What did you see today?

Serikin Market revisited

2012-01-16T22:29:00.000+08:00

During New Year's eve, I brought my wife to visit Serikin as she has not been here before. The weather was very hot that day, but luckily, not many people came. I already expected a crowded place and having a hard time getting a place to park the car, but it was the opposite.

I did notice there were more stalls opened this time, but most were selling almost the same stuffs. You really need to visit each stalls to bargain the best price.

Found some antiques..

Very handy during a hot day.

Christmas 2011

2012-01-04T19:54:00.001+08:00

Happy Belated New Year 2012 everyone! Right now, it's the first day in school, I'm down with a flu and recently a very bad diarrhea after Christmas. My internet connection was bad as well so I didn't manage to update this blog. Last year's post count was just a mere 45, compared to 115 in 2010 and 150 in 2009. This year however, I do hope I can have more time and photos to post and share.

Here are some photos of what I saw during Christmas at home in Bau.

Tasik Biru on the eve of Christmas.

The rain poured heavily for almost a day on the 25th, and this what it looked like at Wind Cave in the morning.

However, the King tide raised the water level and by afternoon, the water reached the main road going to the cave.

Taiton, one of Bau's regular flood-prone area.

And by evening, the water raised even more.

First time meeting Dambo.

How I miss cheap foods back home.


Both of these are rarities here in KK. That biscuit will be used to make frozen cheese cake. That Tong Nam, for me the best tasting soy sauce.

Have yourself a very wet Christmas 2011

2011-12-26T00:58:00.001+08:00

Wow. As far as I'm concerned, it's my first time experiencing a very wet Christmas. It was raining since morning, then the rain stopped for a while. After that, it rained again up till now, which is about 45 mins after 12 am.

My visiting plans were halted as I'm afraid that the road going home might be submerged with water and I'll be stuck somewhere.

Anyway, here's a few photos of Christmas at home.

Mum preparing beef for her tasty rendang.

Dad preparing Maggi.

My nephew.

Home-made. Fruitcake is my favourite.

One of our cats resting after being fed. Lotsa leftovers during festivals.

Farlynce @ Habiba Suites, 17 Dec 2011

2011-12-22T23:39:00.000+08:00

Christmas is just around the corner, and right now I'm posting this from my hometown, Bau. It feels so good to be back home, with good, tasty and most importantly cheap food awaiting to be ordered.

Today's post is about the last talent photoshoot for this year. We planned to have it at the Grafitti place near Suria, but the bad weather forced us to have it at Habiba. Again, a nice place to have this session. Our talent is Farlynce.

Skills Enhancement Program @ ATI College - Baking Time!

2011-12-18T23:57:00.001+08:00

Lately I found myself drawn into baking cakes and buns. I'd love to try out new recipes, till one day, my mixer broke down. Sigh... I can't resist the smell of bakery's fresh and hot buns and the sweetness of their cakes in my mouth. But, most of the times, I couldn't get those from my kitchen. Good thing though, ATI College organized this program and I quickly enrolled for Carrot Cake session.

However, since the response for that cake wasn't good, I was put to Black Forest class and it was an eye-opener, mouth-watering goodness!

Chocolate sponge cake mix.

The cherry's syrup that helps to stick the cake and the fresh cream together.

Delicious!

Canned cherries as toppings.

Tada!

Burnout 360 - Sabah Drift Challenge, 5 - 6 Nov 2011

2011-12-17T21:27:00.000+08:00

I just remembered about this event which was held on the 5th-6th November. Drifting is somehow a rarity here, so when one comes, it received an overwhelming response from the public, especially when one of Malaysia's top drifter, Tengku Djan came to showcase his skills.

Once again I only managed to attend the first day of the event. It's been quite sometime since I last tried panning shots, so some of my shots here weren't sharp. :D

Tengku Djan testing out a contestant's car.

The man himself...

An event like this would not be complete without the girls...

Arlouva and Evelyn Photoshoot @ Twin Tunnel, Kepayan

2011-12-15T23:20:00.001+08:00

This session was held last Sunday. Because we did not know the exact name of the tunnel near QE, so we just called it Twin Tunnel. At first, I'm not really sure is the location going to be suitable. But when I reached there, that place actually has lots of potential! There are graffiti that you can use, and some leading lines that can be utilized to enhance your photos.

Both ladies are fun and cooperative to work with, and I'm very happy with what I got. All shots were taken using Alpha 77 and SAL35 1.8, which is my main, cheap portrait lens nowadays.

Hobbycon 2011 @ Suria Sabah

2011-12-13T11:50:00.000+08:00

It was my first time attending such event. Being an anime fan myself (especially Kamen Rider series), I looked forward to see various cosplayers in their best outfit, and the toys on display. The 5th edition of this event was held for two days at Suria Sabah. Due to time constraint, I only managed to attend the first day.

Grace @ Habiba Suites

2011-12-12T09:04:00.001+08:00

This session was held on the 1st of this month, and since the weather wasn't encouraging lately, we opt for something indoors. Thanks to a friend, we got special access to one of the rooms in Habiba Suites Apartel. One thing for sure, the view of sunset here is marvelous, as it overlooked Kota Kinabalu.

Leonie, Rosalia at Tun Fuad Park

2011-12-06T22:33:00.001+08:00

This session was held on the 9th November, at Tun Fuad Park Bukit Padang. We did this in the evening, and it was quite cloudy, thus, we had to rely on our flashes. Somehow I'm not really satisfied with my shots. I guess it is because of the weather.

My first studio photoshoot

2011-12-06T00:00:00.001+08:00

Yeap, it was my first, and I really like how those big strobes light up the subject. This session was held on the 6th November, at Lonny's studio in Lintas. His place was still being renovated to become photo/music studio but the backdrop and strobes were all there, ready to be used.

Since we didn't prepare any models to shoot, we ourselves were the talent for that day, and I came as a 'small, unpopular' rock star, complete with my guitar and my wife's two wigs!

The biggest light source available! 1000w.

Some silhouette shots.

That wig suits Charles nicely.

Jane with wedding gowns from the studio.

I like that leather jackets, courtesy of Zain.

Wanda and Ellica photoshoot, Kawang Forest Centre

2011-12-04T23:12:00.001+08:00

This session was held on the 31st October, at Kawang Forest Centre. I didn't realise there's a nice place for picnicking here, with green scenery and cool streams of river water. It is located along KK-Papar road, just look out for the small signboard on your left if you're going to Papar. You can spend a night here, either in the chalets or camping at the provided site.

Jaja photoshoot, Likas Wetlands, KK

2011-12-03T15:21:00.001+08:00

This photoshoot was held on the 29th of October, whereby my new camera makes it debut. It's the new Sony Alpha 77. After waiting for quite some time, this much-awaited camera finally in my hands, ready for action. I've used Alpha 200 and 700 before, then sold both together with all my lenses and flashes and bought the Nex-3. After a while, I missed the wireless flash function that is missing in the Nex camera lineup (except Nex-7), and I made the decision to get some used cameras while waiting for this new cam.

I bought the oldie-but-goldie Konica Minolta 5D, subsequently an Alpha 330 (super cheap from a friend, but sold it off recently) and finally the 77. Right now, my gears are Alpha 77, KM 5D, Nex-3 (paired with 18-55 kit and Carl Zeiss Pancolar 50mm 1.8 m42), Minolta 7000, Minolta 20mm 2.8, SAL 35mm 1.8, SAL 50mm 1.4, SAL 85mm 2.8 and the Sigma 70-210 push pull lens. Previously, the Sigma, due to its old chip, only can AF on the Mino 7000 but none on KM or Sony bodies. However, it can AF, albeit a slow one, on the 77. Suprising! Lastly, there's the HVL-F58 and F43 flashes.

Back to this session. It has been quite some time since we visited this place, so we decided to do it here. Be prepared for mosquitoes though.

As usual, group photo!

Malaysian Book Of Records -

2011-12-02T12:38:00.001+08:00

This event could be one of the biggest highlights of 2011 for my school, SMK Limbanak. Few months ago, a group of teachers initiated a drive to collect used bottles that will be recycled into flower pots. Engine oil, washing detergents and big cooking oil bottles were selected as it's big enough to plant flowers inside.

Teachers and students alike are encouraged to bring in bottles from their home. From a mere hundreds, and after a few months, the number grew into thousands and finally, during the day of the counting, the total bottles collected was 5584. That's a lot as the school expected 3000 bottles only.

YB Datuk Philip B Lasimbang came to witness and help counting the bottles.

5584!

The school's Principal, Pn. Rafidah

Pn. Cynthia and Pn. Judith, the main force behind this event.

Datuk Philip B Lasimbang

Ciwa, Pei San at JP

2011-12-01T13:14:00.001+08:00

Time to update this blog after weeks of absence. My laptop's adapter broke down recently and I can't edit most of my recent photos. Just happy that I got the replacement yesterday and it's good to see it powered up. Oh, I bought myself a new laptop, to replace the aging 3-year old netbook. The new laptop is N45SF series by Asus. The specs are impressive, but, the main thing that impressed me was that small external subwoofer. Small, yet provides a healthy amount of bass for my music.

Allright, back to the title of this post. This particular session was held at Jesselton Point. Once again it was organised by Jane, and our talent was Ciwa and Pei San.

Linda at Third Beach, Tanjung Aru

2011-11-03T17:07:00.000+08:00

The next session was held at Third Beach, Tanjung Aru. The weather was hot so we opted to shoot more under the shades, with the help of umbrella and reflectors. Our talent for the day is Jac and Lydz.

As usual, group photo.

These series of photos were taken using either Sony's 70-200 2.8 or Minolta 135 2.8, both aren't mine :(

Malaysian Book of Record

2011-10-24T21:02:00.000+08:00

Last Friday, my school celebrated another achievement, which is putting the school's name in the Malaysian Book of Record for the Most Number of Flower Pots Made of Recycled Bottles. For the past few months, the school have been diligently collection unused bottles from various sources. The biggest donor came from workshops around Kota Kinabalu.

Datuk Philip B. Lasimbang was invited to witness and helped counting the bottles. At first, the initial target was 3000, but in the end, the school managed to gather 5584 bottles!

Different shapes and colours!

The school's Principal, Pn. Rafidah bt. Keraman

Datuk Philip B. Lasimbang.

Mdm. Cynthia and Mdm. Judith, the main force behind this achievement.

Jane and Pamela and Kibunut

2011-10-22T22:51:00.000+08:00

This photoshoot was held on the October 2nd. This place is a popular vacation spot whereby you are provided with clean and cool flowing river, an abundance of dipping spots, a few barbecue pits and shades. The entrance fee is RM2 which is very cheap.

It was during this session that I used an umbrella flash kit. I bought it for RM150 from CPL Photo KK plaza and I must admit I like how it diffuse the light from the flash. It has been a must-used item for all our recent photoshoot session nowadays.

A mini field.

As usual, group photo of those who came.

Umbrella in action.

Another group photo.

Pamela

Jane

Jzasmine at Karambunai Lagoon

2011-10-15T10:48:00.000+08:00

She is a new member of our Sony FB and since we were busy planning for the consecutive talent shooting that's already starting this month, she hinted that she wanted one as well. Of course we would not let this opportunity passed and in just a day, an event was created for her photoshoot. This time around we picked Karambunai Lagoon as it offers vast space with an abundance of nice spots for portraiture. Each of us paid RM10 for the entrance fees and the session starts soon afterwards.

Nana photoshoot - Tamparuli and Kibunut

2011-10-04T21:31:00.000+08:00

Starting this month of October, our FB Sony Alpha Kaki Photo group will be having weekly model shooting, thanks to our friend Jane who provided the most talent. This particular session with Nana, was done early last month as requested by a good friend Joshua. He came from Miri, bringing with him some ethnic costume but the most prominent is the sape (a Sarawak traditional musical instrument). Nana even rented her traditional costume which was adorned with beautiful coloured-beads.

That morning we shot sunrise at Mengkabong bridge before going to Tamparuli for the first part of the shooting session. Tamparuli is famous for its hanging bridge and we found one just by the roadside (albeit a modern one).

After that, we proceed to Kibunut waterfall along Penampang-Tambunan road. It is a popular spot for picnicking. We used reflectors a lot here.

As usual, group photo of those who came.

Sony Nex-C3 launching at Mega Avit, Karamunsing

2011-09-21T22:17:00.000+08:00

Some great news (bad news for the wallet apparently) for Sony camera users came early this month. The Nex-series have been updated with the C3, 5N and the top of the line Nex-7. Not forgetting the DSLT of A65 and A77, the much-awaited successor for A700 which I owned previously.

When the Nex-C3 arrived, Mega Avit organised a soft-launching ceremony and they have invited our Facebook group, Sony Alpha Kaki Photo members to join. With good food being provided, it was a fun, yet poisonous affair for everyone that attended.

Prior to the ceremony, Phil from Mega Avit had requested me to take some sample shots using the C3 in and around Karamunsing complex, before being printed by Proart to be shown during the event.. Being a Nex-3 user myself, I took the opportunity to test my cam's successor. The slightly bigger grip on the C3 is a much-welcome feature. It rest nicely in my hands. I'm not going to talk a lot about the technical stuffs as you can find a lot of them in the net. One thing for sure, the Nex-series with Voigtlander lenses are damn poisonous.

With the Voigtlander lens. Bokeh produced was awesome!

One of the five photos that I took that was printed.

Gotta love the under-rated 16mm pancake.

Phil

Group photo...as usual.

Helen and Rosa - Photoshoot at Tun Fuad Park

2011-09-07T21:13:00.005+08:00

Sorry for the long absence. As usual, I have been busy with work, not forgetting I have acquired some new (or rather used) ,interesting items that will help me in my photography journey. One of the highlights was, after almost three years using a netbook, I bought myself a new laptop. Never thought editing photos and videos would be this easy and fast.

Anyway, this is another photoshoot organised by a few members of Sony Alpha Kaki Photo (SAKP) in Facebook which I am a member and is based in Kota Kinabalu. It's an active, I mean really active group comprises of mostly Sony Alpha camera users, but welcomed other brands as well.

This particular session was held at Tun Fuad Park, and I used Nex with Carl Zeiss 50mm. Reflectors were used because it was very hot and sunny.

Rosa.

Helen.

Carl Zeiss wide open.

Captured with Nex's Toy photo feature.

These subsequent photos were taken with Nex's High Contrast Monochrome feature.

I did mentioned that SAKP is a very active group, and as far as I can remember, there are plans of back to back photoshoot session starting this week. I do hope I will have the time to blog about all those. Till then, happy shooting!

Finally, my photos in a magazine!

2011-08-01T20:55:00.003+08:00

After a very tiring week, finally I have time to complete a short post. I was busy juggling my time for a science carnival where my school participated and the School Prefect's camping at OBS in Kinarut. Luckily, came some great news to cheer on coming this week.

For the recently concluded Sabah state level science carnival, my school participated in some of the competitions and I was in charged for the Solar Car Race with three students. It was the first time the carnival is held here, and the first for my school as well.

To cut the story short, we came second! Not bad for a slow car during the early stage of the competition. More on that in my next post.

The next good news is that my photos finally being published in a Brunei-based travel magazine can biG or Borneo Insider's Guide. I have five of my Serikin Market photos in their latest edition magazine. You can check the online version here. The feeling of seeing your photos being published is awesome, especially for a hobbyist like me.

Busy...

2011-07-19T21:28:00.004+08:00

Phew...I have been busy with work this past few weeks...with little time to spare for photos let alone hanging out with fellow camera kakis. These were some shots that I managed to take. All taken around Ujana Rimba Park with the Carl Zeiss Jenna.

Besides that, I'm busy installing/updating/implementing apps for my leisure and work on my iDevice.

:) Loving it!

Nex - 3, Carl Zeiss Jenna 50mm f1.8 m42, Nex firmware v.4

2011-06-27T16:42:00.006+08:00

20th June was a nice day for me and my photography journey. Not only I have gotten myself a 'new' lens, but Sony released the new firmware for Nex and SLT series cameras. The new firmware brought along some photo filters and the much awaited 'peaking' function. Peaking helps manual focusing easier with manual lenses. What it does it highlighting the in-focus' area with selectable coloured 'areas', in this case it can be yellow, red or blue. Those with a collection of old, legacy lenses can just get right adapters and enjoy the image quality that comes with it.

I myself have been experimenting with old, manual lenses for quite some time but I'm still unable to determine which lenses to get. I tried m42's Hanimex 58mm f2.8 and the Vivitar 135mm f2.8. Both are good lenses, but somehow I'm still on the edge until...the Carl Zeiss 50mm f1.8 came along. A good friend put this lens for sale, and without any hesitation I quickly closed the deal with him. Lucky me it's a M42 mount and reasonably cheap! Sorry for the photos of my cam, taken with my mobile HTC snapper.

Nice black colour with some brushed metal on the aperture and focus ring.

The new firmware also comes with photo filters; namely Toy, Partial (Blue, Red, Green and Yellow), High Contrast Monochrome, Posterization (BnW and Color), Pop and Retro and High-Key.

Notice the yellow mark in the middle of the screen. This marks the area in focus when peaking is activated.

Time to test out the photo filters with the Carl Zeiss Jenna 50mm f1.8, most of them using f4.

Partial Yellow.

Partial Red.

Partial Green.

Partial Blue.

My car tweets using Toy filter.

A series of photos using four different filters.

Toy.

Pop.

Retro.

High Contrast Monochrome.

Pop. Love the IQ from this lens.