Wednesday, April 25, 2007

My photojournalism goals for 2007

Just wanted to write down what I planned to do in 2007 for my photojournalism adventures:

(1) Studio/Outdoor portraits (looking out for TFCD models)
(2) Overseas travel photo shoot (Angkor Wat, Bali, Phuket)
(3) National Stadium Closing Ceremony 30th June 2007
(4) Fireworks
(5) Sports events/Racing cars
(6) Compiling my exotic, unique, forgotten Singapore locations memories
(7) Taking and supplying photos for DSG 85th Anniversary Celebrations Book
(8) Produce my own coffee table portfolio album (portraits, events etc)

Also some proposed additional toys to my directory of photography equipment list:

(1) EOS 1D Mk II or Mk II N (2nd hand)
(2) EF 100mm Macro F2.8
(3) EF 85mm F1.8


"Feel the flame forever burn
Teaching lessons we must learn
To bring us closer to the power of the dream" - Celine Dion - The Power of The Dream

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Dragon Scout Group 85th Anniversary Campfire - Part 2

On 14th April 2007, everybody was involved in the preparation for the Grand Campfire in the evening, it was an awesome combined effort to help each other to ensure everything was ready in time.



During the evening, everything was in order. Dragon Scout Group was given a speech by Hongliang, motivating them ready for the Campfire starting in an hour's time while they were having their dinner.



Everybody were in their action stations and preparing for the arrival of our invited scout, guides, parents, fellow Gessians, VIPs, Old Boys, Guest-of-Honour. However, the weather changed and poured down heavily. It was a passing cloud and there was the decision for it to change from dry to wet weather programme by Campfire Chief Moo Teng. It was a massive effort, moving the whole participants from the arena to the hall.





Meanwhile, our Guest-of-Honour, Ms Indranee Rajah, Member of Parliment for Tanjong Pargar GRC, arrived. She was most warmly welcomed by the Principal, Mr Victor Giam, teachers-in-charge, Mr Kevin Kung, Ms Shirley Tan and our ushers. She was led by our hospitality team to view our memorable photographs of different eras, before proceeding to the history room, showcasing our display of historical scouting items and the rich history of Gan Eng Seng School. It was a proud display by the hospitality ushers and contingent, led by Mr Giam, Mr Kung and Ms Tan. Our Dragon Chapter Old Boys were also ready to share our scouting experience with Ms Indranee Rajah. Mr Kung introduced Thye San, Teck Chong, Say Chionh and Charlie, those old boys sharing their stories.



Soon, Ms Indranee was ushered to the arena, in a change of weather, all participants were back to the campfire arena. There was a great reception for her and she was warmly welcomed by the participants at the campfire. Before announcing the campfire open, she gave all those present a great speech, highlighting our rich school history that was founded in 1885 and our 85 years of Dragon Scouting history. We were touched by our Guest-of-Honour mention on our unique Dragon History.





The campfire began and the singing started with the fun and laughter. It was a great night of celebrations, kicking off our 85th Anniversary Celebrations with a giant and memorable campfire. Soon, it was time to wrap our celebrations and Ms Indranee was invited to give away our lovely artifacts of our gifts of participation to all the attending schools. There was also a gift for the Prinicpal, Mr Giam before a token of appreciation was presented to Guest-of-Honour Ms Indranee, for taking her precious time off to attend our 85th Anniversary Campfire.

After that, Ms Indranee was ushered by Mr Giam and the teachers-in-charge, Mr Chan, Mr Kung and Ms Tan, to the school canteen for a nice refreshment and snacks. They had a great time networking before Ms Indranee left for home. Mr Giam proceeded to the arena and took photographs with the leaders and teachers-in-charge before the whold scout group came into the picture. Finally, it was snack time for the Dragon Scouts before cleaning/packing up time.

A great memorable night of campfire will always be in our heart and souls (for all young and old), marking our 85 years of Scouting in Gan Eng Seng School. Our 85th Anniversary Campfire was for everybody that was once a Dragon Scout and wore the Red and Green scarf, from different generations to the present generation in the Dragon Scout Group, one huge mighty, talented, skillful Dragon Family.





Once a Dragon Scout, Always a Dragon Scout forever !

Monday, April 16, 2007

Dragon Scout Group 85th Anniversary Campfire


85 years of Dragon Scouting History - It's Tough Not to Leave a Mark !

This year, Gan Eng Seng Dragon Scout Group would celebrate its 85th anniversary, being founded in 1922. The history of the school and the scout group itself brings great respect in the Singapore community and Dragon Scout Group stands tall and proud of its strong traditions.



The 85th Anniversary Campfire held on 14th April 2007 is the start of our 85th Annivesary Celebrations for the year 2007. There would be a 85th Anniversary Dinner in the third quarter of the year and we are in the midst presently of compiling our history and photographs for our 85th Anniversary book/magazine.

The planning for the campfire was led by the great young leader, Moo Teng and his team of excellent young leaders, Wei Bin, Danny, Prashana, Peter, Xiao Tian and Kai Dick. They were well supported by the ventures Alex, Samantha, Aixia, Kin Ohn and the boy scouts, Swee Hong, Daryl, Dickson and Yukai. These committe had done an awesome task to make the 85th Anniversary campfire a great success.



The old boys came back and had a part in the preparation for the campfire, through the building of the Campfire Gateway, led by Meng Hock, Thye San and Teck Chong. With a mixture of old and young old boys coming back on 13th April night, we managed to build the very challenging Dragon Gateway till about 0300 hrs on 14th April. There was a quite a bunch of different old boys involved and I do not have all the names participating. Nevertheless, your efforts were deeply appreciated. Thank You for all the old boys who helped to build the Dragon Gateway.





End of Part One ..... To Be Continued.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

It's been 1 year photoblogging .....


Today marks the day that I have been photoblogging for 1 year. Time really flies.....

First and foremost, I would like to thank all my readers who pop in here and read about my photojournalistic writings and photographs. It was a very wonderful experience photoblogging, brought me to a different level of taking photography and writing my experiences through my photographs.

I believed my photoblogging still has a long journey ahead before my photographs speak for themselves or even complemented with my photojournalistic writing, would my photographs become more "powerful".



Photojournalistic style is something that I am developing and working on and it has also become my passionate hobby that gives me such an enriching and fulfiling experience and allowing me to break away my stress from my work and pressure. Photoblogging gives me the opportunity to be back in touch with my roots and it felt very encouraging to be back in a small capacity to be involved with my Dragon Scout Group.

Moving foward, thanks for everybody's support and I would continue to strive and excel in my photoblogging.


Flowers for all

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Singapore Fashion Festival 2007 @ Raffles City ~ 31st March 2007

Maiden Fashion Shoot

This was my first attempt in taking photographs of models walking down the catwalk platform. It was part of the Singapore Fashion Festival 2007 and it was held at Raffles City.

The brand that the models were showcasing was by River Island. It was a first hand experience for me and the photographs taken were not too fantastic. A lot to improve on especially in my positioning to take the photographs of the catwalk models.

Hope you folks enjoy my limited (viewable) photographs....