Esther & Charles- Wedding

Mariam & Jupri Kota Marudu Wedding

It was my previledge to shoot my classmate's wedding. Siti Mariam & Jupri, They know each other while studying at Institut Perguruan Tawau for their education certificate. I was honourably invited to attend and shoot for them. There was however a mishape that happened the night before this shooting. I will write more about that in my next posting. At the moment, please enjoy the shoots which I am really happy with- the performance of Nikon D700 is really astonishing. I shoot F/1.4 throughout the wedding and this was what I got.

 

A macro shot using a reversed lens (NIKkoR 50mm f/1.4)

Appreciation of Usage RIGHTS

Have you ever printed your photo bigger than A4 size paper? Well the largest I ever print was around 20x16inch. But this time, I get to print my work larger than usual. The size was about 6x4feet and it really touched me. I NEVER imagined to have this big prints of my works... never.. (though I always dream of owning my own printer, but to realize it, I don't think it was possible in the nearest time). My prints being printed means my works was appreciated.

(the shoot has yellow-greenish cast due to the reflection of the wall)

This was a photoshoot done in Simpang Mengayau, Kudat and the shoots were actually meant for slidshow, not big sized prints. After carefully selecting the pictures, mine was choosen. Well, actually the in studio works were much better. The couple Mr & Mrs Malanjin made their photoshooting in Penampang-Studio, but they were really unfortunate when the policy of the studio is not to release the original photo of both the bride. Yes they got the edited photo, but when we checked it out, it was saved in a loose format and not even capable of printing with good quality up to 12inch. He begged and even offered to pay for the original photo, but they still refused.

I just couldnt get it, both couple hired the studio, and yes they pay for the edited photo, but after negotiating and negotiating, the owner still refused to hand over/ sell the original shoot for both couples. In what I understand, the studio HAS the right to keep your photo, but they don't have the right to publish them for COMMERCIAL purpose, UNLESS WITH YOUR CONSENT. and.. you have the right to have or at least BUY the original photo because you are IN IT... ofcourse you DONT have the right to buy other peoples photo, but if its your own? you surely do. BUT KEEP IN MIND, even if you have the ORIGINAL, you have no right to use it for commercial purpose since YOUR NOT THE AUTHOR of the photo, you are only the MODEL.

I like other professional Studios who release the original photo for their clients with a pay. I know EVERBEST Wedding Studio in KK release the original photo for RM10 each. They have the right to sell them since THEY ARE THE ARTIST WHO PRODUCE THE PHOTO and you are just the MODEL.

So for anyone who wishes to do STUDIO photography, be sure you are allowed to have the ORIGINAL photo for your OWN PERSONAL use from the studio, make sure you dont use it for your own commercial purpose. If they require you to pay, please know that THEY HAVE THE RIGHTS, but you have the rights to HAVE your PHOTO too with the said exemption....

If you have different thought about this issue... do enlighten me...

Candids

I was shooting for a Christian Concert in KK SDA Likas church a few weeks ago, and I didn't have the time to share with you guys since I was busy with my stuff. Some came asking about the photos but I am so sorry for not being able to hand it on time....

Bellow are some portrait of those who attended in the concert. We have our 2007 Unduk Ngadau Winner too in this shoot. Take time, sit back and relax... enjoy

Into The Dark- Awaiting the Long expected

So now what? my D700 haven't arrived yet. I've checked with my dealers... The small-small extra accesories has already been Pos-Laju on friday, I will receive it by monday morning. The small2 accesories consist of.. (should i share em?), one 16gb memory card (which I will have another more), one reverse ring (will tell you its use when I got every set complete), one flash shoe mount (for the external Flash pod), and others? I forgot... its all the small-small items... but very-very useful!

What about the Dark 700 demon? Well,I've check that out with my friend and the dealer promised that it will arrive by wednesday right to my house. By then, I will only have 1 day to master the body before my first task encounter with the dark babe.... Phew?!

Well thanks guys for the respon on my D700 purchase plan which I've been anticipating a lot. I'm going to comment again on why D700???? well, 12mp is ofcourse a BIG pixel dimension. Worth printing A3 without even resizing. A2 is awesome too... But 2x(k) megapixel? nope... hehe.. Some suggested me to go for Canon, well I wouldn't deny a single fact about its awesomeness in pixel and picture clarity-color rendition. But as far as I love landscape photography, I do lots of weddings to so that justify 20% of my reasons.

Second? Nikon will surely upgrade its MP size to 20+mp. I can guarantee that. We all know that Nikon borrows Sony's technology in Cmos sensor for its D300/D90... But for D3 and D700 FX? some are arguing that its Nikon's own sensor, others say that its Sony's.. whoever the manufacturer is, Nikon will surely announce its own 20x mp. Probably with a lag of time, not so soon I'm guessing. In the time being, if its within 1 year or 2, I will make use of what I have first....

Probably if there's luck, and I require really-really large mp size files for costumers, perhaps a Medium Format- Leaf or hasselblad will do? for the time being, lets just stick with what is best in an affordable price;)

Leak Out!

whats leaking out? Well i've made up my mind. I'm going for full frame D700. For my FaceBook buddies,this is no bluff anymore, i stated in my shout out that I am really going to get this beast. Although some are criticizing me for not optioning for Canon, but I know what i want for my needs and I'm going to get it!

Damn,now its very cold in here...~

Ok,so what are the list?

• D700- Why? I currently dont feel the need of a 21mp camera with HD video recording capabilities. 21mp is a whole lot of space consuming for photographers who shoot more than 50% RAW. Imagine an 8GB memory card that can store 1660 Jpeg pictures when pressed to RAW+Jpeg shooting mode, the number of pictures available is only 399 out of 1660... thats 75% memory space cut down.. Man,If im shooting 21mp files,then I'll be spending only probably 180 shoots per 8GB memory card, and that would require me 10x8GBxRM230=RM2300 just for memory cards cause I usually shoot more than 1000 images per wedding!
• D700- 2nd point of getting this camera? It has the same brain and eyes of the D3 which is priced at RM14000 (Malaysian market) that has reputable status in: 1st,NOISE control. 2nd, it has the option of shooting 5bps or 8bps with the adding of a battery grip with extra bat. 3rd, It has the same processor with great IQ in autofocus and lighting control. Autofocus is reported excellent and I have no doubt on that.
• D700- is within my budget range too, and its a FullFrame camera, thus I will from now on purchase only HighQuality but Expensive lens that cost at least RM1k.
• D700- when coupled with SB900 flashgun will provide outstanding photo quality when on the right hands... Hope mine is the right one...LOL;p Moreover Nikon will eventually shift its product to produce 21mp in the near future with HD video recording, competable with Canon... By then I'll be ready with my already prepared Nikon Kit...

A camera body without a lens would be dumb! so what are my options? Well, I feel kinda reluctant to share it here, but since I just LOVE sharing, so why dont I?

• 50mm f/1.4 thats great prime lens. I can also use this as a Macro lens by reversing the lens. Magnification factor will be 1:1 and thats damn great lens, better than most MACRO lens out there.
• 24-70mm f/2.8 This will be my all around lens. Since I dont have a secondary body (though I will hire my friends DSLR as my backup), this will be the lens for my everyday/task use.
• 70mm-200 f/2.8 This will be the best lens to work on descreet situations. You won't even notice that I am around shooting, all you know is that I already took the snap. Well aside from that, this lens is reputed to gain great sharpness, of the same quality of Canon 70-200mm IS USM lens... if not better!
• 85mm f/1.8 This lens will be used coupled with my 50mm prime. But this will be a later purchase, the above top 5 will be the first priority.
• 20mm f/1.4, a good wide angle which counts as 13mm lens in croped factor/APS-C/sized sensor. Now 13 is really wide for group portraits unless you compare it with a fisheye (i dont really prefer fisheye,lots of distortion!).

What else? common frisco... Alright,this will be the last but much more not the least...

• SB900 flash gun, like it for the added range of zoom in the flash.
• SB800 or SB600 for my on the spot lighting system.
• Wireless transmitters.. (still considering Pocket Wizard or Radio Poppers)
• and more to come...

Ah,I am sleepy and tired... there are more and more on my wish list.. I jst dreamed I could HAVE THEM ALL, but practicallity says... Wait frisco darling,you ain't rich yet..

Secret Exposed

Funny, my friend posted this on facebook 3 days ago and I just noticed it today. It was a wedding day shooting session of Mr & Mrs Malanjin. I practiced almost every pose thats possible to get the shoot. Actually I know some of them didn't turned out since 1st,I'm having a hard time with my main lens and 2nd' The grasses makes me itch,LOL!.. This is a day before Mr & Ms Daven Lamam's wedding in Tamparuli,Sabah... Anyway I enjoy taking pictures with them and is happy for their cooperation too.. so here are some of the pics contributed by my friend- Nico Gaban. Enjoy! Always take time to show your works to your clients so that they will know what actually are you producing and thus puting more trust on you... OH!!! HOW I WISHED that camera was a NIKON D700...sigh~!

"Children... dont do this at home!" ;P

My friends went WORLDWIDE

I was kinda shocked when (actually we-me & my friends) we saw our videos posted on youtube. I am not part of the individuals in it, but as close friends, I really want them to know that they are ON WORLDWIDE stage... I dont think any of those inside the video posted it, probably someone who got the video posted it. Its a short video clip showing off few individuals (my friends) doing some miming with the background music on. have a look at it bellow...

anyway,they really are good actor.. probably it would be great if they get promoted in the acting industry... way to go guys..

to see more of their videos... CLICK HERE