Sun Surveyor

I have photographed Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan under different light since its opening in year 2000. Fascinated by the intricate architecture and how sunlight interacts with the interior arches and stairs, I always enjoy walking around the huge mosque to look at the shadow play.

It was only recently, that I was able to quickly calculate the exact position and declination of the sun with a mobile Android app from location. At one of my favourite angles, the app projected a perfect sweet spot but only in six month’s time. The sun’s relative angle in the sky changes over seasons.

I waited and that moment arrived two days ago. However, there remains one unpredictable variable; the weather. Resulting picture in the next post.

Overlaid screenshots from Sun Surveyor app’s 3D and 2D view of the sun’s position over Wilayah Mosque. Satellite Imagery copyright Google Map.

Olympus OM-D, ISO 200, f11, 1/800 sec.

Sun Surveyor

Selayang Sunset

Lovely orangey sunset today. I was driving in Selayang when I saw a giant egg yolk through a gap between some shrubs and trees. Pulled over into a side lane and shot this through the passenger window. The roof is that of a condo in the distance. When you see the sun that low on the horizon, you have a window of 20 seconds or less. If you are driving, don’t bother unless there is a safe place nearby to stop.

Olympus OM-D, ISO 200, f11, 1/2500 sec.

Selayang Sunset

Crescent Sun

The Sun turned into a Crescent as the Moon partially eclipsed it at 5:46 pm Malaysian time on January 26th, 2009. I photographed this rare solar eclipse from Titiwangsa Lake Gardens in Kuala Lumpur.

Another eclipse will take place on Deepavali (Diwali) November 13, 2012. However, this eclipse will be visible only from northern Australia, the southern Pacific Ocean and parts of Chile. Lucky residents of Cairns in Australia will experience a total eclipse lasting 2 minutes.

During a total eclipse, day turns into darkness. Its distinct effect on animals were observed by a team volunteers from 30 cities across India during the 2010 eclipse.

Exposure info: Olympus E-3, f22, 1/8000 sec with ND 8 filter.

Crescent Sun