M Nicole Make Up studio shooting at Haha Studio

It had been a while since I stepped into studio for shooting. Yesterday was the exam for the students of M Nicole Make Up and I was invited to join the event at Haha Studio (in Kota Laksamana, Melaka). It was rather a gathering with the photography friends where getting everyone together.

I didn’t do any studio shooting while I was there, however I took some behind the scene shots, chit chat with friends, and watched how professional the photographers, make up artists and models performed their work.

After the studio shooting, we went for an outdoor shooting which I had the chance to really get into action with the friends.

Thanks for inviting and it was a really great session. May all beings bEE happy. Sharing some of the photos.

The post Behind the scene – M Nicole Make Up at Haha Studio July 2012 appeared first on juesatta (CJ Photography).

2012 Wesak Day procession in Melaka

Wesak is the thrice blessed day to commemorate the birth, enlightenment (nirvana) and death (parinirvana) of the Buddha. On every Wesak Day in Melaka float parade is held; and a larger scale one is held on every decade of the celebration.

This year 2012, Wesak Day was celebrated on last Saturday, 5th of May and it also marked the 50th year Wesak procession in Melaka, one of the grand celebration. Procession which is normally held on the eve on Wesak Day however was carried out on Wesak’s night this year.

Thousands of devotees thronged Melaka town and some from outstation just came by and joined the celebration. More than sixty Buddhist Temples and organisations took part this year’s procession which covered 7.7 km, from the former site of Eye on Malaysia passing through Jalan Merdeka and Bukit Cina, to Kubu Stadium in Jalan Kubu.

Kenn-Wai, Fred Yap and I didn’t miss such a grand celebration. We gathered at the main entrance of Dataran Pahlawan shopping mall which was also the judging stop and enjoyed the colouful and brightly lit floats, performance by dragon and lion dance troupes, rhythm from several school bands, Chinese and Sri Lankan dances.

There were tens of photographers gathered there to capture their best shots in order to take part in the Wesak photography competition. So we had to get a little room to see and photograph the procession.

The last float was from Seck Kia Eenh Buddhist Temple as usual. And it passed through the judging stop just before midnight and it was only half the journey to Kubu Stadium. We wondered what time the procession concluded. It would be very late we guessed.

We enjoyed ourselves on that night. Although the Wesak procession is held here in Melaka every year, we would have to wait for another ten years to see such a grand one again.

Thanks to all the organizers, volunteers, community members, students and supporters for the hard work in helping to make this procession such a success.

Sharing some shots taken. May all beings bEE happy.

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Pre-Christmas atmosphere in Kuala Lumpur

Christmas atmosphere is almost everywhere in KL’s busy shopping malls now. After the street photography in Pudu with friends, we walked to the shopping area to have our lunch and certainly to feel in the spirit of Christmas.

We made to Time Square first as Fred had an appointment with a customer. Then through Low Yat Plaza and Sungei Wang we went to the Lot 10’s food court. It’s named Hutong Lot 10 food court, is offering variety of non-halal food that took us quite some time to decide what to have. I heard that each of these eateries is specially hand-picked by the CEO of Lot 10, Tan Sri Francis Yeoh. After a yummy meal, we visited Fahrenheit 88, Starhill Gallery and finally arrived at Pavillion.

At this time of the year, most malls in KL are dressed up in beautiful Christmas decoration and create special and magical Christmas experiences for the shoppers. Christmas trees, rein deers, Santa Claus and Santarina, angels, EElves, vibrant and colorful lightings, special Christmas’s delicacy and anything to do with Christmas are seen everywhere. We had recharged our energy after lunch and started to get some shots of the lovely environment.

It had been a decade since I strolled in KL city like this. I always think KL as a busy, stressful and hectic city. This visit however gave me a different perception. It was crowded and busy as usual, yet calm, relaxing and filled with laughter and joy. Perhaps it was simply that the festival atmosphere had taken over. The crowd just having fun, spending sweet time with family or loved ones, and hang out with friends.

So we too had so much fun and glad that we made it to this trip, not to mention meeting up with Robin and Chun-Chow. Thanks to Fred and Kenn-Wai for inviting me, and we are looking forward for a next time in near future.

Here’s wishing you all the joys of the season, may your Christmas be filled with peace and love. Happy Christmas!

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morning reading at Pudu's street

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure to meet up with Robin Wong and Chun-Chow in Kuala Lumpur together with Fred and Kenn-Wai. It was drizzling early morning when we left Kelana Jaya where we stayed at the place of Kenn-Wai’s sister. However and it turned out to be clear and sunny sky when we arrived at Pudu LRT station. The weather was really unpredictable in KL.

Even though I always took bus from Pudu bus station back to Melaka when I studied in KL, I didn’t know the place well. Robin does so he became our guide that morning. He first brought us to have a delicious Hakka noodle breakfast. As soon as we were done, so called shutter therapy session by Robin had begun.

Robin got us in the alleys, to the dry and wet markets. We were amazed by how lively the area was, and it was full of locals and foreign workers. Though we hardly see tourist over there. Most of the people there were nice even though some might not seem to be. I guess that’s the reason why Robin loved the place so much for street photography. We just discovered the other face of KL. We got to learn from Robin how he approached the crowd and captured the people so close.

Robin and Chun-Chow are experienced street photographer and familiar with the place. They knew exactly when and where to press the shutter. It was just their instinct. Fred, Kenn-Wai and I also tried to get some nice shots of the street but we rather enjoyed our walk with jokes until we reached the wet market at about 11:00 am. We couldn’t stand the strong smell of the market place under the hot sun so we threaded our way through the market quickly.

The photography session was smooth and everyone had fun. we decided to go Bukit Bintang area to take some shots of the Christmas decoration and atmosphere. While making our way to Time Square, we stopped by Pudu Plaza to have a break and share our captures with each other. Everybody gained valuable experience and intuitive knowledge in street photography from others.

May all beings by happy. Share some shots of the Pudu area:

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Renowned chef Gordon Ramsay (image from british-chinese.blogspot.com)

In January 2011, while in Costa Rica, renowned chef Gordon Ramsay was doused in petrol and held at gunpoint as he tried to uncover the dark world of illegal shark fin trading for a new TV show. Ramsay stated:

They told me they’d shoot me. At one, I managed to shake off the people keeping us away, ran up some stairs to a rooftop and looked down to see thousands of fins, drying on rooftops for as far as the eye could see. When I got back downstairs, they tipped a barrel of petrol over me. Back at the wharf, there were people pointing rifles at us to stop us filming. A van pulled up and these seedy characters made us stand against a wall. The police came and advised us to leave the country…..

Let’s watch this short video of Gordon Ramsay’s investigation on shark finning shared by my friend, Fred. Ramsay witnessed shark finning process and sharks having fins cut off whilst alive and being thrown back into the sea.

Shark’s fin itself is virtually tasteless and not only are the claims of its ability to boost sexual potency unverifiable, it may cause sterility in men if consumed in large quantities, due to the mercury content.

Read also the previously posted article Jaws wide open, eyes wide shut by Perry Gan.

As long as demand of shark fin exists, supply would be made to satisfy demand. So please take our pledge, promising not to eat shark fin anymore.

May all beings be happy.

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Prewedding - Tong Poh-Ling and Goh Seng-Chin

Congratulation to Tong Poh-Ling (Pohling) and Goh Seng-Chin (Goh) who just got married early this month!

Last month before the two tied the knot, photographers like Kenn-Wai, Fred, Angel Wee, Hanne, Andrew Gan, Angela Gan and I decided to give Pohling and Goh a special gift. We would like to present them a prewedding album in which photos shot and compiled by us.

Each of the guys has their unique style in shooting. Thus I was excited that I could join the session together because it was a good opportunity to learn them. We met out for a discussion as always before the shooting, planned a two-day sessions and selected a few venues in Melaka for making the photo album. Each would need to contribute a few shots and teamwork makes the dream work.

That morning, Pohling looked absolutely fabulous and Goh was just charming. We were all geared up. Although I spent half a day with the beautiful couples and fun-loving photographers, we enjoyed the session together so much. As for the outcome, I was fascinated by the way all of them worked and how they produced their images. There were so much things that I learned from the guys.

Thank you guys for the wonderful time and happy married life to Pohling and Goh. I hope you hold each other close in best or bad times and have trust and faith all the way.

May all beings be happy. Sharing some of my shots of Pohling and Goh’s prewedding:

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Stephenie and Danny in the wedding's tea ceremony

On a very hot day of December 2010, Stephenie and Danny were married in a traditional Chinese ceremony in front of their closest family and friends, including their adorable daugther, baby Ashley. Stephenie and Danny wore amazing Chinese customs which made the wedding day even more vibrant and joyous from start to finish. It was a true pleasure to be a part of their lovely wedding day.

Stephenie is the sister of my friend, Kenn-Wai. who is also a wedding photographer. He invited to join the joy the of big moment. Few of the good friends, Fred, Angel, and James were also joined to shoot on the very fine day. They have experience in wedding photography so it gave me a good chance to learn from them for the first time.

Congratulation to Stephenie and Danny. Thank you so much for having me along. May you both be happy always.

Shots after the jump.

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Congratulation to Stephanie and Danny

Thank you, Stephanie and Danny for giving me a chance to shoot your pre wedding two months ago. This was my second pre wedding shooting and I had the opportunity to learn from friends, Kenn-Wai, Fred, James, and Hanne, who love photography as much as I do.

Even though it was two long days of shooting, traveling from spot to spot in Melaka such as the beach in Klebang, paddy field in Pulau Gadong, rubber estate, hotel and A’Farmosa Resort, it was certainly one of my best shooting outing. We had so much laughter and fun doing together.

And congratulation on you marriage too! As a say of Amy Bloom, “Marriage is not a ritual or an end. It is a long, intricate, intimate dance together and nothing matters more than your own sense of balance and choice of partner.”

No matter what, both must constantly establish, work on, and maintain a healthy communication channel between you. We are all glad that you have found one another, whom to spend your life with, and wishing you both a beautiful and happy life together.

May all beings be happy. Sharing some lovely shots of the pre wedding after the jump:

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grief (family of victim in bus crash)

It has come to the mid of another month, October. A month of a fresh start.

Observe constantly that all things take place by change. We prefer stasis to change thus change is often very stressful and painful. When change happens, and it does for sure, do not resist it but to go with it.

Days ago, a horrific bus crash happened along the North-South Highway between the border of Melaka and Negeri Sembilan. The death toll increased to thirteen and many are still suffered from severe injury. That night I was there at the Hospital Melaka to witness the traumatic loss and grief in family members. It was heartbreaking to see the tears of the victims’ family and friends.

Loss is an inevitable part of live. There is simply no escaping it. As the American Psychiatrist, M. Scott Peck wrote in his book:

Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult — once we truly understand and accept it — then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.

Our deepest condolences go out to all who have lost friends, loved ones, and acquaintances in the terrible accident occurring. Our hearts are with you all.

May all beings be happy. Share some shots taken in September and October:

story building

fairy wheel

elegance

eye

night talkers

orbits

glimpse

posing (from left: Hanne, Danny and Fred)

mating

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"Hi there. May I take your order please?"

It had been a while since I had an outing with photonian. Two weeks ago on a Sunday, Max invited me to join a street photography outing at the Jonker Street of Melaka. There were 15 of us taking part in this event and each was required to shoot with only 50mm lens which was a challenge to shoot with a fixed range lens.

Angel Wee (left) and Angela Gan - street photography outing

We started at 4pm, a hot afternoon and spent about 3 hours at Jonker Street and the other streets near to it, such as Tukang Besi Street, Heeren Street, Tokong Street and others. It was amazing and interesting to see how fellow friends could use a variety of different angles of a subject and created unique and creative pictures. Everyone could be a teacher for me.

This photography outing was a great fun experience seeing that we had spent a precious time together and could share our photography experience with each other. Some of the shots I took of the photonians:

Angela Gan in a library at Jonker Street

"Dude, look! Someone's here! Hide!"

the two angels: Angel Wee (left) and Angela Gan

chopsticks with chinese horoscopes

handicraft wooden masks

a window

a cool girl stood at the street

"Caught you stalking, Chau-Kian!"

~dazzling

marriage = handicapped?

little lanterns

a dummy of the Orangutan House at Tukang Besi Street

"Jom! Let's go shooting" (Hanne Lim)

Hanne Lim was shooting traffic signs

Andrew Gan was sharing the shots he took with Hanne Lim

an uncle staying at the Tukang Besi Street was reading a Chinese newspaper

Fred in the bush

after squabble: Angel Wee (left) and Angela Gan

Chinese offerings in a shop at Tokong Street

Paper-man, a decoration of paper offerings

souvenir magnets of traditional Chinese clogs

souvenir magnets of Chinese opera masks

picture of a flower of clogs which Angel Wee took

white beard friendly uncle sitting at Jonker Street

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