- Never Stop Dreaming -
As winter approaches, I embraced the chilly winds kissing my face in the mornings for a third year straight hoping to wake up with some warmth beside but still no magic so far. Perhaps the place might be the problem, perhaps it's just me creating the problem or is it a calling, an omen, a sign for me to seek greener pastures? At this point, I really want to rule out the option of giving up all that I had built so far, pack my stuffs and live a life like most back home. I am reluctant really but too bad some people will never be able to see the same dream as me. Sometimes I really wonder why can't most people around me see that a dream, an inspiration or to lead a different life is what I really want? If I can't dream and pursue it, what's the main purpose of existence itself? To be given life and to fit into a norm created by someone else, try to fit in, and lead an otherwise ordinary life? That's not what I want and I do fear it...for various reasons.
All that aside, the white magic of winter is still holding back since the last 1 time dusting of the fluffy white stuff. I have waited and I am now so close and yet so far from it. Hopefully it will come soon. Met a couple of new faces but as usual I wasn't very enthusiastic since I know that replies were always ridiculously late or none at all. But on the other hand, I wasn't really interested, no, I would say totally NOT interested whatsoever at all for an age gap of 5 above me. I want but still I have my own expectations to meet and age is one of the very crucial criteria which had not changed since I came to understand complex human relationships.
A while ago, I was gullible despite my age to fall into a nicely set snare and this time I fell into the same one simply because I was kind enuff to get cosy with aquaintences. A moment of wisdom struck me on the last minute and I managed to walk outta of it without losing a huge pile of cash. Luckily for me, I had other options to seek and of course some were much more approachable and friendly than the rest. Not only did I manage to strike a superb deal but to the extend that I would lose ZERO amount of cash in the end instead of a headache and money doing a Houdini stunt. Than I came to realise that I really appreciate those who can offer options and solutions free of greed and personal interest to solve many sudden issues. The rest are simply out to get my money thru explicit means or to promote a loud mouth bigger than their brains.
I see this as a rough patch since not many things are going as smoothly as before and the cold only makes logical analysis impossible. However if, I say again, that is IF everything goes well, I might just be able to walk out of this mess with a good start to an amazing career and probably drive one of my dream cars which would otherwise be impossible in Singapore. However, still not much luck with the right one yet since I am outright irritating and commands a rather high expectation. The only concern is that if I am not careful during this crucial period, the thin sheet of ice that I am planting my foot on might just send me sinking into a deep, bottomless abyss of the cold and yes I am very afraid.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
11/22
- Never Stop Dreaming -
11 22 apparently mean 好い夫婦 in Japanese which of course relates to a special wedding date. And on this day, the 22nd day of the 11th month of November, a friend of mine who is a life(r) and not a cloud that just drift by (Japan) tied the nuptial knot. Unlike all other weddings that I had attended, this one would be very different because I am attending it as an official wedding photographer.
While photography is my passion, I was more prepared to try out various techniques and effects and every wedding event propose a training ground for me. Until now, all my pictures taken at weddings were simply crumbs left behind on an empty plate. I do not have any prior experience in wedding photography and comments online had led me to believe that if you are not confident of both yourself or the gear in your hands, do not ever volunteer to be a main wedding photographer even when your best friends, cousins, brother, etc ask you for a favor. Sadly, that was not my case since I shamelessly volunteered to be a slave to his sacred event. Seriously, I wasn't confident of myself and my 1 particular piece of glass but I thought that if I don't make a big leap of faith somewhere, there was no way I could improve and achieve greater heights. And so I set forth and embarked on yet another spectacular journey of my life.
Since this would be my first ever opportunity to mark my debut as an official wedding photographer, I did everything that I could muster and remember days prior to the wedding. Because deep down inside me, I had always marveled at how those pre-wedding pictures taken by other professionals turned out so magically and that very instinct inside me, that silent voice inside me whispered to me that I should take this golden opportunity to weave some magic myself. I did the ground checks, the lighting checks, the location checks, the weather checks, the equipment checks, etc.
All the plannings, and headaches, cash purchase all leads up to the actual day. I was there 30 minutes before the agreed stipulated time just to get adjusted to the enormous responsibility that will befall on me.
As soon as the main subjects turned up, the make up artists, the bride, the groom, the videographer, etc....I donned the mask and the suit to pull off a facade of the man in charge of stills.
The entire event went on pretty smoothly except the staged photoshoot at a nearby temple didn't went as expected. It was supposed to be done before the guests arrive at the lunch reception but instead, due to time constraints, it was pushed to the end and done in a haphazard manner in less than 20 minutes. I knew it would be very difficult to produce satisfactory results eventhough I had a magical temple ground at my disposal. This was my only set back which left me wondering how far is my own limit I can push. I had intended 1 roll of 36 frames B/W 35mm for the entire Temple Photoshoot but I barely utilized more than 10 frames :(
In summary, my maiden wedding went pretty well but very tiring and the most memorable moment was when the Master put on the head gear of faux hair and Miho exclaimed in laughter, "I looked like a Carebear with this head gear".
11 22 apparently mean 好い夫婦 in Japanese which of course relates to a special wedding date. And on this day, the 22nd day of the 11th month of November, a friend of mine who is a life(r) and not a cloud that just drift by (Japan) tied the nuptial knot. Unlike all other weddings that I had attended, this one would be very different because I am attending it as an official wedding photographer.
While photography is my passion, I was more prepared to try out various techniques and effects and every wedding event propose a training ground for me. Until now, all my pictures taken at weddings were simply crumbs left behind on an empty plate. I do not have any prior experience in wedding photography and comments online had led me to believe that if you are not confident of both yourself or the gear in your hands, do not ever volunteer to be a main wedding photographer even when your best friends, cousins, brother, etc ask you for a favor. Sadly, that was not my case since I shamelessly volunteered to be a slave to his sacred event. Seriously, I wasn't confident of myself and my 1 particular piece of glass but I thought that if I don't make a big leap of faith somewhere, there was no way I could improve and achieve greater heights. And so I set forth and embarked on yet another spectacular journey of my life.
Since this would be my first ever opportunity to mark my debut as an official wedding photographer, I did everything that I could muster and remember days prior to the wedding. Because deep down inside me, I had always marveled at how those pre-wedding pictures taken by other professionals turned out so magically and that very instinct inside me, that silent voice inside me whispered to me that I should take this golden opportunity to weave some magic myself. I did the ground checks, the lighting checks, the location checks, the weather checks, the equipment checks, etc.
All the plannings, and headaches, cash purchase all leads up to the actual day. I was there 30 minutes before the agreed stipulated time just to get adjusted to the enormous responsibility that will befall on me.
As soon as the main subjects turned up, the make up artists, the bride, the groom, the videographer, etc....I donned the mask and the suit to pull off a facade of the man in charge of stills.
The entire event went on pretty smoothly except the staged photoshoot at a nearby temple didn't went as expected. It was supposed to be done before the guests arrive at the lunch reception but instead, due to time constraints, it was pushed to the end and done in a haphazard manner in less than 20 minutes. I knew it would be very difficult to produce satisfactory results eventhough I had a magical temple ground at my disposal. This was my only set back which left me wondering how far is my own limit I can push. I had intended 1 roll of 36 frames B/W 35mm for the entire Temple Photoshoot but I barely utilized more than 10 frames :(
In summary, my maiden wedding went pretty well but very tiring and the most memorable moment was when the Master put on the head gear of faux hair and Miho exclaimed in laughter, "I looked like a Carebear with this head gear".
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
It's a great day today...
- Never Stop Dreaming -
As many of you have already known and as many of you have already read, I am just not your typical sunny island beach boy. I smile when the lights go out, I fly in the incandescent street lamps of the night and I most certainly float with the fluffy storm clouds. But today, after the slushy rain and snow mess from yesterday, I was in fact pretty excited for the sun to roll in. Because the distance peaks were all dusted in glorious white the surrounding ranges were in full view. The few clouds hung low and the exposed blue skies above reminded me once again of summer except with chilly temperatures kissing my face.
I am happy...indeed because snow on the peaks came a little earlier this year which would mean I would have snow on my feet very soon. Winter is finally here and as such, ended my long wait...the air never tasted so fresh, so crisp and so minty scented in my lungs. While the rest of the colorful greenery fades slowly to nothing but dark contrast of lines and shadows beneath the white peaks, I could safely say to myself, "Wait a little longer, have a little more patience, it's almost here..."
For 3 good years, I have never once felt the the need or even remember what the scenes of good 'o SG were like. Perhaps the same boring unsightly stuffs that I never once looked forward to have change to even shitty looking ones? I don't know and I don't really care...because what I see here are no longer confined to 2D pages or screens. Winter has become a part of my life and I do confess I need it. 3 years ago, there were those naysayers who said that I was too quick to find love for winter since I had never been thru one and that they were so confident that after my first winter, I would be singing a different tune or fleeing to warmer regions. 3 years later, I am still tasting winter like a virgin and each year it can only get better.
Though many people do not have the luxury to experience such celestial lifestyle, I can only hope and pray that someday, someone out there would be able to see the same white scenery with me and say, "I would trade everything else to live each day like this for the rest of my life."
As many of you have already known and as many of you have already read, I am just not your typical sunny island beach boy. I smile when the lights go out, I fly in the incandescent street lamps of the night and I most certainly float with the fluffy storm clouds. But today, after the slushy rain and snow mess from yesterday, I was in fact pretty excited for the sun to roll in. Because the distance peaks were all dusted in glorious white the surrounding ranges were in full view. The few clouds hung low and the exposed blue skies above reminded me once again of summer except with chilly temperatures kissing my face.
I am happy...indeed because snow on the peaks came a little earlier this year which would mean I would have snow on my feet very soon. Winter is finally here and as such, ended my long wait...the air never tasted so fresh, so crisp and so minty scented in my lungs. While the rest of the colorful greenery fades slowly to nothing but dark contrast of lines and shadows beneath the white peaks, I could safely say to myself, "Wait a little longer, have a little more patience, it's almost here..."
For 3 good years, I have never once felt the the need or even remember what the scenes of good 'o SG were like. Perhaps the same boring unsightly stuffs that I never once looked forward to have change to even shitty looking ones? I don't know and I don't really care...because what I see here are no longer confined to 2D pages or screens. Winter has become a part of my life and I do confess I need it. 3 years ago, there were those naysayers who said that I was too quick to find love for winter since I had never been thru one and that they were so confident that after my first winter, I would be singing a different tune or fleeing to warmer regions. 3 years later, I am still tasting winter like a virgin and each year it can only get better.
Though many people do not have the luxury to experience such celestial lifestyle, I can only hope and pray that someday, someone out there would be able to see the same white scenery with me and say, "I would trade everything else to live each day like this for the rest of my life."
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Not good enuff, try harder...
- Never Stop Dreaming -
While it seems that the news of H1N1 has been rather dead recently, I am always reminding myself that I have always been "healthy" and rarely fall prey to any form of sickness. I was a little too careless and a little to harsh to quickly learn from my over-confidence.
Strangely late into the evening last night, I was struck down by a sudden and unknown illness which left me nauseas, sick, lethargic and very unconscious. I was barely able to get a hold of myself while I struggled home after buying my dinner. My head was spinning like a record on a turntable and my breath was irregular and heavy. I could feel my body trembling at the otherwise bearable cold and I was really not in a good condition.
Tried to puke my guts out but nothing happened and yet the undigested food remained uncomfortably lodged in my diaphragm. Not a good feeling when each step I took felt like an earthquake. Gobbled up my dinner, popped some pills and crawled into the chilly bed by 1945 hours. Tossed and turned the entire night but felt slightly better as I watched the cold darkness broke into the dawn of a new day. It was really cold this morning and outside, the rain from last night had turned into slush...snow came with rain and everywhere was wet, noisy and very gloomy.
I knew I had to either call it a sick day and rest or fight it out and go to work which I obviously chose the later. With only a couple of days left, I have to prevent myself from sucumbing to any sickness to prepare for the big day. In school, I could feel the sick aura slowly leaving me alone though the discomfort of indigestion, headaches, and occasional shivery cough and flu still plague me.
Have quite a number of things to do and prepare before the big day which I am so looking forward to, I see images even in my sleep.
God bless you all and stray far from those irritating sickness.
While it seems that the news of H1N1 has been rather dead recently, I am always reminding myself that I have always been "healthy" and rarely fall prey to any form of sickness. I was a little too careless and a little to harsh to quickly learn from my over-confidence.
Strangely late into the evening last night, I was struck down by a sudden and unknown illness which left me nauseas, sick, lethargic and very unconscious. I was barely able to get a hold of myself while I struggled home after buying my dinner. My head was spinning like a record on a turntable and my breath was irregular and heavy. I could feel my body trembling at the otherwise bearable cold and I was really not in a good condition.
Tried to puke my guts out but nothing happened and yet the undigested food remained uncomfortably lodged in my diaphragm. Not a good feeling when each step I took felt like an earthquake. Gobbled up my dinner, popped some pills and crawled into the chilly bed by 1945 hours. Tossed and turned the entire night but felt slightly better as I watched the cold darkness broke into the dawn of a new day. It was really cold this morning and outside, the rain from last night had turned into slush...snow came with rain and everywhere was wet, noisy and very gloomy.
I knew I had to either call it a sick day and rest or fight it out and go to work which I obviously chose the later. With only a couple of days left, I have to prevent myself from sucumbing to any sickness to prepare for the big day. In school, I could feel the sick aura slowly leaving me alone though the discomfort of indigestion, headaches, and occasional shivery cough and flu still plague me.
Have quite a number of things to do and prepare before the big day which I am so looking forward to, I see images even in my sleep.
God bless you all and stray far from those irritating sickness.
Monday, November 16, 2009
A tiny step but a giant leap
- Never Stop Dreaming -
Sometime back, I was talking to a friend who will soon tie the blissful knot (wonder where the hell is my magical knot) and I was left utterly speechless when I learnt that there will be no professional photographer to document his magical event. There may be various reasons but pictures are definitely a MUST in any wedding event and to leave this sacred task to just about anyone who holds a camera is almost unbelievable. To do myself and my friend a huge favor, I shamelessly volunteered to capture the event as a main photographer so that I could at least be able to sleep at night knowing that I did something meaningful for once in my life. It's not always about me you know, sometimes, it just feels good to do something for someone else just to feel good. Yeah right, like real...in case you didn't see it coming, I would not take such noble credit for it since I wasn't even a saint to begin with. To shed a little light, or should I say darkness, this merely allows me to put meself to the test, against all odds to see how far I can take such important roles.
So far, my pictures were deemed to be good but the truth is that I am doing all my pictures as a hobby, not like my life depended on it so there wasn't much pressure, time frame attached to it and I was pretty much free to explore my talents. Now that I gave someone else my word, this will mark an epical journey for me into the future, a tiny step for me but a gigantic leap for my future which I have to settle for nothing else except perfection to deliver. No doubt the immerse pressure is way more than the previous one when I took the role of a second photographer in Singapore since there was a Master to take charge back then. Now it's just me alone in the vast ocean fending the sharks...many pairs of eyes will be feasting me like piranhas and with that comes an incredible amount of pressure raining down on me. However, the paramount and single death blow to me would be my own mentality, my own perfection to meet and my own pressure to evaluate my actions and sanity. I simply cannot fail and I simply cannot blame any inanimate objects except to eat my sanity away...
This is THE one chance, the one debut, the first and maiden attempt for me to take the holy role of a wedding photographer, the MAIN man in charge to capture, preserve and to re-write history. All those tears, sweat and toil that I had been thru all comes down to this one historical moment, to carve my legend out of nothing.
Though I dare confess that I am definitely not a devoted believer of any faith, I sink weakly and nimbly before any omnipotent and mighty God to bless me the strength, the holy energy and the wings to shine thru this epical magic carpet ride!
And to my friend, I couldn't be more grateful and thankful to you for giving me this chance, for beliving in me and for having faith...let's make this magic happen!
Though things are getting pretty messed up in my head, hopefully I can get my gear ready. 3 rolls of film which makes up at least a 100 B/W shoots, light stands...
Sometime back, I was talking to a friend who will soon tie the blissful knot (wonder where the hell is my magical knot) and I was left utterly speechless when I learnt that there will be no professional photographer to document his magical event. There may be various reasons but pictures are definitely a MUST in any wedding event and to leave this sacred task to just about anyone who holds a camera is almost unbelievable. To do myself and my friend a huge favor, I shamelessly volunteered to capture the event as a main photographer so that I could at least be able to sleep at night knowing that I did something meaningful for once in my life. It's not always about me you know, sometimes, it just feels good to do something for someone else just to feel good. Yeah right, like real...in case you didn't see it coming, I would not take such noble credit for it since I wasn't even a saint to begin with. To shed a little light, or should I say darkness, this merely allows me to put meself to the test, against all odds to see how far I can take such important roles.
So far, my pictures were deemed to be good but the truth is that I am doing all my pictures as a hobby, not like my life depended on it so there wasn't much pressure, time frame attached to it and I was pretty much free to explore my talents. Now that I gave someone else my word, this will mark an epical journey for me into the future, a tiny step for me but a gigantic leap for my future which I have to settle for nothing else except perfection to deliver. No doubt the immerse pressure is way more than the previous one when I took the role of a second photographer in Singapore since there was a Master to take charge back then. Now it's just me alone in the vast ocean fending the sharks...many pairs of eyes will be feasting me like piranhas and with that comes an incredible amount of pressure raining down on me. However, the paramount and single death blow to me would be my own mentality, my own perfection to meet and my own pressure to evaluate my actions and sanity. I simply cannot fail and I simply cannot blame any inanimate objects except to eat my sanity away...
This is THE one chance, the one debut, the first and maiden attempt for me to take the holy role of a wedding photographer, the MAIN man in charge to capture, preserve and to re-write history. All those tears, sweat and toil that I had been thru all comes down to this one historical moment, to carve my legend out of nothing.
Though I dare confess that I am definitely not a devoted believer of any faith, I sink weakly and nimbly before any omnipotent and mighty God to bless me the strength, the holy energy and the wings to shine thru this epical magic carpet ride!
And to my friend, I couldn't be more grateful and thankful to you for giving me this chance, for beliving in me and for having faith...let's make this magic happen!
Though things are getting pretty messed up in my head, hopefully I can get my gear ready. 3 rolls of film which makes up at least a 100 B/W shoots, light stands...
Thursday, November 12, 2009
The Magic of Nature...
- Never Stop Dreaming -
In times like this when I feel lost, distraught and really unstable, everything that I do feels insignificant and uneventful. If I were in SG, the usual routine stupid crowd that brings me down further will only add to my rage. Because in SG, there's just too many stupid people plaguing a perfectly fine and lively city.
Nature if you ask me when I was in SG would be something that I couldn't care the least bit about since there wasn't much to begin with. Even if there were, they were probably boring, pesky insects infested, hot and humid state land with huge "No Transpassing" signboards.
Somehow with the change of environment where this tiny valley city that I reside in now is going thru the annual phase of changing colors to embrace the beautiful winter, the fluffy thick grey clouds of doom hovering over the peaks of the distant mountain ranges and the rejuvernating sensation of inhaling in fresh morning scent seems to wash those weary woes away bit by bit. Not instantaneously but I would say rather effectively. Since I am a huge sucker for cold weather, I have never felt or appreciated how much nature had embraced me when I was in the lowest times of my life, at least not when I was in SG.
Religions and Gods many be rather subjective but this kinda of nature seems to relate a Godly prescence making almost everyone who would take a minute or 2 of their routine hectic lives appreciate and enjoy what had been there for gazillions years before our existence to destroy every bit of it. 3 years here and not for a day have I taken such amazing scenery for granted except that I wouldn't want to put them into 2 dimensional static and lifeless photos. Everyone have to feel it for themselves and see that life itself is probably the most wonderful gift from our parents or from God, if you believe in one.
I have no intention to bare it all, pitting my rage against the omnipotent nature. As much as I would want to be angry, pissed and think irrationally, a simple glance at all those colorful mountain ranges, the slow passing of the clouds, the sun peeking thru the clouds, the rustling of the leaves, the falling of the leaves, the cold but nature-scented air blowing thru, the sand and dust dancing in the gust, the crows singing on the fence, the hawks circling the skies, the farmers tending their crops, the reflection of the lakes and ponds or the one foreigner standing on a ledge, admiring all these magic...
I have found a place that only appears in dreams when most of my other country folks go to sleep each night.
I have found a place that only appears in the fairy tale books read to children of a tender age.
I have found a place where I have a strong belonging.
This is paradise that you will never see...
If only you were here to see it with me...
In times like this when I feel lost, distraught and really unstable, everything that I do feels insignificant and uneventful. If I were in SG, the usual routine stupid crowd that brings me down further will only add to my rage. Because in SG, there's just too many stupid people plaguing a perfectly fine and lively city.
Nature if you ask me when I was in SG would be something that I couldn't care the least bit about since there wasn't much to begin with. Even if there were, they were probably boring, pesky insects infested, hot and humid state land with huge "No Transpassing" signboards.
Somehow with the change of environment where this tiny valley city that I reside in now is going thru the annual phase of changing colors to embrace the beautiful winter, the fluffy thick grey clouds of doom hovering over the peaks of the distant mountain ranges and the rejuvernating sensation of inhaling in fresh morning scent seems to wash those weary woes away bit by bit. Not instantaneously but I would say rather effectively. Since I am a huge sucker for cold weather, I have never felt or appreciated how much nature had embraced me when I was in the lowest times of my life, at least not when I was in SG.
Religions and Gods many be rather subjective but this kinda of nature seems to relate a Godly prescence making almost everyone who would take a minute or 2 of their routine hectic lives appreciate and enjoy what had been there for gazillions years before our existence to destroy every bit of it. 3 years here and not for a day have I taken such amazing scenery for granted except that I wouldn't want to put them into 2 dimensional static and lifeless photos. Everyone have to feel it for themselves and see that life itself is probably the most wonderful gift from our parents or from God, if you believe in one.
I have no intention to bare it all, pitting my rage against the omnipotent nature. As much as I would want to be angry, pissed and think irrationally, a simple glance at all those colorful mountain ranges, the slow passing of the clouds, the sun peeking thru the clouds, the rustling of the leaves, the falling of the leaves, the cold but nature-scented air blowing thru, the sand and dust dancing in the gust, the crows singing on the fence, the hawks circling the skies, the farmers tending their crops, the reflection of the lakes and ponds or the one foreigner standing on a ledge, admiring all these magic...
I have found a place that only appears in dreams when most of my other country folks go to sleep each night.
I have found a place that only appears in the fairy tale books read to children of a tender age.
I have found a place where I have a strong belonging.
This is paradise that you will never see...
If only you were here to see it with me...
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
My say on the Sigma HSM DG EX 50mm F1.4 (Canon Mount)
- Never Stop Dreaming -
A while ago, I had settled for the Sigma 50mm over Canon L which was just too expensive, over the Canon 1.4 which I felt was more like a toy but in the end, the Sigma was simply a mix of pros and cons.
This is my first Sigma lens since I prefer to stick to Canon L after being blown away by the EF35L which is still my favorite lens in my arsenal. The overall construction is not bad but feels delicate as compared to the Canon 1.4 since the Canon feels like a sturdy plastic capable of abuse while the Sigma uses some kinda of coating.
The HSM motor is quiet which is neither good or bad since sound is not an issue for me. Looking into the lens at the grooves that the lens tread on, I feel that Canon 1.4 would be much simpler and confident to use. But I do like the huge 77mm large glass that the Sigma has over the tiny Canon 1.4.
AF speed on both the 5Dm2 and EOS 3 for the Sigma was a little slower as compared to the Canon 1.4. AF tends to hunt a bit in dark situations for both lenses though.
You can find pretty much in depth reviews on the net so I would not go thru that trouble but rather my personal opinion on this lens. Having shot both on film and digital, I would say that this lens is usable straight outta the box with subjects less than 3 metres from the camera. Anything beyond, out of focus shots are a definite. Had no such trouble with all my Canon lenses so this does disappoint me a little.
At 1.4, it's soft and subjective to CA which I believe is present to all other 50mm lenses as well. At 1.8 to 2.0, the Sigma is spot on and very sharp. This lens is usable in my opinion but wide open, it's really prone to out of focus shots. Takes practice though but this flaw can most definitely be worked around with some effort. I tried contacting Sigma about calibrating the lens but sadly they replied that they can only calibrate the lens to 1 camera body which I will pass.
Overall this quite a nice affordable 50mm lens that is very usable if you know how to exploit the flaws at wide aperture. I really would not compare this lens with Canon L lenses since they are of a different league. At the price, this is probably the best value for money 50mm lens.
A while ago, I had settled for the Sigma 50mm over Canon L which was just too expensive, over the Canon 1.4 which I felt was more like a toy but in the end, the Sigma was simply a mix of pros and cons.
This is my first Sigma lens since I prefer to stick to Canon L after being blown away by the EF35L which is still my favorite lens in my arsenal. The overall construction is not bad but feels delicate as compared to the Canon 1.4 since the Canon feels like a sturdy plastic capable of abuse while the Sigma uses some kinda of coating.
The HSM motor is quiet which is neither good or bad since sound is not an issue for me. Looking into the lens at the grooves that the lens tread on, I feel that Canon 1.4 would be much simpler and confident to use. But I do like the huge 77mm large glass that the Sigma has over the tiny Canon 1.4.
AF speed on both the 5Dm2 and EOS 3 for the Sigma was a little slower as compared to the Canon 1.4. AF tends to hunt a bit in dark situations for both lenses though.
You can find pretty much in depth reviews on the net so I would not go thru that trouble but rather my personal opinion on this lens. Having shot both on film and digital, I would say that this lens is usable straight outta the box with subjects less than 3 metres from the camera. Anything beyond, out of focus shots are a definite. Had no such trouble with all my Canon lenses so this does disappoint me a little.
At 1.4, it's soft and subjective to CA which I believe is present to all other 50mm lenses as well. At 1.8 to 2.0, the Sigma is spot on and very sharp. This lens is usable in my opinion but wide open, it's really prone to out of focus shots. Takes practice though but this flaw can most definitely be worked around with some effort. I tried contacting Sigma about calibrating the lens but sadly they replied that they can only calibrate the lens to 1 camera body which I will pass.
Overall this quite a nice affordable 50mm lens that is very usable if you know how to exploit the flaws at wide aperture. I really would not compare this lens with Canon L lenses since they are of a different league. At the price, this is probably the best value for money 50mm lens.
So what do I say...
- Never Stop Dreaming -
Yesterday was an "amazing" day for me because what seemed like an ordinary day to begin with soon unfolded into a series of unfortunate events. Upon reaching the first school, E school, they inquired about my prescence on 11th November which was of course today. I told them that I would be at the other school, J school, which was only like 1 minute apart by car since I go to J school from Wednesday to Friday for the past 3 years and that left the staffs in shock like a scene from The Ring.
And so the situation was that on 11th November, both schools needed my prescence for a very big and important demostration class but J school had the priority since it was a Wednesday. 2 schools were 1 minute apart by car and all it took was a phone call to resolve such silly and unnecessary conflicts but yet the 2 schools were clueless about each other. I shook my head in digust and told the staffs at E school to iron out their conflicts while I continued to amuse myself with Facebook.
In the end, they resolved their silly incompetence and the verdict was for me to be present at 2 different schools with 15 minutes grace. I really couldn't care less if you ask me.
As the evil plot unfolds further, I found myself straining a rather important relationship. I had asked 2 friends for help with regards to finding a second hand snow tyre and of course the cheaper the better. The 1st friend, Y, was a great friend for 3 years and he got me a barely used second hand snow tyres thru his brother for ￥40,000. Hefty though since the cheap new ones goes for ￥20,000. I was a bit reluctant but told him I would consider it. That was when things went sour and turned nasty. He told me that his brother was doing me a favor and had bought it for me so I should honor the deal. Well, I was surprised but honored that his brother had gone to such lengths for me but the whole idea behind second tyres was the price of course and in this case was almost 2 times the price of brand new ones. There was absolutely no justification in this I would say...
The second friend, T, returned me called 2 days later with a ￥10,000 second set of tyres. Now the price itself was everything that I needed to make an instant decision but my fatal call to Y was brutal as he lashed out every reason about how the Japanese spirit, how I should honor the deal, how I should accept it since I asked him for help, blah blah blah. I was not very happy about it, in fact I was PISSED! The conversation strained our friendship seriously but I chose to honor the deal and forsake the monetary loss to see the true character of people.
Hoping that everything would end with a good dinner and some decent rest, I found that I didn't bring my wallet out..."Man!" I thought, "Could this get any worse?". Luckily I had my card and I strolled into the mall like a lifeless zombie, grabbed my take away dinner and headed home. While driving thru the forested stretch near my house, I thought, "What a fucked up day...so if any dumb animals were to be stupid enuff to cross my path, death I shall serve to you."
True enuff, a ginger cat, not sure if it's a kitten or an adult stupidly crossed my path as I entered a bend. Heard a squeal of pain but I couldn't care less and continued until I reach home. The first thing I did when I exited the car was to check if there were any blood stains, lodged carcass, etc that would have pissed me off even more. Nothing could be seen in the darkess as I battled the bugs that plauged my house every year during the autumn winter crossover. Busted a finger in the process and still I could feel my rage boiling strong.
Late into the night, I saw a familiar name on Facebook...I wasn't sure if I should make the first move but in the end I still did. I wasn't sure if a simple, "Hi, how are you?" was appropriate. We chatted via Facebook chat but it was a completely different feeling as compared to months ago for at least 8 months where we shared giggles, sarcasm and gossips thru skype. Now it was just watching for the blinking cursor until texts appeared before I could reply anything. Really, I asked myself...what do I say with each reply you give? Coincidentally, someone else used the same salutation only known by us...did everything have a meaning to it? What exactly was I missing out?
And today, according to the weather forcast would be raining and so would the next couple of days. At least the weather and Heaven were kind to me to grant me such splendid blessings. The entire sky was filled with deep dark gray clouds of doom and the rain wouldn't stop falling. 0900 in the morning and it seemed like 1900 in the evening...such weather would be a dread for many people but for me, it was simply beautiful because there would be a lot more accidents, a lot more pissed poor folks and a hell lot more mess around.
I am one, with no master with tutor.
I am one, with my own dreams with my own visions.
I am one, ready for a challenge if you are good enuff.
So bring it on and give me all you have got before I get bored.
Yesterday was an "amazing" day for me because what seemed like an ordinary day to begin with soon unfolded into a series of unfortunate events. Upon reaching the first school, E school, they inquired about my prescence on 11th November which was of course today. I told them that I would be at the other school, J school, which was only like 1 minute apart by car since I go to J school from Wednesday to Friday for the past 3 years and that left the staffs in shock like a scene from The Ring.
And so the situation was that on 11th November, both schools needed my prescence for a very big and important demostration class but J school had the priority since it was a Wednesday. 2 schools were 1 minute apart by car and all it took was a phone call to resolve such silly and unnecessary conflicts but yet the 2 schools were clueless about each other. I shook my head in digust and told the staffs at E school to iron out their conflicts while I continued to amuse myself with Facebook.
In the end, they resolved their silly incompetence and the verdict was for me to be present at 2 different schools with 15 minutes grace. I really couldn't care less if you ask me.
As the evil plot unfolds further, I found myself straining a rather important relationship. I had asked 2 friends for help with regards to finding a second hand snow tyre and of course the cheaper the better. The 1st friend, Y, was a great friend for 3 years and he got me a barely used second hand snow tyres thru his brother for ￥40,000. Hefty though since the cheap new ones goes for ￥20,000. I was a bit reluctant but told him I would consider it. That was when things went sour and turned nasty. He told me that his brother was doing me a favor and had bought it for me so I should honor the deal. Well, I was surprised but honored that his brother had gone to such lengths for me but the whole idea behind second tyres was the price of course and in this case was almost 2 times the price of brand new ones. There was absolutely no justification in this I would say...
The second friend, T, returned me called 2 days later with a ￥10,000 second set of tyres. Now the price itself was everything that I needed to make an instant decision but my fatal call to Y was brutal as he lashed out every reason about how the Japanese spirit, how I should honor the deal, how I should accept it since I asked him for help, blah blah blah. I was not very happy about it, in fact I was PISSED! The conversation strained our friendship seriously but I chose to honor the deal and forsake the monetary loss to see the true character of people.
Hoping that everything would end with a good dinner and some decent rest, I found that I didn't bring my wallet out..."Man!" I thought, "Could this get any worse?". Luckily I had my card and I strolled into the mall like a lifeless zombie, grabbed my take away dinner and headed home. While driving thru the forested stretch near my house, I thought, "What a fucked up day...so if any dumb animals were to be stupid enuff to cross my path, death I shall serve to you."
True enuff, a ginger cat, not sure if it's a kitten or an adult stupidly crossed my path as I entered a bend. Heard a squeal of pain but I couldn't care less and continued until I reach home. The first thing I did when I exited the car was to check if there were any blood stains, lodged carcass, etc that would have pissed me off even more. Nothing could be seen in the darkess as I battled the bugs that plauged my house every year during the autumn winter crossover. Busted a finger in the process and still I could feel my rage boiling strong.
Late into the night, I saw a familiar name on Facebook...I wasn't sure if I should make the first move but in the end I still did. I wasn't sure if a simple, "Hi, how are you?" was appropriate. We chatted via Facebook chat but it was a completely different feeling as compared to months ago for at least 8 months where we shared giggles, sarcasm and gossips thru skype. Now it was just watching for the blinking cursor until texts appeared before I could reply anything. Really, I asked myself...what do I say with each reply you give? Coincidentally, someone else used the same salutation only known by us...did everything have a meaning to it? What exactly was I missing out?
And today, according to the weather forcast would be raining and so would the next couple of days. At least the weather and Heaven were kind to me to grant me such splendid blessings. The entire sky was filled with deep dark gray clouds of doom and the rain wouldn't stop falling. 0900 in the morning and it seemed like 1900 in the evening...such weather would be a dread for many people but for me, it was simply beautiful because there would be a lot more accidents, a lot more pissed poor folks and a hell lot more mess around.
I am one, with no master with tutor.
I am one, with my own dreams with my own visions.
I am one, ready for a challenge if you are good enuff.
So bring it on and give me all you have got before I get bored.
Friday, November 6, 2009
If only...
- Never Stop Dreaming -
Well, so much for a surprise which was utter disappointment in the end. I guess if I want something right, I just gotta get my hands dirty and do it myself. Standards of others are simply not up to my expectations in most situations. I am becoming more emotionally and mentally attached to figures that are so much more inspirational than redundant wind bags that spew nonsensical garbage from time to time.
It's really sad to see how much overflow of information is floating in the cyberspace and yet people are too dumb to utilise it effectively and yet extremely adept in abusing it. As the saying goes, "Empty vessels make the most noise", I couldn't have said it any better.
I really wonder why some would subject themselves to be slaves of technology, don't really know what the hell they are talking most of the time, have tons of time spewing nonsense and yet no time to do some productive work, nosey parker sniffing into everything that's good and yet can't master any of it, so full of themselves without realising that half the time, they are just a pathetic hollow shell with no essence.
Though I do not rule out age as a reason for such un-acceptable behavior, age don't really take the main role. Rather, it's more of suffering from inferior complexity and wanting to deny it by seeking attention. Yet acceptance of the truth are never possible since selective listening and views are the norm. When things doesn't quite go as plan, anger and egoistic pride kicks in where the fragility of human connection are strained. I see it in a way that if you try to mend a broken mirror, you can never remove the scars, the lines and the cracks that are evidence of the past. I am a perfectionist and I admire beauty and intellectual challenged mediums so I would never try to break a mirror and then mend it back. If I do break anything, it's the garbage that they go to.
Since I have absolutely no control over issues that plagued me as I walk the path of life, I just take everything that's thrown at me in my stride. Because I believe that if only everyone listened more and talk less, put themselves before others, take pride in what they do, ask intelligent questions only when they run outta options, not abuse or take things for granted, show a decent level of competency, respect human bonds, drop the deserved-to-be-shot egoistic PRC attitude, be humble and accept honorable defeats, would we all be able to live harmonously in a perfect utopian society?
Well, so much for a surprise which was utter disappointment in the end. I guess if I want something right, I just gotta get my hands dirty and do it myself. Standards of others are simply not up to my expectations in most situations. I am becoming more emotionally and mentally attached to figures that are so much more inspirational than redundant wind bags that spew nonsensical garbage from time to time.
It's really sad to see how much overflow of information is floating in the cyberspace and yet people are too dumb to utilise it effectively and yet extremely adept in abusing it. As the saying goes, "Empty vessels make the most noise", I couldn't have said it any better.
I really wonder why some would subject themselves to be slaves of technology, don't really know what the hell they are talking most of the time, have tons of time spewing nonsense and yet no time to do some productive work, nosey parker sniffing into everything that's good and yet can't master any of it, so full of themselves without realising that half the time, they are just a pathetic hollow shell with no essence.
Though I do not rule out age as a reason for such un-acceptable behavior, age don't really take the main role. Rather, it's more of suffering from inferior complexity and wanting to deny it by seeking attention. Yet acceptance of the truth are never possible since selective listening and views are the norm. When things doesn't quite go as plan, anger and egoistic pride kicks in where the fragility of human connection are strained. I see it in a way that if you try to mend a broken mirror, you can never remove the scars, the lines and the cracks that are evidence of the past. I am a perfectionist and I admire beauty and intellectual challenged mediums so I would never try to break a mirror and then mend it back. If I do break anything, it's the garbage that they go to.
Since I have absolutely no control over issues that plagued me as I walk the path of life, I just take everything that's thrown at me in my stride. Because I believe that if only everyone listened more and talk less, put themselves before others, take pride in what they do, ask intelligent questions only when they run outta options, not abuse or take things for granted, show a decent level of competency, respect human bonds, drop the deserved-to-be-shot egoistic PRC attitude, be humble and accept honorable defeats, would we all be able to live harmonously in a perfect utopian society?
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
New toys from the past...
- Never Stop Dreaming -
As I progress thru photography, so did greed...I do not deny that I do have a huge crush on the Leica M3 or M6 rangefinders but they are just a on the top of a luxury wish list. Not feasible but still I would love to have one.
The other one that I do fancy is a Rollei TLR camera or an old Asahi Pentax 67 with a wooden beer handle to knock any fools in my way. Though they are all from old film eras, most still pack a lethal punch for me.
But as for now, they are just gonna take up space and a lot of money...we will see.
As I progress thru photography, so did greed...I do not deny that I do have a huge crush on the Leica M3 or M6 rangefinders but they are just a on the top of a luxury wish list. Not feasible but still I would love to have one.
The other one that I do fancy is a Rollei TLR camera or an old Asahi Pentax 67 with a wooden beer handle to knock any fools in my way. Though they are all from old film eras, most still pack a lethal punch for me.
But as for now, they are just gonna take up space and a lot of money...we will see.
Damn cycle of luck...screw you!
- Never Stop Dreaming -
Last week, I was off to a blast and everything was rocking smooth. I saw a shooting star on Friday night, received a much awaited call before leaving for Tokyo on Saturday, picked up a decent copy of the lens I wanted, got introduced to a mystery girl which I have not idea how she looked like or do for a living, crashed a Halloween party, met a cool dude of Native American ancestry, met my SG friend in Tokyo, went to the Tokyo Motor Show and only to come back home in snowing conditions. To top it all off, I successfully developed my first ever roll of film last night in freezing conditions.
Damn the cycle of luck which clearly disappoints from here forth. My wisdom tooth began to give me shits, my friend showing signs of the undesirable and highly contagious PRCs attitude and God knows what else may come.
First, let's elaborate on the call...I have been here for almost 3 years and I am pretty bored of my super ideal job. In other words, I want to move on to other fields of profession, a wedding photographer of course. This call came from the Director of the photography department of one of the largest conglomate of one of the oldest names in Japanese hotel resort. I was set for an interview after pulling some strings from an insider job. Went for the interview yesterday and found that the famous sacred stone church was part of this conglomate.
The Director was a really laid back gentleman with 9 years in the current position. The interview was more of a friendly conversation with an rough introduction of the compound which the insides of the sacred stone church stole my soul. He was impressed with my portfolio, attitude, presentation and mentality and commended me on various occasions. Sadly I could only take all these with a pinch of salt since I barely know him. If all goes well, I might be able to join one of the most prestigous company in Japan with a high chance to meet both Japanese and International celebrities and yes I am grinning evily. I am also pretty confident that there will be intense competition for this position but I am not taking anything lightly. Indeed I am really looking forward to this position which will decide my future from 2010 and beyond.
Next I shall cover this mystery girl whom was introduced by my local contact. She called me, told me she wanted to introduce me this girl and ask me if my details could be forwarded to this mystery girl. Of course I said yes since a new friend found couldn't really be a bad thing. The mystery girl called me while I was shopping for my photography supplies and the entire conversation was simply about photography. We exchanged a couple of mails and that was about it. I am clueless about how she looked like, what she does for a living, etc. which I will find out in due course.
Last night in freezing conditions (4 degrees), I prepared my chemicals, stabilized the temperature, off all the lights and in pitch black darkness, spooled my first and ever roll of 35mm film before coming out into the light. Things like contrast, grains and tones were given careful considerations after months of research done on the net, advices from inspirational photographers and product advice. In my mind were simply thoughts that I would most definitely screw up my first ever attempt since I did not attent any schools, was not govern by tests or exams, was no apprentice to no master, and had absolute freedom to do whatever I wanted.
After the final rinse in the drying agent, it was just the moment of truth that would clear the smog in my head. Upon opening the canister, I saw nothing but plastic grey film with no images. I was disappointed instantly but as I tore open the spool intricately, the images on the frames began to appear and I swore my heart skipped a beat back there. The pure exhilaration of completing such feats marked an epical achievement to my life from here beyond. All I need is a decent scanner after I hung the long strip to dry.
This coming Friday have another major event and a great chance to make new friends, practice photography.
Snow is also slowly creeping in and I am really excited...
Last week, I was off to a blast and everything was rocking smooth. I saw a shooting star on Friday night, received a much awaited call before leaving for Tokyo on Saturday, picked up a decent copy of the lens I wanted, got introduced to a mystery girl which I have not idea how she looked like or do for a living, crashed a Halloween party, met a cool dude of Native American ancestry, met my SG friend in Tokyo, went to the Tokyo Motor Show and only to come back home in snowing conditions. To top it all off, I successfully developed my first ever roll of film last night in freezing conditions.
Damn the cycle of luck which clearly disappoints from here forth. My wisdom tooth began to give me shits, my friend showing signs of the undesirable and highly contagious PRCs attitude and God knows what else may come.
First, let's elaborate on the call...I have been here for almost 3 years and I am pretty bored of my super ideal job. In other words, I want to move on to other fields of profession, a wedding photographer of course. This call came from the Director of the photography department of one of the largest conglomate of one of the oldest names in Japanese hotel resort. I was set for an interview after pulling some strings from an insider job. Went for the interview yesterday and found that the famous sacred stone church was part of this conglomate.
The Director was a really laid back gentleman with 9 years in the current position. The interview was more of a friendly conversation with an rough introduction of the compound which the insides of the sacred stone church stole my soul. He was impressed with my portfolio, attitude, presentation and mentality and commended me on various occasions. Sadly I could only take all these with a pinch of salt since I barely know him. If all goes well, I might be able to join one of the most prestigous company in Japan with a high chance to meet both Japanese and International celebrities and yes I am grinning evily. I am also pretty confident that there will be intense competition for this position but I am not taking anything lightly. Indeed I am really looking forward to this position which will decide my future from 2010 and beyond.
Next I shall cover this mystery girl whom was introduced by my local contact. She called me, told me she wanted to introduce me this girl and ask me if my details could be forwarded to this mystery girl. Of course I said yes since a new friend found couldn't really be a bad thing. The mystery girl called me while I was shopping for my photography supplies and the entire conversation was simply about photography. We exchanged a couple of mails and that was about it. I am clueless about how she looked like, what she does for a living, etc. which I will find out in due course.
Last night in freezing conditions (4 degrees), I prepared my chemicals, stabilized the temperature, off all the lights and in pitch black darkness, spooled my first and ever roll of 35mm film before coming out into the light. Things like contrast, grains and tones were given careful considerations after months of research done on the net, advices from inspirational photographers and product advice. In my mind were simply thoughts that I would most definitely screw up my first ever attempt since I did not attent any schools, was not govern by tests or exams, was no apprentice to no master, and had absolute freedom to do whatever I wanted.
After the final rinse in the drying agent, it was just the moment of truth that would clear the smog in my head. Upon opening the canister, I saw nothing but plastic grey film with no images. I was disappointed instantly but as I tore open the spool intricately, the images on the frames began to appear and I swore my heart skipped a beat back there. The pure exhilaration of completing such feats marked an epical achievement to my life from here beyond. All I need is a decent scanner after I hung the long strip to dry.
This coming Friday have another major event and a great chance to make new friends, practice photography.
Snow is also slowly creeping in and I am really excited...
Simplicity and Ignorance are not the same.
- Never Stop Dreaming -
When I was in U, I had noticed how a certain particular individual of PRC origin would sit in the first row at exactly the middle. He was a nobody and no one cared until he started to respond to complex mathematical questions that involves tedious integration, algorithms and formulaes in record breaking time. The lecturer was a patient man of immerse knowledge and experience but even he wasn't impressed since every answer was wrong.
It then became clear to me that maybe he had some kind of special abacus that would beat all our scientific calculators from Casio or Sharp, or simply, he was just sprouting nonsense with no essence.
In my years of existence, I have met and have been marveled by people of humble origins with a deep knowledge of specific issues. These very people became my source of inspirations simply because they do not take what the teacher, lecturer or books throw at them. They challenge the norm and question every aspect till no answer, fact or evidence can be found and then they make their verdict. Their verdicts are usually free from personal judgement and contains a wealth of factual information. They do not impose their opinions on others and will present it as a fact to respect the freedom of choice. I have upmost respect of people with such esscence since they have an open mind and are always to accept healthy and intellectual challenges. Unless you have recognised efforts, a wiki entry or worthy of my respect, you can only try to impress me.
While everyone are free to voice their opinions, views and judgements, it's sad that I do not see much of those with a strong theoritical basis to back it up since most are just ignorant rants with no truth that contains strong personal attachment to it. Sometimes, if people bothered to read more, use the internet wisely and present facts instead of personal judgement, I would indeed have a more pleasant learning experience. If you can't swim, don't blame the swimming suit and if you can't win, don't blame your opponent. Reflect on yourself and do not unto others what you do not want on yourself.
To say that it's as simple as black is black and white is white is just shooting yourself in the foot and an utter disgrace to which ever institution or tutor that you apprentice to with respect to photography. If you know your stuffs, you would have already realise that there are different shades of blacks and different shades of white so I would rather have a constructive arguement with a capable opponent since there is a possibility of me being defeated while amassing a wealth of information otherwise unknown to me. Imposing baseless personal opinions on me is a huge pitfall which will only beg you more confound sarcasm since I am not a huge fan of that. I would love a good arguement when I can conceed defeat to know that my opponent knows more than me so if you have what it takes, I am always ready for a good challenge.
I do like to hide meanings in texts and not spoon feed people who are simply lazy and take what the world throws at them readily. Since those who understands the simple intended hidden meaning would know their next course of action. And those who don't will continue to generate nonsensical rants that will never fail to impress me. If you ask politely and not let that contagious PRC attitude get the better of you, I may just feed you what you want.
If only everyone understands that simplicity is a beautiful flawless design and ignorance is just an ugly excuse of laziness to pass off as simplicity.
If only everyone understands the freedom of choice and have a wider mind set to accept constructive arguments.
If only everyone is humble, are not afraid to apologise and not impose their opinions on others.
If only everyone can be a little more earnest and modest and do in depth research before present factless and useless arguments.
If only everyone can utilise the internet wisely, question ambiguities of authority, and present intellectual views.
If only everyone appreciates the truth and accept even the harshiest ones.
If only everyone understands all these, I am damn sure I wouldn't have to come here since SG would indeed be a livable place.
When I was in U, I had noticed how a certain particular individual of PRC origin would sit in the first row at exactly the middle. He was a nobody and no one cared until he started to respond to complex mathematical questions that involves tedious integration, algorithms and formulaes in record breaking time. The lecturer was a patient man of immerse knowledge and experience but even he wasn't impressed since every answer was wrong.
It then became clear to me that maybe he had some kind of special abacus that would beat all our scientific calculators from Casio or Sharp, or simply, he was just sprouting nonsense with no essence.
In my years of existence, I have met and have been marveled by people of humble origins with a deep knowledge of specific issues. These very people became my source of inspirations simply because they do not take what the teacher, lecturer or books throw at them. They challenge the norm and question every aspect till no answer, fact or evidence can be found and then they make their verdict. Their verdicts are usually free from personal judgement and contains a wealth of factual information. They do not impose their opinions on others and will present it as a fact to respect the freedom of choice. I have upmost respect of people with such esscence since they have an open mind and are always to accept healthy and intellectual challenges. Unless you have recognised efforts, a wiki entry or worthy of my respect, you can only try to impress me.
While everyone are free to voice their opinions, views and judgements, it's sad that I do not see much of those with a strong theoritical basis to back it up since most are just ignorant rants with no truth that contains strong personal attachment to it. Sometimes, if people bothered to read more, use the internet wisely and present facts instead of personal judgement, I would indeed have a more pleasant learning experience. If you can't swim, don't blame the swimming suit and if you can't win, don't blame your opponent. Reflect on yourself and do not unto others what you do not want on yourself.
To say that it's as simple as black is black and white is white is just shooting yourself in the foot and an utter disgrace to which ever institution or tutor that you apprentice to with respect to photography. If you know your stuffs, you would have already realise that there are different shades of blacks and different shades of white so I would rather have a constructive arguement with a capable opponent since there is a possibility of me being defeated while amassing a wealth of information otherwise unknown to me. Imposing baseless personal opinions on me is a huge pitfall which will only beg you more confound sarcasm since I am not a huge fan of that. I would love a good arguement when I can conceed defeat to know that my opponent knows more than me so if you have what it takes, I am always ready for a good challenge.
I do like to hide meanings in texts and not spoon feed people who are simply lazy and take what the world throws at them readily. Since those who understands the simple intended hidden meaning would know their next course of action. And those who don't will continue to generate nonsensical rants that will never fail to impress me. If you ask politely and not let that contagious PRC attitude get the better of you, I may just feed you what you want.
If only everyone understands that simplicity is a beautiful flawless design and ignorance is just an ugly excuse of laziness to pass off as simplicity.
If only everyone understands the freedom of choice and have a wider mind set to accept constructive arguments.
If only everyone is humble, are not afraid to apologise and not impose their opinions on others.
If only everyone can be a little more earnest and modest and do in depth research before present factless and useless arguments.
If only everyone can utilise the internet wisely, question ambiguities of authority, and present intellectual views.
If only everyone appreciates the truth and accept even the harshiest ones.
If only everyone understands all these, I am damn sure I wouldn't have to come here since SG would indeed be a livable place.
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