LAWA Photography

#Event 23 Feb 2014 ~ #K.Lmodeststreetfashion Meet and Greet LANGSTON HUES with Special Guests: Mizz Nina, Natasha Hudson & Felixia Yeap

2014-02-23T11:49:00.002+08:00

Calling upon fashion lovers for a meet and greet with American photographer, creative engineer and hip hop artist, Langston Hues, on his KL tour for his current project, the global Modest Street Fashion (MSF) movement, which commemorates the emerging culture of modest street style that has erupted around the world.

This networking event aims to bring celebrities, fashion brand and boutique owners, fashion bloggers and like-minded individuals under one roof to connect within a growing faith- and personality-driven fashion trend. It is also an opportunity to introduce and create understanding of Langston’s featured Modest Street Fashion movement. In doing so, we hope to raise contributions in support of this self-funded project, which ultimately contributes to placing the growing global trend of modest fashion at the forefront of contemporary design and fashion conversations.

Featured Guest: LANGSTON HUES

For more information, follow Mohammed Langston and his Modest Street Fashion on the following online platforms:
- http://www.langstonhues.com/
- https://www.facebook.com/mlhues
- https://www.facebook.com/langstonhuesofficial
- http://www.instagram.com/LangstonHues
- http://twitter.com/LangstonHues
- http://www.modeststreetfashion.com/
- http://www.youtube.com/ModestStreetFashion

Special Guests: Mizz Nina, Natasha Hudson & Felixia Yeap

------------------------------
Date: Sunday, 23 February 2014
Time: 8pm – 11pm
Venue: Talent Lounge, PJ Arts Trade Centre

Dress Code: Modest Street Wear!

Travel | Sawadeeka #Thailand #SouthernThai #Floatingmarket

2014-02-01T12:13:00.002+08:00

Khong Hae Floating Market is the first floating market of southern Thailand. It intended to retrieve old-way trading of the local people that depend on the waterway transportation.

Outdoor Photoshoot | Beautiful shades of purple #Sari #Indian #Culture

2014-02-01T12:11:00.000+08:00

Malaysian singer-songwriter Yuna, Promoting Nocturnal in Kuala Lumpur #Blog

2014-01-31T10:41:00.000+08:00

A journey to Bromo, Indonesia #Blog #Bromo

2014-01-31T10:34:00.001+08:00

Preview Berbuka Puasa buffet at Tropicana Golf Resort with #Redmummydotcom

2013-06-22T10:57:00.000+08:00

thanks for inviting us....and yes the food is GOOD!!!

Visit the Bajau People by #FaizalOrtho

2013-05-25T10:31:00.001+08:00

(Published by http://gubsphotologue.com/blog/visit-the-bajau-part01/)

The Bajau are an indigenous tribe from the islands of the Sulu Archipelago, South Philippines. They are nomadic people live a seaborne lifestyle as sometimes been referred to as the Sea Gypsies. The Bajau speak in Sama-Bajau language. Since hundred years ago they spread over to the state of Sabah and many territories of Indonesia. They are the second largest ethnic group in Sabah.

My journey began in Kuala Lumpur and took me to the Tawau Airport, Sabah, an about 3 hour flight from Kuala Lumpur. In city of Tawau I took about 2 hours road trip to Semporna, a little town in Tawau.

For the information, the majority of Semporna population are the Bajau people. Most of them live in the suburb floating villages. Around the coasts of Semporna also live thousands of the Bajau Laut. They are one of many nomadic ethnics living off the sea by trading and subsistence fishing, spending most of their lives on the boats.

There are many alternative routes from Semporna. From here the trip can only be continued by boat. I chose to visit the islands of Labuan Haji, Salakan, Budgaya, Bohey Dolang, Sibuan, Maiga, Omadal, Bintang Biru, Mabul and Kapalai.

It took 5 days at least to visit and explore all the mentioned islands. The trip started at 05:30 and returned when sun set. To make it easier, I made a stay in the villager’s house in Salakan island. The island is strategically located since it has relatively close distance to other surrounding islands.

My note about the islands I visit, generally inhabited by many Bajau people. They live in the floating houses and boats on the islands’ offshore. When there is a family member dies, they will bury him in the land.

Maiga island – I think – is the island with the most beautiful Bajau people lives. There are so many Bajau children spending time by playing on the sea. Their happy laughs give such beautiful colors to the villagers.

Omadal is the island with the most Bajau people. Bohey Dolang is the most beautiful island with crystal clear water and amazing hills. No Bajau people live there because of the island’s status as the nature conservation zone by the Malaysian authority.

Kapalai is the island with so beautiful sea garden. Paradise for diving and snorkeling lovers. Mabul is a tourism destination. There are many resorts there. They have electricity powered by diesel engine.

Bintang Biru is actually an island that doesn’t exist on the map because it is located in the middle of deep sea which apparently getting shallow. There are some Bajau houses in the area. The name Bintang Biru was given by a famous Malaysian photographer who had visited the island long time ago.

That was my short trip to see the life of Bajau people.

Best regards,

Faizal Ortho

Faizal Ortho

To be continued..

Post Event: Secret of High End Portrait Photography Workshop

2013-04-28T10:54:00.001+08:00

Hands on workshop with Mr. Rusdi Sanad

Thanks to all whom attended the workshop and Stay tune for our next workshop schedule...

Secret of High End Portrait Photography Workshop ~ 20 April 2013

2013-04-10T10:28:00.001+08:00

We are organizing a SPECIAL workshop with Mr. RUSDI SANAD on Secret of High End Portrait Photography Workshop.

To participate kindly register at www.lawa.biz/register

Seats are limited...register today !!!

Beautiful Places in #Malaysia....

2013-01-31T16:30:00.001+08:00

Interior Photoshoot for IKEA Magazine

2013-01-29T17:10:00.000+08:00

Faizal & Intan ~ Moments and Memories

2013-01-05T10:35:00.002+08:00

Anugerah Juara Lagu 27

2013-01-04T15:23:00.000+08:00

in collaboration with www.redmummy.com

Tips for Photographing People

2013-01-01T11:48:00.000+08:00

Top Tips for Photographing People

Posted: 21 Jan 2013 08:01 PM PST

Interacting with your subject

I’ll start with what I feel is the most important thing to think about. As a photographer of people, the relationship I establish with my customers is key. Not just because they pay me, but also because I want to get the best from them. I spend a lot of time and effort getting to know my clients. I have spent all my life working with people and I use all of my skills to really understand what makes them tick. It can make the
difference between nicely shot photographs or beautiful images that really show the emotion between them.

To achieve this I not only get to know them but I let them get to know me, I share my personality with them. I build up a trust that means when I ask them to do something they do it, believing in me. That’s what you need to do. You probably won’t have time for three meetings and a pre-shoot before hand like I do with my Brides and Grooms but you can still achieve something.

Do you know the subject at all? No? Then before you take any pictures spend some time getting to know them and letting them get to know you! Chat over a cup of coffee. Relax in each other’s company.
If you already know them quite well still take some time to talk before you start. Tell them what you are going to do, what they should expect as you take their picture and you make their portrait. Ask them about the style of pictures they like.

Calm their fears if they say, ” I don’t like having my picture taken.” By the way 99% of people say that to me and my aim is to hear them say, “I really enjoyed that” after a photo shoot! This time invested will pay fantastic dividends as you start to shoot and they are relaxed and trusting with you. I will talk about children in more detail in part two but getting to know your subject and explaining what you are doing is even more vital when you’re photographing children.

Composition

This is the second most important thing to consider when you are making someone’s portrait. The picture won’t only show them it will show their surroundings and maybe other people or objects. Are you able to take the subject where you want or are you limited to say their garden or a room in their house?If possible, go to the location before hand and have a look around. Look for places that will make a good backdrop. Don’t discard anything, it doesn’t have to be a nice view. One of my favorite places is a beach in Devon where there is a beautiful old stonewall! So how do you choose a place?
Keep in your mind that your picture will be about a person or persons, so wherever you choose it shouldn’t ‘take-over’ the picture. Nor should it be the focal point or be too distracting. What would make it distracting? The eye will tend towards areas that are bright or colorful, so look at your background (and foreground) carefully. Is there anything in it that will take the viewers eye away from your subject? You should consider carefully exactly where you place your subject against your chosen background.
Make sure that they don’t have a building, lamppost or other object growing out of their head! Move yourself or your subject! If you are shooting inside someone’s house don’t be afraid to ask him or her to move (see below reference lighting) and ask them to take pictures and personal effects down from the walls! You need to decide whether you are going to shoot your subject at full length or whether you are going to ‘crop’ in close.

“Best Friends” captured by Raquel Perryman. (Click image to see more from Raquel Perryman.)

What ever you decide, the rule is to avoid the joints. Don’t end your picture at a joint such as the knee as it can make it look like the limb has been amputated. It is fine to crop a limb but just not at a joint.
Lastly, think about where you will place your subject in the frame? Dead center is fine, but can be a little boring. Placing the subject off center (in the left or right third) looking into the unused space can look really nice and pleasing to the eye. Put their head in the top third too.
My biggest piece of advice to improve your composition is to look at pictures in books and magazines. Look at how they are composed, where is the subject and how are they placed in the frame. Look at what you like and copy it!

Lighting

You don’t need to be an expert a bunch of fancy gear to take a nice, well-lit picture. The best light to use is natural light and the best natural light is overcast light. The main reason is the bigger the light source the softer the light and what bigger light source could you get than an overcast sky? There are other advantages like the lack of harsh shadows; your subject won’t be squinting and colors are not all bleached out, as they would be in bright sunlight.

If it’s a sunny day and your only chance to photograph this person, don’t despair. Move them into the open shade and make sure there is some light falling on them. If there’s no shade and it’s bright sunlight you have to make a choice. The classic choice is to have the sun falling directly on the face. This will light them up but it will be hard for the subject.

The other thing you could do is to have the sun directly behind them. This will necessitate the use of some fill in flash to light up their face. It works best if you can alter the amount of flash that is fired at the subject until it is just enough to give a nice natural look to the face. If you can’t alter the amount of flash then be aware that it may look a little bit unnatural. You could always move back to lessen the amount and crop later in the computer back to what you originally wanted.

If you can only shoot inside, use the natural light from an open door or a window. Place your subject so this light falls gently on their face–it will even work through the glass if the weather is not cooperating. Try to avoid using direct flash in their face wherever possible. You could also use a reflective surface to throw light onto the subject. You don’t need to pay out on expensive reflectors, but if you do, use white for older people as it’s kinder on the skin and silver on the younger faces to give them more zing!

Avoid gold reflectors unless you really want to give your subject a golden glow. A piece of white card or a white sheet will work well in the absence of a reflector. The closer the card/sheet to the subject, the more light that will fall on them. Experiment by moving it around until you find the best spot. Remember to make sure it’s not in the picture; you might need a helper to hold it for you! You could also use a mirror but the effect will be much more pronounced so place much further back.
About the Author:
Marion Frances Photography is a professional wedding photography company in Devon, providing a complete wedding photography service.

Article from: PictureCorrect Photography Tips

Corporate : Launch~ Program Kesedaran Halal Bagi Pembaca Cilik

2013-01-01T11:05:00.000+08:00

SPECIAL REPORT: Gathering Akbar Alpharian II - Bali, 23-25 November 2012 (Peak)

2012-12-27T14:07:00.000+08:00

After sufficient rest, the participants re-assembled in the dining room for the Gala Dinner as the culmination of a series of events Alpharian Gathering Akbar II. In the pool, the committee has prepared a number of events that could have heats the atmosphere that night was already feels stifling. Luckily it wasn’t raining.

The event opened with the presence of the entire committee, which was led by Faizal Ortho as Founder Alpharian on stage to blow out the birthday cake Alpharian the 4th by 20 November 2012. Guess what, it’s also Andi Zainal also CZmania birthday. So the event was even better with cake and they were thrown in the pool….hahaha

Once satisfied to see Tiger Dance, the audience is presented Fashion Show presented by the four previous models have been widely photographed by the participants at BCC during the day. The four models is of course true woman: D. Having previously completed and interspersed with the distribution of lucky draw abundant and interesting, and there came a time for judging picture presented by Edwin Sutjipto and guided by Goenadi Harjanto. In addition to providing criticism & suggestions for the photos that have been entered into the competition committee, Goenadi Harjanto also appreciate the foresight of the winners to take the shooting angle and composition that makes them deserved to be the winner.

Continuation of the show again filled with division is still abundant lucky draw, until there is one participant, Herry bona fide, who are willing to dive into the pool to get their prizes in the session peak. The committee invited comrades Sony Alpha users who come all the way from Malaysia to deliver a number of impressions and messages for all Alpharian. They come all the way from Malaysia and not at all disappointed with the warmth and togetherness that occurred at this time Akbar Gathering. They hope to bring more friends from Malaysia when Akbar Gathering III later in 2014. Very different from the world of football, in the world of photography we're all friends, including between Alpharian Indonesia and Malaysia Alpharian.

Not to forget, the committee Gathering Akbar gave a number of awards at the head of the committee and the sponsor as a sign of gratitude for their hard work and support for the smooth running of this event. Eventually we reached the end of the Gathering Akbar Alpharian II to close at 00.00. All participants have the same expectations that Akbar Gathering III could soon be followed by many more participants, especially those who are currently unable to participate.

The next morning, most of the participants returned to their hometown. There are also a number of participants who stay in Bali either for work or simply enjoy Bali travel any longer.

One thing is for sure, the show is not just rah-rah but also has added a lot of insight into the participants many things in the real Sony Alpha system. Not a few participants who take advantage of this event as a venue for buying and selling photographic devices. Regardless of no ivory that is not cracked the whole Alpharian hope that the implementation of Akbar Gathering III someday be more successful.

SPECIAL REPORT: Gathering Akbar Alpharian II - Bali, 23-25 Nov 2012 (Day 2 - 1st Half)

2012-12-27T14:00:00.000+08:00

The second day of the Alpharian Gathering colored with a number of activities includes majority of outdoor photo hunting. The first event begins at dawn with group dispatched to the Sanur beach to catch the sunrise. Indeed, in the end form of the sun not rising to the expectations of all participants, but at least the weather is overcast severe and many participants are still able to get a good beach atmosphere with colorful sky complete.

After breakfast, participants were bus to a cultural center named in Ubud Bali Cultural Center (BCC), where Balinese culture and heritage captured there. In addition to the opportunity to relax and enjoy the BCC, the participants served with lunch, performances of Balinese dance and fashion shoot session. Second day main focus was in the photo contest and the winners will be determined later in the evening. Participants are satisfied by the committee in the presence of four models with different characters, so that improvisation can be done.

Satisfied photographing model’s participant, choose to relax, chatting and mingling with other participants. The Sony Indonesia through Iris Worldwide also invited the local media as well as those imported from Jakarta. A special question and answer session led by Danu media Sagoro, Faizal Ortho and some other committee. Shortly before returning to the bus, group picture was taken at BCC’s arch. After that, all participants returned to the hotel for a rest before the peak of the evening.

SPECIAL REPORT: Gathering Akbar Alpharian II - Bali, 23-25 Nov 2012 (Day 1)

2012-12-27T12:20:00.000+08:00

NB: Many thanks to Sony Indonesia (Danu Sagoro), Dimensions Photography Solution (Iwan Tirtha & Cherly Jong) and Faizal Ortho (Founder of Alpharian) + Alpharian entire committee and members for inviting us, Portalpha Dot Net, to cover the entire event “Gathering Akbar Alpharian II - Bali, 23-25 November 2012. The whole picture was taken in reporting using a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 (Thanks to Iris Worldwide Sides, Regina and Saints).

If there is a community based photography camera brand that grew strong and rooted in a bottom-up, his name is Alpharian. On 20 November 2008, Faizal Ortho founded Alpharian and was initiated from the website as an electronic forums. ALPHARIAN is a SONY Alpha Photographers' community platform for the entire Indonesian region. It was initiated and built as a non-funded community to strengthen connections, friendship and brotherhood of SONY Alpha or Konica Minolta users. This community is open to anyone who is interested in the photography world. In this community, all are equal. Here we can come together to share and learn from each other. ALPHARIAN is hoping to grow and to receive positive response from the world of photography, especially in Indonesia.

At present, Alpharian is the biggest SONY Alpha Photographers' community in Asia. It (www.alpharian.com) currently have 8,112 members, five administrators, 20 moderators and regional leaders, and more than 30 active threads, and have received 20,072,327 unique visits from various walks of life. All activities, administration and management of the community are done on voluntary and donation basis from our members. We are now in our fourth year running, and our second bi-annual gathering will be held on 23-24 November 2012, in Sanur, Bali, Indonesia. Celebrating birthday Alpharian to-4, all managers agree to hold Akbar II Gathering in Bali with the theme "Bali, I'm In Love". Reporting is reporting the first day. We will shortly publish reportage second day.

On December 23, the show started after lunch because of the large participants was still arriving from various parts of Indonesia. In the picture the fourth event and the speakers seem committee was chatting about the world of photography and Sony's latest Alpha.

After unwind and become acquainted, the participants photographed one by one to participant's identity card making. The show started in the hall and proceed by introductions fellow members. The event opened with Balinese dances.

After preceded by Balinese dances, officially opened the event and symbolic beating gongs by Faizal Ortho Alpharian as Founder & Danu Sagoro as representative Sony Indonesia. The Administrators & Moderators Alpharian forward to introducing themselves to the participants. Not forgetting the participants are invited to enjoy a photographic exhibition shots. Alpharian members who had previously been through the process of curation. Afterwards is a free event where participants are welcome to put their luggage in the hotel room that has been provided by the committee. It appears a number of participants’ busy sight-seeing the product demo carried by a team of Sony Indonesia, including Sony DSLT-A99 and a Carl Zeiss lens.

After hours of rest and free time, the event continued with Coffee Break and presentation about the latest products Sony Alpha professional class, namely Sony DSLT-A99. First exposure brought by Danu Sagoro as representatives from Sony Indonesia.

Participant’s being exposed to both the practice field presented by Cherly Jong who is professional photographers as well as Founder Dimensions Photography Solution. Cherly many explain technical things about photography and Sony DSLT-A99 that had been poorly understood by most photographers. It appears a number of participants had Lucky Draw prizes or the ability to answer questions. The event was followed by Exposure Rules & Ethics in Alpharian Dot Com sung by Faizal Ortho & Francis "Accoustica". Once the event is over, many of the participants gathered around the table transactions Dimension Photography Solution in collaboration with Sony Indonesia to provide Sony Alpha products, lenses and accessories with attractive discounts.

The participants were hungry with studio photography techniques will be satisfied with presentation event with speakers Rusdi Sanad, a commercial photographer. As a sponsor, the team Oktagon describes the technical details of their flagship studio lighting products, namely PROFOTO. Looks a number Participants were lucky with Lucky Draw, the participants came up at the end of the event in The first day of the session hosted by Travel Photography Goenadi Haryanto, senior photographer that has a lot to travel to all corners of Indonesia. Participants were moved to cast questions on technical assistance to legal rights Copyright rewarded with attractive prizes from sponsors. Closing the first day of the event is token of appreciation’s ceremony for the speakers.

Translated from source: www.portalapha.net

Sami Yusuf Album Launch #EventCoverage

2012-11-08T12:33:00.001+08:00

in collaboration with redmummy.com

Corporate - Lagenda Budak Setan 2 Movie Preview

2012-10-22T16:53:00.000+08:00

in collaboration with Redmummy.com

Product Photoshoot for Pelangi By Sisters

2012-10-03T17:07:00.001+08:00

for Batik Contemporary Shawl range....visit them at PelangiBySisters

Hijab by PelangiBySisters

Quotes & Photography

2012-09-28T11:30:00.001+08:00

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it"

Mystery Lady Behind The Veil...

2012-09-21T02:00:00.000+08:00

Better Photo Tips - Lines in Your Photos

2012-09-20T20:00:00.000+08:00

"Green-field" captured by Mario

Place a pencil tip to the paper and lift it up. What do you have? You have a dot, a circle, or a starting point. Now place that pencil down and move an inch in any direction. What have you created? You have created a line.

You have moved beyond the starting point, and created the basic building block of everything visual in the world. Think about it; squares, triangles, stars, rectangles all start by creating a line. A photo tip worth remembering is: lines can be positive or negative. If you have a photo that shows a road diagonally going from the lower left corner to the upper right corner, and there it blends into a beautiful sunset . . . that’s a positive line.

On the other hand, if you shoot the same sunset and the road runs horizontally from left to right; that would be a negative line. Why? Because it is going side to side and NOT interacting with the main subject, therefore it distracts. It may only be briefly, but most viewers will jump back and forth between the sunset and the road, and wonder where the road is going.

Many young couples like to hold hands while taking their picture. That’s fine, but if they hold hands and their hands are down at their side, it literately points away from the couple and makes people stare at their feet. On the other hand; if you have them holding hands and they bend at the elbow so their hands are closer to their face . . . that visual line actually points back to the couple. The second photo tip is: lines can reinforce your subject or distract.

One of the reasons most portrait photographers avoid hands, is because it is so easy to accidentally shoot them uncomplimentary. Imagine a young couple where the man in a friendly loving manner puts his arm around the young ladies’ waist. If the fingers show up in the shot what does that do? They usually end up pointing either to the waist or the stomach. Most women really don’t want you looking at their stomach or waist. It’s not the viewers fault, but if you have five little lines pointing back to the belly it’s very hard NOT to look in that direction.

Captured by Junior Chinchay

As we have demonstrated when two lines meet they form a point. When two lines actually cross it does something different that is also hard to control. Have you ever heard the phrase X marks the spot?? If a tree branch crosses a fence or a fence crosses a road, its’ almost like posting a sigh that says, “Look HERE!” If your subject is in the upper right corner and you have a visual X in the lower left corner, your mind will go back and forth. It will be extremely difficult to just concentrate on the subject. Photo tip number three: avoid the visual X at all cost, unless your subject is directly in the middle of that X.

Photo tip number four: lines convey thoughts and feelings. Horizontal lines represent rest or relaxation. Vertical lines often give a mental image of strength. Diagonal lines tend to give a feeling of movement. Curved lines are loose and flexible (usually considered sexier.) Jagged lines suggest energy or conflict. If you are trying to create a calm, peaceful scenic photograph and you have several sharp jagged lines in the image, your photo is already in conflict with itself.

To summarize these are important photo tips to remember about lines:

A) Lines can be positive or negative.
B) Lines can reinforce your subject or distract.
C) Avoid the Visual X.
D) Lines convey thoughts and feelings.

"tunnel" captured by karpusha

Since all shapes are formed with lines, it stands to reason that all subjects are affected by lines. It does not matter if you are taking pictures of people, trees, or cars all subjects have their own natural lines. Be aware of the lines of your subject, around your subject, and those caused by your subject. Lines can be your best friend, or your worst nightmare. Use these photo tips to your advantage and take your photographs to the next level.

Article by;
Award winning writer / photographer Tedric Garrison has 30 years experience in photography. As a Graphic Art Major, he has a unique perspective on the Elements of Design and how those elements relate to all aspects of photography. His photo eBook “Your Creative Edge” (http://www.betterphototips.com/creativeedge.htm) proves that creativity CAN be taught. Today, he shares his wealth of knowledge with the world, at: http://www.betterphototips.com.

Source: Picture Correct

Media Prima & Wuuhuu Online Open House

2012-09-17T17:48:00.002+08:00

in collaboration with Redmummy.com