Little India shootout

Was out with my Olympus EP-2 fitted with just the 17mm lens(equivalent to 34mm in film days). It's a perfect set for some street shoot. I dare not to say it's street photography as I have yet to know the real essence of street photography. Nevertheless, I found the use of the art filters in the Olympus camera a joy to use and it can help me express my feel of the place. Little India in Singapore (Serangoon Road) nearest MRT is Farrer Park or Little India station, unspoiled by the rapid development of our island state. There you will find the old generation of Singaporean or Foreign Workers doing their normal daliy life as compared to the "fake" Chinatown in Singapore. It's a good place to practice some street shoot.

Good Old Leica for sale

Our Foreign workers that help built our buildings

Green and cheap transport

This a man or woman, seated in the middle of the backlane waiting for business

Our"mama" shop. Usually operated by an Indian man selling magazine etc

Collecting cardboard

He love M4/3 camera too. This red G1 is not for sale.

Where is my shelves?

Art Filter (Punchy colours)

Olympus Mirrorless Camera EP-2

Well since 2008 when Panasonic came out the first mirco4/3 camera the G1, it has reinvent the digital photography again. The designer uses live view technology via sensor to LCD without the need of optical prism and mirror of the traditional DSLR/SLR.

The G1 design is simply a scale down design of a DSLR. So it did not appeal to me.

Then in late 2009, a storm came when Olympus came out a flat body design (similar to the rangefinder of the old era) called the EP-1 m4/3 system. I was in love with photography again. However when it was launched, some bad reviews came in, especially hammering the slow autofocus speed. But do keep in mind they are comparing to a DSLR. Till today, I have to admit that these m4/3 or even the sony nex or samsung's NX mirrorless are not here to replace DSLR yet.

But that time Panasonic released the GF1 (same design  concept of EP-1) with a much postive review of Auto focus and also release the large apertureand sharp 20mmf1.7. I immediately dump all my canon system and get the GF1.

My first m4/3 mirrorless camera GF1. Lovely design.

With the GF-1, it help me to enjoy photography again. I made much more photographs than using a DSLR and it is more portable and fun to use. No one will notice me compare when I was using a DSLR.
However, in end of 2010, I decided to go back to DSLR mainly because I need a all-rounded camera that can handle fast action, macro and event.
The main problem with m4/3 or similar cameras is that the viewfinder and the flash port shared the same spot, so there are times when you need both together. The Panasonic 's G2/G1 or GH2 camera can do all. But I simply do not like the plastic body and design. Another problem with these system is that we may not be able to have a zoom lens with large aperture(f2.8) due to the limitation of size reduction in relationship with the small body. Mechanically, the zoom lens cannot be reduce in size with a large aperture design. The m4/3 has it's own fixed focal lens with large aperture (20mmf1.7, 17mm f2.8 or 14mmf2.5). No zoom lens is made with large aperture yet. Therefore with this in mind, I feel DSLR will still have a place for serious photographers who want large aperture zooms lens. So Canon/Nikon user who want 17-25mmf2.8 or 70-200mm f2.8, they will still be keeping their DSLR.

After selling my GF1 , I got a E-3 DSLR system with 11-22mm f2.8-3.5 and a cheap but sharp 40-150mm f3.5-4.5 lens. I love the colours and value for money lens from Olympus.

However, after saving up and with the price falling in the used market, I recently sold off my Leica D-lux 4 compact to get a Ep-2 m4/3 again. This time with much lesson learned, I will use the EP-2 together with my E-3 DSLR. In the future, I may get a adapter to mount my 4/3 lens to the m4/3 camera.

In serious work, laymen will still be comfortable to see photographer to use a DSLR. Although as a photographer myself , i understand that camera is just a tool where a the man behind the lens is more important, people will still "believe" a DSLR can come out "better" photos.

Really love the retro feel of such camera. My latest EP-2.

Macro shooting at Lor Halus

This morning, I armed myself with a DSLR Olympus E-3 and 11-22mm and 40-150mm .
I started with a landscape shot before heading towards the bushes to hunt down some insects. Today, my focus was to get the Damselfly's eyes sharp. I also try on other angles. I attached the zoom lens with a raynox 250 closed-up lens and attached a metx 48 flash. I set my camera in manual mode and flash at +2 with a home-made diffusers. Today's collection was not too bad.

My Career and Business

Finally, after some thoughts, I decided to pen down my business in the insurance line. I am currently representing one of the top insurers in Singapore and the world. I joined this business in 2008. I have a degree and honours in Mechanical Engineering since 2000. I have worked in MNCs as an Engineer and also a Purchaser.

Many friends have asked me the same question when I joined the Insurance line. They thought I must be crazy and commented I may not last 6 months as they felt I was not a chatty person or simply cannot do sales.However even with all this discouragements, I learn to tackle these negative stuff into strength. Day in day out, I think to myself, I will prove that it's about sincerity and honesty will prevail. After all, in my insurance business listening is more important than talking. I also love this quote:"People's opinions should not be your reality".

I was never happy when I was an Engineer. I find myself trapped in companies politics and hate seeing angry emails flying around. I always thought I can find a better job out there but end up the same feeling as long as I am a employee. Then in 2008, a break through, I made up my mind to start the Insurance business where my ex-classmate is starting a new team.

I took 3 tests and attended the training before I can sell any insurance products. The challenge in this business is not selling but to find the correct prospects.As many will agreed, this line is sometimes tainted by some "bad" practices by some agents. Some clients may feel that they are treated unfairly and were pushed to buy products. I do agree that there are some bad practices but I also see good agents doing fair treatment to their clients and have make it well and long term. In life, we always have a choice. So as long as I practice my belief, I will sustain in  long term.

With many challenges,  I am able to get promoted to Senior Post within the 2 years and I am really happy. The main difference in this insurance career and outside is that the rewards/Promotions were given "unlimited" and we just have to hit the goal set. When I was working in MNCs, the promotion were limited (depending one boss's view)and increments depends on the company's budget to each department.

There will be still be challenges in the future but with a dynamic and positive team behind me, I believe I will made it long time and serve my clients well.

Opening of Lorong Halus and Punggol Riverwalk

Following up from my invited shoot on Feb this year. This park was open to the public on 5th March 2011.
The main highlight of the place is the bridge that links the 2 parks together. Lorong Halus was used to be a land-filled area where rubbish were buried into the land. I remember in the 1990s when I was in the army, I lead a few men to this place to dump our camp's rubbish. That time the smell of the place was really unbearable. More than 10 years later, this place has transformed into a beautiful place where I can enjoy with my family.

My photo was shortlisted out of hundreds of entries but was not the winning shot. However I am very happy already.

My Shortlisted Photo- E3 11-22mm with GND1.2

OCBC Cycle 20Km

The day has come. Last year I took part in the 40km ride with my wife.That time I was riding a mountain bike. This year, my wife has quit cycling. So I took part this event on my own and opt for a more relax and fun 20km community ride using my foldie.
I drove my car from Punggol to city area and I parked my car at the carpark next to the Peranakang Museum . From there I made my way to the start line at F1 pitstop.
I was there early (730am) and had chances to use my compact Leica D-lux 4. Met my friend Billy Chan there and we ride together during the event.

The ride start at 9am sharp and I took an hr to finish the ride. The best scene was the Marina Bay Sands.Overall the ride was fun but I hope the organiser will plan a new route instead of riding the ECP/Kallang area. I wish I can ride place like Orchard road and maybe into Sentosa.

Getting ready for OCBC cycle 2011

Went to East Coast park for a ride in preparation of the upcoming OCBC ride this sunday. The trianing ride was fun and the weather was cooling and relaxing. Last year's ride, I was riding with my wife, but this year, I ll be all alone. This year, I ll be riding a Dahon D7 Speed (foldable bike) instead of a Mountian Bike.

By Leica D-lux4