Photo makes your blogs go Pop! - Part 1

Some people ask me, "Is blogging relevant to Internet Business?" - My answer, it depends. Blogs is a just online "white board", which displays your information according to what you want to deliver. So the main point is, as long you do it correctly. You will get the results you desired for.

*This post I specially created for the event sponsors From Far East, Panasonic & omy.sg

First of all, I believe this probably will be my longest post, but I promise the content will not be bored and describe as "Virtually" as possible. Most of all, it would be "FUN" to read!

So, Here we go! ------------->
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1. The cinderella story start from this newsletter (So keep close with your spam box, eventually some goodies will be inside)

I am always a great fan of Photography and I knew my ib journal blogs ain't getting anywhere without qualiy updates.

The first "Red Circle" in title caught my attention, "Photo makes your blogs go Pop!", follow by a camera (thought of free camera), and a pretty babe (Christine Ng - Model blogger). With few "Question Mark ???" on the head, I decided to try my luck and submit my registration. I do not have a big hope get in since most of my blogs were "Rojak", and I basically just like to upload photo to my facebook instead of writting article.

I even post of my facebook to getfriends to join, since I don't want to be a loner.

 Apparently I manage to get in! Haha, kinda excited ~ (FBed & Tweeted to share!) :D


 By looking at the agenda in the replied email from omy.sg (As Below):

Date: 26 May (Saturday)
Time: 1250pm - 5pm      Detailed program:
      1250pm - Registration
      1pm - Workshop
      215pm - Tea Break (Light refreshment will be provided)
      245pm - Hands-on session
      415pm - Debriefing


Venue: Albert Court Village Hotel (Click here for map) function room
Dress code: Casual, with comfortable walking shoes. Event T-shirts will be provided for participants to change into / wear the T-shirt during the hands-on session for ease of identification.

I was puzzle whether we going to "Shoot" the model or "Shoot" the hotel , probably not shooting the camera...anyway, I praying for a good weather(Most photographer knew rainy & cloudy days doesn't give good contrast to your photos) 

Swallow all the though back and look forward to the event day.
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3 Days Later ....

 Finally reached the event day 26th May 2012 it self... I am so excited and style my hair again and again (actually I just blow and put some wax). Like just started school, packing this and that, nervous, gan "chiong", 7 "hands" & 8 "Legs" - 七手八脚. I gonna meet some celebrities, right? (Evil Laught!)

However, things just happen when you "pray" for it (Don't ever think of bad thing, else it will appear). Happened that it started to rain as I "expected" since 10:00 am in the morning. Wonder how can the event proceed in rain, anyway just to make sure I am still "neat" by the time I reach there, I took a cab instead of motorbike.

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After told the uncle "Albert Court Village Hotel @ Albert ST one", Cab uncle "Replied, Little india? Ok!".

We started our journey to the event location.

During my journey, I was trying to dig out lost information in my memory and think... 
"Where the hack is this Albert Court Village Hotel???" I remember Changi Village...

Base on the Google map:

It seems the hotel located at quite a strategic place, between Little India and Bugis. With observe about the price (currently was $254, the photo was old), convenient to says that this hotel was average "High End" compare with other hotels within the district ($80 for Hotel 81). Glad that Omy.sg did not "ill treat" us since the workshop was initially FREE .

After the cab passed by the Tekka Centre, finally I reached the destination! Frankly speaking, an absolute "road idiot" like me, can easily locate the Albert Court Village Hotel. I wanted to says "I am smart"; however if you go from the MRT stations - it just beside the main road, sweat.

However, I proud that I reached ON TIME! (Luckily the rain stops!)

I found the exact clock tower stood at the center of the road with the "Dazzle-ling" Albert Court Hotel signboard, as the way in the website (With a real clock that really runs). Woo Hoo~

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Cont. with the - Part 2.

To describe more in the workshop.

 

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Photos Make you Blogs Go Pop - Part 2

Just by walking in to the hotel, the "classy ambient" flows. It not like Marina Bay Sand or Fullerton hotel those "$$$" dollar sign fly around type of luxury and spontaneous "Gold Deluxe" feel. Use imagination and time travel back to around 70's, the hotel gave a scene of "authentic" type of luxury. Anyway, to solve your curiosity I dump some of the hotel photos here.

Albert Court Village Clock Tower (From Goggle)

Luxury Room

Authentic Beds

Hall Path Way

Fabulous Night Scene

So can understand how the Luxury here? Can start to plan for a romantic valentine there.
Back to the workshop, I do a quick check with the customer service for the room location, immediately proceed for level 2 for registration.

Function Room (Demo)

Saw the big "omy Panasonic "sign board, I knew it the correct place. A "thick" for the registration and I collect the goodies bag from the organizing staff. We are required to change up the sponsored black "Panasonic Lumix" jersey for easy identify on the street later.(Luckily was black, else probably will not wear a 2nd time by own preference). I choose to select a center seat in the function room, so that I could have a "closer view" with the guest. But base on the nice sitting arrangement, 3 peoples in a row do give us sufficient space to move around and will not block others too much.

What inside the "Goodies" bag?

I believe till now, you all are curious about the "goodies" in the bag ? (Actually me too)..here are some quick snap  of the freebies!

*Took with the LATEST Lumix G - prepared on the table! (Without knowing the function, just try with a program mode).

1. Panasonic Multi-card reader - (At first I though was thumbdrive)

2. Panasonic Evolta Batteries- Eco ideas (Wolrd's No.1 Long Lasting)

3. Panasonic Lumix G Lanyard - Kinda Cool (but to hang ez-link?)

Panasonic DMC - GF 5X LUMIX 5 Series!!! (Favorite+ Stars Stars)

The camera was "loan" to us after sign the loan form (Haiz, how I wish it can be the "freebies"). Let's see in camera in REAL!

TADA!!!!

Stylist Red LUMIX G

The metalic casing makes the body very steady and firm, seems quite tough! Love the compact design, felt very SOLID. (Imagine - Compare iPhone & Samsung S3, this is like iPhone)

LUMIX G from TOP

It comes very handy in size, kinda slim is take out the lense. It come with a kit lense that support HD recording, basic mode for most DLSR, having it own brand of iA function (yes is iA not Ai), Additional iA+ function amazingly strong, the most valuable features that will tempted you to get this camera (will describe more on the feature in a moment), changeable lenses (for lense lover), touch screen shoot and display... and many more! Last, I repeat this again. If you bought this camera, you will love the grips !! Because I also love it so much!!!  

*(If you wanna ask how I took "my camera" photo? Answer was - I took other people's camera photo.)

I test run the camera with below:  (First Shoot!! )

Complimentry from Village

Notes: that cup and mineral water was always good to target. (Since this the only object on top my desk)

Anyway, workshop have started on time. Lucky that as all the participants were very punctual, we did not waste too much time on waiting.
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WORKSHOP BEGAN!

It head start from some basic introduction by the organizer  from omy.sg & Panasonic about  the initiatives.

We have a quick start with the special guest!

CHRISTINE NG - MODEL BLOGGER (Direct Blog Link)

no photoshop, no push-up bra, no fake eyelashes... but real life situations.

She sparks every body eyes when step in to the function room (Woot!!)

So she begin to explains about her experience into the blogging which started about 7 years ago, however it get "noticible" by people only since 2 years ago. Not every blog will pop just the day you create it - to all the bloggers, the popularity doesn't justdrop from the skies.

Christine Blogs - Sexy Photo By Omy

Christine Ng - Explains how to "Keep it Simple"



Pretty & Cheerful Christine Ng

Mentioned by Christine, in general - these day do no need to expert in article writing but use more in photos that giving more details to the story. Some key points she shared as below:

1. Using vivid color for food photographing. (Eventually the easiest way to start with)

2. Make it simple with all the details .

3. Making portraits its a challenge to capture the eyes that sincere and u can use even animal photos.

4. Find a good camera and light so you bring that you having the advantages to get a better photos than a compact camera but not as bulky.

Sad to said that some of the points I missed out, caused I giving too much attention "into" her speech - Sorry Christine...= <
Her speech was short & sweet, just like the person simplicity. Most of the time,  her "eyes" spoke the most.

Soon, the mic passed down to Jesome Lim.

Recap the Speaker from the previous post on the invitation email??

Jesome Lim - Journal blogger

He been writing article and submitting photos like the "Last of the Railway" which suddenly remind be of him. He do bring up a lot of memories via photos (sorry that I forgotten his name, but I do remember his articles - now)

Below were some of the key notes I took during the workshop, summarize everything.

1. take a photo, tell a story

2. Paint a thousand words

3. Simplicity - keep it single so draw attention to the subject

4. Off-center subjects ( try to putting it to center it became static for your information)

5. Rule of thirds - not hard and fast just draw the imaginary line to locate for the object proportionality.

6. Leading lines - reading line for people to "focus " on the line.

7. Diagonals - include diagonal elements bring the attention to the subject.

8. Framing - frame your picture by blurring the side or use architecture element like doors, windows.

9. Isolation - way to draw the attention to the subject by blurring it away with large aperture , to focus on the specific path. E.g. Chinese new year orange taking.

10. Movement - take with slow shutter speed. E.g. Chin gay period on water splashing and blurred emotion.

11. Light- use the light on exposing the lighter part and shadow have a big contrast to display the model dress with dynamic effect. Else to focus on people, draw the focus by shadow the people way.

12. Texture and colors - color like red very catchy, with nice accompany with green.

13. Capturing the moment - things that happen in split seconds, to tell a short story.

14. Look for unexpected - capture the reflection of the car for a building.

15. Speaking through your photos - took a walk of the morning after the railway, show the story with the nice composition on the object and building. The human train that notifiable place that walking at the old track as a human train. The green corridor on the story to to tell "how green in the corridor "

16. Stories are everywhere - like the rail way bridge and a lady to shoot the bridge but other was focusing at other items..

He is a very Experience and Intelligent person, we learn a lot of local history and photography technique from him. He is also l shown a lot of his famous articles, the effect was amazing (can't believe also without photoshop)

The 3rd Intructors will be James Lee,  from the Panasonic

James are very Passionate on teaching us to use Lumix G

He start up with patching up on the Jesome speech, on how we could use the feature of the camera to get the same effect (and he shown the photo on how to get it). Very soon we are directed to start our hands on. (Apparently my hand was already busy trying out the features), as such I did not manage to took much notes on it. From above photo, the focus "accidentally" flow to Christine...(again just a side story)

James teaching us how to use the "one colour' touch & Shoot (New Feature)

Apparently Lumix provide a lot of wonderful features. But I choose to describe a bit the more on the  impressive "iA Plus" features, quite interesting. There are some combination of the "advance targeting" features and quite a number of setting to manipulate the colour setting "when it shoot" (No before or After you shoot). Will mentioned these features below.

He is focusing on his gf I think...

This was "Trying" to use the "One Color" feature - But Failed

This photo was took to try out the "one color" feature, it actually let you to pick a color on the screen use as main and discolor other colors. Thanks for the big guy, I choose the color on his back and so the photo became all dim. Wasted that did not manage to try much on this feature as I am a "slow" shooter. Continue testing on other feature.

"Touch & Shoot": Models Kurumi & Sharudin

I was trying the "Touch & Shoot" features on them, and also this one of the best feature I like on the iA Plus. You can touch to focus the object, and it will auto blurred away the side. As the default camera focus was on Sharudin but I "Touch" Kurumi instead on my camera LCD. "Snap", it blur away Sharufin and made the focus on Kurumi. I am so Impressed!!

Janet from Omy.sg

Janet gave some speech about the program later and show us what we gonna do next.

I also took a photo for the "sexy" lenses!

Quite a number of lenses!

 Before the we proceed with out door, "Villages" actually prepared a nice tea break for us. Janet also advised us to drink more water before we get on the road.

Shoot before the Food Gone!

The tables setup near the function room, just couple of steps away.

Wonderful Mushroom Bread! (With avocado)

James gave advice to try the "Touch & Shoot" Feature here

Wonderful Tuna & Ham!!

The effect was just NICE!! It the makes the photo can really speak out from themself.

Wonderful Cheese and Bacon!!

This really something I need to compliment to the Village chef (or who ever that make these bread), it was so nice & smooth! In fact, I hate to eat  sandwiches. Normally only will eat it while "no choice", for me - bread = breakfast. However, I love these sandwiches!! (Initially I thought it might already "harden", which happen to most of hotel). The sandwiches were fresh, tasty, yummy... till the it actually all finished after I took the photos.

Apple Tarts

A bit sweet and the taste acceptable, not a great fan off sweet stuff so I tried just one. And "Ok"... I took without the "skin", however I got throw after the photo (I think).

You can see the food clearing fast or gone (James only took 1)

Others were busy interacting with our special guest. (I am just to shy to approach them).

"Bikini" - By "unknown- me"

Don't ever buy "OUT OF ORDER" brand of coffee machine

Testing to take some ligthing - Nice Neon light"

Beside the coffee machine

Nice designed lantern - Trying to get some reflection out there

After the satisfying teabreak , we started on our journey out to little india.

Big applause to Far east organization & Villages!

The part we went for the Photo shooting which link to my other post - At the Part 3

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Photos make your Blogs go Pop - Part 3

We will be moving out on the road for a  "Virgin" shoot, using LUMIX G in a real case. According to the agenda, we will walking around the Little India area, as they will have more colourful India heritage culture. Is the best place to test out the camera.

So let's we move on now!

Missy omy leading us with a signboard (She gonna carry it all along the way)

She been moving around to assemble us, asking us to stand in 2 lines and walk together (like primary kids). I couldn't really took a nice angle of her (probably she was also shy).

The weather seems Good (for walking but not good for photo shooting)

Blushing moment - Can you see the 30cm distance from the lady?

 Note 1. All the bloggers are wearing black!
 Note 2. Chio-est (Prett- ies, Love-liest, beautiful-iest) ladies are on my left (30cms away)
 Note 3. The Chio-Bu-ness keeps people to have certain distance from them (pretty get silo).
 Note 4. We are all innocent and "shy" people (that why we not dare to too close to the babe).
 Note 5. Christine have a nice hand bag, so she doesn't carry a camera that day.
 Note 6. Jesome was the only one "shooting" the camera man (He have the "concept" of Shoot before you get shoot !! - Joking).
 Note 7. The pretty babe beside me think called Elaine (I am too shy to ask for detail), she got a nice hello kitty iphone case which weight around 1kg (or it's from Christine). And I think she was married.... =.="

Albert Court Village Hotel from Far

This the hotel, when we view it from the main road (Albert St) so normally if you past by - this will be your object view (which also the only memory for "Village" I had, before I came). The big "V" glows in dark, so you can easily locate it at night.

Taking a last Snap before we go

We actually had some groups "Geek" photo shooting here with James on some funny "jump" style, hope he got chance to share with us.

Good Bye Albert Court! See you Later!

They were so hesitate to start and most of them have already cross the streets (Told you I am the "slower" one).

See I caught who?

This the Little India Arcade which selling a lot of "small small" things, like accessories, phone cards, daily glossary. Elaine was trying to shoot the Indian uncle that explaining the products.

I think the Photos are for Praying

For Hindu culture the prefer to hand picture and photo for the prayer,

Wood Craft - I wonder there were more...

Authentic Flower Store Uncle

Normally the Photographer compose a Funny Picture

Other bloggers are all aimming to stall and any other colourful things. Think the stall keeper was already used to be "model", none of them reject or angry.

The road currently under construction, a bit narrow

Story Telling time on this road

This road having a great heritage from 50's to 60's on Little India area. All the part of the street having their own stories.

It shows that the heritage road is going through a renovation

I was trying to shoot the man instead of the garbage bin...

There's a lot of vegetable stall in Little India (seems like Indian mostly vegetarian?)

"FREE Style SEATING" - As long don't block the road, everywhere is chair.

Hungry again! Have a "goodwill" of eating!

Everything on the "Rack" & hanging are for sale (That's why the store keeper was gone!! Haha)

Bloggers were everywhere

We started to occupying the road, all the shops were so interesting.

Hope the price remains at $2.60 after 10 years.

LAGNA:"I DARE YOU!", the auntie inside also very DARE you to coming in.

This will be the Shop beside LAGNA

MKM 30% to 50 % off everyday, Store wide!

Ang Mor always enjoy and prepare to get shoot (I should emphasis most "tourist" likes to get shoot)

They got awesome Stone Statues

Trying to get a close up effect. Censored on the tits, but this shows Indian mostly come with big boobs(Heritage.

Very funny guys outside the restaurant- They are actually"Tripplets" can you imagine that? These 2 out of 3 of them...

3rd one here, all made from "Same Factory" and all of them they serving "the JUNCLE Taxxxxxr"

From far, seem like an interesting dating place. Must go and try next time.

I believe the clay is to burn the "spices".

Orange and Blue gave a very nice contrast (although it just shoes)

Comical lover in the eyes

Finally we reach the SriVeeramakaliamman Temple! A must visit heritage temple!

Beside the road always have these type of flower store, believe it used for praying.

Jesome started to give introduction about stories of the temple

The wall was kinda high, it was around 3.2 meters in vertical.

Actually was kinda bloody - on the god killing the demons

Fresh Made Dishes - 99% upon order!

Trying to shoot the pigeons - It appear at most of the corner. (pigeon was originate from India?)

Finally we reach the Medical & Health Shop! (It's a like traditional Chinese medicine shop)

Ladies were just happy to reach here.

Our gang became the "Target" of the tourist 

Front view from the Medicine shop toward the canteen

Seems Janet was having fun and the "Tallest" person here.

Wee wee, Christine Speaking now! She suggest to take some other things other than the medicine shop (Else everyone will be the same and kinda bored)

Say Cheese!

I tried with a different Texture using the fences.

This the tamil nadu special stores beside the medicine shop. Seems like a "CAGE" type of hawker center (The netting is to prevent pigeons)

Anyone left?

We heading Towards CHANDER ROAD

Little India was heritage with different culture

See closely, it not only for hindu.

One of the must come "HOT" corner for Tourist ! (Cause have big map here)

Trying out the macro feature

Over Ripe Tomato!

Very round...

Seems like back to the  80's vegetable shop

Trying with the "Pin hole" effect, the lady actually figure we are spying on her.

Pin hole effect on the flower - Kinda Odd

Shooting with Different type of clays

It appeared that there were a lot of Gold Smith around Little India area

Some story about the Indian forefathers and their tribe in Singapore

Trying to increase the contrast - Became very Colourful

Relax relax in the garden, kinda cozy here.

Spotted 1 couple (Doing a vertical Shoot)

Road Divider (more car coming compare with those that going)

We are heading back to Village! - Via Selegie Road

Some story about Colonial here

Walking in to Albert Court

Jesome doing the explaination on the colonial great history

Quick snap on the decos before getting into the function room

Dimming light & Mirrors

Incredible view to the roof top!

Some historical details about Little India (Wikipedia)

Little India is an ethnic neighbourhood found in Singapore that has Tamil cultural elements and aspects of other cultures. Little India lies to east of the Singapore River—across from Chinatown, located west of the river—and north of Kampong Glam. Both areas are part of the urban planning area of Rochor. Little India is more commonly known as Tekka in the local Tamil community.

Little India is distinct from the Chulia Kampong area, which, under the Raffles Plan of Singapore, was originally a division of colonial Singapore where Tamil immigrants would reside under the British policy of ethnic segregation. However, as Chulia Kampong became more crowded and competition for land escalated, many ethnic Tamils moved into what is now known as Little India. (The Chulia Kampong district no longer exists as a distinct area.)
The Little India area is reported to have developed around a former settlement for Tamil convicts. Its location along the Serangoon River originally made it attractive for raising cattle, and trade in livestock was once prominent in the area. Eventually, other economic activity developed, and by the turn of the 20th century, the area began to look like a Tamil ethnic neighbourhood.
Although ethnic Tamils no longer tend to stay solely segregated in one place as previously arranged under the modern People's Action Party (PAP) policy of racial harmony, for the sake of cultural heritage, many of the ethnically Tamils commercial or cottage industry usages are concentrated in Little India, although Tamil-dominant commercial zones are also found in HDB estates. This neighbourhood has the patronage of people of all races who wish to eat or buy something specific to Tamils culture, such as curry or Tamil clothing. One of the more prominent examples of cross-cultural patronage besides those regarding food is that many Chinese parents go to shops in Little India to grind rice to make congee for infants. In such cases, the shops have machinery primarily meant to grind spices into powder for use in Tamil cuisine. Little India differs from many other neighbourhoods in Singapore in many ways.

Serangoon Road is the main commercial thoroughfare in Little India. It intersects Rochor Canal Road and Bukit Timah Sungei Road. Along Serangoon Road is the Tekka Centre, the Tekka Mall, the Little India Arcade, Serangoon Plaza, and the Mustafa Centre (on a side-road). Farrer Park Fields is located in the district. Several Hindu temples, mosques, and other place of worship include Foochow Methodist Church, Kampong Kapor Methodist Church, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Angullia Mosque, Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple, Jalan Mosque, and the Central Sikh Gurdwara. The Abdul Gafoor Mosque, built in 1859 and named after a Tamil lawyer's clerk, features Arabian- and Renaissance-style architecture. Its prayer hall, decorated with Moorish arch-work, displays a tableau featuring the history of the Islamic religion. The Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, along Serangoon Road, features a high gopuram (tower), and was built in 1855. The Buddhist Sakyamuni Buddha Gaya Temple, also along Serangoon Road, originally established by Thai monk Vuthisasara in 1927. Leong San See Temple is dedicated to Guanyin, the Chinese Boddhisattva of Mercy.
The area is served by the following MRT stations: Little India,and Farrer Park
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Conclusion after the walk

A quick flash back historical detail in Little India from organizers (Conduct after the hands on session).

Village is a surrounding heritage around the little India. Albert Court actually converted from some shop house (like outram park)- explain by Alex - represent Far East Hospitality and Residential.

"Top up" Sharing from Jesome

- temple that area actually had member of Tamil Indians community been kills, however they got into this settlement place(which By right suppose to be European settlement).

- there was a kampong kampong Methodist church around the area

- there is a disco area which near to jurist community, however it use to the place selling opinion in exchange of tea.

- Abdula Shuka aerobic room which donate to the jurists welfare. Which having most of the building related to them as David alias building. The place call Mahala which also means "home", eventually the Mj Benjamin as a fashion man that design and have a house there (still around). Also have the Japanese settlement nearby this area which makes the area quite interesting with multiple culture.

In the end, I am quite satisfying about the workshop, thanks for the good weather, nice food, nice guide, good networking environment (the even serve a special made apple cocktail afterwards, breezing nice!)

A big thanks for all the organizer from Panasonic Lumix, Omy.sg, Far East, pretty girl + handsome guy & any other people I meet there!

Took with Janet Omy.sg

Stay tune for more updates! CHEERS!!

Regards,
Adam Chua

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