Fun to be a Tourist in Singapore!

Over the past 2 weeks, I zipped back into Singapore for 2 trips, each less than 24 hours.
But what I did get to do was, besides official meetings, was to be a tourist, and walk around and taking photos.

3-4 Dec, I zipped in, went shooting in the rain with Bryan Kam around his office. I was early, and so just waited around his office. So it was raining, and the NTUC building lobby wasn't all that interesting, so I ventured out to the streets.

Well, first thing is, life whizzed by quickly, as I stood there. It's the CBD, so people are always in a hurry to go somewhere. Also its drizzling, so only a crazy guy would stand there in the rain....  I think I've almost perfected the "try not to look like a suspicious terrorist" look, as people walked by, looking at me strangely.

 When you just slow down, and observe, you kinda see things differently. You take the time to really see. I notice at which traffic lights the cars go (trying to time my pictures), I notice the DHL guys chatting whilst waiting to cross, the cyclist zipping along, just notice life go by.

Well, after our dinner, we headed to Gardens by the Bay, and tried shooting for 2 hours. Another funny thing I realized, the lens keeps getting wet when it drizzles - esp when it is pointed up! I shot, check the shoot, wipe, shoot again, check, wipe - and repeat. Shooting in the rain is rather challenging, to say the least, but it forced me to look at things different - what can I shoot, when otherwise I can't in perfect weather/lighting? Reflections!

Well, the good thing about shooting in the rain is, there's hardly anyone there! The bad thing is, most of the shots during the rain was a wash out. I took this on the way out, when it finally stopped drizzling, and I got a barely decent shot of a overshot Gardens by the Bay, but see - reflections! No? nevermind.

My 2nd trip was 9-10 Dec. Arranged with my shooting buddy Bryan to meet up again! This time, along Orchard Road (Christmas lights!), and esp since I was staying on Orchard Road. Well, just as I boarded my flight, Bryan did a rain check... coz it was pouring! Once bitten, twice shy.

Strangely, when I arrived, it had already stopped raining. Decided to grab some chow, and decided to head to Takashimaya, and eat at Tonkichi. I remember my ex-girlfriend working at Hertz at Taka, and if we felt rich, would splurge and eat there, with its melt in its mouth Tonkatsu. It was mindblowingly good! Heading back, was just nostalgic (its been maybe 15 years?), things coming back when they served the bowl with the sesame seeds, which you are supposed to grind. How I wish my ex was there with me, but alas, things were just not to be..... so I ground, then waiting in anticipation for food. Well, after 15 years, it wasn't as mind-blowingly good as I remember it to be (isn't it always like that?), prices about 50% more than what I'd remember.

Anyway, after my chow, armed with my tripod and camera, I walked along Orchard Road, to Ion first, then back to Centerpoint, before ending back in my hotel (Mandarin) around 11ish. Well, there's a lot of construction going on.

There's been some changes, like Wisma Atria has a new facade, with nice lighted steps outside. Centerpoint's Christmas deco was unusually boring. I liked the Visa Christmas Trees @ Mandarin. I didn't like the orangy lights along Orchard Road (liked the purple hues better last year).

Shot a lot, but not a lot of keepers (I'd be happy to get 2 good shoots per 100 taken... typically). What was good fun though, was just observing life on Orchard Road. It was buzzing with life! Street buskers, there was this group where 1 guy played the didgeridoo, whilst 2 others did this weird dance with crystal balls. Couldn't take my eyes off them!

What was the highlight was really these bunch of Filipinos, just broke into a line dance of sorts, right in the middle of Orchard Road - to the amusement of many passer-bys. I just smiled (and took photos) as I watched them do their thing.

It got me thinking, living in Singapore (with kids), Orchard Road is not really the place we'd go, in fact, avoid at all costs! But I got to see Singapore in a different light, you see it differently when you don't live there, as a tourist. It's fun to just walk, observe, get lost; just not to have to hurry, take your time to watch.

Thanks for the chance to see my "home" differently, and falling in love with Singapore again! Just not enough to go back and live there... haha. Of course, its seeing Singapore armed with a camera, that makes the difference. I watch, wait, and see how I can shoot things differently, and thus see things differently.

Oh, I can't wait to bring my ex-girlfriend back to Tonkichi. Yes, I eventually married her. :)

You made it Gary. See you in Heaven.

We grew up in Zion Church in Serangoon Gardens, going to JF and YF camps in the 70s and 80s.
We'd have a chant "Ong Gary Gary Gary, Ong Gary Gary", and the funniest memory I had was when he was in charge of organizing games, and when he was briefing us, all of us gather around him, he farted!

I lost touch with him, when I left church in the mid 80s.
Strangely, I came into contact with him again when a friend Eugene Wong (a good friend I know since Primary School) came with him and others, to Vietnam - maybe in 2008, and we caught up for a meal. Uncanny.

Either late 2010 or early 2011, Gary discovered he had stomach cancer. He fought his battle openly, documenting his thoughts through facebook. He had a crazy sense of humor, laughing at himself, showing off his scars. He joked with the nurses/doctors.

Once whilst in HCMC, and after lunch going back up to the office, I looked up at the TV showing CNA channel, and there he has - Gary was on TV! Some chef was cooking up a dish for him.

He physically started to look a bit worse mid of this year, and I just had to go visit him, which I did. I didn't know what to expect, but surprisingly 3 hours just went by just like that! We had a good chat, catching up what he's been doing (he ended up as a tennis coach), and how he discovered he had stomach cancer. Now that I'm into photography, we also had a bit of chat on that - since he's been a long time photographer. I spoke with him more in the 3 hours, than I've had ever, accumulated over the course of growing up. Not just in quantity of time, but really talk.

What worried me at the end of our chat, was I had a feeling that despite what he had gone through, or maybe because of it, he had (like me) stopped having a relationship with God, and hadn't restored that. And it didn't look like he had all the time in the world too! So before I left, we prayed (well, I prayed for him), that if it is God's will, that he be healed, but more importantly that he know Jesus again.

The saddest moment (recently) was also the greatest moment, when I got on facebook last night to read a post from Minnie (his mom). "

Gary says he can't wait to go to heaven - God answered his prayer and took him home today at 1702 hours!

It hit me, and I'm not sure why. Through facebook messages and postings (from him, his sis and mom), it did seem that he was physically deteriorating, looking skinnier, spending longer times in the hospital. I can't say that I'm very close to him, although I feel I am, just from reading his frequent updates on facebook. It's the way he openly fought his battle. Never in despair, never anger, never blaming anyone - but making the most use of the time he had left. Its clear from his facebook page that he lived a life that deeply impacted many more. Even his sister and mom, both wonderful women in the Lord, were great examples on how to live with a dearly loved one whose time on earth is limited. They celebrated his life, not moaned his death.

Perhaps, we should live like that. We start to really live, if we start treasuring the days we have left. No time to gossip, no time to despair, no time to waste. And in reality, we don't know how long we have. It could be tonight that the Lord takes me, or tomorrow I get hit by a car. Or it could be 10, 50 years, before I meet the Lord again - should that change how we live?

Jesus says that He will come like a thief in the night, when we least expect it. When we are so busy planning our lives, our next holiday, our futures. The question is, are we ready to meet him now?

What hit me, was that Gary was ready to meet God. I was alive in praise. Better late than never. Thank you God for opening his eyes in time, and lifting the veil of darkness - so that Gary can know the love of God and the sacrifice of Jesus for him. He made it, to Jesus side. Thank you God.

Well, thanks Gary for living your life the way you did (btw, any internet in heaven you can see this?). Despite your "death sentence", you lived your life much more than I would have. And you finished the race, well, and you've gotten the ultimate prize in heaven.

See you soon.

Imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it you can be sure she’ll call her friends and neighbors: ‘Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!’ Count on it—that’s the kind of party God’s angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God.” Luke 15:8-10.

The 2nd Mile Christian: Of giving tunics & cloaks

 Matthew 5:40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 

Think of a tunic like your shirt, and cloak your jacket. Even the poorest man would have a change of tunics, but often only one cloak – which was a blanket-like clothing which a man wore as a robe by day, and used as a blanket at night. As according to the OT, no one was allowed to take a man’s cloak as it protected him from the cold (Exodus 22:26,27).This is great for us here – since Jakarta is so hot – if you want it, take it! But then we miss the whole point of it.

Does this mean that we allow someone to take everything we have? Leave the front door open, let everyone help themselves? No, the principle is : don’t let your material things get in the way of our witness for Christ – be willing to part with what we have in excess, like our tunic -it isn't easy, but it is easier for us to give, what we have extra, those old clothes we don't need or outgrew. It may even be easy to give a couple hundred $$$ to support an orphanage. But Jesus calls for us not to only give what we have in excess, 

but be prepared to part with even our own security blanket – the only thing that keeps you warm at night - and this is where the rubber hits the road. 

What's the modern equivalent of our cloak/security blanket? How about our savings for that rainy day, or our pension? Maybe even that college education fund you are saving up? How about that overseas holiday we've been saving up for? Are you willing to give that up for the gospel? How far are willing to trust Jesus with what HE has entrusted to him? Are we willing to go the second mile?

Philippians 3:8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.

My mum's death anniversery

A year has passed.

A year ago and a week ago, I remember being woken up by my dad in the morning. He said that my mum had difficulty breathing - and I ran to her room. I remember the sense of panic within - seeing 4 big burly ambulance guys (and a lady) with all their equipment, before finally putting her on their special stretcher and zooming off to the hospital.

I remember going to the hospital later that morning with my dad - my mum really upset being hooked up with the tubes, and demanding for food, claiming she hadn't eaten in days! Little did I know that that was to be the last time I saw her awake.

I remember all the morning and evening visits to the hospital after, still optimistic the first 2-3 days, before feeling hope slip away slowly.

A year and a day ago, the doctor and nurses told us that after the kidney, liver, lung, cardio was all failing, the last straw was the brain. It would be no more than a day or two. A call to my brother, and he zipped back into Florence from London, expecting to arrive midnight.
Exactly a year ago, since that dreadful morning when the hospital called us up at about 5am, to tell us that mum was about to go, when in fact she had just.
We redirected my brother, whose plan from London was delayed, and on the way to the hotel.

My dad and I, walked that street, so familiar by then, each day for the past 2 weeks between the hotel and hospital. This time, we were somber, the light was just breaking, but darkness growing in our hearts.

I was mad, that the hospital reception queried us, not allowing us to go to the ICU immediately. 

We finally did, after an agonizing 5-10 minutes of explaining - before we buzzed the ICU door, and surprised to see my brother open it. We were too late. 

It'll be a holiday, forever etched in my mind.

My brother was in London, folks in Singapore, and we were in Vietnam.

Always wanting to visit Italy (it's my favorite cuisine), we congregated there to visit Rome, Florence and Venice. 

The picture above, is the last photograph of my mom - taken at Michaelangelo Piazza in Florence, enroute to visiting Sienna/Pisa. The day before she was warded, and never to awaken.

It's bittersweet. My mum seemed carefree and happiest on holidays, getting out of routine, fussing over the grandkids, pining for Chinese food. I remember the Cherries she kept stocking up, all the 3-in-1 milo packets and biscuits she brought from Singapore, in case the grandkids wanted. 

In a sense, it was the perfect way for her to go. She pined to be with the family.

She was heartbroken quietly, when we told her a couple of  months before this, that instead of moving to Singapore, we'd move to Jakarta instead. She said nothing, uncharacteristically.  

To be surrounded by those whom she loved most, carefree on her holiday. She suffered her whole life, but she didn't at the end. She was sedated, and never woken. 

It’s been a year, but she has not been forgotten. I remember her every time I see our Italy pictures, every time I step into my dad's home at Florida Road in Singapore, and we talk fondly of her often, with our kids.

How sad that the cliche is true, that we miss the person most, only after he or she is taken away from us.

Funny how it takes someone's death, for us to truly forgive a life time of "transgressions".

Death simplifies a person, removes all doubt, and unfortunately, it is too late.
It's too late to tell you one last time, we love and miss you.

Too late, but we do.

No, I do.
Thank you for all you have done.

Your faith was simple, but you are finally at Rest, in the arms of Jesus.

Rest well. Enjoy Jesus. Till we meet again.   

2 Timothy 4:6-8
And the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day

ARPC Church Camp

I love camps, ever since I was young, I'd attend Junior Fellowship camps whenever I could, when I grew up in Zion BP church, Serangoon Gardens.
Of course the reasons for loving these camps, have changed. I used to love camps coz it was fantastic fun, we'd stay in dorms, have crazy skits put up during dorm inspection, hang out with friends all day and night, play lots of games like water bom fights, captain's ball, relays, and the climax was always some night games, where there'd be a dungeon for those captured. Oh, and of course we got to chat up the girls!

Since I attended ARPC since 1994, I've attended quite a few ARPC camps, whenever I could. The first I attended was in Kuantan, I think, with Philip Jensen as speaker. During the years we were first in Indonesia 1997-2003, we didn't go for any, but we did for most of the other years.

ARPC has grown from 100+ (back when we first attended), and now maybe 2000. We used to know everyone those days, and I loved the close fellowship. The years we were first in Indonesia, were.... disorienting. Each time we visited, it just exploded in numbers - it went from maybe 200 to 1000 in the 6 years we were gone (we take full credit for that!), and we felt more and more lost and detached each year.

By the time we got back in 2003, we felt like new comers all over again, esp with 4 services, our old friends were scattered across the services. It was actually hard to make friends (beyond the hello and goodbye) during the limited time we had on Sundays, and was pretty much limited to those with similar demographic - young families with young kids.

2 things helped, in me getting to know people better: 1 was attending a Discipleship Group, and the other was going for church camps.

Church camps are great because
1.Everyone at one place - instead of spread over 3 or 4 services. Everyone who goes that is. And with this year, there's about 900 folks to attended, which is an astounding proportion of the church there.

2.Everyone's captive - Except for Malacca, where everyone tries to sneak out for meals, other locales been good, coz everyone is stuck at the site - perfect for getting to know folks!

3.Time to fellowship - we just have more time and opportunities to chat, during the bible study group times, as well as the meals, which we try to sit with different folks each time. Also, most of the afternoons are free, so there's time for the kids to go hang out with other kids, play some sport, or take a nap (wait... that's not fellowship?). There's always some activity on, where you can catch up with old friends, or meet new ones. During Sundays, there's really little time to catch up, everyone's busy as bees, and zipping off somewhere.

4.Sermons - it's also a great opportunity to be learning from God's word. This camp, the theme was "Heaven and Hell", there was 8 talks, with each talk going for 1 hour or more! So we're talking about 8-10 hours of solid bible teaching.

So God willing, my family will be there each year. It's great for us to stay connected to a home church, catch up with old friends and meet new ones.

It is impossible to love your kids equally

There, I said it.

In theory, we all say that - but.... it's a lie.
In my humble opinion, it is impossible to. (My wife just let me read an article from her fav mag: Australian Women's weekly, which had an article on this, and got me thinking).

Each child is different, some are girls, some are boys.
Each have their own personalities, likes and dislikes.
Each child likes to do different things.
Each child is at a different age, and the way you interact with each child is.... different.

The interaction a parent has with a child, is special and unique between each relationship.
Some personalities match, some grate.
Sometimes you have similar hobbies, sometimes - you have nothing in common.

To be fair, I cannot say I like my 3 kids equally. They are all so different.

For my daughter, the cliche is true - not just because of the father-daughter bond, our personalities seem to match. But we have no common hobbies - spending time together, besides lazying around is.... challenging! That's where my wife comes in - they can go shopping together, manicure/pedicure, scrapbooking etc. Thankfully in God's wisdom, he made us Male and Female, and together as one, my wife and I tag team parent our kids. But we do enjoy each others' company.

For my boys, their personalities are quite different too!
One is loud, the other used to be quiet, now getting louder....
One is really into sports, the other prefers his lego toys, but from the brother's influence is getting into soccer.
As a father - that's where being male comes in - I love rough playing with them, going to watch the ultra violent, fantasy type movies, sometimes kick the ball around. Spending time with them, is more activity based.

My older son likes music and play the piano. So sometimes we hang out by playing the piano together - something which I do enjoy quite a bit.
My younger son, likes to play his lego, and play by himself. So I let him be.

Their ages are quite different too. My interaction with my older son, the TEEN, is different with the younger one - due to their ages.
My older son is more talkative, so times I need to withdraw, when it gets... a bit much.
My younger son is more reserved, and I do need to be more proactive, to engage him.


But they do equally irritate me, when they fight with each other.
It's easy to equally not like, but impossible to equally like or treat a person. 

As parents, we do try to be as fair as possible with them - in how we reward or punish them, in terms of giving things to them, privileges etc - that is easy. But that's a bit different with liking or loving them equally.

Then again, liking is quite different to loving.
When God sent Jesus to die for us, he did it out of Love, although he may not have liked us very then (we who rebel against him). Like is a feeling; Love is... a decision, leading to action.

I love my wife through thick and thin - there are days I like her, and other days....  I like her even more! :)
Well, my promise to love her, has nothing to do, whether I like her at that moment or not, or even if I'm "still in love"or "feel" that I love her. It is decision to be willing to lay down my life for her, whether or not I feel like it or not.

That is God's definition of love, not dependent on "feelings" not dependent on what one does - nothing can ever separate us from the Love of God, nothing we can do to make God love us more, or love us less. God chose to love us, and thus send Jesus to die to save us, and God did it when we were his enemies!

My promise to my kids is to try to be as fair as possible towards all 3 of them (although they'll always think we're biased), I cannot promise to like them equally (I'll try not to dislike them all equally!), but I do also promise to try my very darnest to love them (a choice I make in my head), to care and provide for them, and most importantly to bring them up to know and fear God.

 I do no think I'm able to "love" equally, whatever that means! But I do pray that God will grant me the wisdom to love them as He first loved us.

Ephesians 6:4

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

ok, I'll have to work on not making fun of them so much that they are provoked to anger!

Ready for Death?

On the way to lunch, I heard about someone (one of the bigwigs) from the office just passed away half hour earlier in Singapore. He had been unwell, and went to Singapore for treatment a week ago. 
During lunch, my colleague told me about how he met a contractor this morning, who kinda blacked out on site, and had to be rushed to hospital. After lunch, news was he too had passed away, around lunch time.

Gee, 2 deaths within an hour, is 2 deaths too many. Life is just so fragile and fickle.

God gives and takes. As much as we shake our hands against God, declare how much we don't believe in Him, depend on ourselves and our own riches, and live our lives our own way - at the end of the day, God's in charge. When it's time to go, it's time to go - there's not much we can do about it.
Unlike things, we cannot "insure" against death, we can at best, seek compensation for our families, in case of death. Our lives cannot be replaced (like we can go buy another car).


So it got me thinking.
The question of when we will die, is not something we can answer, until it is too late.
So the question is really, are we ready to face our death?

Am I ready to die? Yes and no.
No, so many things I want to live for, I want to see my children walk down the aisle with someone who loves God with all of their hearts. I want to grow old with my wife by my side. I want my dad to come to know Jesus.  I want to learn so much more about photography! 


Yet Yes! Because I know that my salvation has been procured by the blood of Jesus. God guarantees it by the Holy Spirit he gives, as a deposit of what is to come. There's no greater comfort to know that if I go, as much as it is sad to leave behind those whom I love, I will be with Jesus, the author of life, my creator, my savior and Lord. I'll get to ask him all the questions I have (who exactly did Cain marry?). It'll far exceed anything here on earth, that I'll miss. It'll blow my mind away.

Are you ready for death? 
Don't wait for the 11th hour. You may end up dying at half past ten.

2 Peter 3:8-10

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

Being Thankful

Today is the day I am thankful for

1. My God - that He rescued me from my life of depravity & sin, gave me the gift of eternal life that came at such a high cost, and that I may continue rest assure in his providence and plan.

2. My wife who has been a pillar of support, soul mate, life companion, and fellow adventurer!

3. My 3 kids, who although are growing up too fast, remain my pride and main ministry in life.

4. the health of my family - how blessed that we are all able and fit!

5. Opportunity to be in Indonesia again - although Jakarta was not what I had in mind before, but we're starting to get used to it. Knowing the language has been a big bonus.

6. Church - we love being part of All Saints - the people are warm, teaching faithful, a place where we can fellowship and serve in;

7. Our place to stay - that we have a roof over our head.

8. STB-ACS - where my kids go to school. They have adjusted well to the system, and made new friends, and at least have a decent education standard.

9. My job, which allows to continue being here

10. Car - use of a car, where my kids can safely go to school and back.

11. Coffee - my favorite beverage of all!


12. My hobby - which is....... photography! (in case no one noticed).

Psalm 118:24

This is the day that the Lord has made;

    let us rejoice and be glad in it.

The Switch

I flirted with doing BSF whilst in Vietnam -but the traveling demands were rough, and there was no way for me to commit.


The 2 months lull in Singapore in July/August 2011, was... a bit chaotic, and certainly disruptive. Towards the end, I felt like I lost the discipline of wanting to read God's word, and slipping on the edge of complacency.

Coming to Jakarta, besides trying to find a good church, which I wrote here, one of the 2 things I was to start a read the bible in a year, which in my 20 years of being a follower of Jesus, I never did (ok, I started just before coming to Jakarta, but details details...), and thought to; and the other was to enroll my self in BSF, also to see what it is about, and get me into the discipline of reading the Word of God.

Read the Bible in a Year

The thing I like about this, is that whilst you don't really study the Word of God in depth, you read chunks of the bible at a go. Sometimes, breaking a book into tiny bits to study, you lose the whole flow of what the author is saying. And some books are really, really long.

I do confess that after about 7 or 8 months doing this, I'm kinda behind about 6-7 weeks. I read when I can... hmm, maybe I should be reading when I should - but that's another story... I'll try and catch up next week!

BSF

BSF is interesting. You have daily homework, meet up, and over 40 minutes, go through the answers, gather for a 40 min talk, then you take home notes on that passage to read.
You go over that passage in 4 different ways. It's a great way to get someone to start reading your bible, with a "guide" along the way to help you navigate.

No "format" is perfect. Strangely, I don't think it teachers a person how to read/study the bible; maybe a bit too much ground in a week. And fellowship time is quite limited. 

Being Efficient and Effective?

It's terrible to think of ministry in terms of secular concepts of being efficient and effective - but I'm going to try and think out loud in these terms for a while.

Time is limited. Weeknights with the family/kids are precious. I think committing to something that involves sacrificing that, the limit for me now is probably 1 weeknight.

I've enjoyed being part of the church (All Saints) we go to now. The people are nice, welcoming, I see lots of potential in terms of ministry and fellowship. So the question I ask is, what can I do, be serve the body of Christ at All Saints? One of the things I've stepped up on, is to be part of the "worship" team, in leading/playing the piano. There are a few more things, I'm mulling over, which involves me to be much more involved in serving.

But at the end of the day, it's about fellowships and relationships - not about "activity". (One of my "regrets" in my time in Vietnam is to have lots of Christian activity, but not a lot of deep meaningful relationships).

So one of the things for me to be more "efficient" in my ministry at All Saints, is to build bridges/friendships/relationships. I wasn't building any at BSF (we meet once a week, go through questions, then leave). I've been praying about this for a few weeks, and realize that one way was to be part of the All Saints bible study group/cell group. Time on Sundays are great! But the way we interact is also limited. Studying the word of God, praying for each other, is a way to really get to know people and fellowship with them. It builds a bond, quite different from just meeting and saying "hi" on Sundays.
So I gave it a go last week, and I'm quite pleased to say that I did "like" "Sweddish" method of studying the bible which was used, and just getting to know others on a deeper level.

So I'm making the switch, dropping BSF, and joining an All Saints cell group. It's more "efficient" and "effective" in building relationships in my humble opinion.

Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

New blog for Photography related stuff

I've decided to move all my photography related blogging to here
http://soosingphotography.blogspot.com/

which would also hopefully automatically post to
https://www.facebook.com/SooSingPhotography

I'm hoping to share regularly over there. 



Going to leave my other ramblings here.
 

Best Camera to Have

The dictum is true: the best camera is the one with you. 

There is no point having an expensive (large/heavy) camera, only to leave it sitting in your dry cabinet.

My journey in Photography really started with my iPhone 3GS, which I got in 2009, before it getting stolen in 2010 (sigh).
(For me) the iPhone changed the paradigm for mobile photography, and it isn't about the camera built in - which was ok, but not fantastic.

Why do I like the iPhone?
Firstly, it's with you at all times.
And within one device, you can take a picture (discretely), process it (with more apps than you can possibly learn), then upload it immediately. Oh, it makes phone calls too.

I loved the iPhone for that versatility, and had great fun. Here's just a few examples of my mobile phone pictures.

1.Candid - Tourists

This was a picture taken in Forbidden City. The iPhone allowed me to stealthily take this candid shot (I snapped this from the hip, and kept walking) of a bunch of tourist taking a rest. 









2. Landscape - Lake District

The phone shoots well (like most cameras do) when the light is good. 







3.Architecture - British Museum

I love the British Museum (both content and architecture) - and this is an example of my attempt to at "playing" on lines and shadows. Mid day harsh light - but gave a nice hue to the glass ceiling as well. Not the best quality picture, but for my purpose - good enough job. 

 4.Apps - Philippines
I took this one lunch time, looking up, I liked the pattern of the lamp shades, snapped - then processed it on the spot (I don't remember which free app I used), and uploaded it to facebook.





5.Apps - Singapore National Day parade

Another fun thing I did.I went to the NDP, and shot with my iPhone. One the apps allowed me to do this "Inception" like effect.

6.Apps - Beijing


This is my favorite App for all: tilt-shift generator, which makes your pictures look like miniatures. I had great fun, and used this lots! The best... US$1.99 spent.




Summary
There are limitations to a camera phone. I was not happy with it especially in low light. I'm sure the latest iPhone 4S has decent resolution now, and slightly bigger aperture - but it just can't compare with the bokeh and low light ability of a DSLR. Then again, a DSLR cannot compare with the portability/use of use/stealth of a mobile camera.


I hope to share with you, that you don't need an expensive camera to take (good) pictures. Cameras don't take pictures, people do. You cannot compensate a "bad eye" with a good camera.

Whatever (camera) you have with you, know its limitation, then use it to its strength! 

Most importantly, keep your camera with you, and keep shooting.

Photograph Learnings - 1 Year on.

I've started (more serious) photography for about a year now, reading up books, magazines, forum postings, and various photography blogs. With just a year under my belt, these is what I've learnt

1.Equipment.

At the beginning, it's about the equipment: Nikon or Canon (or even others... gasp?!) ; which lenses, zoom or prime, aperture sizes, etc.

Now: it's really how you use the equipment. Upgrade when you have maximized and outgrown its use.

a. Camera body: Nikon D90

Read the manual. It's not a TV, or even an iPhone. You gotta read the manual, know which buttons do what, how to fully utilize all the functions hidden in the menus. The more you are familiar with the body, the easier it gets, and the more control you have over what you want to shoot. Then read the manual again.

Limitations: I do now find the <100% view finder coverage, the 9 AF points a little bit of a (very minor) constraint. Yes, the D7000 is better, but as a beginner, it is hard to appreciate all the features the more advance/better D7000 can deliver.

But the dictum is true: spend more on lenses than body. No regrets starting with D90, learn the basics, master it, then move on.

And yes, I'm salivating at when D800 will come out. Too soon to upgrade to full frame? :)

b. Lenses

Armed with now 4 different lenses, here's what I think of em

Nikon 18-200mm. 
Good: great all rounder, great for traveling, or shooting outdoors, in various diff scenarios, then you don't have to change lenses. This helped me better understand how shooting at various lengths affect the ultimately picture.

Bad: It does much more poorly in low light, due to the aperture size limitation. Pictures shot at 200mm, tend to be a bit soft (not as sharp) - like the one on the right.

I don't use it on a day-to-day now, only when I travel.

Nikon 35mm f1.8.  

Good: cheap. light. small. Good for street photography as it is inconspicuous. (Right)
 

Big aperture so good for low light. Also for taking things with shallow depth of field - which I use alot when I take food photos (see below). 

 Bad: just 1 focal length (yes, zoom with your feet), and sometimes you just need to go wider for group shots, which is not always possible indoors. 

This lens is the default lens on my D90 now.



 

Nikon 24-70mm f2.8. 

Good: Reputedly one of Nikon's best and widely used lenses. Good for portraits (see below).
Also useful range to shoot, if you don't want to be all that close (like I shot for my son's 14th birthday).

 

Bad: Expensive, big and bulky FX lens (range isn't as versatile as a say 17-55 would be for DX). My most expensive but least used lens. I bought this, as I found a good reasonably priced 2nd hand piece in Vietnam.

But I wanted to try a professional grade lens. And I did. In hindsight, I would have gone for a Tamron or Sigma 17-50/55 f2.8 instead. Save the 24-70 for when I go full frame.

Tokina 11-16mm f2.8.  
Good: Ultra Wide Angle. Perfect for night landscape/cityscape shots. Not all that bulky. See right for sample shot.

Bad: For portraits, or even group shots. See left - the edges get elongated. I should have used my 18-200 instead. Unless of course, you don't have space to move further back, then no choice but to use this.


This lens is also almost always with me. 

If I had to start over again, I'll probably pick a Sigma 17-50 f2.8 lens instead of 18-200 (although it is hard for a beginner to be convinced of sacrificing zoom for aperture). Good range for DX, and big apertures are really the way to go.

c.Other equipment 

Tripod $300-500. One of those things, that you only appreciate if you have it, and use it. The thought of lugging a tripod around, is daunting. But it is probably the next most important thing to have, after body and lens. You need the tripod to take night city shots, with nice light trails, star burst lights - buildings that come alive! Also, taking group shots, it is hard to ask just anyone to use your DSLR and snap away. You are better off setting it up, use a remote trigger to shoot.

Oh, get a carbon fibre one - it's much lighter (esp when you have to lug it around). Sirui makes reasonably priced ones. I have not outgrown it yet, so can't think to justify getting a Manfrotto or Gitzo.

Remote trigger $15 for original.
Small, cheap, prevents camera shake, a buddy for tripod use. No brainer.

Lens Pens $12
Forget the cheap imitation ones (I tried those). Get the original, it works wonders in cleaning lenses. Not that expensive anyway. Get a few.

Spares
Keep a spare battery; and spare memory card with you.
Not a lot of money, but will save your neck (forgot to charge battery, left memory card somewhere).

2. Understanding basics

It's fun to research about equipment, and go buy them. But the quality of the photos, is more about how you use what you have, then what you have.... really!

a.Start by understanding the basics 
Aperture; Shutter Speed; ISO. Don't be afraid to use Manual mode - it isn't as scary as it seems. Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure is a great book to start off with. Highly recommended. Gives you confidence to shoot in manual. I also found Scott Kelby's trio of starter books an easy start, not too technical.

b.Understand how your camera works

Know how to switch from auto-focus to manual focus, or single point focus. Know how to change the settings quickly.

c.Understand the uses and limitation of the various lenses

There is no 1 best lens. There always is a compromise, for each lens. So be familiar with each of your lenses, know which is good for what circumstances - so that you don't have to drag all your lenses out with you (they are heavy!).

Then go shoot lots, experiment with the settings, trial and error. It's how you learn, build and gain confidence.

3.Workflow and Raw

I hated shooting in Raw, because the in camera Jpeg always turned out better processed. That is until I got hold of Adobe's Lightroom. This is a highly highly recommended software to get.

Firstly, it auto imports all your pictures, files them (how you want them to file), allows you to add key words, flag them, put star ratings on them - a fabulous database management to help you sort through and find thousands of pictures easily. Getting it all set up, is a pain. But short term pain, has long term gains.

Anyway, after searching and researching, this is my workflow.
a.Put SD card in computer

b.LR detects and imports. I add in auto-tuning and basic keywords to the whole batch.

c.I sort all my pictures in Countries/Cities, then get LR to file the pictures in dates via sub-folders. Doesn't matter how you decide, just be consistent.

d.I go through the pictures quickly, cull them down to typically half or even less.

e.I go through them again, flag those I want to process

f.Then I "develop" those flagged pictures, changing temp, tones, light, change to B&W etc. Note that LR's changes are non-destructive, so any changes can be undone. Presets available make developing easy! and you also have the option to finetune it bit by bit, if you want.

g.I also add in more specific keywords/ratings to the final selected pictures.

h.Finally, I export them as Jpeg into a temp folder - to publish to Facebook or other websites. Also easy to sync folder to iPad/iTouch/iPhone. 
Sometimes I add simple watermark, size changes depends on what I want to use them for. The good thing is, you can export numerous times, easily.

Ok, with the above, shooting in RAW works the best.
No added steps, seamless, and with RAW, you retain all the info captured, so you really don't have to bother with white balance anymore, and keep the picture at the highest quality. Sure it takes up more space, but SD cards and hard disk space isn't all that expensive nowadays. A 16 GB SD card (costing $30) can take more than 1000 raw files. That's plenty. I keep an extra card with me, just in case.

4. Learn, and keep learning
In today's world, access to information has never been easier (or more complicated!). I researched a lot of the above info, from the internet, forum postings, photog websites, magazines, youtube etc.

Favorite Magazine: Digital Camera (S$6.50 per month).
Favorite Website: Digital Photography School
Favorite books: Digital Photography by Scott Kelby; Understanding Exposure by Bryan Petterson. Both excellent books for the beginner.

5.Join others

Also, I've joined a facebook group of Indonesian Photographers (Motoyuk), where we submit pictures with all the technical advise, and get critiqued! Very humbling first time, but you'll learn how others see things, people with more experience give advise how to improve the shot. Also you'll see what kind of shots others shoot, with different technique and settings.

It's worth linking up with fellow like-minded enthusiasts, whether through Facebook, and a real life club. And great fun too!

6.Where to post/host your pictures?

I'm a regular facebook poster. Ok, that may be an understatement....
Besides facebook (which is more social), I did think about where I can put my pictures,in a more serious way?

http://www.flickr.com.  
Too large a community, your photos get lost. I use it only to host pictures, where I want to post pictures in forums.

http://www.smugmug.com

I thought about doing a facebook page, or setting up my own photography website.
I wanted a place to showcase my "work". I didn't find Flickr's format to be all that inspiring. Tried out Wix; Smugmug and others. In the end, I found Smugmug to be the easiest to use, and nicest.

Well, after the trial period, I didn't sign up for Smugmug. I am not earning any money from photography, don't have any clients, no one to showcase my work too.

Honestly, for my own purpose, uploaded to Facebook is good enough for me.

http://500px.com
This is a place, for more serious photographers. You can upload your pictures, and other photographers can rate them. It's also a great place to see fantastic pictures!
When I first uploaded (10 at a go), I got views, some ratings and comments.
Unfortunately, the later pictures, had zero views. Maybe better to upload in batches.

7.Post online/Enter competitions

Something I only recently tried, is to see where you stand. I've started submitting a few photos for either online curated galleries, or competitions - just for the hack of it! You don't lose anything, but I will raise the bar/standards.



http://www.fineart-portugal.com  
A curated gallery. Very high standards, only top 24 each day are published. I've never made it....
You can only upload like 1 picture 6 days?

http://www.podiumfoto.com
The lesser cousin. Also curated - but no quota, and standards are lower. I've submitted 7, and all 7 have been published. Bit of a morale booster :)

You can only upload like 1 picture in every 4 days?


http://www.pixoto.com/images-photography
My current favorite website, and highly addictive.
No limit to uploading pictures, ALL your photos get "competed" against others of the same category, and you'll be scored and ranked. Almost instant feedback for how good a picture is, rated by fellow photographers.
Besides the competing part, the pictures are inspiring, gives you ideas on things to shoot.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/gpindo/
There are also facebook groups, where you can post pictures. I've been posting a few times, get some comments or "likes" - which is an ego inflating thing :).
Strangely, 1 pictures which was posted, which slipped unnoticed (no comments or likes), instead ended up as this....


http://www.gphotoindo.com/?p=22782

8.Setting goals

Well, that's my 1st year.
For 2012, I'm thinking of setting some photography goals.



a.I want to learn how to shoot the "Brenizer" method, like this shot.
http://www.ryanbrenizer.com/2011/12/panorama-on-the-sly/

b.Flash
I'm flirting in getting a flash, or reading up more on flash.
I don't really know how to use one properly, and have no intention (for now) to do fashion shoots, or cumbersome complicated shoots with multiple flashes.

I think it would be a useful skill to shoot indoors, with a flash, without it being obvious a flash was used.

c.Full frame?
Big sensor, high ISO sounds very tempting. The day I can tell a FX picture from a DX picture, is the day I'll get the D800. Yes, it's a slippery slope.... haha.

ok, that's it from me for now. If you have questions (assuming there are readers... haha), ask!
Happy shooting :)

Soo Sing

He's got the whole world... in his hands.

There are times that are good.
We're comfortable, safe.
Family's good, work may even be good.
Everything goes according to [our] plan.

Then things start to spiral out of control, freefall.
We awake from our slumber, barely.
Work hard, fight harder.

Reprieve. For a while.
Then we realize that we aren't kings of the Universe, our Universe.
Not even of ourselves.
And turn to the real King of the universe.

A short prayer.
Hope for the best.
Maybe God will be happy to Negotiate.
I scratch your back, you scratch mine.

Things continue to spiral downwards.
Hard work fails.
Good deeds goes, unanswered.
God's back doesn't need to be scratched.

Despair.
Where is God - when he is needed?
When I need him.
I need to hear him.

We finally are really brought to our knees.
God has my undivided attention now.
We run out of words to pray.
Agony and groans
The Spirit prays for us.
with words, only He knows.

The Galaxy Maker
Creator of the Universe - so large that we measure distances in how long it takes for light to reach. Speed of light, travelling for millions of YEARS, and it still hasn't reached the edge of His Creation.
Creation, that was spoken into being.

And yet, our small lives, are tenderly guarded
By Him
Who sent his own Son
to die for us.

No galaxy is too big
No problem too small
No lives too messed up
No sinner sinful
For our Sovereign God
Who holds us, in is Hands, nail pierced hands.

*********************************

Just realized that I wrote the above on 16 Feb 2011, but left it in draft.
Now that the storm has passed, I can see the light, and look back at God's marvelous plans and know that he is a God we can fully trust.

Jeremiah 29:11,12
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. THEN you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.