The Bessa Files

2009-12-05T11:51:00.007+08:00

The typical life of a Tourist in Bangkok. Not having a
full persepective of culture, and the only places I
have been are just the streets, the touristy places
and also trying my best to find the cheapest bargains,
and the cheapest street food I can find :)

One blurry morning. This is taken out of accident,
but I still like the effect of it.

2009-12-02T10:30:00.004+08:00

The next series from Bangkok will be on shopkeepers.
It features the everyday life of a business individual,
from all walks of life, in the streets of this colourful city.
Titled in the series called, "Bangkok Keepers".

Bangkok Keepers

2009-12-02T00:38:00.009+08:00

I will start with the first series from Bangkok, Thailand.
They are called the stares. Suprisingly these people never
demanded that their photos to be deleted.

The Stares

2009-12-01T12:10:00.003+08:00

Finally, back from Bangkok. I've gotten some interesting street shots taken while I was there for a short 3-day trip. I will edit them and compile them up in series for uploading soon.

2009-11-24T10:51:00.006+08:00

I have certainly been slacking in taking street shots lately.
This is due to the hectic schedule at work. Hopefully
in the next few days I will be in Bangkok again.
So,... I do expect to take a few frames to update this blog.
Here is one to get the ball rolling. Even if it is
a crappy one :( Sigh.

Hug Me

2009-11-20T11:51:00.002+08:00

Will be working on a set, capturing
the essence of people, waiting.

The Waiting

2009-11-20T10:03:00.005+08:00

The younger generation are so detached from reality these days.
Completely dependent on technology, hence changing the form of
communication in our lives.

When Human Communication Fails

2009-11-18T16:17:00.002+08:00

I like the effects on this one. Motion blur on slower shutter speeds.

Rush Hour

2009-11-16T11:46:00.001+08:00

Distressed Calls

2009-11-16T00:52:00.001+08:00

The Citi Police

2009-11-15T23:01:00.003+08:00

Reminiscing the times when I was younger, living in
a place surrounded by kampungs that looks like these,
back in Malaysia. The feel, the memories, it's something that
can not be simulated back again. All because the course of
development has taken over all these gems, from the times of old.
I have finally found something like it (but never similar)
in this island city.

2009-11-15T12:14:00.008+08:00

Some thoughts ran through my mind when I
spotted this yesterday on a west-bound MRT ride.
Why are the elderly in Singapore doing these more often
these days? Are these signs of protests? Or are
they just wanting to get back to the simple life? Old habits
die hard? Or just plain wanting attention?

Singapore as many other major city of the world are also
facing an increase of elderly in society. With less benefits
or social services provided for these people as demand increases,
more and more of these elderly folks are forced into
a continuous chase for income to make ends meet.
The gold in cities like this,... often lacks the shine.

The Balancing Act

Digging Up Old Stuff

2009-11-13T00:30:00.005+08:00

Dug up some old stuff. Also taken from the street walks I had sometime back.

Lady : Ahyoyo,... sniper lah.
Man : Where? where?

Bow With Me

2009-11-12T14:47:00.000+08:00

Peace & Security

It's All Smells

2009-11-12T02:16:00.001+08:00

Christmas Shooters.
Yes they are already out.

B : Born To Kick Ass!
Something the feminist will agree.

2009-11-11T15:45:00.008+08:00

I got the priviledge to test drive the Olympus PEN E-P1. I must thank Olympus for the short stint in taking this camera out to the streets and testing it out. What did I find out about this camera? All I can say is, it has allowed me to be more confident in taking street photography with a digital camera, other than the Panasonic Lumix LX3 that I own.

I know I only have taken B&W so far, but I am trying to bring back the basics back into photography (composition and story-telling). It felt robust in the hand, compact enough to be less noticeable and it is solid metal body is well built. Though I would love to try this camera out with my M lenses, but I would have to purchase an M-mount to Micro 4/3 adapter for it first.

The B&W tones in the camera is a tad bit disappointing though. I am not sure if it is purposely done (with such wide mid-tone range) for the sake of increasing dynamic range? Only Olympus designers will be able to answer that. But I must say the grainy film art filter seems to be a regular fixture for me. This time, though lacking in mid-tones in the art filter, it is still easily fix with aperture and photoshop when shot in RAW format.

Well,... I am not sure how the new E-P2 will fair in the short test stated above, but the E-P1 is still one camera worth having for street photography. A tad bit noisy on the shutters, but I guess in an urban landscape, it is easily drowned by the city din. The relationship was good while it lasted, and thank you once again Olympus.

My last 2 photos from this little wonder. It's time to return it.

The Last Bill
Mum, I miss the E-P1 :(

2009-11-11T10:15:00.002+08:00

Get Back To Sleep City

2009-11-10T20:03:00.000+08:00

The result of vandalism

Men At Work

The Matrix II

2009-11-09T10:38:00.000+08:00

Firemen Access Only

2009-11-08T18:14:00.003+08:00

I must say this is the best shot I took last night.
I saw this while I was dining with my mates last night
at a restaurant here in Singapore. I just had to take the shot.
The guy sitting beside it, smile after I took the shot.
Goldilocks' Bear

Distressed Soldier

A Fashion Assassin's Favourite Weapon

2009-11-07T15:51:00.003+08:00

Up In Smoke
It looks like Orchard area is up in smoke from this view. But it is actually a storm cooking up. It has been a really wet few weeks. I guess you will see me shooting more in the rain soon.

Tired Of His Work (Literally)
Singapore has this work policy that allows older citizens to work even after their retirement. Sometimes, I wonder if these older folks still work to fill their time, or just to make ends meet.

Angels
Sometimes we see angels, like this man, helping the poor.

2009-11-06T09:55:00.002+08:00

Generations

2009-11-05T22:13:00.004+08:00

Waiting For The Train
Is it me or is it just optical illusion? The lines are straight,
but they still look slanted to me to a certain extent.

Peeps :)

2009-11-05T01:17:00.002+08:00

The Matrix

2009-11-05T00:59:00.006+08:00

Me with the Olympus PEN E-P1 + 17mm Zuiko M + VF1
(I have yet to return it to Olympus Singapore :P )

Spotting something different.

2009-11-02T22:29:00.003+08:00

Engrossed To Reflections

2009-11-02T09:52:00.001+08:00

A crappy shot on a Sunday morning. I am putting up so I get a chance to grouse about things like these.

A Sunday Morning Daydream

After a restless night before,
Was up early the Sunday after,
Bright lights made my eyes sore,
Felt like a real stoner,
Still dreaming, still dreaming,... dreaming.

2009-11-02T01:11:00.001+08:00

Found a small part of Singapore which is very much like HK. Closely packed residential flats.
Feels like HK

2009-10-31T20:51:00.001+08:00

Just outside my home.

2009-10-31T20:32:00.001+08:00

Local Boys Having Fun

2009-10-30T16:45:00.002+08:00

It seems dangerous to be a portrait artist who does commissions for clients because everyone wants to be flattered, so they pose in such a way that there’s nothing left of truth. — Henri Cartier-Bresson

2009-10-30T16:23:00.001+08:00

My apologies to film enthusiasts. My first posting will be digital.
Click on the picture to see the bigger picture.

Parked & Left For A Cuppa.
The chance of an irresponsible mother.

Yup,... like it is said.

Finally,...

2009-10-30T16:00:00.000+08:00

I am no fan of blogs, but I thought I should start one never the less. This blog will earmark my initial entry to the world of street photography. Inspired by the words of Henri Cartier-Bresson, I have decided to embark on this genre. This is to challenge myself to expand and hopefully hone my skills in "people photography". I will soon post some shots up,... taken on my trusty cameras, but mainly featuring the rangefinder Cosina Voigtlander Bessa R3A.

Quotes from Henri Cartier-Bresson that got the poison started:
The photograph itself doesn't interest me. I want only to capture a minute part of reality. — Henri Cartier-Bresson

Photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth which can make them come back again. — Henri Cartier-Bresson