It’s been a while since the last update on my site. Nearly forgot about it.

Anyway as an update. I was in motorcycle accident that broke my spine in two places earlier this year in April. 19 April to be precise. The doctors at CGH fixed me up good, affixed 12 screws and 2 rods, all made of titanium. If you’re wondering if they be taken out of my back at some point? No. They’re in me, for good. So yes, I avoided disability and death because I chose CAKE!

So those of you who have been following my updates and tweets,  I mentioned I wanted to do a comeback promotion to celebrate my return to work and my miraculous survival. The following are the promotion packages I thrown together. So I thought everyone should have their CaKe and eat it. Heh.

The Social Media Profile Mugshot Makeover $99 

You are upwardly mobile, internet-savvy, and rule all social media networks. I suppose you want to look good in all of them. So to help you in that pursuit, I will help you style your shots to suit your personality. You will receive 5 digitally retouched images. Pictures are resized for your Facebook and Twitter profiles (and one for your Twitter background image, like the one seen on my Twitter page). Final output sizes of up to 1000 pixels on the long side. A package worth $150.

The Corporate Look $149

Get that professional look that you want. You want to look great for your CVs (and perhaps your LinkedIn account)? Let me help you. You will get 5 digitally retouched images, in print (up to 3000 pixels on the long side) and web friendly sizes. A package that is valued at $250.

Two’s Company $299

Specially designed for couples. Just 2 hours of your time and a change of 2 outfits, shot in the studio. Get 10 digitally retouched images, all ready to go for print or share on the web. You will also get one 8″ x 10″ (8R) print on Premium quality paper by Cosmic Egg valued at $85. A package originally priced at $500. For $125 upgrade option, you can could choose an outdoor location of your choice. Choose picturesque spots like the Botanic Gardens, The Marina Barage, Gardens by The Bay, etc, limited to places on the main island of Singapore.

So I hope you come and give me your support. I have made easy for you buy into this. You can “buy” the coupons online through this website using PayPal (or you could send me a cheque). Please drop us an email should have you any questions. This promotion will run from today till the 12 July 2012 and purchases for this promotion will have a validity of 3 months (till of 12 October 2012). If this proves to be popular, I may either extend the validity period or the promotion itself. So buy, share, gift.

Thank you all once again for your love, care, concern and your prayers.

The Edge of a Perfect Day by Kevin Lee

Taken late last year with one of our favorite models so far. It was a concerted effort between Callan and myself. It is no surprised that we both have rather similar pictures. So since the new 500px account, I’m more incline to work on the old stuff that has been sitting at the back of my harddrives collecting digital dust. So here’s one of them above.

In other news, my partners have convinced to give 500px a shot. 500px is like flickr but the main difference as noted by Callan, that 500px is not a dumping ground for pictures. There are sections which exists on the site that are carefully curated by the editors. I am pretty impressed with interface and simplicity of the site and most importantly the right to vote up or down photos or works. Something which most socially-driven sites often lack, a ‘dislike’ button. I like the ‘dislike’ button.

So after trying it out for the last 6 days or so, I signed up for an “awesome” account which removes certain limitations (which the site has quite few off to begin with). With the paid account, I am also allowed to use a subdomain to point to the portfolio on 500px (see the link about in my menu bar). Oh by the way, I got 10 bucks off from using the promo code ‘FRIENDS’ which seems to be valid still. So yeah, 40USD for the first year. Check out the specs here.

Looks like I’ll be bringing my entire collection to the studio for some serious cam-whoring.

It’s been a while since the last one which was held in February on Sentosa. This edition returns us to the heartlands. A particularly old neighbourhood, Macpherson, where cats and old folks abound. Interspersed with kids and young adults going about their business on a Saturday morning. Strangely enough, the residents (and resident cats) there were, by and large, friendly and most did not share away from our cameras.

Have a look at my flickr set below. Entirely taken on my Canon 5D Mark II and 85L.

So after the long wait for them to settle in nicely, here are proper pictures of them together and alone minus the flying fur and claws.

A event to reconnect supporters with previous speakers of TEDxSingapore

Was invited by a friend to help cover the event. Held at the School of Thought, an event space owned by the same guys that brought you Food For Thought, a socially responsible restaurant. Considering it was my first TEDx event, I think it went pretty well. I went in representing CaKe to shoot. I’m glad I was there to help; got to make new friends and watch a couple of videos on how TED and their various distinguished speakers have made a difference and impacted lives elsewhere.

One in particular was JR, the TED prize winner for 2011. He is a photographer, so what he was saying in the video resonated with me on a deeper level. You can check out this YouTube video, though it is not the  exact same one I watched that day.

Truly inspirational. I look forward to more TEDx events this year for sure.

The basic SYHO had us going through vocal training and various static exercises, but at the same time the program that Deborah Torres Patel designed was truly about self-expression in its freest form. She gave us the ability to look beyond the technical aspects and dig deep within ourselves. That was in September 2010. So happy doing it I was, I signed up for the advanced course.

SYHO Advanced took a small group of us into a recording studio over the last weekend. More advanced techniques were taught, harmonies and stuff. But what really impressed me was the recording sessions that went on. Being a close space, I was allowed to bear my soul. Thoroughly enjoyed the process, since I do need the processing myself. In the 4 days, the group of us who have met before in other occasions have drawn closer, as well as to Deborah herself too. We made new friends along the way, along with Baby Brat (I have no idea what her real name is heh) who was the sound engineer throughout.

So right now, I am inspired and downright determined to learn some guitar skills. Let’s see how that works out for me.

On the last day of the course, I took some pictures as keepsakes.

Featuring the soft sultry vocals of a friend and 4 major cities around the world. Enjoy.