Category Archives: Photography

Make Haze While The Sun Shines

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If you enjoy outdoor photography, the current hazy spell is probably getting you down. Don’t despair. There are unique photographic opportunities hidden behind the haze. Better still, if you are the owner of an Olympus camera with built-in Art Filters, just turn the dial to Dramatic Tone Filter. It literally adds drama to any drab scenery…

Green Alagae Lake of Titiwangsa

Green Algae Lake of Titiwangsa

Sunshine, haze and the art filter combined to create a surreal atmosphere at this popular recreation park.

Romance of The Klang Gates Kingdom

Romance of The Klang Gates Kingdom

It certainly wasn’t romantic morning mist. The filter rendered the afternoon smog into layered textures that resemble an ancient Chinese landscape painting. I shot this with a long lens from the balcony.

Is This The Way To Amar Singh's Pillow?

Is This The Way To Amar Singh's Pillow?

The Petronas Twin Towers are like a beacon on a misty ocean. Strangely but wonderfully, the filter rendered all colours in monochrome except the traffic lights. It seems some  Malaysians misheard Tony Christie’s “Is This The Way To Amarillo?” when it first aired.

See also: The Art of Art Filters

All pictures photographed with the Olympus Pen E-PL2 by & © TV Smith

Tip: You can view larger versions of the images here, gallery-style. When the page finishes loading, click on any picture. Navigate via the arrows on each side of the frame.

3 A.M. At Masjid India

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The Ramadan festive bazaar at Jalan Masjid India winds down at around 3 in the morning. Traders prepare for a brief nap in their makeshift bedrooms, road sweepers emerge from nowhere while others converge at nearby tea stalls. I ventured there with the new Olympus Pen E-P3 paired with my favourite street lens, the new m.Zuiko 12mm (24 eq) f2.0 prime…

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 800, f2, 1/60 sec

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 800, f2, 1/60 sec

Wayang Kanvas. Around 3:00 am, the tarps are drawn down and the silhouettes  presented a fascinating shadow play.

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 1600, f2, 1/50 sec

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 1600, f2, 1/50 sec

Uncle Bob (right) kept reminding me his chicken is skinless, grease-free and therefore healthy. Quite tasty actually.

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 200, f2, 1/80 sec

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 200, f2, 1/80 sec

Long Time No Tea. I was touched that the famous tea makers came out to hug me. I was a regular there during the ’11 LA’ heydays. The party godown was across the river.

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 500, f2, 1/60 sec

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 500, f2, 1/60 sec

The Manny. The f 2.0 lens is great for subject isolation. Not overly shallow but still sufficiently bright for handheld night photography.

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 500, f2, 1/60 sec

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 500, f2, 1/60 sec

Ali’s Sticks. To prevent himself from keeling over, the steam-stick seller rely on a can of Tongkat Ali-spiked energy tea.

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 1600, f2, 1/50 sec

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 1600, f2, 1/50 sec

Back Street Boy. Some pulled down the tarps to sleep, others dance around the rubbish pile. I like this guy’s enthusiasm, even at 3 am.

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 1600, f2, 1/40 sec

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 1600, f2, 1/40 sec

Smooth As Lace. A pillar ad on the front of a lace shop befits the tranquillity of the hour.

All pictures photographed with the Olympus Pen E-P3 by & © TV Smith

Tip: You can view larger versions of the images here, gallery-style. When the page finishes loading, click on any picture. Navigate via the arrows on each side of the frame.

The Ramadan Bazaar: A Celebration Of Us

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The Ramadan Bazaar at Section 14 is a celebration of us. The crowd is diverse, the fashion contrasting and the food tantalising. The riot of colours, smoke and strong sun presented a wonderful photographic opportunity.

I’ve included some photography tips with this photo essay. And those who asked whether the new E-P3 carried over the legendary Olympus colours, judge for yourself…

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 200, f7.1, 1/200 sec

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 200, f7.1, 1/200 sec

Peaceful, Multi-Racial Assembly. Crowd queuing patiently for famous Kassim’s Popiah Basah. Popiah, a Hokkien spring roll, means ‘thin biscuit.’ I chose a wide angle lens to take in the queue curling around the back lane.

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 200, f5.5, 1/160 sec

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 200, f5.5, 1/160 sec

The Wizard’s Brew Is Bubbling! Smokin’ Kerang. This kind of shot is possible only when the sun gets low. So timing is important.

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 200, f7.1, 1/200 sec

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 200, f7.1, 1/200 sec

She Sells Sea Shells. I stuck the ultra-wide-angle lens so close that the lens misted up from the heat and smoke. An UWA exaggerates perspective and adds drama to any scene.

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 200, f7.1, 1/250 sec

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 200, f7.1, 1/250 sec

Going Dutch. On the other hand, a simple ‘Dutch Angle’ adds dynamism to certain scenes. Use the tilt wisely.

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 200, f7.1, 1/250 sec

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 200, f7.1, 1/250 sec

Sour Sun. With subjects like ice and liquid, don’t be afraid to shoot against the sun. Backlit, the drink jumps out at you.

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 200, f5.6, 1/250 sec

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 200, f5.6, 1/250 sec

Frame The Man. Tough but if you are patient, use people to frame a subject. See how the eyes draw you to the action.

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 640, f6.7, 1/250 sec

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 640, f6.7, 1/250 sec

Texting Time. Use a short tele to pick out candids but move in closer afterwards so the subjects get a chance to ask you why you were photographing them, if they want to.

All pictures photographed with the Olympus Pen E-P3 by & © TV Smith

Tip: You can view larger versions of the images here, gallery-style. When the page finishes loading, click on any picture. Navigate via the arrows on each side of the frame.