a canvas of my peculiar thoughts..

Kari goes to the beach

2012-10-01T14:06:00.000+08:00

Spent our Monday holiday at Shek O Beach with some church friends. This was also Karissa's first time at the beach, so decided to make a mini shoot for her.

Hong Kong Flower Show 2012

2012-03-24T22:55:00.000+08:00

Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
March 18, 2012

The Hong Kong Flower Show is a major event organized by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department to promote horticulture and the awareness of greening. Every year, it provides a good opportunity for hundreds of thousands of local citizens and horticulture lovers all over the world to appreciate the beauty of flowers and share their experiences in the cultivation of flowers.

Tai Lam Country Park Nature Shoot

2012-01-07T22:00:00.000+08:00

After hibernating for several months, got another photo shoot opportunity today, which is also my first for this year. A colleague invited me for a nature shoot at Tai Lam Country Park. During the winter season, trees in the park will start shedding its leaves, particularly this maple-like tree that is native to the area. The grounds are littered with its red-yellow-orangey colored leaves.

Garmin Forerunner® 610

2011-12-05T19:05:00.001+08:00

All along I've been using RunKeeper on my smartphone to track my runs, but I hated it that every time I get inaccurate data or much worse, run out of battery in the middle of a long activity.

So I decided to ask "Santa" (a.k.a. my wife) for a GPS running watch as an advanced Christmas present. And *poof* - my wish was granted and I got a kickass Garmin Forerunner® 610. This nifty piece of equipment is dubbed as the next generation running watch. It boast new features like its touchscreen operation, virtual racer, custom workouts and more.

SEE IT IN ACTION:

UNBOXING PHOTOS:

Patagonia Nature Run 2011

2011-11-30T21:34:00.001+08:00

Tai Lam Chung Reservoir, Hong Kong
November 27, 2011

As described by the organizers, the 21km category of the Patagonia Nature Run 2011 is a beautiful and wicked trail course - hell yeah it is! Got a visual treat of the surrounding areas of the Tai Lam Chung Reservoir.

My official finish time is 4:10:02. There goes another action-packed trail running experience in the great outdoors of Hong Kong.

Salomon Lantau 2 Peaks Trail Run 2011

2011-10-10T22:07:00.000+08:00

Citygate, Tung Chung, Hong Kong
October 9, 2011

WICKEDLY CHALLENGING - that's how I would describe the Salomon Lantau 2 Peaks (Ngong Ping - 15KM category) mountain trail run. I've joined trail runs before, but this one falls under a whole new level. The whole course was a combination of steep stair ascents and descents, dirt trails and knee-busting hill climbs.

The highest point that we have reached during the race was 564m ASL, which gave a spectacular front-seat view of the 2nd highest peak in Hong Kong - Lantau Peak (934m ASL).

Despite having leg cramps at the early part of the race, I was able to complete the challenge with an official time of 2:56:22.

I just couldn't imagine how the 21KM catergory could have been. Probably, I'll give it a shot next year depending on my physical condition.

Here are some photos during the race:

Canon Photomarathon 2011 - HK

2011-10-05T00:06:00.000+08:00

HK Convention & Exhibition Centre
October 2, 2011

Have taken part in the recently concluded Canon Photomarathon 2011 - Hong Kong edition. This is the 3rd time I have joined this event, which is dubbed as the region's largest photo competition since it spans to several countries within Asia - Singapore, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc.

This event aimed to challenge the participants' photographic creativity under the pressure of time. The 3 themes for this year focused on nature (Theme 1: Green Hong Kong Low Carbon Living), local cultural heritage (Theme 2: Preserving Hong Kong Cultural Heritage) and food (Theme 3: Eat With Colors).

Here are some of my captures during the event:

Hong Kong Mid-Autumn Festival 2011

2011-10-02T23:24:00.001+08:00

Victoria Park, Hong Kong
September 12, 2011

lomo lomo - my first two lomo rolls experience..

2011-08-21T02:07:00.004+08:00

This set has long been overdue. It should have been a follow up post for my Lomo LC-Wide unboxing entry two months ago.

Oh well, to cut the long story short, I was too lazy to have my lomo film rolls developed much earlier, so I only did it the other day. 2 rolls X 36 shots = should have been 72 shots in total, but I dunno how I ended up with 79 shots. Moving on, some of the shots came out good, but some got messed up, so I was only able to salvage 50 shots. I think I need some more brushing up to do.

Here are the keepers:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

macro shoot @ shing mun reservoir

2011-08-16T00:21:00.005+08:00
Shing Mun Reservoir, Hong Kong
August 13, 2011

http://dickem000.multiply.com/photos/album/227/macro_shoot_shing_mun_reservoir
http://www.flickr.com/photos/derricklim24

My gear was sitting in my dry cabinet since my arrival in Hong Kong last June, so I've been wanting to bring them out for a spin to shake off the cob webs. Incidentally, my new colleague slash new shoot buddy, Panny, invited me to go for a macro shoot at Shing Mun Reservoir last weekend.

Unboxing my brand-spanking-new Lomo LC-Wide

2011-06-25T02:29:00.005+08:00
Last Thursday, I received a call from Lomography Hong Kong to inform me that my "toy" has arrived. So I was jumping around like a little kid getting some good news. I immediately rushed to their Sheung Wan store, which is just a stone's throw away from our house. After collecting the package, I went straight back home to unbox my long awaited toy. Here it goes:

Presenting: the Lomo LC-Wide!

Lomography warranty card with a free cotton ambassador bag

The LC-Wide package

Lomo LC-Wide stylish black wooden box

Side prints on the box

Side prints on the box

Ahhh! The smell of fresh air

Contents of the package: LC-Wide camera, 2 rolls of 35mm ISO100 colored film, 24x24mm (S) plastic frame, 17x24mm (HF) plastic frame, cable release, wrist strap, 2 hard-bound lomo books

LC-W kit

LC-Wide with a newly developed 17mm Minigon 1 ultra-wide angle lens

Ok, I'm all set now. I just need to figure out how to put the film into this contraption. Haha! Will post some pics later on if I'm successful. Tata! =)

Street Photography 101

2011-06-22T03:03:00.003+08:00
Need a break from hunting! Job-hunting that is.

Been planning to go for another street shoot here in Hong Kong. The last time I did one here was almost 3 months ago.

So I was surfing the Net to look for inspirations and possible shoot spots, when I bumped into this site with these interesting and useful tips for street photography. Read on:

1. Don’t worry about the camera so much, just take the damn photo.
2. Ditch the zoom lens and screw on some primes
3. Carry your camera gear in a messenger bag (it makes your camera & lenses easier to access).
4. Go for the candid look.
5. Go for the shock factor.
6. Smile often.
7. When shooting from the hip, your first 1000 shots will be terrible.
8. Don’t make eye contact with your subjects when trying to be discrete.
9. Imagine that the world is your stage and people are your actors.
10. Feel free to ask people to take their portraits.
11. Try to refrain from taking photos of the homeless (as most shots can be considered as merely exploitation).
12. Crouch when taking your shots, it often makes for more interesting photos.
13. Get close. Now take two steps closer.
14. Shoot with an all-black camera with your logos taped up with black tape (to make your camera look more discrete).
15. Go explore—serendipity is key.
16. The less planning, the better.
17. Ideal exposure for a bright sunny day: f/16, ISO 400, 320th/second.
18. Pretend like you’re taking a photo of something else.
19. Be respectful.
20. Change your lenses to re-inspire.
21. Follow your own style, not trends.
22. Don’t worry about the fear of shooting in public. It will go away over time.
23. In my 4 years of street photography, I have only had two people to ask me not to take a photo of them. (Your experiences will most-likely be similar)
24. Most people like getting their photo taken.
25. If a policeman asks you to delete a photo, tell him that you know your rights and refuse to do so. (edit 9-29-10)
26. There are no rules in street photography.
27. Always bring your camera with you everywhere you go. EVERYWHERE.
28. Don’t take photos, tell stories.
29. Limit the number of street photographs you see from the internet. The more you see, the less you will value your own.
30. You will be called by others as “weird” for your street photography. Ignore them.
31. Look for the beauty in the mundane.
32. Take photos that make people laugh.
33. Street photography is best experienced alone.
34. Constantly experiment and innovate.
35. Street photography doesn’t always have to be in black and white (although sometimes it does look better).
36. Grain is beautiful.
37. Hold your camera with your hand, not your neck.
38. Don’t be afraid of offending people. Most likely you won’t.
39. “The night is often more vivid than the day” – Van Gogh
40. Some of the meanest looking people can be the nicest.
41. Don’t make excuses. Make photos.
42. Never delete any of your photos. Some of the technically-off images make the best street photos (think blurry, grainy, or dark images).
43. Always keep your eyes open for the “Decisive Moment”.
44. If you think your photos are boring, they most likely are.
45. Street photography summed up in one sentence: “I could have taken that photo but I didn’t”
46. The quieter your camera, the better.
47. Don’t be sneaky.
48. Wide Angle > Telephoto for street photography
49. Everybody in the streets has a story to tell.
50. Street photography is not just about the photos, but the experiences.
51. You don’t need to be in Paris to take great street photographs. Your backyard is equally as good.
52. See life through the eyes of your subjects.
53. A well-cropped image can often tell a better story.
54. Juxtapose.
55. Look for the light.
56. Go off the beaten path.
57. Have the mind of a child and wander. This is how you will find your best photographs.
58. Only show your best photographs. This will strengthen your images.
59. If someone says that you are “really lucky,” slap them.
60. The more photos you take, the better.
61. Your subjects are people, not prey.
62. Spread the love of street photography with your friends and family.
63. Less is more.
64. Get meaningful critique of your street photography from an online community. It will help you tremendously.
65. Street photographs are subjective.
66. Look at what other people aren’t looking at.
67. Do not stress over amazing shots that you may have missed. Simply more on and strive to take a better shot.
68. Create a series or a theme for your street photographs. They will help create a style for you.
69. See with your eyes, not your camera.
70. There is no such thing as the “perfect photo”.
71. Timing is key.
72. You don’t have to take a photo of everything. Don’t feel guilty for just enjoying the moment.
73. If you are a beginner, don’t worry about the settings too much. Just toss your camera on auto mode and go shooting.
74. Don’t look for photo opportunities. Have them find you.
75. Children cannot see your camera.
76. If you ask to take a portrait of a stranger on the street, ask them for their email so you can send them their image. (they will love it).
77. Don’t forget to look up and down.
78. No subject is too ordinary to shoot.
79. Always carry a spare battery and memory card on hand. This has saved my ass half a million times.
80. Don’t be afraid to push your ISO higher.
81. Learn how to shoot without using the viewfinder and make it a second-instinct. Thus also…
82. Practice shooting from the hip.
83. You will never encounter the same shot twice. Now swallow that fact and digest it.
84. Street photography is a lot like swimming. You have to do it to truly learn it.
85. Draw inspiration from other photographs, don’t steal them.
86. Street photography is a lot like fishing. Sometimes you catch a whole bunch, sometimes you catch none.
87. Getting one or two keeps from an entire day of shooting is a good number.
88. If someone asks you to delete a photo of them, just do it. It isn’t worth the trouble.
89. Be smart: ie don’t go shooting in the hood by yourself at night with hundred dollars worth of camera gear.
90. Some street photographs just look better in color. Don’t overlook this.
91. There are always photo opportunities regardless of where you are.
92. Less is more.
93. A street photograph is worth an essay.
94. Public transportation is a gold mine for street photography. Learn how to use it.
95. Always keep at least two backups of all your images. Technology is unreliable.
96. Keep a journal of your shooting experiences. Track your thoughts and development as a street photographer.
97. Get lost in your photography and lose track of time.
98. Think before you shoot.
99. Have fun.
100. Live life.
101. Just do it.

Source: http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2010/09/101-things-i-have-learned-about-street-photography

Freedom Climb 2011

2011-06-14T04:54:00.005+08:00
Mount (Gunung) Panti, Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia
June 11-12, 2011

For the 2nd time, we have joined the Annual Freedom Climb 2011 organized by the Alliance of Filipino Mountaineers, Inc. (FIMOinc) to celebrate the Philippine independence last 12th of June. This event also aimed to set a new Guiness World Record for the most number of mountaineers to summit different mountain peaks in different locations (Philippines, Malaysia, UAE, Canada, Japan, USA, Papua New Guinea, China, New Zealand, South Korea and United Kingdom) within a 24-hour period.

View full album here.

View our past Freedom Climb 2009 photos here.

my first bikini shoot @ sentosa

2011-06-04T00:45:00.006+08:00
Palawan Beach, Sentosa, Singapore
April 29, 2011

http://dickem000.multiply.com/photos/album/222/my_first_bikini_shoot_sentosa
http://www.flickr.com/photos/derricklim24

Last Sunday's shoot was another first for me. Together with my colleague, Jason Gomez, we went to Palawan Beach at Sentosa for a bikini shoot this time. The day started out gloomy, but ended up sizzling hot - literally and figuratively **a big devilish grin on my face** ;b. Enjoy!

Meet the lovely models:

Alexia - She's a mix of Polish and British decent.

Marcella - My favorite among the 3 models as she really knows how to pose for a good shot. She's from Brazil and she loves Sinigang (a Filipino Tamarind stew).

Carla - Another Brazilian model.

LOMO LC-WIDE

2011-05-20T21:36:00.006+08:00
Lomography just unveiled their latest Lomo camera - the LOMO LC-WIDE. The functions and features looks cool and promising.

I've been wanting to try out Lomo for the longest time, but having second thoughts as I have no experience in film photography. Thinking thinking..

LOMO LC-WIDE

LOMO LC-A LEGACY

It's been 27 years since the Lomo LC-A entered our analogue life and took our hearts by storm with its shadowy framing, super saturated colours, sharp contrast and multiple exposures. To cherish this little camera in the past we even plated it with gold but never before expanded its lens. Now the day has come and we are welcoming the new offspring of the Lomo LC-A Legacy: The Lomo LC-Wide, that will challenge your Lomographic perception. It is a passionate celebration of the ultra-wide-angle. Still celebrating the classical features of the Lomo LC-A+, the Lomo LC-Wide adds a new dimension of format frenzy to its specially developed ultra-wide-angle 17 mm Minigon glass lens. Switch from half-frame, to square to full format and enjoy a new quality of wide-angle Lomography!

GO EXTREME

Go close, even closer than your perception of closeness tells you to and watch your favourite caterpillar being sucked into the vortex of this 17 mm glass genius. Go wild, even wilder than your mother ever allowed you to and dive into Ultra-Wide-Angle- Lomography! To up the ante a little bit we equipped the Lomo LC-Wide with three formats to choose from: full-, square- or half- format. If you don't want to think too much while you are shooting, switch to half-frame-format and fit an amazing amount of 72 shots onto one roll of 36 shots film. Fans of retro will stick to the classic square format while panoramic shots are most effective on the full format.

ULTRA-WIDE-LOMOGRAPHY

No matter if you are hooked on breathtaking panoramic shots or if you are more the-closer-the-better-type, we designed the Lomo LC-Wide to satisfy lovers of all extremes. Its delicate 17 mm Minigon glass lens combines the classical features of the Lomo LC-A with an ultra-wide-angle that will open your eyes to an unknown extent. Follow your curiosity and let the Lomo LC-Wide take you into the wide! With all this options, the Lomo LC-Wide catapults you in a format frenzy that triggers unbelievable creativity and proves itself to be a trusty offspring of the Lomo LC-A Legacy.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Exposure area: 36 x 24mm, 24x 24mm (square format), 17 x 24mm (half frame format)
Film Type: Standard 135 roll film
Lens focal length: 17 mm
Maximum aperture: 1:4.5
Angle of view: 103 degrees, 89 degrees (square format) 81 degrees (half frame format)
Focusing range: 0.4m - infinity
Maximum shutter speed: 1/500
Minimum shutter speed: Unlimited
Auto exposure mode: Programmatic
Exposure range: Unlimited ~ EV18
Multiple exposure: Manual shutter cocking with independent MX switch
Film sensitivity supports (ASA/ISO): 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Flash: X-type synchronization hot-shoe
Tripod socket thread: Standard 1⁄4" tripod socket
Cable release: Universal cable release socket
Overall dimensions: 108 x 68 x 44.5mm
Weight: 220g (film and battery not included)

WHAT THE HELL IS LOMOGRAPHY

The Lomographic Society International is a globally active organization dedicated to experimental and creative snapshot photography. Boasting over a half-million members across the world, the concept of Lomography encompasses an interactive, vivid, blurred and crazy way of life. Through our constantly expanding selection of innovative cameras & photographic accessories, we promote analog photography as a creative approach to communicate, absorb, and capture the world.

Through the efforts and skill of our Lomographic Society members, we seek to document the incredible planet around us in a never-ending stream of snapshots – literally a global "Lomographic" portrait as seen through the eyes of countless individuals and cultures.

PRESS CONTACT
Lomographic Society International
communications@lomography.com
T + 43-1-899-44-650
www.lomography.com

Macro Shoot @ Tampines Eco Green

2011-05-14T19:13:00.006+08:00
Tampines Eco Green, Singapore
May 12, 2011

http://dickem000.multiply.com/photos/album/221/Macro_shoot_Tampines_Eco_Green
http://www.flickr.com/photos/derricklim24

After so much procrastination, I finally managed to go for another bug shoot during my rest day. Was thinking of going to Venus Drive or Pasir Ris park, but I ended up going to Tampines Eco Green. This is a newly-opened nature park in Tampines, which offers a haven for biodiversity and has various natural habitats such as marshes, secondary rainforests and freshwater ponds.

Little India / Chinatown / Marina Bay shoot

2011-04-23T03:11:00.007+08:00
Little India / Chinatown / Marina Bay - Singapore
April 18, 2011

http://dickem000.multiply.com/photos/album/218/Little_India_Chinatown_Marina_Bay_shoot
http://www.flickr.com/photos/derricklim24

Decided to go for an impromptu street shoot with my colleague Adam Shah last Monday. We strolled around the Little India and Chinatown area. Later that evening, we met up with another colleague, Ranma, and did some night shots at Marina Bay. Enjoy! ;b

Little India

Gopuram (entrance tower) of the Sri Veeramakaliamman temple

Coke truck offloading at an alley

A door bell at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal temple

Some Hindu deity

Chinatown

A Singapore magnet souvenir being sold in one of the Chinatown shops

Sri Mariamman temple gopuram idols

A Mao Tse Tung figurine being sold in one of the Chinatown shops

Marina Bay

Marina Bay Sands at night

Repost: buona vista railway model shoot

2011-04-12T15:23:00.002+08:00
Buona Vista, Singapore
March 13, 2011

http://dickem000.multiply.com/photos/album/216/buona_vista_railway_model_shoot
http://www.flickr.com/photos/derricklim24

Repost: sunday shoot with maureen

2011-04-12T15:17:00.002+08:00
Emerald Hill, Singapore
February 6, 2011

http://dickem000.multiply.com/photos/album/214/sunday_shoot_with_maureen
http://www.flickr.com/photos/derricklim24

Repost: macro shoot @ pulau ubin

2011-04-12T15:11:00.002+08:00
January 22, 2011
Pulau Ubin, Singapore

http://dickem000.multiply.com/photos/album/213/macro_shoot_pulau_ubin
http://www.flickr.com/photos/derricklim24

Repost: first macro attempt

2011-04-11T23:57:00.002+08:00
Tampines Mountain Biking Trail, Singapore
January 18, 2011

http://dickem000.multiply.com/photos/album/212/first_macro_attempt
http://www.flickr.com/photos/derricklim24

Repost: HK and Macau trip

2011-04-11T23:50:00.002+08:00
Hong Kong / Macau
December 30, 2010 - January 8, 2011

http://dickem000.multiply.com/photos/album/211/HK_and_Macau_trip
http://www.flickr.com/photos/derricklim24

Repost: railway model shoot @ buona vista

2011-04-11T23:34:00.004+08:00
Buona Vista, Singapore
October 16, 2010

http://dickem000.multiply.com/photos/album/207/railway_model_shoot_buona_vista
http://www.flickr.com/photos/derricklim24

Repost: outdoor model shoot @ emerald hill

2011-04-10T20:37:00.003+08:00
Emerald Hill, Singapore
September 11, 2011

http://dickem000.multiply.com/photos/album/201/outdoor_model_shoot_emerald_hill
http://www.flickr.com/photos/derricklim24

Repost: Fort Canning HDR

2011-04-10T20:27:00.002+08:00
Fort Canning, Singapore
August 28, 2010

http://dickem000.multiply.com/photos/album/198/Fort_Canning_HDR
http://www.flickr.com/photos/derricklim24