Shoots, Singapore

The other day, I went along with my photographer on a location shoot. It was 2.30pm and freaking hot. It was totally a wrong day to wear black and head to toe. I now understand why only studio photographers wear all black. Artificial sunlight will not be as torturing as real sunlight.

We had to replicate a wet muddy scene in the playground. There were 5 kids on shoot; all of different races. It was good to watch. Kids are hard to handle because they get tired and grumpy easily. Especially when it was hot and they were covered in mud. The mud dried pretty fast so the make-up artist had to keep spraying them with water. When the mud was drying towards the end, flies starting to buzz around the kids. They couldn't stop scratching and swatting the flies away. These kids were from the age of 5-7. They did a pretty good job because they had to try different looks for the camera.

I carried sandbags and scooped mud. It was pretty satisfactory. When you're a female and you're assisting with all the other boys; it's always important to try as hard as you can to show you're fairly capable too - especially in assisting because it's a lot of physical work ( eg: unpacking, packing equipment ). Of course, I do admit that there are certain things that I can't lift but they can. *Ponders about gym-ing* It's also good if you need to know what your photographer needs to make his job easier. Of course, I can't because I don't know the working process in the company. But usually, the 1st assistant is very important to the photographer - he's constantly by the photographer's side and for cases like my dad, he'll only remember the 1st assistant's name!! Haha.

My body ached the next day but it feels quite good. I'll be following more shoots further on. Also, I think my Singapore trip is on. Oh yay! I do miss those Singaporean boys with their sarcasm and dry humor and dirty jokes. I'll probably spend new year's eve there. Now, I need to await confirmation on flight details. Flying direct to Singapore via MAS is RM840+. AirAsia only charges RM120+. Decisions, decisions, decisions. However, the hotel I'm thinking of seems pretty alright. A bit pricey but it's safe and it's near Ravin's home. I hope I can confirm my flights soon then I can proceed with the hotel bookings. The hotel room's availability on the 31st December might be booked out. Especially the room I'm looking at; because it's the cheapest among all.

So I'm Stuck Up Now

I figured I need to add a little bit of eye candy or give my blog a face lift. I'm waiting for inspiration to hit me. *Waits* Nope, not anywhere near.

As mentioned, I don't really meet up with friends here. I'm wondering if friends are still friends. Have they changed or have I changed? Or rather, we all grow up and go on with our lives separately. I live my life in Melbourne where else they live their lives here. I don't know what's happening here nor do they know what's happening in Melbourne. I don't mean to sound like a high and mighty overseas student. Of course not, I'm kind of disappointed in friends who claim that I seem stuck up now because I mentioned that I prefer Melbourne over KL. Home is still home, yes, I agree. However, life in Melbourne is so different from life here. Perhaps they don't understand and never will. One thing is definitely the crime rate here. When I get all mortified; people just wave it away and say "it's normal. You just have to be careful."

This seriously astounds me.

It's normal? How can people say "robbing, killing, raping" is normal? Honestly, I would prefer to be able to walk down a street feeling safe; not feeling fearful that someone's going to come rob and kill you. Is this what you call home? My sister doesn't even dare to roll down the car window to smoke. People in cars get robbed while waiting at the traffic lights. Is this what you call normal? And then I get condemned for being stuck up because I don't like this "normalcy"??

I don't know why am I all worked up. It's been some time since I've vent. To the people who claim I am stuck up, I'd prefer to be able to wait at traffic lights without worrying someone's going to break my car window and rob me. To be able to walk to the store. To do everyday normal things but most importantly, to be able to live life without the constant fear of being a crime victim. You can call me stuck up all you want. If you want to live your life this way, it's up to you but don't condemn me for wanting to live my life another way...because you have no right to and perhaps, you really don't know me anymore.

KL Update

I haven't been out much since I've returned home. Everyone's working and I've met up with my handful of friends. Most of the girls aren't around - Russia, KK, Singapore, Perth. I've been chilling out, like seriously chilling out. I'm so sick of eating right now. Returning home always means eating till I put on 5kgs.

I went to this event gathering organized by this new group called "Lapsap". I'm not too sure what they do but apparently, all the artsie fartsie people gather for their events. Jarrod brought me over to this cool place in KL.


Quite hippie looking.


Destine, me and Jarrod. The boys claimed that I've grown taller. Even my dad said so. It's cool because at the age of 24 *cough* bordering 25, I'm still growing taller!

I heard Melbourne's really hot now - almost 40 degrees? That's really hot. Only reason I'm glad to be outta there. Hah. I've been trying to plan a holiday but there are so many factors. Money, schedule, money. Okay, maybe ONE primary factor.

I've decided to stop slacking ( and eating so much ) and head to the studio soon. I have got to learn something before I return as a 2nd year student.

Home for Hols

I'm going home tonight. I'm happy but sad to leave Melbourne for a whole 3 months. Melbourne's been home to me for a year now. In KL, it's back to fearing for safety. :( Anyhow, I'm looking forward to seeing everyone back home.

I need to run a couple of errands before heading to the bank, library and to a friend's BBQ birthday bash. Melbourne is sunny and summer-ish as of now. I'm tanned and flying home for summer hols. Woot!

I'll update from KL.

Die Weisse Massai

Left: The book. Right: The film.

I read an article about Corrine Hoffman a while ago. She's a Swiss German who fell in love at first sight with a Samburu warrior while on her trip to Kenya. She left everything ( including her business of selling clothes ) in Switzerland to track him down and eventually marry him.

I saw the book at Borders two days ago and was quite delighted. I just finished reading the book yesterday and was a tad sad. I do respect her because she went through so many hardships to be with her husband. She lived in Barsaloi - a place where there was no electricity and water supply. She stayed in a manyatta - the huts that Samburu people stay in. She dealt with numerous malaria attacks and opened up different stores for income.

I rented the film yesterday and am in the middle of watching it. I'm a little disappointed because the film cut so much out from her book. I know they can't possibly fit everything into a movie but she dealt with so much more hardships in reality.

It was quite an interesting read and she has the follow-up book, entitled "Reunion in Barsaloi". I'm not sure if I'm going to scout for that book but I'm curious to know what happened next.

Random

I want a polaroid camera! But polaroid film is so very expensive.

I'm coming home on Sunday. Warm weather, friends, Ori, food ( argh ) and familiar places/ feelings. I'll be in the studio - experimenting with some stuff. 3 months at home. Oh wow. I wonder what I'm going to be doing besides going to the studio.

I'd like to bring some studio folio back to show the photographers but my lecturer took them all. I only have my location folio to show them. Boo.

I need to go to the library and return the books. I've been holding them fugitives for almost 2 months. Wah.

I wish I could see like Rinko Kawauchi. She is so amazing. I'm questioning, questioning, questioning what I would like to story tell through my work. I'm wondering about implementing design with my photographs but I'm no longer a designer ( probably never was! ). I need to find some designer friends. *Cough* Marionette. I need to bribe him into doing some work for me. F-R-E-E.

This is the most random entry ever. The sun is out. Yay yay yay.

Sigh. I'm restless. Tonight, I'm cooking cherry tomato and basil pasta.

Brighton Beach

3 entries in a row. I'm on a roll, baby!

Continuing from where I left off - we finished cutting Terence's hair at 3.30 am. We sat in front of the computer, doing some research on Brighton Beach and suburbs around it. Terence was still very much obsessed with the little stores. He's such a tourist at heart.

We went to bed at 5.50 am. We decided ( no, they decided ) to leave the house at 7.30 am. Ravin stayed up the whole 2 hours and woke me up at 7 am. Apparently, I grumbled and called Terence a bastard in the process of waking up. We left the house at 8am.


The boys in the train. Yes, Ravin IS reading Harry Potter. He doesn't really look the part of a Harry Potter reader.


I'm the only girl in the group but the boys prepared and packed sandwiches, grapes, water and blankets. I chose Brighton beach as a destination. Life's pretty fair, eh?


I started suntanning and they went off looking for more stuff. They came back with 2 starfishes. In reference to the Williamstown entry - they seem to like running off to look for sea snails and starfishes.


Brighton Beach has a row of colorful dressing huts ( which you actually have to rent ).


The sky was pretty awesome today.


A view along the beach.


Ravin shot through my sunglasses.


We finished suntanning at 1pm and walked to town. Check this out. Rich people can afford to buy houses like this, yes?


The only group shot we have. I think I've gained 3kgs in the past month. My legs actually have meat!

We headed back to the city at 4pm. I'm sun burnt. Ouch. I think we're just gonna chill out at home this week. I'm coming home in 6 days' time. I don't want to hear fat comments from anyone!!! I know I'm fat! Dammit!

I Played A Hairdresser

Last night, the boys and I went to St. Kilda. Being typical us, we didn't do anything much except stand around the pier ( and me forcing them to pose for the camera ).


The sun was setting when we got there. Do you ever notice that the sun sets pretty fast? Within minutes!


Then, we headed to Luna Park. Nothing much happened there except me stuffing my face with cotton candy and getting fatter by the second. None of us sat rides because they weren't scary enough ( in my case - I was too scared even for kid-like rides ).

So, we went home and that's when we had Project Photographer-Turn-Hairdresser. Being the cheapskate he always is, Terence refused to pay money for a proper haircut. Instead, he got Ravin to cut his hair for him.

"You need hair clips to divide the hair into several layers," I told Ravin.

"I have clips," he replied.

"Where?"

He took a plastic bag and handed it to me. I looked in and saw our studio clips we used in studio. -_-" Ravin took his ( normal paper cutting ) pair of scissors out. I wished Terence good luck and witnessed the tragedy about to happen:-


I think Ravin doesn't really give a shit about Terence's hair. Hah. He told me he wanted to cut one side shorter than the other. I told him he shouldn't because Terence is graduating in December. Also, Terence looks like he can crush Ravin's head with his biceps.

I gasped in horror when Ravin snipped the back of Terence's hair; causing a 3cm gap between the 1st and 2nd layer of his hair. Terence almost had a panic attack. Eventually, I stopped laughing, took the scissors and tried to rescue Terence's hair.


Don't judge me. That was not the scissors of my choice.

I spent an hour plus trying to save his hair. It was pretty pressuring because I've never really paid attention to hairdressers cutting men's hair. I did my best and I guess I managed to save it...slightly. At least there's no longer a 3cm gap between the 1st 2 layers of hair.

A Randomly Picked Town

As mentioned Williamstown is a random town Terence picked. We went there by train and really, there wasn't much to see except the port.

Pics:-


Train tracks. A sight. I know.


They looked like 2 childhood friends walking down a path.


I'm not sure what these are. They look pretty cool when they're all together.


Some Japanese childhood movie scene.


Plants.


Williamstown. We just hung around here. There wasn't really anyone else in sight.


The boys - looking at sea snails.

Terence has this thing for little stores. He was disappointed there weren't any little stores in Williamstown. I think we are never going back to Williamstown again. Still, it's a nice scenic place...I guess.

Williamstown

Terence had this ingenious idea to randomly pick a town and visit it. Ravin and I agreed to tag along because honestly, is there anything else better to do right now?!

I'm so tired right now. There was nothing much at Williamstown but I got a folio shot:-



For the actual folio shot, click here. I guess pics of them having "fun" will be up soon.

Words and Pictures

So, I've started writing alongside my work. I wonder if it all makes sense?

Misheru @ GPO

Taken by Ileana for her environmental portrait brief. Heh, my legs look weird....!

Nightcat

Yesterday night, we went to Nightcat. Yes, on a Sunday. We're on holidays. It's so good to think that everyday is like Saturday...!! Usually, it's salsa music over at Nightcat. I tried a few salsa steps but decided to just sit down with my Asahi. I have to admit, being twirled and spun around by Terence was super fun. Reminded me of being a kid again. Weeee!


The place had cool ambient lighting.


Jay; who's usually the mastermind organizer for all our outings. Muah!


Kat, Joyi and Craig. I have no idea what Craig's face is supposed to mean.


Someone twitched with my camera and the settings are a little wonky. Now, all my pics come out looking like we have no color in our faces. Will fix it soon.


Haydn shoots mad pictures. He won the student of the year award for 1st year. The other one winner was Jake.


Jay, me, David. David's from Peru. He asked me questions about geography and cameras. He made me feel extremely stupid last night. I asked him to leave me alone and go dance to salsa.


David was playing with the camera. The first pic was David's settings. Ravin called the shot "a bad masking job in Photoshop" so we had to take another one. *Grumble*


With Michael, Catherine, Jay and Kat. David's settings...again!


Group shot of the night. We left early - about 1.30 in the morning. Yesterday was cold! I can't wait for the full summer weather to get here.

Misheru

So, I'm all about looking like a boy with this new haircut. It's pretty awesome ( dressing like a boy not my look ). Am still thinking of platinum blonde. But once I bleach my hair; I've got to always bleach the new grown hair. That's going to be a pain ( literally because bleaching stings the scalp ).

LJ

Waha. I'm a nerd. I spent a few hours in front of the computer; trying to figure out Livejournal all over again. I used to have an LJ account years ago. Everything's changed!

So bullshit and heart talk goes in there. It's locked. Friends are invited to go over and be added if they want to. Click here to go over.

Floral Shadows

It's real cloudy today in Melbourne. Summer's here but it's still not that warm. The flies are back. I'm getting hives and hay fever because of the pollen. Yesterday, my eye swelled up real bad.

I miss shooting. I've enrolled in studio next year. I'll be majoring in studio but taking portraiture as my elective. The studio lecturer thinks I should overload a bit more and take up location too even though architecture's not my thing.


Location Imaging 102
BW Tonality A - Contraction of Tonal Range

Look at the pretty floral shadows on the grass. We had to try to get a wide range of tonal range for our BW Tonality A brief. I'll miss black and white a tiny bit. I'm thinking of starting another blog project. Maybe get my own domain? Writing about photography a bit more. I'm trying to think and feel deeper into photography. We don't just take pretty pictures. We tell a story. Another photographer asked me to go into fashion but I think it's pretty superficial. I didn't tell that to his face because he's a fashion photographer. I mean, fashion is cool and everything and I'm sure there are tons of fashion photographers out there who love their work. I don't mean to disrespect their work. It's just not the thing for me.

Bleh. Cloudy days do this to me. I want to snap some emotional photography.