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

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 !

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.

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

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....

Founder's Day Investiture Ceremony - 3rd March 2007

Founder's Day Celebrations

22nd February is our Scouting movement Founder's Day. On this day, we would remember how our Scouting movement was born in 1907, evolved and arrived in our modern society today. Over 100 years and with the great magnitude of revolutionary changes in technology, societies and economies, the foundations of the Scouting movement never change.

Scouting had taught me many many many things. Outdoor recreation, adventure, life learning experiences and leadership skills are just some examples of the wonders of the Scouting movement. I personally feel that I have to give back what I have learned by "Paying It Foward" in a different way (and also finding more Old Boys to be involved and help spread the Dragon Scouting and Dragon Chapter movement), I set aside time to help out Dragon Scout Group in whatever ways possible. With our 85th Anniversary Celebrations in 2007, I look foward a great year of celebrations for all Dragon Scouts, Past, Present and Future.





Our Investiture Ceremony was held on 3rd March 2007. This was an awesome day for all involved. Our Dragon family extended its roots and we welcomed Gan Eng Seng Primary School into our big big family, along with our Radin Mas Primary School. We were 1 BIG happy family. After the flag break, our secondary 1 scouts were officially initiated into the Dragon Scout Group, along with the Radin Mas and Gan Eng Seng Primary Cub Scouts. Our leaders, teachers and parents of the scouts were there to witness this significant event and put on the sacred Red and Green Dragon Scout Group scarf on them. After that, the secondary 1 and cub scouts recited their Scout Promise and Law and we welcomed them all into the world of Scouting. Thereafter, Hongliang and Kevin proceed to put on the Red and Green scarfs on for the Gan Eng Seng Primary School teachers-in-charge..... The circle is complete.



What followed next was our Dragon Scout Group Grand Photo taking. I prepared my camera and equipment while the Scout Group prepared the tables and benches. It was quite a bit of challenge even though I had took a number of big group photographs. Nevertheless, the leaders, led by Scout Leader Ganesh, were great and helped me to organise the various different groups (cubs, scouts, ventures, leaders, teachers, old boys)together. We had lots of fun taking many different group photos (formal and informal).





When the group photo taking was finished, we proceed to take photos for the National Pioneering Competition winning tower and bridge teams, the leaders, teachers-in-charge, old boys reunions.











The cub scouts went to have fun in Abseiling conducted by our talented Ventures and Leaders. The Scouts had their fun in watching video of the recent Hawaiian Exchange Program and had their own games and patrol sessions. As for the old boys, we proceed to discuss on our mega project, 85th Anniversary Campfire Gateway, led by my seniors, Meng Hock and Teck Chong. All of us later got back together and we had lunch near the foyer, pretty much like last year 2006 AGM and Investiture Ceremony.





Dragon Scouting always holds something very dear in my heart and soul. No simple words can describe it. I am constantly writing and updating, the activities of Dragon Scouting whenever possible and getting more Old Boys and Dragon Chapter members to be more in touch with Dragon Scouting that they also held dearly in them. Passing on our plentiful life and scouting experiences will be beneficial to the young leaders, ventures, scouts and cub scouts.

Once A Dragon Scout, Always A Dragon Scout

Chinese Lunar New Year 2007 Celebrations

Chinese Lunar New Year 2007

For this Lunar New Year, it was not so much action packed like before, hope they are not signs of getting older for me.



On the eve itself, I was with my colleagues watching the fireworks in our office building. After that, went back in the wee hours of the morning, rested for a while before sending my parents off to the airport. They were travelling to Tibet for a holiday and they had lots of fun with some awesome photographs.





Returning home, I "concussed" for a few hours before waking up and starting to visit my relatives. During these 2 weeks of Lunar New Year Celebrations, there were a number of catch up with my old friends, especially Nick and Ah Tong. Not many mahjong sessions, more gatherings that's all.

As today is Yuan Xiao Jie, the last day of our Lunar Celebrations, it was good to reflect back on the wonderful holidays I had during the past 2 weeks. Moving on, I wished everybody does not need to use Lunar New Year Celebrations to meet up only during this period of time.

Let's all make an effort to meet up regularly, whether is it your friends or relatives.







Wish everybody all the best of luck for the Year 2007 of the Pig !

Chinese New Year Eve Fireworks (taken behind an office window)

Some selected Chinese New Year Eve Fireworks photographs









p/s: It was very challenging to take fireworks photographs behind thick glass windows of an office buidling. Nevertheless, it was a great learning experience for me too.

10th February 2007 ~ 7th National Scout Craft and Pioneering Competition

Gan Eng Seng Dragon Scout Group, celebrating its 85th Anniversary this year in 2007, participated in the above competition organised by the Singapore Scout Association.

The compeition venue was at Bishan Park 2, a huge open field, ideal for a competition of such a massive scale. Many cadet scouts, boy scouts and ventures participated in this event and there were lots of fun and enjoyment, not forgetting the sweat and tears.



The boys arrived earlier the night before, unloaded and guard the equipment. In the early morning on 10th February, the competition began ! I only went in the late afternoon when the Tower and Bridge projects were close to completion. The photos in the early morning and afternoon could be found in our Dragon Scout Group Homepage, do take a look at our photos too:

http://www.dragonscouts.com/gallery

The morning photos were taken by another old boys Jonning and Weiyang. The photographs taken by them complemented my set of photographs that I took from the late afternoon onwards.

Viewing the various projects built by other scout groups, it was a refreshing experience for me, since I had touched pioneering some years back. Some of the projects looked fanciful but impractical and questionable pioneering technqiues, especially in the Bridge competition. The Tower competition was similar. Doing a walkabout around the various projects, I felt that Dragon Scouts had the edge and strengths, especially in the Scout Tower category. Our Bridge maybe simple in design but it beats others in term of stability, practicality and fundamental pionnering techniques.





Soon, it was judgement time. The judges were walking around, inspecting all the various towers and bridges. As the Dragon Scouts were at the far end of the field, our works were the last to be inspected. Our wonderful Dragon Scouts were very patient especially the Tower team ! The Bridge team was inspected first and soon it became a playground, there were primary cadet scouts coming to our Bridge and wanted to walk across and play around. Being the Bigger Brother Scouts, we happily hosted them and let them had their fun. Not long after, our favourite Radin Mas Dragon Cub Scouts, arrived and like tradition, they started their own fun time at our Bridge.



I may not have done pioneering for a long time but it was fun to be up there with them, watching those young cubs enjoying themselves and our Dragon Scouts playing host as a Big Brother.





After the Tower Section was inspected, it was already dark. The Dragon Scouts started to dismantle their projects while the results were tabulated. In the midst of the darkness and commotion, there were a few incidents that happened to other schools and it caused quite a bit of hassle and inconveniences. The Dragon Scouts, well marshalled by GSL Hongliang, his young leaders and ventures, were role models for safety in doing pioneering projects.

Finally, the moment of truth. The results were out ..........

We were the Gold Winners in Scout Tower and Bridge category (3 winners each for Gold, Silver and Bronze) ! It was an awesome result and congrats to all Dragon Scouts. However, we also won the Scout Tower Challenge Trophy, that means Dragon Scouts Tower was the best among the best !

I couldn't hide my joy, enjoyment and I was very proud of their achievements. It was a pity I didn't take the photographs of our winning Challenge Shield. Nevertheless, there would be ample opportunities. The awards won added another huge collection to our massive collection and I am pretty sure they would be displayed in our upcoming 85th Anniversary Campfire. Do keep a lookout for updates.

Congrats to Dragon Scouts for an outstanding performance ! The Champions !