Veritas Images | Professional Photography in Metro Vancouver

VI Blog has Moved!

2011-08-02T14:52:00.000-07:00

I'm very happy to inform dear VI Blog readers that this blog has found a new home within our Veritas-Images.com website.

While blogger has been a great and does a good job for blogging, I felt that it seems like an off-shoot. So when I embarked on a redesign of our main website, I have decided to integrate this critical important part of our company into the website itself!

I promise the new blog over at the website will just be as fun and photo filled as it is here! Really! Promise! OK OK check it out yourself.

See you there!
Anne & Alwin

www.veritas-images.com

the Clarkes | An Afternoon at Home

2011-07-21T23:17:00.000-07:00

We can still remember our last email to Rae & Dan back in May assuring them that mid-July would be perfect day for a photoshoot. The weather would be great out by sunny Tsawwassen, BC!
Oh how wrong we were! The cloud seem to cluster over our car as we drove towards the Clarke residence.... all the way to their home. It's summer and it feels like grey damp March except that there are no Cherry Blossoms.

Ding Dong goes the door bell....

Outside might be dull and grey, but the Clarkes were ready! No pitter-patter on the window sill is gonna prevent Felix heading out to the park to feed his turtles! But level heads prevailed, so we decided to wait a bit at home in hopes of the rain would stop. While we're waiting it was neat to capture some their home life moments....

The rain didn't stop. The park will have to wait. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves nonetheless! Stay tuned.

Metal Prints now available!

2011-07-18T21:43:00.000-07:00

Here at VI world headquarters, we are always up to trying out new stuff. One of which that came our way are photos printed on stainless steel! High heat is used to imprint the image onto the metal plate. Images have the same high resolution as the paper prints but definitely will not bend nor fold.

I find that the smaller ones (5x7 or 8x8) make for cute displays on an easel.

Metal prints comes with a floating block so that you can mount it on the wall. I think large ones will definitely make a stylish statement. Overall we feel these metal prints are great as art deco pieces. Certainly something different from the classic canvas prints!

Feel free to contact us for sizing options!

the Tecsons | Generation Connection

2011-07-03T21:18:00.000-07:00

July 1st, 2011. First it's Canada Day and second Prince William & Princess Kate were visiting. How cool is that! Third for us is this.... Four generations of connection all in one location shoot. Really an unforgettable experience for us. Our apologies that we can't make it to your photoshoot Will & Kate, you'll just have to settle for the other photographers. =)

We had the pleasure of shooting photos for the Tecsons earlier in spring at Granville Island. We're back again this time at their beautiful home in New Westminster to include Lola, Lolo and great-Lola! It was truly a privilege to capture the loving moments of four generations. This session will no doubt remain one of our most memorable photoshoots at VI!

...Of Butterfly Kisses and Tutu

2011-06-14T20:46:00.000-07:00

I can still remember the first time I saw her. She arrived with the funniest looking cone head. "Congratulations! She's a girl!" the doctor said to us as she handed this mucky tiny body to me. She blinked her big black eyes, staring intently at me. Studying me, just as I tried to grasp the very fact that I have just become a father. That was almost four years ago.

As I watched our daughter prep for her first ever recital, I am overwhelmed by emotions. It is a feeling that is hard to comprehend. It's another milestone. Where has all the time gone? I am breathless just trying to catch the fast moving tide of time. Please slow down! Our Charis, our little ballerina.

Ballet recital at the ACT Theatre in Maple Ridge, BC

Our Book......Your Story

2011-06-06T08:39:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

Anne and I always felt that images when strung together tells of a time. A time of happy family reunions. A time of contentment at a park with your loved one. A time when you were raking fall leaves and your daughter came running....

To that end at Veritas Images, we have worked hard with various print companies to bring you this special offering - the VI StoryBook. We believe that your moments are uniquely yours, therefore each book is custom designed ensuring no two books are the same. We wouldn't have it any other way. The VI StoryBook is available in the 'Story' collection.

A Walk in the Park

2011-05-27T23:00:00.000-07:00

Got to spend part of the May long weekend afternoon in Surrey, BC with the Medinas. They are such a fun family! Once again, this was a postpone from a day earlier thanks to you know it.... RAIN! Yup. 3rd time now. Anyhow, it all turned out pretty cool.

We spent most of the photoshoot at the Green Timbers Urban Park. Very nice place. Will add it to part of my location list.

I absolutely dig the traditional colourful dresses by mommy & grandma dadi! A nice fresh difference from the current earthy fashion trend. Anne and I really like the vibrant colours the dresses add to the natural surroundings!

VI & KinderHeart fundraising for Japan Relief Efforts

2011-05-14T09:40:00.000-07:00

We all have seen the footage. We all have read the news. It has been almost two months since the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and the ensuing waves of tsunami pretty much annihilated the coast of Japan.

Like many of you, I myself was glued to the TV and internet trying to keep track on the updates of the situation which included the Fukushima nuclear reactor near Sendai. Hundreds of thousands were displaced. Many lost their loved ones. I personally know some people with relatives that survived the devastation and now still trying to cope with it.

We are partnering up with KinderHeart Montessori (www.kinderheart.ca) on a fund-raising campaign for the Red Cross' Japan Relief Effort by offering the top prize for the children draw. The winner will get a complimentary customized family photography session with us!

I guess this applies to those who live in beautiful Pitt Meadows, BC... if you have a coupla kids coming to you with fund raising raffle tickets.... help them out! It's not because it will give them the opportunity to win a cool family photo-shoot session. Activities such as these nurture a charitable spirit with the kids at a young tender age that leads to a compassionate adulthood. Ultimately this is for the Japan people... folks that brought us stuff like the Sony Walkman, Honda Asimo, Ultraman, Canon cameras and Tamagotchi just to name a few!

(Photo credits by AP and KinderHeart respectively)

Baby Caedlynn | That Precious 10 Minutes

2011-05-07T23:57:00.001-07:00

Sometimes especially with little children, that window of opportunity for when they are in cooperative mode is short. Then again, a few minutes might just be the ticket for some wonderful moments. Such is the case with baby Caedlynn. A very cute 7 month girl.

Hit the deck I sure did! Caedlynn was awesome to shoot. The outdoor light streaming from the window provided great side lighting. The shadow play of the children chairs created this 'Star' on the floor giving the images a cool effect.

Tecson Family Photoshoot

2011-04-29T10:13:00.000-07:00

We knew Roland & Jean many years ago. Roland was our realtor when we bought a house in Metro Vancouver and now a good friend. They saw our work with family portraits and thought it was really time to have some unique photos of their family.

The session was scheduled for a Monday. But the weather called for heavy rain. What's with me and rain lately?! We managed to switch over to Good Friday afternoon instead. And it was a good day indeed.... OK except for the splinter on Roland's finger. Last I saw, they were about to perform micro-surgery at the parking lot.

Roland and Jean was the relaxed kind. Preferring to sit back and let us "Play-Doh" them along. The boys Kyle & Justin... well they were full of energy!

As you can see the energy these boys have! It was great fun seeing the both of them interact with one another.

E-Session | Gabrielle + Stephen

2011-04-23T12:06:00.000-07:00

Rain! That's what the forecast read. Cloudy with rain as the photo-shoot day drew nearer. Variable clouds with 60% chance of showers on that morning prior to the shoot. What a nail biter this is.

However Gabrielle & Stephen were good sport and we went to our location by faith... praying that for some divine miracle it will be dry. And it was. Meanwhile other parts of town were experiencing spring showers, our location at Granville Island was dry as a bone!

I really enjoy taking their spontaneity to dance across the urban industrial section of the island. No cars ftw!

Sometimes one just have to stand back and let it the scene happen. Gabrielle & Stephen was a great couple. They really enjoyed the afternoon. Click! Click!

Inspirations...

2011-04-06T13:00:00.000-07:00

The prevailing winds of change is once again sweeping us up to a new direction. Some of you are already aware and even used Veritas Images Photography services in the Commercial area. Anne and I have operated VI for a few years. And now, the realization of extending Veritas Images' photography services has arrived... the Family Moments.

What inspired us to family portraits?

You.

2011 Vancouver International Autoshow

2011-03-30T11:39:00.000-07:00

Just got back from the Media Preview at the 2011 Vancouver International Autoshow. This year, the event is held at the Vancouver Convention Centre by Coal Harbour. What a stunning view! Next to it is the Olympic Couldron.

Different from last year, a breakfast was served instead of lunch. I think it's a great idea to fuel up before walking the large exhibition area for presentations.

For 2011, the key agenda is about Electric Car. Two cars - Mitsubishi iMIEV and Nissan Leaf were the highlights.

Nissan's Leaf is a full electric car. I don't really know what's with the Polar Bear's relationship with Nissan Canada Boss - Ian Forsythe. However what caught my attention and subsequent gasp of disbelieve is the Leaf's MSRP. At about $38,000 the Leaf which resembles the Nissan Versa isn't chump change for those looking for gas cost reprieve. Maybe another car for the Brad Clooney people.

The car that got my attention the most is the re-imagined legendary Fiat 500!
This tiny spunky car has 101hp from it's 1.4l engine. I love it's retro-cuteness!
I think it will be a hot car for those young yuppies looking for something different than a MINI and want more style than a Ford Fiesta/Mazda2.

The Italian Fiat 500s will be sold at your local.... Chrysler dealership.

Best presentation of all the car manufactures if you ask me. But I might be biased.

Another small car introduction is from Hyundai. Called the Veloster.
I was told it will be at the dealership showroom in July 2011 as a 2012 Model Year. Confused?
I believe it has around 140hp and a starting MSRP of CDN$20,xxx.
Speaking with the Western Regional Manager, this car is one level above the Accent and will appeal to the younger sporty crowds. VW GTi or Mazda 3 competition?

The Hyundai Veloster has a interesting door concept. While the driver's side has the traditional coupe door, the passenger side as a rear B-pillar hinged door for rear access.
Reminds me of a certain car from the now defunct Saturn.
How will the public take to this design remains to be seen.

The big draw is of course the Lexus LF-A. Virtually every auto-journos descended upon it with their cameras as it was unveiled. What can I say. The web has enough info about it. So I will leave you with a few snapshot of this super-Lexus.

And that's it! The Vancouver Autoshow is going on now from March 29th to April 3rd, 2011.
The venue at the Vancouver Convention Centre is great. Beautiful views, no ramps to go up and down the concourse unlike BC Place! I hope this is the new home for this event.

For more of my photos of this event head on to 2011 YVR Autoshow.

Pre-School Photoshoot

2011-03-18T11:47:00.000-07:00

A good friend of ours is starting a new pre-school called "Kids by Design". I had the pleasure to capture the very beautiful facility!

I've known Sandra who is the teacher/owner is exceptionally talented with little children.

While the photoshoot is really to highlight the facility, I also wanted to capture some of the equipment features. Initially we thought of having some kids to add to the atmosphere. However timing didn't permit.


Montessori Equipment

Learn through interaction

Teacher Sandra

One of the good thing this pre-school offer is music!

As usual, more photos of this very excellent pre-school over at Club Veritas.

What's with the Pink bro?!

2011-03-05T10:03:00.001-08:00

Yeah. Part of the new 2011 Veritas Images 'Reno' program is to ahh.... reach out to the fairer gender. So out with the Darth Vader look and in with the lighter touch motif. Unlike a certain Lybian leader, I do listen to feedback even if I have to girlify-up a bit!

Don't worry, no elevator music here.... yet. Maybe I might do a Best of Air Supply one day.

Make Haste!

2011-03-05T09:40:00.000-08:00

CLA Maple Ridge Missions' Night
[Low light Event]

I really like CLA Maple Ridge' interiors. Very intimate setting. But that makes for tough photoshoot thanks to lack of lights. The table ornaments gets better every year. Food was fantastic.
I wasn't planning to do the shoot. However I was requested at the last moment. Fortunately I have my trusty 30D and a 50mm 1.8 mkI in the car.
To make it work, high ISO, err towards the right of the histogram.
One of the method I've been doing is overexposed by 2/3 to 1-stop at high ISO and then dial it back down at post processing. Lowered the noise and still maintained fast shutter speed. Will elaborate on this trick on another article.

Practical Photography Tips at Autoshows

2011-02-26T13:04:00.000-08:00

This article was first publised over at Culture|Garage.

Ahhh..... it's that time of the year again. Autoshow season! The inevitable questions for those who plan to go to these shows will ask me "I want to go to the autoshow, what camera should I use?" and of course "What lens should I bring along?". The good news is taking good images at autoshows aren't that difficult. The lighting is ample, the subjects don't move... well except for the exotic cars on spinning pedestals. So it really doesn't matter what camera you bring. Point 'n shoots work just as well as dSLR. Cameras with articulating screens allow different angle of shooting without you having to perform compromising Yoga positions in the public. The new Canon EOS 60D should be quite wonderful for this. There is also an increasing trend to shoot videos too thanks to HD technology for some cameras, so you can Youtube-fy your very own Car and Driver spoof.
Here are a few practical tips that worked well for me in the past and I hope will be of use to you.

Step back and get the "big picture".

Tip #1 - Crowds. Autoshows are notoriously crowded. So if you ever want to get good still shots without 50 other people standing around that hot new Volkswagen diesel, try to attend at odd times. Like during office/school hours! OK kids, please don't skip Calculus for this. Derivatives is an important subject! Alternately you should go early during weekends. If you are lucky, you may get 1hr all to yourself before the event is swarmed by the mob.

Tip #2 - Be Nimble. International Autoshows are usually large and span multiple levels and buildings. You will do lots of walking. Most times back and forth b/t various manufacturers' gallery. So wear something comfortable. Stay light. I see so many over-enthused photo-takers with their full line of lenses, flash and tripod in a desperate attempt to impress the cute hostess at the Lexus booth. Only to get winded by the heavy gear. Not to mention how clumsy it is to ingress and egress between cars. Unless you are arthritic, there is no reason to haul a tripod. I will touch on lens and flash next.

Knobs on this BMW Z4 lines up to trail the eyes.

Tip #3 - Glassware. There is really no need for a telephoto lens. I am always bemused at the undoubtedly a photography forum camper totting around big lens in these events. Again perhaps trying to impress that cute little missy at the Lexus atrium maybe? It's an autoshow, not an airshow! A telephoto is really not needed. Space is limited when crowds are factored in. With a telephoto, you begin to step back a little to frame in the car. Well guess what? 50 people will see that gap and proceed to occupy that space. So in this respect, general wide to medium focal range lens is perfectly fine. I use Canon's EF 17-40 F4L for most photos. For bokeh stuff use medium range fast prime.

Tip #4 - Lighting. The typical autoshows are usually very well lit. There is no need for flash. In fact with these Turtle Waxed-up cars, all you get is flash reflection. Which just makes you look like a noob. I once witness a guy using an external flash with the head pointing upwards in an effort to bounce light off the ceiling....300ft above. 8-/

Tip #5 - Composition. This is really subjective. What work well for me is to shoot the car at an angle. It gives an otherwise boxy subject some depth. Also try to lower the camera a bit. To about waist level. Other style includes, straight frontal for cars with aggressive and interesting front end. Half image just to include the headlights and part of the front is neat too. Audi and BMW often showcase really cool wheel design with their products. Don't forget interior, car parts and engine bay. They provide interesting subjects.

This shot can be improved if it was shot as waist level and with a CPL.

Tip #6 - CPL. Also known as circular polarizer lens. This is great to eliminate reflection and glare. But you will lose 1 or 2 stops of light.

Tip #7 - Body Needs. I know this is not photography related. I find some autoshow venues to be quite dry maybe it's the air combined with dry wax. Don't know. Trekking back to the food & beverage mezzanine can be quite far and tedious. So bring along a bottle of water. In addition a pack or two energy bars can go along way in maintaining endurance.

Obviously my gear didn't impress Miss Lexus, but got a clear pic of this IS-F. Pursue the M! ;-)

So there you go. Some tips for you when you head down this year's autoshow. Patience is key. Sometimes waiting a few seconds to allow the crowd to dissipate can result in a great image. :-)
BTW, for those in the Pacific Northwest, the Vancouver International Autoshow is on March 29 – April 3, 2011.

-- Alwin Lai of Veritas-Images.com

Welcome back from Mars...

2011-02-26T12:50:00.000-08:00

I've taken a somewhat hiatus from updating this blog. Many things have happened in between. Most notably, the addition of little kidlets to the family. I'm no stay home mommy blogger! Besides there are a zillion tweets, facebook status, blogs, myspace (do they still use this?) gobbly goob about the latest baby strollers from Buggaboo or Peg and Avent milk bottle warmer reviews. The last thing you want to read on this uhh... educational and mind stimulating blog regarding what my 3 year old has wore yesterday or that my 5 month baby threw up when Lady Gaga is on the news.

Anyways, VI Blog is back online. I've been busy with the photography gig. Now going into the family portraitures. What a great mix - car reviews and families. I should do a segment on a Honda Odyssey and why cool dads should flee when they hear "Hon, I think we need more space" each time coming back from Costco.

Look for future usual updates. In the mean time, I must do what all parental bloggers do. Post a picture of the reason why this blog has gone to the tumbleweeds.

Canon EOS 60D “Spyview”

2010-08-18T22:00:00.000-07:00

With the dismal Canon offering with the 50d to the mass 2 years ago, it is with great relief finally that Canon has decided to return a salvo towards its competition with the 60D!

Canon X0d prosumer dSLR used to enjoy a respected and “Go-to” status for anyone who wants a dSLR superior to the entry level offerings. But with the last two Canon x0d products namely the 40D and 50D, they were mediocre and allowed Nikon D90 and Sony Alpha to catch up in this segment!

The introduction of Canon EOS 7D further sealed the fate of the 50D to a “lame duck” status. And the depreciation of this model shows.

Enough of the gloomy talk for a new day break is arising for the X0D class dSLR in the Canon EOS stable. Sometime late last week, fuzzy images of the 60D have emerged!

No real facts. But some items can be deduced:

Articulated LCD Screen! It is in my opinion that when Canon introduced the LiveView with the 40D, I felt that it was a incomplete implementation. Having used Canon Powershot series which has articulated LCD screen, the capability for framing shots is greatly enhanced. So I am glad finally Canon has come to its senses to complete the LiveView feature with this.
Missing joystick. I will miss this very much-
Composite body instead of Magnesium. This is so not cool at all. It’s a 60D! Not a Rebel. Come on Canon!
Slightly smaller. Might be ok for folks with smaller hands. But users with larger lens will lose leverage and ultimately balance.
A whole lot more modes.
Same processor as the 7D. Unlikely to be dual processors though. But so will be the price.
18MP?I can only guess it will have similar MP count as the 7D which means 18MP.

As per usual Canon release strategy, look for the unveiling at the 2010 Photokina!
Will the 60D regain the prosumer crown? Stay tuned!

2008-04-29T20:44:00.000-07:00

OK folks! Yours truly will be participating in an event hosted by GM called CatchTheVibe. It started a few weeks ago from Montreal and has wound its way to Vancouver. I am taking up the final leg this coming friday. Think of this event as some sort of a cross between Amazing Race and "Herbie goes Bananas"-type road rally across Metro Vancouver. Along the race, there will be various challenges. And this is where via the Pearl communicate with my online network support for help. There will be 4 teams set-up consisting of crack auto-scribes from various media outlets. I am naturally in Team Style.
We will be given a Blackberry Pearl to post and communicate with our online supporters along the way. Now I know most of the avid fans of C|G are Americans so local knowledge of BC will be minimal. But you can still help! Just sign-up at www.catchthevibe.ca in support of my team - Team Style. The more support we get, the more points we earn and if our team wins, you can win a car or BlackBerrys (if you are local). But we know you guys are in it not for the prize, but to support fellow C|G member! So Culture Garage represent!

For more info, see the website. Thanks for the support.

Alwin Lai

2008-04-29T20:42:00.000-07:00

On Friday 28^th, I attended the Press Preview Day for the Vancouver Autoshow. Of the three top Canadian International Autoshow, the Vancouver show is perhaps the smallest one (Toronto and Montreal being the larger). The west coast is generally one of the last stops of the auto show parade. Having said that, all the major players still showed up, since after all, Vancouver is home to some of the richest population in Canada, with some sprinkling of wealthy foreigners wishing to plunk their base in a relatively calm and peaceful city.

This preview was opened to auto-scribes only and with about 50 in attendance. The atmosphere was intimate and casual. Not to mention, it was great for me to not having to jostle with frustrated parents, nosy children, know-it-all youngsters, and the clueless. The format was very controlled as usual, as each major manufacturer wants their presentations and products to be seen and heard. We were herded like sheep from Acura to Toyota.

I’m not going to go through in detail, but instead will highlight cars that were interesting and worth noting.

Hyundai Genesis

Wow. To say Hyundai came a long way is almost an understatement. I was first impressed with what they did with the Sonata and then the Lexus RX350-inspired Vera Cruz. Now benchmarking against the Infiniti and MB, Hyundai has created the Genesis RWD luxury sedan. Yes. Luxury Sedan! The interior is sleek and well appointed. Hyundai strategically placed all the nice touchy-feely stuff in the right areas. Powerplants range from a 290hp V6 to a 5-series rivaling 368hp V8. Note from the photo that the swooshy H is interestingly missing on the hood. Hmm…..

Jaguar XF

Well I really don’t know what to think about this car. One word – disappointment. And I can’t even blame it on TATA! Cheap grille, cheap headlights, cramped back seat, ugly face and a hideously expensive price tag. Price aside, it doesn’t even look like a Jaguar. The Supercharged XK-R next to it stole the show in my opinion. Well at least the press kit is by far the best of the bunch.

Audi A4 Avant

I’ve always been a big fan of the Avant from the get go. So this pearly white 09 Avant to me is what a sports wagon should be. It looks muscular and I even like that new headlight treatment. Interior is as always spot on. Power now comes from a new 2.0 TFSI engine which supposedly improves on the usual – power, fuel economy, emissions, overall happiness to one’s soul.

I have also taken a liking to the 2009 Audi TT Roadster…. But the star is the Audi R8. Only about 40 were made available to Canadians, in which all were promptly sold. Very beautiful car. What’s not to like – a super car for the price of a Carrera. Certainly looked better too.

Mercedes Benz C230

I am unsure whether our cousins down South will receive this new C-Class variant. Coming this summer of 2008, the C230 will slot below the C300 and C350. It only has 201hp from a 2.5l V6 and is available with 4Matic. I’ve shared my thoughts on the C300 4Matic in my previous review and one of the issue I had was power-to-weight performance. With even less hp and torque, this C230 will appeal to those who care less about vroom-vroom factor. But for a price of around $35,000, which is actually cheaper than a Legacy GT, it may sell very well.

BMW M3 Cabriolet

Well for every die-hard boy racer there are 10 poseurs. And here is perhaps one of the ultimate poseur cars - The M3 Cabby. I never quite understood the reasoning behind the M3 soft-top. M is about delivering highly dynamic driving experiences, so cutting the roof and replacing it with cloth is just all wrong. Folks, if you want a soft-top M car, just get the Z4 M Roadster which is a purposed built sporting convertible.

BMW 135i

Never been a fan of this little pug. The stubby proportions make it look too cartoon-like for my taste. However, I cannot deny that the interior felt cozy and snug compared to the larger 3-series. Functional would be the word. So BMW has gone back to its roots somewhat with this car. BTW, a convertible version is available too.

MINI Clubman

So MINI doesn’t want to be so mini after all. Presenting a MINI for the family man in you. Now your family members will have a whopping 8cm of extra legroom! Best of all, your family members no longer need to be Olympic gymnasts to get into the back seat thanks to the suicide-doors. There will be a regular 118hp and the 172hp S version. Non-S MINIs qualify for the government’s hug-a-tree $1000 eco-rebate!

Nissan GT-R

Ah yes! 50% of the reason why I attended the press preview was due to the presence of this Japanese legend. I think by now all superlatives have been gushed out by other auto-writers. So I will leave it as that and let the images speak for itself. I only have one thing to say, this car is huge! The 350Z felt like a miniature parked next to it.

Lexus IS-F

I’ve always been a fan of the current IS sedans. They look sleek and drive well. Did you know that the median age of Lexus owners is 65? Therefore you can understand why Lexus is desperately trying to appeal more to the younger demographics. I find the IS-F a bit overdone. From its bulbous (albeit functional) nose to house the big V8, to its tacky tail-pipes, this IS version is a far cry from being a Lexus. Maybe that’s what Lexus wants- the thought that one can have fun in a Lexus, too. I thought the background text of this image says it all….

Toyota Hybrid X

High fuel prices, emissions and overdose on Pachinko have resulted in this Windex-coloured weirdness. It will be a future Prius replacement… at least conceptually. This car supposedly has an interactive interior. A Japanese version of KITT?

Well that's all for now. For more autoshow images you can head over to my photo gallery : http://alai.zenfolio.com/f179388978/

Alwin Lai is a BC-based freelance auto-writer for the Asian Inside Views. He can be reached at alwinlai@gmail.com

The Culture of a Garage.... how quirkily quaint.

2008-01-18T18:10:00.000-08:00

Like most homes, my garage is filled with stuff that otherwise should not be in the house. At least stuff that are not permitted by my wife. There's a lawn mower, cases of engine oil, folded boxes, some old newspapers, typical "garagy" stuff. I never knew it can be a place for intersecting races. After all it is far from being a meeting area for the UN. So it was with curiosity when folks from Culture| Garage started chatting with me. No it's not about exchanging recipes for Curry Mutton or Kung Pau Chicken. Certainly nothing to do with how to tidy-up one's garage nor what to do when hosting a multi-racial get together in your garage! Turns out that my auto-articles aren't just some ramblings of a 30-year old pencil pusher after all. Folks at Culture | Garage recognised some value of my writings and offered me to be on-board their staff.

Mercedes Benz C300 4Matic

2008-01-16T11:11:00.000-08:00

I sense a reverse migration happening.
Petter-patter.... petter-patter WOP! Petter-patter... petter-patter WOP! The drizzle of raindrops on the windshield interrupted by wipers created a hypnotic rhythm while I sit idle at the lights. It is strange that such mundane moments are often ignored if not for the quiet ambience inside my car. I suppose I can drown out the aquatic beat by firing up the 12-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system. There is certain calmness in my cabin due to the quality NVH design and acoustic filtering technologies. Maybe it's how the 8-way powered seat with standard bum-warmers cradling me on this cold dreary day. The world could be ravaged by the Four Horsemen, but right here right now at this intersection to no where, I am at peace.

I first got a call from the Mercedes-Benz rep about spending the weekend with their latest ‘baby’. However I have a dilemma. Weeks of procrastination has left my yard in need of some attention especially after a SAR task force found a neighborhood kid lost amongst the tall grass. Hmm.... to spend the weekend with my 4hp MasterCraft mower or burn rubber with the new 2008 C-Class?

"Honey, I gotta work!!! The grass ain't gonna pay the bills!"

The newly redesigned C-Class is making its debut for the model year 2008 replacing the previous generation after 6 years in production with a staggering 630,000 copies in global sales. But during its waning years, the C-Class’ market share was slipping faster than Paris Hilton's new single release. Surely this 120-year old company can't let BMW and Audi push it around. Let alone upstarts like Lexus and Infiniti joining the fray.

My tester for the weekend is the C300 4Matic Sport. 4Matic means all-wheel-drive in Mercedes-language not 4-speed automatic. The Sport model replaces the classic Tri-Star ornament with an oversized emblem in the middle of a gapping grille. In addition the Sport model comes with some AMG tidbits, details later. Gone are the oogly-googly headlamps. In its place - a set of trapezoidal light housing active Bi-Xenons. The new headlamps are derived from MB’s flagship S-Class. These units cleverly illuminate what's around the corners by turning in accordance to the steering angle. The designers at MB had done a fantastic job in sculpturing an aggressive profile with the new W204 C-Class. Even at stationary, it portrays a predatory-cat stance ready to pounce. But fear not as the Classic model is still available to those who prefer old school discreteness. It even retains the familiar Tri-Star hood ornament too. It looks like Doktor Dieter Zetsche’s design committee wasn’t able to agree in regards to the C-Class. One group wants a sporty and hip profile and then the others go “Nein! Nein! We vust keep zerything in ördnung!” So in the end they made two flavours. One is for clients who prefer their Martinis shaken not stirred and the other is for those who prefer Darjeeling tea.

The slick design theme continues inside with remarkably rich ARTICO leather, a form of leatherette that rivals many genuine cowhides. Increased rear legroom allows for comfortable adult seating although toe space is minimal. I attribute that to the heating innards that are stuffed under the front seats. My C300 being the Sport model is equipped with a sleek leather-clad tri-spoke wheel that fits perfectly on my hands. The driver is greeted with a combo of brushed-metal and chrome ringed gauges which looks absolutely gorgeous. My previous rant with the B-Class was its messy Multi-Info Display implementation. MB managed to redesign the unit and house it in a high resolution display on the speedometer. Unlike the stoic and somewhat bland 3-Series’ interior, the C-Class offers a sense of occasion to its occupants. From its brushed aluminum gear lever to its beveled knobs, the driver is lavished with the tactile feel that only a Mercedes-Benz can.

And speaking of tactility, thanks to the AMG pixie dusts, my C300 Sport exhibit sporting intentions rather than a plastic trunk badge or catalog option by delivering crisp handling. As of this writing, the Sport version comes as a free package which amongst the juicy bits is AMG suspension tuning that lowers the car by 15mm. A set of cross-drilled discs clamped by monobloc caliper with embossed Mercedes-Benz pokes through the 5-spoke 17" AMG wheels. If you have it, flaunt it!

During my jaunt around the Burnaby Mountain roads, the C keeps on hugging the twisting tarmac with a right combination of lean and adhesion. As the velocity needle crescendos, its steering sharpens up and provides a level of feedback almost unMercedes. There was a certain vault-like solidity when traveling at high speeds thanks to wider track and lengthened wheelbase. Tail-out hooliganism can be provoked with a jab on the brakes while engaging opposite lock at speeds while AWD & the plethora of Nanny-electronics provided a safety net for my controlled drift. Surely this can’t be the C-Class I used to know! ADAPTIVE Brake technology borrowed from the S-class with 12.68” discs anchor the C to a halt quickly and safely in spite of the wet soggy roads.

So what about the Go-Factor? It’s a mixed bag on the C300, in 4Matic trim it weighs a hefty 3736lbs which impacts forward acceleration. A proper manual is offered only with the C300, not available with the 268hp C350. According to the stats collected by MB, C-Class owners prefer their Mercedes to change gears autonomously. In this regard, MB has endowed the C-Class with not 5 nor 6, but 7 gear-ratios called the 7G-TRONIC to maximize engine performance. My overall impression with this new C no longer left me feeling 20 years older that its predecessors once did.

Owning a Benz is very much like having Madeline Albright as your personal ambassador. You could pull into the Royal Fairmont with Satay Sauce dripping off your khakis and the valet will still run to you and treat you like a Maharajah. Even Iraqi village kids know what Mercedes-Benz stands for. It is a well respected name. However like the stately Albright, a Benz also projects old-world conservativeness. This perception has caused MB some sales from the younger more extrovert crowds that end up in the BMW camp. In the quest to appeal to these junior execs, MB did an outstanding job by injecting energy and sexiness (more Jolie than Albright) with the redesigned C-Class. It has a restrained aggressive persona that will surely stand out in the sea of BMWs. While the C300 Sport is dead-on with the 328i in terms of price and performance, the C350 may still have trouble against the 335i twin-turbo übersedan. The C300 will be the volume leader for MB and with a higher feature-content than its Bavarian archrival; it is somewhat of a bargain. The Sport model will surely attract buyers who would otherwise head to the BMW or Audi stores.

Quick Facts

Price	$41, 000- $47,900
Horsepower	228hp – 268hp
Length	4581mm
Weight	1695kg (3761lb) – 4Matic
Fuel Consumption	City:11.7L/100km Hwy: 7.8L/100km

Special thanks to Adrian Kuei of Mercedes Benz – West Broadway for providing the 2008 C300 Sport 4Matic for the purpose of this review

It's the state of mind

2008-01-16T10:40:00.000-08:00

Capturing the Ambiance

People are not just drawn into not by the length or width of a room. With homes, we like to relate ourselves with that setting. One can have an expensive home for sale but if the images does not relate to the viewer then it is likely that he/she (mostly a she thing) would pass on it. So for me, it is always a good idea to discuss with the realtor or owner what are the good points of the home, what makes it so livable, and what to areas to avoid.

In general, I like to add a touch of warmth to my interior images. It projects a cozy feeling especially when it is cold outside. They are many ways in doing this. From warming filters, to coloured gel for the flash but for me, I use Photoshop's filters. It's simple and easy to use.

In these examples, I want the viewer to instantly have an impression that they'd like to relax on that couch by the fireplace... maybe read a book while listening to the bird chirping at the forest behind.

Bathrooms can be notoriously cold in feeling thanks to the tiles shiny shower stalls and faucets. Space can be challenging too. I generally take my time and walk around the bathroom to identify what areas best capture a sense of coziness. Instead of showing the counter-top and shower stall, the image shows a soaker tub with a window and a glass sky- window with lights streaming in. Afterall, counter-tops and toilet bowls are likely standard items in a typical bathrooms. And I personally find images with a toilet bowl a turn-off when it comes to bathrooms photos.

The image on the left gives the impression of grandeur as one walks out the lobby towards a nice bright sunny day. I took multiple exposures to create an HDR image so that tonal qualities for both the darker lobby interior and bright park exterior can be exposed harmoniously. More on HDR photography at another time.

Nissan Altima Coupe

2008-01-11T13:37:00.000-08:00

A sporty coupe that is more pleasing to the eyes than sensory experience.

"So what do you think of this car?" asked an elderly man. His sudden question startled me a little for I have just pulled into a parking lot idling the 2008 Altima Coupe to I jot down some notes.

“Isn’t it good looking dad?” remarked a female voice nearby.

Introduced for model year 2008 by Nissan, the Altima Coupe will complement the ever popular sedan version. In terms of body panels, the Coupe only shares the hood with its 4-door counterpart. Nissan shortened (~101mm) and lowered the Coupe body to create an athletic stance. The front-end design is unmistakably Nissan down to its vertically stacked headlights and honeycomb grille. I was expecting a more energetic face being a 2-door sports coupe. However from the A-pillar back, the car takes on a swooping arch ending with a shortened rear deck hinting traces from the G35 coupe. And of course as with the current cropped of cars these days, even the base Altima Coupe sports the requisite dual side-exhaust tucked neatly under the black rear diffuser. Apart from the puny 16" alloy wheels that seemed lost in the large wheel wells, I do find the Altima Coupe's overall design pleasing.

"The interior isn’t bad either!" exclaimed the daughter who is now peering through my passenger side window.

The Altima coupe’s interior is lifted straight from the new generation Altima sedan sibling. Gone is the chunky plastic gauge pod. Instead the replacement is a set of electroluminescent speedometer and tachometer that glows red. Even under the bright noonday glare, it was easy to read the vital stats of this new Altima. Most notably is the I-key that will see most of its life in one’s pocket or a purse. One no longer needs to insert the key onto the steering column but rather press the White Start button to initiate engine startup. Very vroom-vroom indeed.

Nissan interior designers should be given a pat on the back for being able to deliver quality feel without stretching the budget too much. Soft-padded plastics are strategically located throughout the car’s interior. Together with sprinkling of polished chrome bits, the Altima Coupe projects a higher than expected classy perception. One touch window down for the passenger side is standard even with the base model. Nissan replaced the previous bulky plastic-clad steering wheel with yet another plastic-clad item, only this time the design seemed more at home in an arcade than on a car. Why can’t they install simple three-spoke wheels like every other Japanese car companies? The base audio system was standard fare as expected. An optional 9-speaker Bose system is available as an option. My 2.5S Altima comes equipped with power-adjustable cloth seats. No Lumbar support though. You would have to opt for the SL package for that. But that will entail exchanging the grippy cloth for slippery leather. As a coupe, the rear fold-down seats though commendably large will likely see very little people-carrying duty.

Being the gentleman I offered the excited female to plop herself into the Altima’s cockpit. Gripping the steering wheel the daughter declared proudly, “I want lots of horsepower. How powerful is this one?”

I had to burst her bubble as my tester was a 2.5L inline-4 version. Fortunately the silky VQ35 6-cylinder is available that starts at about $31,398. The base 175hp Altima Coupe will not win any traffic light grand prix. However it does an admirable job shuttling around the city. My tester is also equipped with the Xtronic CVT transmission that Nissan is very proud of. This system cleverly determines the optimal power delivery by correlating the driver’s input against a databank of up to 700 shift-logic preset scenarios. Nissan is very proud of their CVT technology and expects to sell 1 Million of these CVT-equipped models. Nissan tuned the CVT for increased mileage but at the expense of accelerative fun. It just didn’t feel that 175 horses are hidden in the engine bay. Gunning the go-pedal resulted in increased engine noise as the 2.5L struggles to gain momentum. There are 6 pre-programmed ratios in manumatic mode. However it doesn’t hold the gear to redline before shifting to the next gear. Bummer… The manual 6-speed would be my hearty recommendation.

Heading into my usual test loop that consists of a combination of straights and twisting blacktop, the Altima Coupe felt composed and quiet. It is most happy cruising at a leisure speed. Road noise is minimal. The taller sidewalled 16” all-season tires provided a comfortable ride. With a big coupe, one would have to plan the entry into a curve carefully as too much speed will cause the car to push wide. Credit to its 60:40 front biased weight distribution. Lifting-off the throttle readjusts the Altima’s nose back to the tarmac instead of heading towards the grassy fields. The size of this Altima is felt during fast corner exits where you can feel the body lean. To me the 2.5S model is not really suitable for this type of driving. The stiffer sprung 3.5SE should do a better job.

“So you are an auto-journalist? Do you recommend this car?” remarked the skeptical dad.

“How does it compare to the Pontiac G6 or the Mitsubishi Eclipse? Does it come as a convertible?” the daughter asked expectantly.

In addition to the cars mentioned, there are two other popular mid-size FWD coupes – Honda Accord and Toyota Camry Solara. In my opinion, now that Nissan has improved on the interior bits, this Altima coupe can go toe-to-toe with its immediate competition. It is a handsome car that echoes design cues from the Infiniti G35 coupe. However being a front-wheel drive format, the handling will not be as thrilling as the 350Z or inspiring as the G35. This may be a moot point considering the thousands of dollars saved even with the top trimmed 270hp 3.5SE model. As for the convertible version… Nissan is playing coy on that one.

Quick Facts

Price	$27,798 - $31,398
Horsepower	175hp – 270hp
Length	4637mm (182.5”)
Weight	1409kg (3099lb)
Fuel Consumption	City:8.9L/100km Hwy: 6.7L/100km