When PhotoAsia first started in 1992, it was known as Picture Library. In August 2009, it changed its name to PhotoAsia Picture Library.

“The old name has accomplished what it was set out to do: promote Malaysian stock photos by Malaysian photographers. We will now focus on expanding our collections by introducing photographers from all over the world with a focus on Asia,” said Ms. Doreen Lau, the founder & Managing Director of PhotoAsia in a press release in 2009.

Following the name change PhotoAsia now specializes in the marketing of images of Asia, Asian and Malay lifestyles with an emphasis on the multi-racial culture & their colourful diversity. PhotoAsia is a library where you will find images off the beaten track, charmingly rustic and unique in its simplicity. Over the past 20 years PhotoAsia has earned a reputation for marketing the best quality images with the most creative interpretations of popular scenes which will live up to their tagline that POWERFUL PICTURES SPEAK!

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We will be closed from 8th – 12th February 2013.

We open for business as usual on 13th January 2012.

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         ”   My new book Enchanting Malaysia has just been released by John Beaufoy Publishers (www.johnbeaufoy.com) of the United Kingdom. This 80-page full colour book is basically a photographic documentation of Malaysia as an exciting and vibrant travel destination.

The book has just been released and should be available in all good bookshops by now. It is part of a series that complements two other similar books that I have written – Enchanting Singapore and Enchanting Borneo.I am now working on Enchanting Langkawi as well as Enchanting Bali and Lombok. Other titles include: Cambodia, Philippines, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand

The book is competitively priced and sells for just RM39.90 in Malaysia but is cheaper for bulk purchases or for those who plan to stock and sell the book. It will make an excellent corporate gift, souvenir of a holiday in Malaysia or something to send back home to the relatives.

Dedicated print runs are also possible for large numbers so if your organisation are interested in using the book as a corporate gift or sale item on a large scale, contact me and I can speak to the publisher about a dedicated print run or special purchase price.

I hope you like the book enough to want to buy it and stock it.

David Bowden

+6019 224-3302

davidbowden.travelwrite@gmail.com

AUTHOR of Enchanting Malaysia (Published by John Beaufoy Publishing UK), 2012 – an exciting new photographic book on vibrant and multicultural Malaysia.

AUTHOR of EnchantingSingapore (Published by John Beaufoy Publishing UK), 2012 – a colourful new photographic book on this exhilarating Asian holiday destination.

AUTHOR of Enchanting Borneo (Published by John Beaufoy Publishing UK), 2011 – an exciting photographic book on the world’s most intriguing island.

WINNER SABAH TOURISM AWARDS 2011 – BEST ARTICLE on SABAH

WINNER of ASEANTA BEST TRAVEL STORY in SOUTH EAST ASIA 2010

WINNER of ASEANTA BEST TRAVEL STORY in SOUTH EAST ASIA 2007 ”

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Pilgrims at the Ka'aba, Mecca © Ahmad Faizal Yahya/PhotoAsia

Wishing all our Muslim friends & clients

Selamat Hari Raya Aidiladha

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Time to chill out and relax at the beach© age fotostock

Hello, everyone!

PhotoAsia is going on vacation from 10th – 14th September 2012.

Business as usual on 17th September.

Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

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1. Do not touch the head of an adult. Touching people on the head is considered rude. In Thailand, the head is the most sacred part of the body as well as the most spiritual. Do not touch the head especially of someone older than you. Beware of this cultural taboo when you are directing someone to pose at a photo shoot. Always ask the person for permission before you touch his/her head.

2. Do not point your feet towards people or sacred images. The Thais considered the feet as the “dirtiest” part of the body. So at all cost do not point your feet or crossed your legs in the company of Thai people. Be careful when you are exercising or stretching your legs – make sure that you are not pointing your feet at anyone.

Be careful not to point your feet at anyone © Blend Boost

3. Take off your shoes. Shoes like feet are considered unclean. In most Asian countries, you must take off your shoes when entering someone’s home or places of worship. It is customary to leave your shoes outside when entering a Malaysian home, temple and mosques.

4. Dress appropriately in places of worship. When visiting a place of worship, it is very important to dress & act appropriately, meaning head, shoulders & knees should be covered.

5. Do not step over people or food. Stepping over people or food is considered rude. So be careful when walking along busy Thai beaches and side walks of Bali which are often littered with religious offerings.

Do not step over people or food at crowded beaches © Imagebroker

6. Do not point forefinger at things. Use the thumb of the right hand with four fingers folded under instead.

7. Do not eat with the left hand. Always use the right hand for eating and to receive or give something to another person. It is considered discourteous by the Malays to use your left hand to eat, hand over or receive things.

Always eat with your right hand © age fotostock

8. Do not point with your chopsticks. In Asian countries there are many different rules when using the chopsticks. Generally it is best not to use the chopsticks to point at things or skewer your food as this is disrespectful. Leaving your chopsticks sticking straight out of a bowl of rice resemble funeral practices and should not be done while eating.

9. No physical contact in public. In Islamic countries, no physical contact between members of the opposite sex is allowed in public. So do not be offended if your offer of a handshake is not reciprocated by a Muslim who is of the opposite sex.

10. No public display of affection. Public behavior is very important in Malaysian culture and in most Islamic countries. Most Muslims including Malaysians refrain from displaying affection such as embracing or kissing in public.

11. Respect Thai royalty. In Thailand royalty are almost religious icons. It is a criminal offence to insult or joke about the King & Queen of Thailand or to damage any images of them. So be extremely careful when in Thailand. Even an innocent act of stamping on a rolling coin carrying the images of  the King & Queen is not allowed.

The above are the common taboos that all travellers should know and observe. Rule of thumb is always to ask permission before you act and when in doubt. Do not take a photo of somebody without asking for permission. Most Asians believe you should not take a photo of three people. Remember not to take pictures of anything to do with the military which is considered a breach of national security.

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Asking Dad for forgiveness ©Discpicture

Wishing all our Muslim friends & clients Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri
Maaf Zahir & Batin

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Fireworks at Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia © Wong Sze Fei

In KLPF 2012, the travel sector is getting a bigger exposure with the setting up of one hall specially dedicated to the FITE (Free Independent Travel Exchange) where opportunities are open to travel business operators and travel organisations to offer their products directly to free independent travellers. Amongst the highlights of KLPF 2012 are:-

• Photo-creator of the Year 2012 where Malaysian photographers are set to vie for the award. This award recognises the creativity and potentials of emerging photographers in Malaysia. Participants are required to submit their work based on the theme “Seni & the City” where “seni” means art in the Malay language.

• “City” a photography exhibition through which we hope to encourage people to observe the surroundings of a city or to savour the process that is transforming our city. This exhibition is a collection of photo images submitted by members of the public.

• A special photo exhibition “Brushed by the Wind” takes on a pictorial travel to the southern part of the African continent spanning across countries like Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. Also not to be missed are our regular interactive sessions like forums and seminars (Photomania and Travelmania) that are the all-time favourites of visitors every year. 

KLPF is open to the public and admission is free of charge.

Please get more updates in www.klpf.com.my. For enquiries, please contact us by email: klpf@pcp2u.my or tel: +603-9281 8039

Sultan Abdul Samad building in Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia © age fotostock

Date: 5th – 7th October 2012

Time: 11:00 a.m. – 09:00 pm

Venue: Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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During Ramadan, in addition to fasting, Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Quran © Pixtal

Ramadan is considered to be the most sacred month of the Islamic calendar. It is a time of spiritual reflection, a month of blessing marked by prayer, fasting and charity. It is a time where Muslims are expected to put in more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to work on spiritual improvement, self-sacrifice and increased devotion & worship to Allah.

Close-up of bowl of dates © Pixtal	A few dates & a glass of water are usually the first foods to break the fast. © Pixtal	Muslims buying fresh dates in a market © PhotoAsia RM
After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal known as iftar. © PhotoAsia RM	Breaking fast, a time of fellowship with families & friends © PhotoAsia RM	Muslim family breaking fast © age fotostock

After the last day of Ramadan, the next day is the month of Syawal. The first of Syawal is the day all Muslims in Malaysia call Hari Raya Puasa or Aidilfitri. It is the day of celebration after a successful 30 days of fasting. The celebration starts the night before, as almost all household will be preparing food such as ketupat, beef rendang and other  “raya cookies”.

Ketupat © Discpicture

Beef rendang © age fotostock

Assorted Arabic sweets © Gulf Images

Praying during Aidllfitri © age fotostock

The morning starts with the prayers at the mosque, as men, women and children will pray together to bid farewell to Ramadan and welcome Syawal, the month of celebration. After that, they will return home and all family members will gather to ask forgiveness, from the youngest to the eldest in the family – that is why you always hear them say “Maaf Zahir dan Batin” (meaning forgive me physically and spiritually). Some who have lost family members or parents will be going to the cemeteries to recite prayers on this day as an act of remembrance.

Reciting prayers at the cemetery to remember loved ones © age fotostock

Then comes the best part – the feast! Abundance of food can be found in every household celebrating, where the culture of “open house” is normally practiced throughout Malaysia in the Muslim homes. The open house is a concept whereby Muslim homes will welcome visitors like relatives and friends to celebrate for the entire month of Syawal. This is to promote togetherness and to rekindle the love for  our fellow men.

Asking parents for forgiveness © Discpicture

Open house, a Malaysian concept, of welcoming guests to their homes to celebrate a festival © age fotostock

Visiting Muslim friends to celebrate Hari Raya © PhotoAsia RF

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Deepavali, popularly known as the “Festival of Lights”, is celebrated in Malaysia on 13 November this year. Also known as Diwali, the celebration involves the lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. These lamps are kept on during the night and the Hindu community clean their houses before the festival, both done in order to welcome the goddess, Lakshimi.

Family decorating house with garland of flowers © Pixtal	Rows of lighted oil lamps © Dinodia	Couple holding oil lamps infront of their lighted up home © PhotosIndia
Diwali colors to decorate homes © EasyFotostock	Diyas & flower arrangement for Diwali © Pixtal	Girl holding Arati plate for the festival © age fotostock
Family sitting infront of their completed kolam/rangoli © PhotosIndia	Woman lighting lamp for the festival © age fotostock	Family lighting oil lamp for Diwali © age fotostock
Variety of cakes for Diwali © age fotostock	Indian delicacies & offerings for Diwali © age fotostock	Mother dressing up daughter for Deepavali © Discpicture

In anticipation of the festival, Hindu homes are cleaned and decorated with kolam placed on floors and walls, traditional oil lamps or colorful electric bulbs to brighten up their abodes to signal the coming festival.

Beside cleaning their homes, the Hindus also prepare themselves by cleansing their bodies and minds. Many devout Hindus fast or observe a strict vegetarian diet, spending many hours during the preceding weeks in prayer and meditation. This is also the time when past quarrels are forgotten and forgiveness extended and granted.

On Deepavali morning, many Hindu devotees awaken before sunrise for the ritual oil bath. For some it is a symbolic affair (to signify purity) while others take full oil baths to remove impurities externally to receive positive energies. Then wearing their new clothes, it is straight to the temples where prayers are held in accordance with the ceremonial rites. The rest of the day is taken up by entertaining their non-Hindu guests, as is customary in Malaysia, by sharing their many delicious Indian delicacies such as sweet meats, rice pudding and the popular murukku.

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