Few weeks back an ex colleague approached me for few shots to be included in his assignment, a HR booklet. He work for a giant MNC… No I’m not gonna mentioned it!!

When I met him he shown the draft and similar booklet from their home country and other well known MNCs. He explained the shots needed and where to take it.  He stressed that his boss got no budget for this and can only give me a small token. He mentioned how much roughly the token.. but I’m not going to tell you all.

Knowing their operation very well, I explained that the shots can only be done on weekdays at one of their business premise. I have a day job to pay my bills and put food on the table…. so I’ll need to take one day off. I told him that he’s one of the HR Manager in the company and he still can check how much I earn then. I was very open and told that now I earn 30% more. Whatever token in his mind must be able to offset my one day pay, petrol and meal….. at least.

After I walk away from that nasi lemak lunch… I didn’t hear anything from him.

I don’t mind taking photos for FREE……. I have been doing it and will keep doing it. I’ve shot at least four weddings for FREE. The bride/groom just pay for the photobook printing. Yes……. I’m not a pro wedding shooter.. but whoever  I shot was very happy with the results and their friends were envy of them because they got reasonably good quality wedding photos for FREE. I can safely say my photos is much better than many of the wedding photographer who charge close to RM2,000 per day.

I believe many of us been doing that… ..

I think myself as a serious hobbyist. Being able to shoot is good enough. It also improves my skills. I have the intention of doing photography to finance the hobby. With the FREE wedding shoots I can build my portfolio. They also my relatives.

I also have been taking photos for client …my day job client. Not a small company, they just complete RM300M worth of property. Simple shots, but if they get a pro to do it will easily cost them few hundreds if not thousands. And I’m happy doing it. Not so much of trying to KIPAS them (they are my client, and I need to kipas them anyway!!)  but being able to see your work being appreciated is much more satisfying. (Yeah!! I know..  I know. I can say that because I have a day job!!)

But I’m not going to do it for DIRT CHEAP….

Two weeks after shoting DS Nizar at SS 15 Sport Complex in BB Bangi, another political icon at the same venue last night. I was there with Sseme …….Here are some of the shot.

When I heard that few Moto GP riders is having 2 days official testing in Sepang, I took the opportunity to  be there and refresh my panning skill.  

I was there on Day 2 of the testing (7 Feb 09). I reach Sepang circuit abt 2:00pm. When I unpack and start shooting, I  was struggling to get the correct setting. I guess my mistake was I immediately go to the lowest shutter speed I normally do – 1/80….. and  I can’t even get a decent shot.

When I restart at higher speed 1/200, I slowly manage to get better shots. After almost two and a half hours before the test ended at 5:00pm….. I used up 4GB of memory and here are some of the shots. 

Nicky Hayden - 300mm f10 1/80 ISO100

Tony Elias - 300mm f7.1 1/160 ISO100

The Doctor (Valentino Rossi) - 300mm f6.3 1/200 ISO100

Casey Stoner - 300mm f9.0 1/80 ISO100

I like this one most, because of the spark!!….. Too bad he rode too far from the kerb and the bike is not colorful enough, making this shot look very dull!!

Sete Gibernau - 300mm f11.0 1/80 ISO100

I was at Ted Adnan’s Barebone studio again yesterday for another workshop. This time around for Basic Studio Lighting. There were suppose to be 6 participants but a guy from Gopeng did not turn up.

My wife was not too happy….. we had to miss 3 kenduri because I wanted to attend this workshop. There were Tony (from UK and been in Malaysia for 14 years), Wasabi, Intan and Ted’d ex-colleague from UIA (sorry Bro… can’t recall your name la!)

The model was Udd and we really had a good time learning few basic guides in studio lighting…

Here is some of the shots from the workshop……..

Ted in action……

..full attention from Tony & Intan.

Group photo….

Left to Right.. Intan, Wasabi dewd, Tok Wae, Tony, Udd, Ted & UIA Bro

I’m not sure about the ret but I ha hard times getting the right to for Udd’s red cloth.

Overall it was a very  informative session and nice knowing fellow photogs.

I’m embarassed to say that in my 36 yrs life…I never step my foot in Kuching. And yesterday was my first time, memang teruk!!! Luckily my employer need to open a branch each in Kuching & KK, if not I just don’t know when I’ll visit this two city.

Anyway… I catch 8:20a.m.  Air Asia AK5218 from LCCT with my colleague… En. Rohman. Two shots I got during the flight.

Look at his goatie…… mahal!!

Look at the wing & window screen…..this Airbus A380 badly need a wash!!!!

Like other first timer in Kuching, two things that we do was makan Laksa Sarawak & take a boat ride asross Sungai Sarawak (…???) 

At the other bank of the river I got few shots of Kuching Water Front. I’m quite happy with this one….

Inside my Lowepro Rolling CompuTrekker AW for this year balik kampung….. This is the only reason why I hate flying back. I spend almost one hour stuffing things into the bag and I have to leave behind my 300mm.

For the past one week I’ve been dreaming about a beauty…. Surprisingly when I told my wife about it, she just smile and said….. Abang, keep on dreaming!!

Wondering who is the beauty… watch this space!!

Faim … with his antiques.