Author Archives: TV Smith

Dawn Of A Lifetime

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If you are an ASEAN citizen, a visit to the nearby Angkor Archaeological complex in Cambodia ought be on your bucket list. Not just any visit though. Go to the temple at 6 am. Sit cross-legged under a shady Bodhi tree in front of the moat. Put your camera down. Treat your eyes to the most magical breaking of dawn as how the Hindu kings saw it in the early 12th century. Then take a picture.

To get there so early in the morning, you should make arrangement for transport the day before and obtain your multiple-entry pass before hand. A tripod is not necessary but handy. There will be a lot of climbing and walking to do, so carry a lightweight one if you must. See also the sunset pic from a nearby area, in my gallery.

Dawn Of A Lifetime

Star Of Shah Alam

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What do you do when you arrive at a beautiful landmark on a very hazy day? The weather was so dull everything appeared almost monochromatic. I walked around the famous Blue Mosque in Shah Alam looking for an element that will make the picture a little more interesting. Found this star-shaped grill on one of its gates and photographed through it. A compositional frame can be an overhanging branch, an arch or anything of any shape. Use it to draw attention, to juxtapose or to give the main subject some depth, as in this case.

Star Of Shah Alam

 

Lanterns Were Us

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What was your favourite lantern when you were a kid? I liked the fish because it cast its fascinating scaly patterns on the wall. The dragon was good too. I made it dance and float on a stick. The superheroes were a rare treat. Nowadays, kids prefer Angry Birds and Powerpuff characters than the traditional animals. Or Batman and Superman.

Children would parade around the neighbourhood with lighted lanterns. All these happened for a month leading to the Mid-Autumn Festival. In Malaysia, the event is also known as the Mooncake Festival or Lantern Festival (Pesta Tanglung)

The colourful cellophane lantern in a wire frame is not the folding accordion-type the West is familiar with. As an adult, you too can have fun with lanterns using your camera. Study candlelight photography with lanterns. Hang one up and photograph the shadows it projects on a wall. Use a white mahjong paper or kitchen foil to provide fill light in front. Experiment, click and have fun with your own light show.

The Mid-Autmn Festival (中秋节) falls on 30th September this year.

Lanterns Were Us