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Meet Mr Harald
When he was 48, he was informed by a doctor that his illness will never make him to 50.
“One fine morning at 5am in my office while i’m getting ready my paperwork, I have a sudden shocking moment and the first thing to come out of my mind is god. What have I did in my life? the sins that I made….Everybody is terrified of dying”
Since then, he became a Bible Missionary. He originated from Europe, stayed at Australia for a few years before deciding to travel to keep his promise to god. In Malaysia, he travel to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kelantan & Sabah. I met him at Gaya Street after being in Kota Kinabalu for about 1 week and might be travelling to Sandakan by next week. He was Philiphine before coming over to Sabah.
While talking to him, he quoted numbers of verse from The Bible and I ask him how he memorize each verse.
“Young man, I know you like photography. I know you can explain me about the aperture and the shutter speed, the light and everything about it. Same to me, I have been Bible Missionary for more than 20 years and I’m reading it until todaay. Can you see the similiar concept here?
His life and travel mainly depends on public donations.
I was on my way to the office this morning and decided to drive though Gaya Street when I see this guy with superb beard sitting on a bench reading “Knowledge Magazine”. I drove twice pass his sitting place and finally I make up my mind that I must go to him and take his portrait. The fear of getting rejected is always the issue here, but in case on being rejected, take the pill, swallow it and digest it. Then I got the confidence to approach him, spend a little time to know him, and lastly get the portrait. To my readers, meet Mr Jeremiah Harald. Phew…
Jeremiah Harald, 71.
Welcoming Ramadhan
Ramadhan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the month during which Muslims observe fasting from morning twilight (Fajr Prayer) to the evening twilight (Maghrib Prayer). During the Ramadhan, Muslims are to focus on reparation for wrongdoings and good deeds. It is also the most ideal time for them to rebuild community, organizational, and family ties severed by misunderstandings. 
Fujifilm X-Pro1 : Thaipusam Festival At Kota Kinabalu
Thaipusam is a key Hindu ceremony that is held each year during the full moon in the tenth month of the Hindu calendar – Thai – falling from mid-January to mid-February in the Gregorian calendar. It is mainly observed in countries where there is a significant presence of Tamil community including Malaysia. . It mark as public holiday in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Kedah, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Penang & Selangor.
I’ve been living in Kota Kinabalu for so many years but never heard of this festival being held around here. All this years, I only know this iconic festival attracts over one million devotees and tens of thousands of tourists at Batu Caves. I was looking for some photographic opportunity during Deepavali last year, when I see the note about Thaipusam at Sri Subramaniam Temple (KM22, Penampang-Papar Road in Lok Kawi). My curiosity about it lead me to ask one of the visitor at the temple, I am lucky enough to know that the person I talked to is one of the temple management team. He said it was actually held every year. Yes, every year here in Kota Kinabalu and I have never seen a picture of this festival that was taken from here.
With the information given, I managed to find the location where it being held. It was at Meruntum waterfront near Sabindo Traffic Light. I can’t wait a friend of mine, Rade to arrive when I saw the ceremony is already started. During the ceremony, I’m still curious will be there any piercing like what we used to see at Batu Caves. I decided to stay when the group of devotees carrying a pot of milk walks to Sri Subramaniam Temple. Then I just realise that the piercing ceremony will be held.
Since this was my first time covering Thaipusam Festival, I have no idea how and what to expect. These are some images I took this morning with Fujifilm X-Pro1 + Fujinon XF 35mm F1.4.
Pot of Milk
I can’t stay until the end of ceremony (I wish I could), I have another priority for family & to perform Friday Prayer. I learn a lot about this festival, next year I’ll aim for the eve Thaipusam. It much more interesting in Batu Caves, but I prefer to highlight the festival at Kota Kinabalu.
Related Post:
- Fuji X-Pro1 Shoots Landscape (Kota Belud)
- Tailor at Handicraft Market, Kota Kinabalu
- Fujifilm X-Pro1 Review (In My Own Words)
- Baby Portrait With Available Light
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Baby Portrait With Fujifilm X-Pro1
X-Pro1 With YungNuo RF603 Triggers & Nikon SB600
X-Pro1 With YungNuo RF603 Triggers & Nikon SB600
Image above taken with Fujifilm X-Pro1 with YungNuo RF603 triggering Nikon SB600. I didn’t plan to do any shooting that night, but I found a Lastolite Ezybox Hot Shoe Plate belong to a friend in my car boot. It was very light & had a hole just in case you want to use umbrella instead of soft box (someone please confirm me about this). So I decided to give it a try with my 24×24 soft box. My triggers flash sync is 1/125, set aperture to F2.8 and adjust my flash manual until it gets the effect I wanted. I was shooting myself at the beginning, and this baby boy just awaken from his sleep. It ended up me shooting him while my wife holding him to make him stay calm for a while.
Sulap (Hut) At Kota Belud
Kota Belud located about 1.5 hour drive from Kota Kinabalu City towards Kudat. It is the home of the infamous Bajau Horsemen nicknamed “The Cowboy Of The East”. The main reason of the nickname given is they are the earliest Sabahan ethnic group ever recorded know how to ride a horse. Beside of that, Kota Belud is also well known for its “Tamu” (Sunday Market) and Mantanani Island. Along the way up to Kota Belud passing Tuaran, we can actually enjoy the breathtaking view of Paddy Field and The Majestic Mount Kinabalu.
Being tempted by Azman & Rade about their plan to shoot at Kota Belud, i can’t resist to not to join them. So last Sunday, we actually planned to start at 4am but delayed because of uncontrollable circumstances. I made excuses that my phone alarm was sabotaged by my wife. We missed the sunrise which is our main idea for the photo outing.
Anyway, this is some shot which I intended to highlight about a hut (local native called it as “Sulap”) at a paddy field somewhere in Tempasuk, Kota Belud. Sulap is multi-purpose space, it is the resting place, temporary hut for farming tools and a place to stay (when it near to harvesting season) where they will hold ropes which plastic bags were tied along the rope and produce noise to chase away the birds (Pipit).
Related Post:
- Kota Kinabalu Night Market
- Gaya Street Sunday Market
- Tailor At Handicraft Market Kota Kinabalu
- Tadau Kaamatan – Portrait Series
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Hyper Portrait Photography Workshop by Yaman Ibrahim
When we talk about “Hyper Portrait” we will end up talking about Yaman Ibrahim. His iconic style of “Hyper Portrait” has been recognised worldwide. It has been 2 years since his first HP Workshop was held at Kota Kinabalu, and i missed the workshop. Since then, i always look forward if there next Yaman Ibrahim workshop to be organised. Not enough with his iconic “Hyper Portrait”, his travel photo especially India is really amazing. Those images rewards him many international photography award. I am really proud of him even we have never met before. He is in my list of “Inspiring Photographer”.
On 26-27 OCT 2013, his “Hyper Portrait Workshop once again held in Kota Kinabalu. It was organised by a handsome team, Agoesk SK, Affendy Soeto, Sharif Putra and Yusnizam Yusof. It was held in Arena Belia & Sabah State Museum for the photoshoot session. There were about 11 participant which comes all the way from Sarawak, Brunei & Sabah.
Image courtesy of Sharif Putra Photography
During his workshop, we learnt the importance of good lighting & composition. We kept reminded to get the super fine quality images as possible during the shoots, pre-visualization, explore various angles & different composition. Besides of that, he also shared with us stories behind his winning images. Everybody know’s his winning image of Taj Mahal, Yamuna River and a single lady.
The 2 images below are the result of what we have learnt in his 2 days workshop. I personally am satisfied with his excellent teaching skills, clearly he had nothing hidden “tools” that he will tell everything about his editing style. Thank you organiser for conducting the workshop & keep it runs smooth. Well done to every participant for your effort making your weekends learning more about photography & editing skills.
Me and Yaman Ibrahim
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Kota Kinabalu Night Market
After having coffee session with friends on one night, i took a short visit at Kota Kinabalu Night Market which located just in front of Le Meridien Hotel. This Night Market normally operates from 5pm to midnight. It was about 1130pm when i reach here. Nothing much happening other on this time except the hawkers busy cleaning their stall which then “transformed” into a cubical cabinet.
With very minimal lighting available, I was looking for any photographic opportunity. Besides, this is the time where the high ISO capability to be tested. These set of images were taken with Fujifim X-Pro1 with Fujinon 14mm XF lens. I am quite impressed by its performance.
Related Post:
- Gaya Street Sunday Market
- Tailor At Handicraft Market Kota Kinabalu
- Tadau Kaamatan – Portrait Series
- Faces Of Mabul (Monotone)
- Photo Essay : Business At Dusk
Tailor At Handicraft Market Kota Kinabalu
While conducting City Tour with our guest from Peninsular Malaysia last week, we made a shopping stop at Handicraft Market. It was our last stop of the day before returning to hotel. After giving a brief guideline to my guest, i let them explore the Handicraft Market. There were tailors just in front of the Handicraft Market, it always runs by men. While approaching our meeting point, i noticed there was a lady tailor are busy working on her customer request. This is unusual to see woman provides tailoring services here at Handicraft Market.
The only lady tailor at the moment
Child Photography | Backlight
I can’t describe how i really love backlighting. When I travel around, I always scout the best place for backlighting. There are actually countless good backlighting spots between Kota Belud and Kudat. Most of the spots are located just by the road site, but we still need to enter locals compound to be able to get the best composition. Kota Belud offering backlight with paddy field and chances to get some nice reflection too. When i drive back and fourth to Kota Marudu from Kota Kinabalu, I always want to stop by and take some picture. Time constrains, bad weather and most often is to pass this route not at the right time are the reason why i still have no photo of it until today.
Anyway, these are some backlight shots i managed to get recently at Kg. Indrason, Matunggong.
Child Photography | Backlighting
Child Photography | Backlighting
About the pictures above, all are taken with available light. The trade off for backlighting is we can’t really preserve clouds detail and it will appeared clipping highlight in our histogram. Those images then post-prosessed in Lightroom with VSCO Film Pack 04 presets.
PHOTOGRAPHY . TRAVEL . FAMILY 