Capturing The Moment

Polarizer

2009-07-09T06:18:00.000-07:00

Tips: The idea here is to use the polarizer to get more contrast and make the sky looks more bluish, remove reflection in water, remove haze... etc

1. get the required size for the lens.
2. for auto focus dslr, get circular polarizer(so that it will not interfere with AF)
3. to use the polarizer, rotate the outer ring.
4. for better effect, set white balance to daylight
5. add a negative exposure compensation (-1 EV)

Note: for use on sunny days, cloudy days may not have much effect.

Night

2009-06-26T07:17:00.000-07:00

Tips: there are two main things to take note in night photography, which are amount of light and keeping the camera steady.

1. Mount dslr on tripod, standby remote release shutter control.
2. Use "M" ( manual ) mode.
3. Experiment with different shutter speed (Can start with 1sec)
4. Look at the gauge in the LCD screen.
5. Turn off VR ( vibration reduction ) as it will counter effect on tripod.
6. If taking through window, turn off all lights in the room to minimize reflection.

Panning

2009-06-24T09:26:00.000-07:00

Tips: The idea here is to use a slow shutter speed to pan actions. To get a sharp moving object and a blur background.

1. Use "S" ( Shutter Speed ) Mode.
2. Select 1/250 (or can try 1/125, 1/60)
3. Set focus mode to auto focus.
4. Follow through the motion.

Landscape

2009-06-24T08:49:00.000-07:00

Tips: for landscape pic, depth of field is important. The idea is to use as small a aperture as possible to ensure a large depth of field.

1. Use "A" ( Aperture) Mode.
2. Select F8 (Can try up to F16, beyond that take note of Lens Diffraction).
3. Take note of composition (Balance, Perspective... etc).
4. Focus 3/4 into the picture.
5. Attach a circular polarizer depending on the situation.
6. Use as low as possible ISO.
7. Mount DSLR on tripod.
8. Use Remote release shutter control.

Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo

2009-06-02T06:55:00.000-07:00

Extracted from JBP: In eastern Australia, while most of the flock of this cockatoo are feeding on the ground, a few birds remain in the trees. If danger approaches, these "sentinels" fly up and scream loudly, alerting the whole flock.

"Cockatoo" is also the Australian name for a person who watches for police at illegal gambling venues!

Blue-breasted Kingfisher

2009-06-01T08:50:00.000-07:00

Extracted from JBP: The Blue-breasted Kingfisher is generally shy. The island species can be found in large numbers and has been known to be remarkably tame. They nest in tree holes and arboreal termites' nests and are usually more noticeable in wet seasons.

Distribution: Cameroon, Angola and Galon
Habitat: Forested areas
Diet: Crabs, shrimps, frogs and small birds

Nankeen Night Heron

2009-05-31T09:22:00.000-07:00

Extracted from JBP: Also known as Rufous Night Heron, this nocturnal feeder generally roosts in thick foliage by day. Like many herons, the breeding plumage presents 2 or 3 long white plumes drooping from the nape. Usually 2-3 eggs are laid, on a stick platform up on a horizontal branch overhanging water. Incubation period is 24-26 days.

Distribution: Indonesia to Australia
Habitat: Swamps, rivers and creeks
Diet: Fish, amphibians, crustaceans and insects

Victoria Crowned Pigeon

2009-05-30T09:49:00.000-07:00

Extracted from JBP: The Victoria Crowned Pigeon is said to be the most impressive among the three species of Crowned Pigeons. The crest is tipped with white, and the upper breast is maroon.

This bird is gregarious and normally occurs in parties of up to ten birds. It is usually a peaceful bird, and rarely aggressive.

Habitat: Lowlands and foothills of forest
Range: northern New Guinea
Diet: Fallen fruits, berries, seeds, small crabs
Status: Endangered

OverTime

2009-05-27T07:08:00.000-07:00

This is the construction of the new marina integrated resort(IR). Expected to be completed this year could be the reason that they are still rushing work at this point of time. One of the construction crane located at the far left is still moving while this picture is being taken.

Taken with a manual exposure of 13 sec shutter speed and aperture of F13 produced a good exposure of the IR. ISO 200 was selected to set noise level to a minimum. Remote and tripod was used to ensure that the picture was near tact sharp.

Flyer

2009-05-18T08:27:00.000-07:00

Having a slow shutter speed of 102.6 sec produced a view of the Singapore Flyer that was seldom seen. To produce a full circular light, the shutter was open long enough for one cabin to reach the other cabin's original position. A small aperture of F18 was also used to ensure that the details in this landscape scenery shot was sharp throughout.

HDR: For better or worse...?

2009-05-16T09:22:00.001-07:00

HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. It is a technique in which several pictures are taken with different value of exposure to create a "blended" picture. Shadows from the over exposed image and highlights from the under exposed image are combined to form a more balanced picture.

Some people love HDR while other detests it. Although HDR exposed and brings out the detail in highlights and shadow, it will, to a certain extend make a picture looks a bit "fake". That is why one must be extra careful not to over do the effects.

Now, which of the above picture is "better"? The usual picture looks natural with its blue sky and calm water. However the details in the dark area are lost. HDR picture on the other hand brings out the details but the whole doesn't look as "real". So, the answer to the above question is... "the fight continues..."

Boardwalk

2009-05-16T08:34:00.000-07:00

Along the broadway, i noticed this shelter basking under the low evening sunlight. It stands out due to the contrast and uniqueness around the surrounding. The bridge further enhance the composition by leading the viewer's attention from the bottom right towards the shelter; which is the main subject here and out through the middle left portion of this picture.

Lonely Bridge

2009-05-14T09:20:00.000-07:00

Came across this bridge at sungei buloh wetland reserve. Feels that the colour of the bridge blends with the foreground and having a great contrast with the background, providing a point of transition from the foreground to the background. This picture is composed of three different shots of a +/- 2 EV to bring out the details in the dark and bright areas. With the sunlight coming in at a very low angle somewhat further brings out the solitude of the area.

Reserve

2009-05-14T09:07:00.000-07:00