A New Toy - Canon EFS 55mm-250mm f4-5.6 IS

Folks,

I would like to welcome a new TOY into my camera equipment setup........

Canon EFS 55m-250mm f4-5.6 IS

This lense was featured on Digital Photography Review on 20th August 2007, do drop by the link below to have a read on this new lense on the block.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0708/07082007canonefs18-55and55-250.asp

This lense was purchased from my favourite photography store, The Camera Workshop. A great value for money telephoto lense for many different types of photo shoot.

Do keep a look out, I would be posting photos taken using this lense and writing on my reviews of this lense soon.

Wedding Dinner & Solemnisation of my old friend at Seafood Villa Galleria, Labrador Park

My old friend from my UQ days, house mate, Matthew, knew him since 1999, got married on 26th January 2008. I was invited by him to his solemnisation ceremony and wedding dinner at Seafood Villa Galleria located at Labrador Park, operated by Singapore Explorer.

It was an honour to be invited to his wedding because it was kept small and special, only close friends and relatives were invited. When Matthew asked me to be his ROM solemnisation ceremony and dinner photographer, I agreed without hesitation. I do not actively accept and take up wedding assignments even though I had the experience to do so. However, for an old friend who put so much trust in my photography skills and expertise, I had to do something special for him.

There I was, ready to make sure everything goes well for Matthew and Chen Mei, his lovely wife. I arrived at about an hour earlier, preparing my equipment setup and getting the couple to walk around and take photos of the couple at the beautiful restaurant. This would add up to their portfolio as they had not taken their pre-wedding photoshoot yet. Thereafter, the couple took photos with their family and relatives at the restaurant compound. Soon, the close friends started streaming in and it was getting lively with the beautiful sunset settling in.

Once the crowds settled in, we strolled down the steps to the small pool with a beautiful glasshouse in the middle, where the ROM solemnisation ceremony was held. Most of the friends and relatives managed to squeeze inside the beautiful glassroom to witness the exchange of vows and rings, officiated and witnessed by a Justice of Peace. Everybody there was happy for the couple !

After the ROM ceremony, the crowds stayed around the pool area, enjoying and catching old friendship and relaxing with the couple and friends. Soon, we moved up to the restaurant for the wedding dinner. It was 8 course dinner and I had to say, the selection of dishes were really awesome and unique, not the type of "normal or standard" wedding dinner menu you would find in a hotel ballroom.

The wedding dinner was very different, very cosy and friendly and all of us there were very happy for Matthew and Chen Mei. Lots of interaction, great food and relaxing pace.

Wishing Matthew & Chen Mei all the best in their new life ahead !

Thanks to my readers !

Dear readers,

My blog had surpassed 5,000 visits and 10,000 page views since Sitemeter was installed on my blog to supply me site visits data and information. I sincerely thank all readers who dropped by my blog and enjoyed my photos and write-ups as well.

January is a busy month in terms of career and work, looking foward to Chinese Lunar New Year Celebrations and bazaars. Time for lots of food, fun and celebrations !

Keep a lookout of the Chinese Lunar New Year Celebrations in Singapore !

Counting down to Chinese New Year 2008 - Year of the Rat

The year of the Rat would be arriving soon, ushering our Chinese Lunar New Year on 7th February 2008.

It would be a fun and exciting festive season of celebrations with lots of food, red packets, reunions, visits and enjoyment ! In order to fulfil all the above activities, the Chinese would prepare for the coming festive season early by shopping for various goodies, decorations and good luck plants.

Singapore's Chinatown area today kicked off to an awesome start to usher in Year of the Rat. The traditional bazaars were up and running, brightly lighted decorations and displays were standing tall and proud along the 2 main roads of Chinatown. There were many people starting to shop for Chinese New Year and the atmosphere was great ! Imagine closer towards 7th February, it would really be lots more crowded and busy !

Counting down to Chinese Lunar New Year 2008 !

Couple Kitchen Theme Photoshoot with Espoir Bridal

Sometime last year in December 2007, on the 22nd, I was asked by Dave Koh of Espoir Bridal to be involved in another photoshoot with the lovely couple that I helped out during the 3 photographers pre-wedding shoot project.

I was honoured to be helping out again and another opportunity to put my photography skills to the test again. On that day, we went to another beautiful home in the East of Singapore, a nice kitchen. Once at the location and chatting with the lovely owner, we began to set up the lights and props for the kitchen theme photoshoot.

We began with the kitchen equipment and layout, placing bowls, ingredients, sauces, cooking utensils and lights, while the couple started to dress up in their chef attire. While they were preparing their attire, we were also discussing on what we planned to go about with this photoshoot. In no time, we were ready to go "ACTION !!!" and began "Fire Away" with our DSLRs.

There were many different photo shots, using many different lenses to capture many different styles and images, some action and some portraits. This gave me a very interesting and great learning experience and perspective on how to go about doing an outdoor shoot.

We went to change from different scenes in the kitchen, from chopping onions, garlic, chilli, tomato, lime and carrot to garnishing a cooked orange crab. The finale before lunch was introducing the crab with garnishing on a plate to the little girl of the house and she was really pretty, sporty, jovial, cute and lovely, giving this photoshoot a memorable experience for all involved.

Soon, it was time for me to call it a day because I had to rush off to meet my overseas friend. For them, they continued with second phase......

A New Blog !

Hi folks,

I have created a new blog, that is a personal blog encompassing my life experiences, personal development, leadership and mentoring.

Do drop in often and have a look at my new Homepage and you folks enjoying reading it. It's still in the infant stage and there would still be a lot more work to touch up and write ups. Meanwhile, my photojournalism and travel blog would still be very active until further notice. Please continue to support my photojournalism and travel blog !!!!

Happy 2008 to all !

JH

Incoming Arrival !!

It's 1 day away to 10th January 2008, the scheduled date that I planned to announce the arrival of something new ......

Still have a project to write and share with, on my recent project with Dave Koh of Espoir Bridal and did a photoshoot of the couple working in the kitchen.....

Keep a lookout folks, more exciting postings to come !

A keyword and theme for January 2008 is .................... CHANGE

Changes, Gifts and Quick Update

It's only 7 days passed 2008 and there were a few things that happened during this period

Update
If you came into my blog and was directed to a marketing site that you never see before, you might be shocked. I was very shocked and initial thoughts were my blog was attacked by spyware or spam, resulting in my blog being "conquered"..... However, after consulting Jack the Internet Marketing Guru, it was the Advertlets widget that was the cause of this redirection due to some hosting and domain issue.

I wasn't too happy that my blog was redirected to another site due to their widget script. Although, the issue had been resolved, as Guru Jack highlighted to me, we also learn from their mistakes as well and learned more about hosting and domain issues.

Changes
In the next few months to 1 or 2 years, there would be renovation around our neighbourhood and my block would have a lift upgrading program, whereby my staircase would have a dedicated lift serving our floor of 2 apartment units. Every morning, I would be awaken by machinery in action and in the night, I am finding mosquitoes keeping me company.....

(pictures would be uploaded soon)

Gifts
I am receiving gifts again, this time from my mate Andrew, whom I like to go his big house and look at his "treasure cave" !

(pictures would be uploaded soon)

Stay tune for 10th January 2008 !

Support Singapore Youth Olympics Games Bid !

Folks,

As you all have been reading news coming from Singapore, we are poised for many exciting developments, starting from this year 2008 and the next few years ahead.

One of the key exciting developments is the sports scene in Singapore, receiving huge publicity and developments over the years recently. Singapore is planning to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2010 and Red Sports is strongly supporting this bid and launched a challenge to collect 2010 signatures for Singapore's bid to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2010.

Please do drop by the link here and pen down your support for the Youth Olympic Games to be held in Singapore in 2010 !

Red Sports : Show your support for Youth Olympic Games Bid !

Maybe it's time to move into Sports Photography ?? ....... hmmm ......

Announcement !

Dear readers,

I am in the midst of launching something new and different, scheduled to go LIVE on 10th January 2008.

Keep a lookout !

Cheers

JH

My blog's goals for 2008

Today is the 3rd day of year 2008.

Looking back at how my blog had developed from its humble start (when I don't even know how to use/write HTML), it had changed and grew significantly. By looking at my sitemeter statistics, through the guidance of Jack the Internet Marketing Guru, I managed to expand my blog's network to international audiences and I had made many friends around the world.

Moving ahead in 2008, I planned to achieve the following goals for this unique and special blog of mine:

(1) Increase readership and following worldwide

(2) Improving the contents (writing and photography) - I want to transform my blog into an online travel guide/magazine

(3) Photography destination plans for 2008
- Tibet or Bhutan (Above the clouds)
- Bali (Landscape Sceneries)
- Cambodia (Angkor Wat)
- Hong Kong & Guangzhou (Visit friends)
- South Korea
- Shanghai

(4) Potential Special Photography Projects
- Sports Car Racing Industry
- Sports Photography
- Volunteer Photographer

A very big THANKS to all readers who have supported my blog especially those who share the same passion with me, in traveling and photography !

New Year Eve Fireworks @ Marina Bay

Year 2008 has arrived with a big bang of fireworks display @ the Marina Bay !

For this fireworks, I decided not to be around the Esplanade area and decide to head for an open field behind One Marina Boulevard, NTUC Centre, the future site for the Central Promontory, one of the viewing locations recommended by the organisers of Marina Bay Countdown Celebrations.

Borrowing my dad's mini bus, I parked at Prince Edward Road carpark and slowly walked towards NTUC Centre. There were crowds heading to that location too and it wasn't too difficult to find. Initially, I was worried that it would be super crowded but when I reached there, it wasn't that bad. Sure, there were crowds but there was still breathing space. Observed the background of the Esplanade and Marina Square, I placed my stuff down, setup my tripod and DSLR, determined my "arc of fire" and make the compulsory preparations for taking fireworks photos.

Due to the fact that I reached there about 1.5 hrs before the countdown, there were a handful of people there already and there were at the front, near to the edge of the sea and my view was partially blocked by people heads. That explains for the heads you can see in my fireworks photos !

Do check out my New Eve Countdown Fireworks @ Marina Bay - A photoset on Flickr

At 0000 hrs..... the fireworks light up the sky ! 8 mins of pyrotechnics ! I was happily pressing my remote switch, snapping up the fireworks photos. When it was all over, people started to make their way out, as for me, I moved up to the front and take photos of the Marina Bay area, the Clifford Pier area and One Marina area.

It was a night of fun, especially taking fireworks photos ! Happy New Year 2008, folks !!

Happy New Year !!!

Dear folks !

Happy New Year !!!!!

With this New Year Eve Countdown fireworks photo (the Marina Bay Countdown), it would bless you all with showers of love, brightness and well-wishes for you and your family.

Thank you very much to all my readers, bloggers and supporters !

Let's all usher in and warmly welcome Year 2008 ! Good luck & all the best in the journey that you choose to embark on !