Tag Archives: uwa

SeptemberFest

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Many Malaysian food stalls serve fruit juice in mugs similar in size to the mass krug or siedel used during Ocktoberfest. They are 1 litre or 34 ounce glasses. Some stalls even have gallon glasses for customers with a bladder of the camel. While some German Octoberfest waitresses can carry 6 mugs of beer in each hand, here Carmen struggles with a single watermelon drink.

Photography Tip: Push your wide angle lens close to the subject (the mug, in this case) to exaggerate size. Take advantage of a wide angle lens’ characteristic perspective distortion and deep depth-of-field for a dramatic or fun effect. Contrary to popular belief, the wide angle lens is not just for stepping further and taking everything in. It shines when you dare stick it close.

Photographed at Restoran Studio 5, Ampang Jaya.

Olympus OM-D, ISO 320, f4.0, 1/40 sec.

SeptemberFest

Good Distortions

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With a wide angle lens, the vertical lines distort by diverging outwards when you hold the camera pointing down. You can use this effect to your advantage in your compositions. In this picture, I let the vertical candle and worshiper form a V-shape. The elements became an inverted triangle when the arm and joss sticks connect with the flame. Only problem with a wide angle lens is that almost everything falls into sharp focus. This is the time to use Snapseed’s Foggy Filter plus Vignetting selectively to feather the messy background. Photographed with the Olympus OM-D and Panasonic 7-14mm UWA lens at a Hungry Ghost festival prayers session in Hot Springs New Village just now.

Good Distortions

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

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