Emotions...

'Loneliness'
Rome, Italy
© 2010, ID Photography

In this set of the 'Emotions' series of pictures, what I am trying to do here is to find that picture, or group of pictures that would best define a certain emotion, or sets of emotions. It's not going to be a perfect fit all the time, but I guess in all things subjective, there will always different opinions to what a picture really defines.

For the first installment, the above picture was taken during one of those moments where things around me was just starting to unwind. Towards the last moments of my vacation in Rome, Italy, and whilst still enjoying the last remnants of the sights and sounds of Rome, and more specifically, just outside the walls of the Vatican, I noticed a flock of pigeons swooping down and gathering around this stranger which was seated directly opposite me. Waiting for the right moment for a bunch of them to gather in front of him, I steadied my camera and compose this shot. I thought the touch of saturating the red jacket that he was wearing that day, amidst the greyness of the concrete slab seats, was a nice contrast to an otherwise great vacation.

Self-portrait...

I thought instead of capturing myself, why not others that are capturing their own self-portraits too. Happen to see this lovely couple taking their self-picture in front of me during the Chingay Festival Preview 2011, and I just snapped away.

"Celebrating couplehood"
Chingay Preview 2011,
Pit Stop Building, Singapore
© 2011, ID Photography

A photo a week...Scenes from the classroom

I asked my class to take pictures after teaching them basic concepts of picture-taking such as Rule of Thirds, Framing, Perspective. This is one picture that I've taken by framing the oval-like opening of the rubbish bin, which was facing the school field. I thought the green field add some strong colour contrast to the otherwise flat-coloured look.

'Framing the field'
School of Science & Technology, Singapore
© 2011, ID Photography

Self-portrait...

An old picture taken in 2010 during my vacation to Sydney Australia. My significant other and myself decided to take a picture of ourselves without having the camera being in an awkward position. Noticing the long shadows forming, we decided that this is a rather apt self-picture of us, in a loving moment.

'Couplehood'
Sydney Opera House, Syddey, Australia
© 2010, ID Photography

A photo a week...Scenes from the classroom

What amazes me sometimes is the intensity that a child demonstrates when he or she is so focused in his work. Here is a classic example of such, taken during one of my modeling/sketching lessons a couple of weeks ago.

"Focus..."
School of Science & Technology, Singapore
© 2011, ID Photography

Self-portrait...

I am always keeping a lookout on how the idea of a self-portrait can be captured in a more creative manner. Here I am using the usual element of (sun)light/shadow to capture myself in action.

"Self-potrait"
School of Science & Technology, Singapore
© 2011, ID Photography

Scenes from Vietnam...

'Steamed prawns over a fire'
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
© 2011, ID Photography

Usually one of the most interesting finds that you could find out in a new country is the food that the locals eat. No different with me. Although I'm a little constrained by my dietary requirements, but I did manage to savour some of the local delights. I had a sumptuous seafood dinner with my colleague on one of those nights. Here I have a steamed prawn dish, served in a coconut body, and over a flaming flammable liquid gel. Gives a whole new meaning to the word: barbequed prawns

Scenes from Vietnam...

'Faith'
Saigon Street traffic, Vietnam
© 2011, ID Photography

One of the things that I had a culture shock of sorts was when observing the traffic. Using 'chaotic' would barely just touch the surface of how things are over there. But the whole beauty of it is that, amidst the cacophony and noise of chaos, I could feel a sense of orderliness. Order amongst the chaos? Nothing much like this over here in my hometown, but I guess that is what makes them that much more interesting to people like myself.

Scenes from Vietnam...

Street life is always interesting, especially if you are in a foreign land with differing cultures from your own. Here I could see how entrepreneurial the locals are when it comes to making a living. Of course it helps that the economic situation warrants this, plus the fact that they do have their own produce to sell. I do wonder though, what kind of 'produce' would a typical Singaporean be selling if such a fate befalls them? I wonder...

'Street side vendor'
Ben Thanh market, Saigon, Vietnam
© 2011, ID Photography

Scenes from Vietnam...

How time flies when you are busy/having fun. Nonetheless I did manage to squeeze in some photography time, but not of the quality and quantity that I would like to have. But alas, that is the fate of an amateur/hobbyist photographer.

Anyway, let's not regale about lost time and opportunities. I was on a working trip to Vietnam recently for work, and I must say it is definitely a photographers' paradise. Manage to squeeze in some photoshoots while working, and I must say some are quite satisfactory, based on my humble standards. The first of the many, as presented below. 

A scene that I took while waiting for the oysters to be cooked, on an oyster farm. Yes, you heard me right, on an oyster farm! I'm not really a fan of one since my first experience with it ended up with me having the worst fever of my life due to food poisoning. But when such an opportunity to have a taste of fresh oysters, cooked thoroughly, and enjoying it by the riverside, who can refuse, right? Enjoy the view...

'Prayers for good harvest'
Oyster farm, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
© 2011, ID Photography