Some Macro Work

Tried my hands on macro recently. Since didn't have the budget for a 100mm F2.8 Macro lens .. I decided to try a cheaper alternative with the Raynox DCR-250 close up filter. I used the filter together with the 55-250mm lens with an external flash mounted plus the usage of tripod. A remote cable release is used to prevent camera shake. Focusing is rather cumbersome but it get easier once you get used to moving the tripod + camera back and forth to get the subject into focus. A macro rail is very useful in this situation but moving the tripod + camera back and forth does the same thing. In this sample shot, I didn't try to use an off camera flash because I forgot to bring my china flash trigger. The raynox filter does give a high quality magnification. It seems that my camera sensor is dusty from all the changing lens while on the field in my recent jungle and mountain trekking expedition a few weeks ago. So the photos are filled with sensor dust! I try to remove some of it using the adobe lightroom clone/heal tool but there is just too many of it .. perhaps it's time to send the camera for cleaning soon.











































Hope you enjoyed the photos.

The Yester Year

Photograph of my recently deceased grandparents.

No Photos, Just A Sharing

I will be taking some break from photography due to recent the passing of both my beloved grandparents.

My grandfather passed away about 2 months ago. His passing was indeed very hard for everyone in the family to take especially my grandmother. Looking at her reaction upon seeing his husband inside a coffin filled with flowers, she burst into a heart wrenching tears which was very hard for the rest of us to bear. No amount of consoling can calm her down, even if we've talked to her at great length trying to assure her that grandpa was at a better place now.

The last 3 months has been a very difficult for entire family. From the passing of my grandfather, to my grandmother deteriorating health. The last few weeks, I've been paying my ailing grandmother a visit at the general hospital. Over the course of my time there, I've seen so many patients pass away and seeing how their respective families grieved. When the doctor said, there is not much time left, we decided to bring her home so she can rest at her home. Time is ticking, I was very saddened to hear this. The last few times I visited her, she couldn't recognized me already. The only thing left to do, is to pray that her pain will subside at least she can go without suffering. She lost her appetite about 1 week ago, and from then onwards she lost a lot of body mass. Her pale complexion and skeletal face made it even harder to bear. I couldn't help but cry when I see her. I knew her time is almost up. Thursday morning, I received a call from my mother. She said grandma is gone. I walk to the workshop and started crying briefly. They told me to come only after work, that I should just continue to do my work. It so happens that my boss needed the photos of the new bike models for a catalog design before it's launch. I put a brave face to continue working on that day. I continue to talk to people as if nothing happen.

This morning we went for the funeral. Some of my cousin mentioned that with both of them gone, does it mean there are no more family gathering ? Come to think of it, I think yes .. that's probably true. We won't be celebrating the coming Chinese New Year also. 

 

Gunung Serapi Hike Part 4

It took about 1 hour 20 minute to descend down, its really easy and you don't even need to stop. Just keep on moving, at some point I actually run down. hehe. I quite like the new Dunlop shoes that I bought during the Gawai Holiday. At 50% sales discount (RM 40++), the shoes quality is better than Bata Power one. The Bata that I had started to peel off after my 3rd time jogging at Everbright Jaya Park!!!. Damn should have just ask for refund. The cushioning of the Dunlop shoes is fantastic, there is no blister on the foot and it almost like your stepping on a cow grass barefooted. haha. Along the way I stumble on the group of 12 teenager earlier, if not mistaken I think they took the Rayu Trail because I didn't see them at the summit.

 


This guy is really beautiful, the color is very nice. When it flies, it's wing is red in colour. Incidently I screamed like a girl when it fly across my face because I hate flying insects. Can u imagine the goosebump when it land on your skin ????




A wild bamboo orkid.


This spider is the same species that is found at the Mount Singai Church. Guess it's a common Borneo forest species.


This guy is really huge, the size of my palm.




Hmm built in flash is used, and I quite like the effect.








I found this little guy at the beggining of the trail inside the turtle pond. So it's been a confusing day, a natural frog pond that doesn't have frog but butterflies and a turtle pond that doesn't have turtle (I didn't see any, maybe I missed it) but got frog ? Hmm ...



Hope you enjoyed the photos.

Gunung Serapi Hike Part 3

I reached the "Summit" at around 11.30am ... very exhausted and running low on water again. About 30 minute later .. the group of scouts finally reach .. and one of them got a Sony Alpha SLR. Kids these day ... really bloody rich. I work for so long only can own it .. they not yet working already got. so envy them. My 400D is starting to show wear and tear, the rubber grip near the connector already peeling off a lot de. Secretly I've been wanting to get 500D or a used 40D as a second body for quite sometime now but of course money is always the issue. Considering I'm only a hobbyist so I don't earn from photography, yet I have that unfailing love for it.























View at the summit viewing area.


It's beautiful .. I really enjoyed the view. You can't actually see it but when I was taking this photo, the group of scouts where just behind me, some of them waiting to take turn to photograph the view. hehe.


Hope you enjoyed the photos.