Night ( fall ) I Will

I feel drowsy. It's nice. I haven't felt this way since a long time. And that's only when I'm high on flu medication. I think I shall sleep soon.



Benjac's wedding was beautiful. Jac was beautiful and Ben was a happy stressed out groom. Everything was so great. It made me a little sad but only for personal reasons. I met old friends which was uber fantastic.

Ravin is arriving in KL tomorrow. Yay.

To Ben and Jac

The first time I heard of Ben being interested in Jac was when I had just joined (if )interactive. That was probably 2004, I think. I'm sorry if I got the year wrong, after graduation - every year's the same to me. At that time, Ben seemed nervous about this Jac girl. I thought the name sounded familiar and she worked in the college we studied in. After a while, it came to me that I had met Jac so many years before. She was my sister's friend back in college.

I was somewhat pleased about this coincidence even though I had nothing to do with them getting acquainted. I heard that Ben was quite the romantic and the two of them had the most intelligent, grammatically correct courtship ever.

3 years later ( providing I get the date right ); they are getting married today. Time flies. I can't think of any other two people who belong together besides Ben and Jac ( probably because both of them terrify me - I think they're quite fierce ). Look at the picture above, can't you just *imagine* them in their late 80's doing the same thing lovingly?! But I hope Ben won't eat oily Hokkien Mee so often when he's in his 80's. Also, their nickname, "Benjac" sounds cool; sort of like "Brangelina ( Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie ) and Tomkat ( Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes ) -- you can tell I am a tabloid reader. *Hangs head in shame*

I can't believe I've known Benjac for 3 years now ( again, providing I get the date right ) . They're the sweetest and most down-to-earth couple I've ever known.

So, to Ben and Jac;

"Congratulations on your wedding. I'm not good with speeches and that's probably why I wasn't invited to give a speech! Hmmph. But anyway, congratulations again. I hope you guys have a whole football team of mini Benjacs when I return from Melbourne. Whatever it is, don't let Smelly Oppa be their Godfather. Your wedding is in ... *counts* ... 9 hours' time!"

This is so exciting, I've never really had my very own 1st degree friend getting married.

Ghostly Whispers

Seriously, maybe I have too much time?



One more month before I go back to Melbourne. I need to get my equipment before I go back.

And Yet Another One

I say, "fuck white balance". Let's all go stupid with the wrong color temperature.



But, seriously...you shouldn't. If you want to be "technically" right, stick to a grey card. I still don't know if I want to spell "grey" or "gray". We study The Queen's English so it should be "grey", right? Or was it the other way round?



This entry is tricky. I have to choose between "colors/ colours" and "grey/ gray".

Glass, Shadows and From Me to You

Graphically created, it is not.

I remember when I watched a Japanese movie; the translations were all done in that particular structure. It drove me nuts.

I Adore Breathing In Your Scent

At the end of Location Imaging class last year, I vowed not to take still life pictures for the class, ever ( yes, ever ever! ). The point of the subject is being on 'location'. For a whole year, I've been shooting still life for that class where else talented classmates go around shooting almost everywhere. I would go around with Ravin and always hope to see what he sees ( this includes forcing him to frame the shot, hold the camera up and letting me peak into the viewfinder ). Although, I never see what he sees. It doesn't make sense to me! I would just be exasperated and ask him, "how do you know what to capture when you look at the buildings?!". Like I said before, everyone sees things differently and sadly for me - I can never see "anything" when I look at buildings. Even when I do, it becomes like a 2d graphic piece and really, I don't think that's the core of being an architecture photographer.

That. Is the reason why I'm not taking Location Class. A whole semester with buildings. Oh my God. I think I'll hold my camera and cry. However, I still hope I can take one semester of it because interior photography seems pretty appealing. The thought of arranging an interior is awesome. I am the control queen, did I not say?

We'll see about interior photography. For now, I think I'm very contented when I'm shooting still life objects. I get to to take my time with them and get to know them ( I swear I'm not the crazy girl who talks to inanimate objects. I am merely an introvert ).



I find myself exploring more into photographs like the ones above. I'm not sure if they're borderline fine art or tasteless still life photography. I think it's quite lovely to guess a little - to feel the fragility of the shots.

Is it going to break?

Is it going to tear?

And I do mean the shots, not the subject. The subject and even the colors can be sturdy as hell but you photograph it and present it in a fragile manner; it ends up making a contradicting statement. I feel like I can push it a lot further - making the shots a whole lot more fragile. Till there is almost a bittersweet nothingness.

Well, it's only the beginning and this is what exploration is all about.

Vintage Camera Poster

Coudal Partners Swap Meat were selling this uber-cool poster last year. Unfortunately, they're all sold out. You can visit the creator's website over here; Rod Hunting.



Would've looked cool up on my wall. Shucks.

When Does It Ever Make Sense

I'm feeling twitchy. I'm getting bored ( you can tell, I'm blogging too much ). The summer holidays is way too long. I'd rather be busy; it helps me know where I belong. I feel so utterly lost. I need to have something to do - deadlines to meet and requirements to fulfill. I've been looking at so many, so many pictures. These past few days, I feel too cold, then I feel too hot and then I get irritated at how my body can't just adjust itself to the environment.

Not many people to talk to. I should be used to it because I don't talk to many people in Melbourne anyway. I miss my best friend but soon, soon...it will all happen again. A month and a half more before I go back. Then university will start and all the mayhem will happen again. In a peculiar way, I can't wait because I think I only belong to a student's life. But then, I dread it because this means the holiday is ending. Do I even make sense?

So irritated. There is an intangible gap between then, now and later.

She Likes Pink

I took this picture a long time ago when I was a teenager. Recently, I dug this picture out and wonder why I don't take pictures like this anymore. I'm not saying it's a great picture but it feels different from my present work.

Balloons are fun, as long as they don't burst.

Blog: Links Added

One of my new year resolutions: I'm trying to make this blog a more resourceful area of interest ( for photography enthusiasts ). I've started to segregate links of photographers into different categories. Of course, some of these photographers shoot more than just advertising or fine art photography. However, I'm segregating them according to my taste and liking.

For example:-
If I think one shoots mostly good advertising work, I'll clump him/ her into the advertising category even though he/ she does shoot fine art too.

The ones with stars next to their names are my personal favorites. I'll start to add more along the way. I've got some bookmarks in Melbourne. I might do a 'photograph of the week' or something soon. For now, I hope you enjoy their work as much as I do.

Hiroshi Tamaki

I want to take his picture one day.

Hello, A Message

This Is Where You Belong

I haven't done self-portraits in a while. I can see the deterioration of my skin. I am getting old.

Stop Me, Please

Now I can't stop playing with the toy camera! The noise in the picture is ghastly! But click, click, click.

Toy Camera

National Geographic sent a toy camera to the company. It's not exactly a top-notch camera but it's quite cute the way it captures pictures - if you're into the whole grainy picture stuff.


"A Second of My Life" - in an instant, I saw art.


"My Lamp" - what a no brainer.

Perhaps it's time to start getting back into the mood of shooting. 2nd year is coming up and we all have to be more serious about work. Studio sessions, coming right up in March. I can't wait to move into our new photography building in RMIT. It's time to wrestle for c-stands and lights. Oh yeah. Seriously who can wait?

( Don't ) Shake It Like A Polaroid Picture

With new year comes new year resolutions. A friend decides to stop smoking. I tend to be more realistic. I intend to own a polaroid camera. It's very do-able, yes? Yes. *Pleased smile* I can see that my new year resolution is going to come alive; in polaroids.

Taken with Ravin's OneStep Silver Express polaroid camera:-



I want to buy the SX-70 because it rocks so well in terms of vintage value. However, since the TimeZero film ( used in SX-70 cameras ) is discontinued, I'll buy an SLR 680 first. The SX-70 can work with the 600 film but because of the 4 stops difference between the camera's built-in ISO and the 600 film's ISO; modifications will need to be made to the SX-70.

I'm watching some auctions on EBay and I have 3 more days to finalize the deal. It would help if I'm bidding in the auction but the price is a little high as of the moment. Every week in studio, we use polaroids too but we use polaroid bags which goes in the large format camera. We use these polaroids to check on our exposure calculations. Currently, I'm using the 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 pack bag but I will switch to full format next year to check for compositions. It is indeed time to be more serious in studio since I intend to be a studio photographer.

P/S: Do you know that you are actually NOT supposed to "shake it like a polaroid picture" - as sung by that group ( I don't remember what they're called )? You're supposed to just lay it down for one minute.

Singapore Trip: Part II

I actually went to MOS on new year's eve but I went there pretty empty-handed. I didn't even bring my phone so there weren't any NY eve's pictures. I wish I brought it! *Sigh*

So, we went to this place called The Butter Factory on Robinson's Road. Thanks to everyone's great sense of direction, we ended up walking from Clark Quay to Butter Factory. I was pretty much complaining my whole walk there. No one knew where to go but we ended up there. Thank God.


Aeroplane light. The walls were also plastered with pixel art.


Ravin, Leon and Alvin. I called my blister "Leon Jr" because Leon was the one who got us a little lost.


Alvin's sort of tiny so the boys are always making jokes out of it. He's sporting. He just goes "yah, yah".


Ravin and I.


Ravin, Andre and Leon. Once, he brought us to eat Indian food in Melbourne. Kinda ironic. Shouldn't Ravin bring us Chinese people to go eat Indian food? Leon will be coming to Melbourne next month and will be taking over Terence's place under the stairs. It's weird. It's like he's the new Terence since Terence is now a graduate and back in Singapore.


Leon, Ravin, me and Alvin.


Ravin, Leon, Boon and Alvin. Boon is studying in Perth and goes back tomorrow.


Bernice, Boon, Leon, Ravin and Alvin. We ended up going for supper; which was fantastic. Singapore's mamaks kinda rule over Malaysia ( and I think in terms of food, only their mamak food seems better, no offense ).

Singapore seem to be full of flea markets? Tony called us to go to Black Market BBQ which was held place at House at Dempsey.


Can you see the kissing booth in the corner of the picture?


Tony and Hoo Ee.


Cool illustrations on the wall.


My xmas present to Ravin in return for my camera necklace - his sunnies. It was amazing to find it because he's so fussy when it comes to this kind of things. But it suits him because he's such a hippie, man. I insisted on NOT taking a low angle shot but Ravin insisted on it. So sigh, here's Ravin and I and my double chin.

I didn't buy anything at the flea market but there were pretty cool vendors there:-
killerheels - love their necklaces with mini baking utensils on it, etc!
Dulcetfig - love their plastic necklaces.
I Spy With My Lil' Eye - wish I ordered a customized name necklace.

And remaining random shots of my Singapore trip:-


Ravin and I going out to meet his army group of friends. No no, not a big group of friends. I mean people he knew from the army.


Rain everyday. Sigh.


Daniel and Mark. Daniel gained more muscle mass and Mark grew a head taller!! Ravin and I gained...a tummy and an actual butt. We should feel quite unaccomplished.


Daniel wanted to eat at a buffet so we went to Takashimaya to eat at the Family Buffet Restaurant.


Beer at the Esplanade. Ravin had just purchased his new DX lens before this.

That's all for my trip. I've got a couple of pictures from visiting my father's friend's photography studio. Will blog about that some other time. Just a couple of shots.

Overall, I guess Singapore's pretty alright. It's just like Malaysia - only safer. Well, okay I think it's kinda different. Public transportation is huge here. The food court culture is pretty big here too. And oh yes, it's very clean. I always expect army men to jump out and scream at me if I do something wrong in Singapore. Seeing army trucks go by is a little nerve wrecking - makes me think that war's happening. I like the design culture here. Singapore is also more open to creating a design community compared to Malaysia.

All in all, it's really quite alright. Even so, no HDB proposals, please.

Singapore Trip: Part I

Hi all! I am back - all fat and healthy from Singapore!! I flew to Singapore on the 31st and came back to KL yesterday. There isn't much to do in Singapore except eat and take public transport so I don't have much pictures to show.

I touched down in Singapore at 9 in the morning on new year's eve. The airport was quite empty in the morning. When I didn't spot a familiar looking Indian, I thought Ravin was hiding in some corner; trying to scare me or surprise me. Turns out he did neither, he was late. Horrible boy. Apparently, he took the wrong turning but I still think he overslept. :(

Singapore was pretty sunny on new year's eve.


I saw a huge ferris wheel but I don't know what it is. Is it The Eye? Being away for two years, Ravin doesn't know much more than me. I should have elected another tour guide.

On the first day, I didn't do anything much except to just walk around and eat kaya toast. I like the Singaporean kaya toast with soft-boiled eggs. Pretty awesome. I fell sick on the 2nd and 3rd day after eating some bad fried oyster egg.

"Did you use your credit card?" my father asked me on the phone.

"Got. But only to order porridge in the hotel because I had food poisoning," I replied.

What a waste! I didn't do much for the first two days. Luckily I was in a pretty decent hotel so I guess I was sick comfortably?? If that even makes sense...

When I was better, we went to The Asylum's store. I watched Christopher Lee speak at a conference and liked the stuff he presented. I made sure I visited The Asylum store ( which is located on Ann Siang road ) when I was in Singapore.


The poster outside the store.


They had a pretty cool bunting design for the DualCity Sessions. You could see two different sets of names of the designers when you switched your angle of views.


The Asylum store. I didn't take any pictures inside but I wished I did. I saw a bag which was kinda nice but it cost SGD$300+. *Cough* I'll just settle for a Country Road duffel bag.

Ravin had just purchased his Nikon D300. He took it out almost everyday but didn't snap very often. I think he's quite embarrassed to take out a huge camera.


We walked across to Egg3 on Erskine Road. Ravin bought me my Xmas present. A necklace with a camera pendant! Super cool. When we came out, it was raining again. The weather in Singapore is like Melbourne. Sometimes, it just rains and stops and rains and stops. We waited while he used his D300 on me. As you can see, I'm gaining weight and my jawline is less defined now.
*Note: Chubby chipmunk cheeks.

Then we headed to the Red Dot Design Museum on Maxwell Road. I thought it was pretty cool that there was an actual Red Dot museum in Singapore. I've heard of the Red Dot design awards but never about the museum.

Usually, you would have to pay to go in but because there was a flea market happening; it was free of charge. Pretty groovy huh? The market is called "MAAD" - short for "Market of Artists And Designers".


The reception area.


Adorable lights which looked like painted ice cubes.


I loved these stars! Basically, they were just foldable cardboard designs with a light bulb inside. The booth sold the designs; excluding the bulb. Now, I wish I bought some designs to bring back to Melbourne!


You could read up on winning product designs.


Just a random wall sculpture.


I wonder when can Malaysia homes have this system. It's part of the "smart homes" concept, isn't it? Apparently, it's stated most homes in Korea run on this system.


Lit-up winning entries.


A pram and a urinal. The urinal didn't have a flush. Basically, it's designed in a way that men won't have to flush. Ravin said that the non-flush feature was disgusting and walked away. I shrugged and took a picture.


More people from "MAAD". You could pay for a doll to be sewn to look like you. You could buy umbrellas and paint on them. It was quite interesting.


More winning entries.


I thought this was pretty cool but I don't quite understand its function. There wasn't any write-up on it either.


Waiting for the MRT. I am now an expert when it comes to taking public transport! Bring the MRT and buses on! Of course, you have to tell me when and where to get on and off. :)

The first leg of my trip was pretty eventful in terms of being cultured and all design. I like Ann Siang and Erskine roads. They had some cool design stores there.