'm still waiting for Pentax to produce some stunning lines of Digital camera tools. I would love to own both Pentax system and Nikon system one day.. ahaks,sorry Canon, no room for you even if I like your white lens.

To be honest, Sony, Olympus, Sigma are left behind by the improved and demanded technologies developed by both Nikon and Canon. Sony still has a lot to learn in terms of popularizing its system, even their array of lens (though its a ZEISS), couldn't overthrow Nikon's 24-70 f2.8. Guys,keep in mind that Sony is an expert in DIGITAL ELECTRONICS while NIKON, CANON and perhaps the digital leftout Pentax are famous lens developer for high profiles groups and organization like the medical sector, military sector... and more. Thus thats why I trust lenses produced by them (except for the plasticy low-end lens which I once owned).

 K-7 owns an ULTRA WIDE LCD for 3inch viewing. 

Among the retained features (which gave me reasons to love pentax) are

Compact, magnesium alloy bod (Tough, Rugged Body)

14.6 megapixels

3 inch LCD

Weather, dust and cold resistant  

Multiple exposure settings

Shake Reduction system (on camera)

Dust-free image capture

 Advanced white balance settings 

Extended battery life

 Mirror Lock-up function

 HDR image capture mode 

RAW f file compatibility compatibility 

Dedicated RAW button 

 

 New features that makes me love this camera are:

New PRIME II Image processing engine (burst up to 5.2 frames per seccond)

 High top shutter speed (up to 1/8000)

New 77-segment metering system

 100% field-of-view viewfinder

 HD Movie Capture 

High resolution playback

 Faster, more responsive AF

Advanced white balance settings

 Extended battery life

Electronic level function

 Custom Image modes 

Dynamic Range setting 

Lens Correction functio 

Composition adjustment feature

 Embedded copyright feature

What else could I say? Perhaps the best thing that would place Pentax in the top lines as Nikon and Canon are: 1st, Full Frame Sensor feature. 2nd, a list of HIGH performance optics such as the 24-70,70-200 f2.8 to rival Nikon and Canon lens. I'm looking forward at Pentax to improve their line of products. Perhaps their business strategy would succed in the least 5 years to come. By then I might be profitable enough to own two system and perhaps trash the current one (if Pentax is capable of overthrowing them) HAHAHA.

By the way, all photos are copied from http://shashinki.com/shophttp://shashinki.com/shop/pentax-digital-camera-146mp-video-advanced-shake-reduction-system-dust-reduction-system-p-3089.html, You can purchase this item in advance from them. according to their note, this item will only be available on the 25th of July. Can't wait to see it appearing on the streets.

Fire razed house

I was on my journey back to Tawau on Sunday 3pm when i saw this big pile of smoke coming from somewhere ahead. At once I recognized it as a house on fire as nothing as big as this could appear in noon time.

This happened somewhere within the Mengaris Village. Upon reaching, it was confirmed that a house made by "papan" or "wood" is in a huge inferno.

I quickly grabbed my camera out of my ThinkThank waist bag and went out to record the event. According to witness, there were no casualties reported. They also managed to save the owners pinky second lorry. The owner was told to be outstation with the family. (lucky them).

One quite dramatic happening I should say happened when in the midst of the watching the fire burning down every single object thats "fire edible", I saw something very miraculous in sight. It was a CAT that suddenly appeared after 3/5 of the house structure was destroyed. I was so amazed to see how the cat managed to CHEAT DEATH and escaped to life. I was unable to capture the scene where the cat jumped down the breaking house because it happened very fast.

Yes, the cat is still alive. You should see the picture to believe...