Photograph of The Year Winner - Ngee Ann Photography Competition cum Exhibition 2009

[KopiOkaya]

Our warmest and most sincere congratulations to fellow FUN member, Richard Seah (a.k.a. 'Bluffname'), for winning the 2009 Ngee Ann Photography Competition cum Exhibition - Photograph of The Year.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/Cover.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/Sakuhachi.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/32.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/Didgeridoo.jpg

[CONT]

[KopiOkaya]

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/CrownCrane.jpg

(All images scanned from event programme booklet)

The exhibition is open to public FREE from 12 to 28 June 2009, from 11am to 7pm daily. Venue is Ngee Ann Cultural Centre, Ngee Ann Exhibition Hall, Teochew Building, 97 Tank Road (nearest MRT station is Dhoby Ghaut).

Here (http://www.ngeeann.com.sg/webtop/cultural.phtml?pageinfo=napcfull) is the official website of this event.

[bluffname]

Thanks :D Kopi-O-Kaya for the "kong kor" (advertisement).

Yes, certainly is FUN to win a contest.

I should add that one of the judges, David Tay who is President of Photo Society of Singapore, commented (to me, not in his speech) that my "colour management" is great. But I told him the credit for this goes to Fuji and its Super CCD..

Everyone is invited to view the exhibition at Ngee Ann Cultural Centre over the next two weeks, I think until June 28.

Those who want a teh halia treat, see if you can find me, with Kopi-O-Kaya and another teh halia / artist / photographer buddy, at the Glamorous Village (Kampong Glam).

Oh yes, I am also featured in Business Times today :-)

[sgsoonhoe]

Congratulations, Richard :cheers:

[harrynkl]

:cheers::thumbsup:congrats :cheer:

[bluffname]

Congratulations, Richard :cheers:

:cheers: to you too. And to Super Moderator Harrynkl :-)

Maybe we should do FUN outing to Ngee Ann to critique the works. What do you think, KopiOKaya?

[KopiOkaya]

I should add that one of the judges, David Tay who is President of Photo Society of Singapore, commented (to me, not in his speech) that my "colour management" is great. But I told him the credit for this goes to Fuji and its Super CCD.

For everyone's information, Richard uses the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro, together with an assortment of Nikon lenses. From my understanding, Richard does not believe in using expensive equipment, so his Nikon lenses are not those of 'trinity-level'.

By the way, all images were NOT taken in a studio environment.

[madmacs]

congratulations richard! hope i can drop by to view your works. :thumbsup:

[bluffname]

KopiOKaya asked if I could share about how my pixs were taken. Here goes

2+3 @ Temple Street
Natural lighting, zero Photoshop / Lightroom adjustment

Crowned crane, self preening
Natural lighting, around 1pm after the rain, almost zero Photoshop / Lightroom adjustment, only increase black from 5 to 7.

Henry, Didgeridoo artiste
Stage lighting, outdoors at Esplanade Amphitheatre, zero Photoshop / Lightroom adjustment

Ueno-sensei, Sakuhatchi master
Stage lighting, indoors at Esplanade Concourse, convert to greyscale, adjusted exposure, contrast, black clipping and a bit of sharpening. Clone stamp to remove distracting light in background.

----

Those who think my images were heavily manipulated are welcome to examine my raw files

[KopiOkaya]

Okay, I have received some rather harsh comments on Richard's winning entries. There are a few things that I wish to clarify.

All images NOT taken in a studio environment (Richard doesn't even have a studio, or rented a studio in the past). I was there when he shot most of them. The 'Sakuhachi Master' and 'Didgeridoo Artiste' were taken at The Esplanade. The '3+2 @ Smith Street' (actually, it was supposed to be at Temple Street) was, of course, shot in Singapore Chinatown during Chinese New Year. And finally, the crowned crane was shot at Jurong Bird Park in a high-noon sun. The background was in shadow.

More importantly, all his winning images were NOT heavily manipulated. I have seen his RAW images and they look almost alike now, as compared to then.

[bluffname]

congratulations richard! hope i can drop by to view your works. :thumbsup:

Thanks :grin: Madmacs

[bluffname]

Okay, I have received some rather harsh comments on Richard's winning images. There are a few things that I wish to clarify.

All images not taken in a studio environment. I was there when he shot most of them. The 'Sakuhaichi Master' and 'Didgeridoo Artiste' were taken at The Esplanade. The '3+2@Smith Street' (actually, it was supposed to be at Temple Street) was, of course, shot in Singapore Chinatown during Chinese New Year. And finally, the crowned crane was shot at Jurong Bird Park shortly after a brief afternoon rain. The sky was overcast, thus the dark background.

Thanks for the clarification, KopiOKaya. Actually, the dark background in the bird pix was because it was mid-day around 1pm, so the sun was overhead and the background in the shadows became black.

I know it does look as if I had taken it in the studio. But I do not own a studio, I have zero experience with studio work and I don't know how to smuggle a bird from the bird park into the studio. It is just my good luck that the pix turned out that way, I don't even want to claim that I had special skills or talents to create that effect.

All my photos are shot on auto mode, either Aperture or Shutter priority. At most I might adjust exposure bias to suit the situation or use Photoshop / Lightroom to brighten / darken. But it so happened that this image needed minimal adjustment, just increase black from 5 to 7.

Finally, I might say that a forum such as this is for open discussion - and learning. If you have questions or doubts, I rather you ask openly than sms KopiOKaya privately. Otherwise, I kena buy him more teh halia to act as my spokesman ;)

[KopiOkaya]

Otherwise, I kena buy him more teh halia to act as my spokesman ;)

I want Sapporo Beer.... :grin:

[bluffname]

I want Sapporo Beer.... :grin:

Drink at home can, drink at Japanese restaurant must get other friend to pay.

Anyway thanks again for the PR work. I was told PR agents charge $350 to $500 per hour. How many seconds you took to write the earlier post?

[KopiOkaya]

Anyway thanks again for the PR work. I was told PR agents charge $350 to $500 per hour. How many seconds you took to write the earlier post?

Not enough for a bowl of Gyu Nikku Udon at Zen Japanese Cuisine (for S$18.00+++).

[bluffname]

For everyone's information, Richard uses the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro, together with an assortment of Nikon lenses. From my understanding, Richard does not believe in using expensive equipment.

Maybe more accurate to say that I cannot afford to use expensive equipment :(

Also, my arms no strength to hold expensive / heavy lenses. I once shot with KopiOKaya's f2.8 70-200 zoom (or 80-200 or whatever). After less than 10 minutes, arm pain liao!

[KopiOkaya]

Also, my arms no strength to hold expensive / heavy lenses. I once shot with KopiOKaya's f2.8 70-200 zoom (or 80-200 or whatever). After less than 10 minutes, arm pain liao!

It was a Nikon 80-200 f2.8 AFD.

Now it belongs to a fellow FUN member. :thumbsup:

[KopiOkaya]

For those skeptics, here is a programme page scanned from the Esplanade Diary.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/Esplanadeprogramme.jpg

(Note: programme page shows a different Sakuhachi master)

[bluffname]

For those skeptics, here is a programme page scanned from the Esplanade Diary.

Ha ha ha. I am sceptical. Looks like the sakuhachi player is 20 years younger!

[KopiOkaya]

Ha ha ha. I am sceptical. Looks like the sakuhachi player is 20 years younger!

That was the younger chap who stood next to the master.

[bluffname]

For those skeptics, here is a programme page scanned from the Esplanade Diary.

(Note: programme page shows a different another Sakuhachi master)

I think it is same person, just a younger photo. Anyway, don't worry about sceptics lah. There will also be. And if they are sceptical, whatever we say or show they will still be sceptical.

Cannot - and no need to - make everybody happy.

[KopiOkaya]

Anyway, don't worry about sceptics lah. There will also be. And if they are sceptical, whatever we say or show they will still be sceptical.

I am skeptical about the 'crown crane'..... It looks like a fancy, high-end feather-duster. :sweat:

[Hexlord]

KopiOKaya asked if I could share about how my pixs were taken. Here goes

2+3 @ Temple Street
Natural lighting, zero Photoshop / Lightroom adjustment

Crowned crane, self preening
Natural lighting, around 1pm after the rain, almost zero Photoshop / Lightroom adjustment, only increase black from 5 to 7.

Henry, Didgeridoo artiste
Stage lighting, outdoors at Esplanade Amphitheatre, zero Photoshop / Lightroom adjustment

Ueno-sensei, Sakuhatchi master
Stage lighting, indoors at Esplanade Concourse, convert to greyscale, adjusted exposure, contrast, black clipping and a bit of sharpening. Clone stamp to remove distracting light in background.

----

Those who think my images were heavily manipulated are welcome to examine my raw files

I would think most of the comments would be on the merit of the photos themselves and not whether the shots are heavily manipulated or not. :X

Personally, I don't really see how some of the photos fit into the themes selected but I guess its due to my relatively short experience compared to Mr Seah here... so I'll keep on working hard :P

Anyway, congrats!

PS. I don't own a Fuji S5 Pro... back then it was pricey compared to my D80, haha! 8D

[KopiOkaya]

I would think most of the comments would be on the merit of the photos themselves

Wasn't this the same feeling as last year's (27th) UOB Painting of the Year Competition and Exhibition winner? Many people were wondering how could images of animal carcasses won the grand prize of S$30,000.

I was at the official opening and award presentation ceremony on Thursday. According to the judges, coherence is one of the sole criteria. There were over 2,400 entries this year. Most of them met the themes, however, very few images actually hold together well to form a series.

Participating in any photo competition is just like buying 4D lottery tickets (if you are old enough to play). Whenever the numbers are not in the sequence of order you want them to be, or missing a digit, you start to wonder why you didn't win. Then, you begin to suspect whether the system is fair.

My advice to you is to stop speculating and learn from the winners (whoever they may be), improve yourself to do better next time.

To tell you the truth, Richard has not win any major competition for a very long time. However, he never stop trying and keep shooting to improve himself. Having shot film for more than 20 years, the digital format is actually very foreign to Richard. He bought his first digital camera - the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro in November 2007. His photography skills has improved leaps and bounce ever since. He has shot more images in 1.5 years than in his 20 years of pursuing photography as a hobby with film. Richard is 53 years old this year.

Being his technical consultant, shooting buddy and friend for the past 1+ years, I am very pleased that he won this competition. He deserves to win. And being a member of FinePix Users Network (FUN), we must congratulate him cordially and wish him success in the near future.

Sadly, all I got were sarcastic remarks and comments instead (not referring to you)...... Where has our community spirit gone to? Being the co-founder of FUN, I am truly ashamed that something like this could happen among some of our members (bear in mind that our group is not big).

[soey]

i cant understand why pple said is studio pics ?
birds and lantern in a studio?

congrats anyway

[bluffname]

Wasn't this the same feeling as last year's (27th) UOB Painting of the Year Competition and Exhibition winner? Many people were wondering how could images of animal carcasses won the grand prize of S$30,000.

I was at the official opening and award presentation ceremony on Thursday. According to the panel of judges, coherency is the sole judging criteria. There were over 2,400 entries this year. Most of them met the themes, however, very few images actually hold together well to form a series.

Participating in any photo competition is just like buying 4D lottery tickets (if you are old enough to play). Whenever the numbers are not in the sequence of order you want them to be, or missing a digit, you start to wonder why you didn't win. Then, you beginning to suspect whether the system is fair.

My advice to you is to stop speculating and learn from the winners (whoever they may be), improve yourself to do better next time.

To tell you the truth, Richard has not win any major competition for a very long time. However, he never stop trying and keep shooting to improve himself. Having shot film for more than 15 years, the digital format is actually very foreign to Richard. He bought his first digital camera - the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro in November 2007. His photography skills has improved leaps and bounce ever since. He has shot more images in 1.5 years than in his 15 years of pursuing photography as a hobby with film. Richard is 53 years old this year.

Being his technical consultant, shooting buddy and friend for the past 1+ years, I am very pleased that he won this competition. He deserves to win. And being a member of FinePix Users Network (FUN), we must congratulate him cordially, and wish him success in the near future.

Sadly, all I got were sarcastic remarks and comments (not referring to you) instead...... Where has our community spirit gone to? Being the co-founder of FUN, I am truly ashamed that something like this could happen between our members (bear in mind that our group is not big).

Thanks again for the PR work, KopiOKaya.

A bit of clarification. I think not correct to say that coherence is the sole criteria. if so, many of the merit / consolation prizes would not be up there even. But it was certainly an important criteria that helped my images tip the balance.

Other clarification is that I had been shooting film for over 30 years, or over 20 years if you don't count my 10-year break from photography from mid-90s to 2003. I started in mid-70s.

But you are absolutely right that I did not win a major competition in a long time. Very long.... more than 30 years!

As for "learning from winners" rather than speculating... well actually I have also been guilty of making unkind remarks about winning entries, eg recent STB contest / Clubsnap contests / previous Safra / etc.

Among the few contests that I agreed with the judging is the UOB contests - for the top winners, although I also questioned some of the consolation prizes and those selected for exhibition. I also questioned the 2006 winner, although I could see some merit in the pix - it had a "pop art" feel.

On the one hand, true, it is not fruitful to grumble. On the other hand, I don't think we should "learn" in the sense that we try to copy their styles in order to try to win the next time. If anything, this appears to happen too often. Once some good / winning images appear, similar pixs will soon follow.

I think it is only natural, understandable and, to some extent, healthy to critically question the judging. At least it shows that we have our own opinions - whether or not our opinions are justified or misguided is another matter. To me, this is better than having judges influence our style.

I, for one, never look at winning pixs and say, "Wah, I must try to take pixs like that." I only try to take great pixs according to my own style and hope that, one day, I am lucky to meet judges who can see eye-to-eye with me. And this time round, I consider myself lucky - just as previous times, I felt unlucky.

Imagine, in 2007 there was a contest organised by the Buddhist temple at Chinatown, with something like 150 or 250 consolation prizes. And I could not even win one. Were my images so lousy that they did not deserve even a consolation. I think not. That was another contest where I disagreed with the judging, I did not like the winning pixs at all.

So never mind lah, KopiOKaya. You are good friend and I appreciate you defending my win. But rather than express disappointment about those who make remarks, perhaps better to encourage them to discuss openly.

-----

That said, I think the other issue is regarding whether or not my images were heavily manipulated using Photoshop etc. Or whether they were taken in a studio.

I have no qualms about using Photoshop heavily if the situation demands it. But it so happens that, in three of the four images here, the amount of PS adjustment needed was either zero or minimal.

People who are experienced, like my friend Mr Lee who has been taking pixs for nearly 50 years, can see this. In fact, Mr Lee remarked to me that my pictures should be an inspiration to demonstrate that heavy PS manipulation is not needed to win a contest.

The judges can see this too, because one of the rules of the competition is that heavy manipulation is not allowed.

However, when some people cannot see this and they keep insisting that I must have manipulated my images heavily, or that I must have taken them in a studio, then they have a lot to learn.

Apart from the bird, the hand of didgeridoo player also can be said to look like studio shot. It was, in fact, taken under extremely difficult lighting conditions, where the lights kept flashing and changing colours, from red to blue to yellow to orange... But I sat through seven performances and took over 1,000 images of that guy! Out of that, I got one prize winning image plus maybe 10 others that I consider quite good, but still not good enough to submit for competition.

In fact, the only other time I "won" a contest, ie 2nd prize, was with an image that also looked like it was taken in a studio but it was just in a shop, with the shop display lighting.

[bluffname]

Personally, I don't really see how some of the photos fit into the themes selected...

Well. one of the other reason why the judges like my pixs is that they felt I gave "fresh perspectives" to the themes. I certainly do not interpret them in the usual way, so if you don't understand, that is, er, understandable.

PEOPLE: This is obvious, no need explain.

NATURE: Bird is nature, except that in this case it looked abstract and looked like taken in a studio. But it is 100 percent natural!

MACRO / CLOSE UP: I do not have many macro pixs and none good enough for competition. I did wonder whether the judges might deem the image to be outside the theme. But it is a close-up! Just that it is not the usual flower or insect.

NIGHT: The lanterns and street lamp definitely a night pix, just that, again, it is not the usual night pix showing trails of car lights, or fireworks, or buildings lighted up, etc.

[KopiOkaya]

As for "learning from winners" rather than speculating... well actually I have also been guilty of making unkind remarks about winning entries, eg recent STB contest / Clubsnap contests / previous Safra / etc.

Among the few contests that I agreed with the judging is the UOB contests - for the top winners, although I also questioned some of the consolation prizes and those selected for exhibition. I also questioned the 2006 winner, although I could see some merit in the pix - it had a "pop art" feel.

On the one hand, true, it is not fruitful to grumble. On the other hand, I don't think we should "learn" in the sense that we try to copy their styles in order to try to win the next time. If anything, this appears to happen too often. Once some good / winning images appear, similar pixs will soon follow.

I think it is only natural, understandable and, to some extent, healthy to critically question the judging. At least it shows that we have our own opinions - whether or not our opinions are justified or misguided is another matter. To me, this is better than having judges influence our style.

I, for one, never look at winning pixs and say, "Wah, I must try to take pixs like that." I only try to take great pixs according to my own style and hope that, one day, I am lucky to meet judges who can see eye-to-eye with me. And this time round, I consider myself lucky - just as previous times, I felt unlucky.

I didn't mean 'learning from the winner' as to copy their styles or ideas. What I meant was to learn their perseverance and persistence. Everybody has got his or hers own way of presenting their images to the judges. To me, photography is a very fair contest. The same subject is there for us to capture, but there are so many ways of looking and interpreting that subject. Whichever way works well for you, that's 'your' style and idea.

[Hexlord]

Wasn't this the same feeling as last year's (27th) UOB Painting of the Year Competition and Exhibition winner? Many people were wondering how could images of animal carcasses won the grand prize of S$30,000.

I was at the official opening and award presentation ceremony on Thursday. According to the judges, coherence is one of the sole criteria. There were over 2,400 entries this year. Most of them met the themes, however, very few images actually hold together well to form a series.

Participating in any photo competition is just like buying 4D lottery tickets (if you are old enough to play). Whenever the numbers are not in the sequence of order you want them to be, or missing a digit, you start to wonder why you didn't win. Then, you begin to suspect whether the system is fair.

My advice to you is to stop speculating and learn from the winners (whoever they may be), improve yourself to do better next time.

To tell you the truth, Richard has not win any major competition for a very long time. However, he never stop trying and keep shooting to improve himself. Having shot film for more than 20 years, the digital format is actually very foreign to Richard. He bought his first digital camera - the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro in November 2007. His photography skills has improved leaps and bounce ever since. He has shot more images in 1.5 years than in his 20 years of pursuing photography as a hobby with film. Richard is 53 years old this year.

Being his technical consultant, shooting buddy and friend for the past 1+ years, I am very pleased that he won this competition. He deserves to win. And being a member of FinePix Users Network (FUN), we must congratulate him cordially and wish him success in the near future.

Sadly, all I got were sarcastic remarks and comments instead (not referring to you)...... Where has our community spirit gone to? Being the co-founder of FUN, I am truly ashamed that something like this could happen among some of our members (bear in mind that our group is not big).

Well first of all, I didn't get to see the winning art of the UOB Painting of the Year Competition and Exhibition, so I can't really comment on that lar. And I rarely play 4D too, haha.

I am not speculating on the photos at all, because they are technically possible to be taken without any form of editing... yes, even the 4th photo as well. I was however, surprised when Mr Seah mentioned that some editing was done on the photo :X

This is the Internet, so do expect varying kinds of comments from many kind of people around especially after such a thread was created. Whether or not they were sarcastic in the first place, again that's subjective.

[Hexlord]

Well. one of the other reason why the judges like my pixs is that they felt I gave "fresh perspectives" to the themes. I certainly do not interpret them in the usual way, so if you don't understand, that is, er, understandable.

PEOPLE: This is obvious, no need explain.

NATURE: Bird is nature, except that in this case it looked abstract and looked like taken in a studio. But it is 100 percent natural!

MACRO / CLOSE UP: I do not have many macro pixs and none good enough for competition. I did wonder whether the judges might deem the image to be outside the theme. But it is a close-up! Just that it is not the usual flower or insect.

NIGHT: The lanterns and street lamp definitely a night pix, just that, again, it is not the usual night pix showing trails of car lights, or fireworks, or buildings lighted up, etc.

Mr Seah, thank you for the explanation (this and the long wall of text in your previous reply)... actually no need to reply so long though I do agree with most of your points mentioned.

[KopiOkaya]

I was however, surprised when Mr Seah mentioned that some editing was done on the photo.

In this digital era, how many of us do not edit our photos to look better? Even the conversion process from RAW to JPEG/PSD/TIFF is a form of editing. The moment you want your images to look different from those you captured, regardless of major or minor work done, is considered image editing.

It is very frank of Richard to share his editing process, and we can see the editing he did was minimal.

[KopiOkaya]

Mr Seah, thank you for the explanation (this and the long wall of text in your previous reply)... actually no need to reply so long though I do agree with most of your points mentioned.

Nevermind lah... Richard used to be a journalist. Writing long wall of text was an everyday affair to him. Writing still is his forte.

[bluffname]

I didn't mean 'learning from the winner' as to copy their styles or ideas. What I meant was to learn their perseverance and persistence. Everybody has got his or hers own way of presenting their images to the judges. To me, photography is a very fair contest. The same subject is there for us to capture, but there are so many ways of looking and interpreting that subject. Whichever way works well for you, that's 'your' style and idea.

Agree 100%.

I know this is what you meant, just that I felt "learning" could be (mis)interpreted the other way, to mean trying to copy another person's style, that's why I mentioned it.

Also, I cannot say "must learn from my perserverance" mah. Otherwise I become VIP = very inconsiderate and proud :happy1:

So thanks for saying it on my behalf. Now owe you another Sapporo beer.

[bluffname]

Mr Seah, thank you for the explanation (this and the long wall of text in your previous reply)... actually no need to reply so long though I do agree with most of your points mentioned.

Alamak, why so formal, call me Mr Seah? Richard or Bluffname good enough ah, Mr Hexlord!

Thanks for joining the discussion anyway :)

[excelglsi]

Wow... why are we so like tat... hehe Sour grape perhaps..:knock2:

For what I felt sometime its more of LUCK. Not saying you are no good just tat if the judge like ur style u are a winner ...:clap:

One work can be very good but if the judge didnt pick you tat dosent mean ur work is no good...:rofl:

So for mi just shoot as often as possible...

Also congrats on ur winning bro...:clap2:


Luke

[Hexlord]

Alamak, why so formal, call me Mr Seah? Richard or Bluffname good enough ah, Mr Hexlord!

Thanks for joining the discussion anyway :)

Okay, Mr Bluffname then :P

No problem, it has been a while since I got myself involved in an online discussion, cheers :)

[bluffname]

Writing still is his forte.

Sorry for OT here....

If a person plays the piano well, do we say "piano is his forte"?

For those who don't understand... in Latin
piano = soft
forte = loud

and the full name of the instrument that we call piano is actually pianoforte, because it can play soft and loud, unlike its predecessor, the harpsichord, which could only play soft.

See... I can write long-windedly, ha ha!

[KopiOkaya]

This is the Internet, so do expect varying kinds of comments from many kind of people around especially after such a thread was created. Whether or not they were sarcastic in the first place, again that's subjective.

Yes, I agree this is the Internet. However, being on the Internet doesn't mean one can sit behind the computer and insult others.

We are all human beings, and we have feelings. How would you feel if I wrote a comment that you are immature and childish just because you photograph Cosplay? (I don't mean it) Thinking that since I don't know you in-person, I can 'get away' with it.....

[bluffname]

Wow... why are we so like tat... hehe Sour grape perhaps..:knock2:

For what I felt sometime its more of LUCK. Not saying you are no good just tat if the judge like ur style u are a winner ...:clap:

One work can be very good but if the judge didnt pick you tat dosent mean ur work is no good...:rofl:

So for mi just shoot as often as possible...

Also congrats on ur winning bro...:clap2:


Luke

EXACTLY!

Alamak, I was going to end my message with the one word above, but the system says must be more long-winded. Thanks, Bro!

[KopiOkaya]

For what I felt sometime its more of LUCK.

Agree 200%.....

You learn well, young Skywalker.

[excelglsi]

Haha... Why are we sitting here TCSS where else we can head down to see the winning photos for ourselves...

Than I will say to myself "my photos will be there next year"... :grin:

[bluffname]

Haha... Why are we sitting here TCSS where else we can head down to see the winning photos for ourselves...

Than I will say to myself "my photos will be there next year"... :grin:

Er.... what is TCSS? Sorry ah, I old, dunno these terms.

[Hexlord]

We are all human beings, and we have feelings. How would you feel if I wrote a comment that you are immature and childish just because you photograph Cosplay? (I don't mean it) Thinking that since I don't know you in-person, I can 'get away' with it.....

Haha yeah lar, if you really mean it I won't be replying to you. :P

For me, I just take it like a man and move on. With a smile :)

PS. Glad you noticed that I shoot cosplay, hehe.

[Hexlord]

Haha... Why are we sitting here TCSS where else we can head down to see the winning photos for ourselves...

Than I will say to myself "my photos will be there next year"... :grin:

I went already lar, on the opening night.

Here at TCSS because my shoot haven't started yet, so slacking around first hoho.

[jacob]

Er.... what is TCSS? Sorry ah, I old, dunno these terms.

i think is Talk "male chicken" Sing Song. hope me correct. else pls correct me.:cheers:



btw i missed quite a fair bit with this thread. nevertheless i'll comment some. those pictures are great with some out-of-the-box styling. bluffname has made us proud!

well done bluffname!

as for all, let's keep cool while we discuss/share etc. differences are always around caused we're made differently with different minds etc. if you try to see them differently you'll know why they works. if still cannot, try harder. if really really cannot, then past it on. you'll probably come to it one day in the future.

final word...... whatever it is, stay cool always.:cheers:

[salnts]

Thanks for the clarification, KopiOKaya. Actually, the dark background in the bird pix was because it was mid-day around 1pm, so the sun was overhead and the background in the shadows became black.

I know it does look as if I had taken it in the studio. But I do not own a studio, I have zero experience with studio work and I don't know how to smuggle a bird from the bird park into the studio. It is just my good luck that the pix turned out that way, I don't even want to claim that I had special skills or talents to create that effect.

All my photos are shot on auto mode, either Aperture or Shutter priority. At most I might adjust exposure bias to suit the situation or use Photoshop / Lightroom to brighten / darken. But it so happened that this image needed minimal adjustment, just increase black from 5 to 7.

Finally, I might say that a forum such as this is for open discussion - and learning. If you have questions or doubts, I rather you ask openly than sms KopiOKaya privately. Otherwise, I kena buy him more teh halia to act as my spokesman ;)

i like to clarify some things.

I was the one who sms KopiOKaya privately to asked if the photos edges were burn to achieve the clean background effect or were they done in the studio. also i couldn't understand how the images were correlated. being a novice i was unable to see that special link and KopiOKaya being much more experience might be able to explain to me.

For example, one can submit a landscape, people, nature & night scene but the correlate link can be home.

Yes i've seen Richard's works on his site and they are really inspiring but I wasn't able to ask Richard direct as i had no idea of his nick on sgshoot and knowing KopiOKaya being a good friend of Richard i thought maybe i could get some information regarding to Richard's entries.

I suspected for the dark edges could be a direct flash maybe but i couldn't be sure. We all live in the digital edge where touch up is a mouse click away and i believe it was a mere guess not an accusation criticizing the winning entries but a query together with correlate link of the 4 photos.

i do respect the judges verdict and judgement with they many years of experience.

It was not spiteful or resentful but more of an innocent question.

[bluffname]

i like to clarify some things.

I was the one who sms KopiOKaya privately to asked if the photos edges were burn to achieve the clean background effect or were they done in the studio. also i couldn't understand how the images were correlated. being a novice i was unable to see that special link and KopiOKaya being much more experience might be able to explain to me.

For example, one can submit a landscape, people, nature & night scene but the correlate link can be home.

Yes i've seen Richard's works on his site and they are really inspiring but I wasn't able to ask Richard direct as i had no idea of his nick on sgshoot and knowing KopiOKaya being a good friend of Richard i thought maybe i could get some information regarding to Richard's entries.

I suspected for the dark edges could be a direct flash maybe but i couldn't be sure. We all live in the digital edge where touch up is a mouse click away and i believe it was a mere guess not an accusation criticizing the winning entries but a query together with correlate link of the 4 photos.

i do respect the judges verdict and judgement with they many years of experience.

It was not spiteful or resentful but more of an innocent question.

Thanks for the clarification, Salnts. No :sweat:

You have brought up an interesting example of the link / correlation - eg home. Yes, that could be one way of linking the images. Actually it is very hard to link four images of four different styles, especially if they are four of your best images and not any four images.

In my case, the link is just visual. The fact that they all have more or less dark background helps to make them look coherent as if they belong to one set. Also, 3 of the 4 are "uptights' - close-up, tight cropping.

And all four images are simple / not complicated. Each photo has just one or two elements unlike, eg, some night scene photos that have fireworks, buildings, cars, sky, clouds, foreground, background, etc etc. If I had included such an image in my set, that would have spoilt the coherence.

I did not consciously think of this when I chose my set. I just put them together on the basis of feeling - they felt that they belong together. But now that you asked, I realised all four pixs are simple.

Talking about feeling, I now see that all four pixs also have a peaceful feel. They do not convey drama, excitement, tension, etc. My people portrait was a choice between the old sakuhachi player and a young rap / hip-hop artist.

http://photos.jpgmag.com/1521044_135846_216e83c1e8_p.jpg

I settled for the sakuhachi player in the end although the rap artist was a more dramatic, attention-grabbing image. It was a somewhat difficult choice but I went with my gut feel.


This is why good to discuss. It also helps me to think about what I did and why I did it. In the end, I also benefit from the process.

[bluffname]

i think is Talk "male chicken" Sing Song. hope me correct. else pls correct me.:cheers:

btw i missed quite a fair bit with this thread. nevertheless i'll comment some. those pictures are great with some out-of-the-box styling. bluffname has made us proud!

well done bluffname!

as for all, let's keep cool while we discuss/share etc. differences are always around caused we're made differently with different minds etc. if you try to see them differently you'll know why they works. if still cannot, try harder. if really really cannot, then past it on. you'll probably come to it one day in the future.

final word...... whatever it is, stay cool always.:cheers:

Thanks Jacob. Yes, TCSS is the name of a karaoke along Upper Thomson Road where bus 130 turns into Sin Min. Original is at Keong Siak Street.

Thanks too for the congrats and the "keep cool" message.

[KopiOkaya]

i like to clarify some things.

I was the one who sms KopiOKaya privately to asked if the photos edges were burn to achieve the clean background effect or were they done in the studio. also i couldn't understand how the images were correlated. being a novice i was unable to see that special link and KopiOKaya being much more experience might be able to explain to me.

For example, one can submit a landscape, people, nature & night scene but the correlate link can be home.

Yes i've seen Richard's works on his site and they are really inspiring but I wasn't able to ask Richard direct as i had no idea of his nick on sgshoot and knowing KopiOKaya being a good friend of Richard i thought maybe i could get some information regarding to Richard's entries.

I suspected for the dark edges could be a direct flash maybe but i couldn't be sure. We all live in the digital edge where touch up is a mouse click away and i believe it was a mere guess not an accusation criticizing the winning entries but a query together with correlate link of the 4 photos.

i do respect the judges verdict and judgement with they many years of experience.

It was not spiteful or resentful but more of an innocent question.

Thanks for the clarification.... :thumbsup:

[salnts]

Thanks for the clarification, Salnts. No :sweat:

You have brought up an interesting example of the link / correlation - eg home. Yes, that could be one way of linking the images. Actually it is very hard to link four images of four different styles, especially if they are four of your best images and not any four images.

In my case, the link is just visual. The fact that they all have more or less dark background helps to make them look coherent as if they belong to one set. Also, 3 of the 4 are "uptights' - close-up, tight cropping.

And all four images are simple / not complicated. Each photo has just one or two elements unlike, eg, some night scene photos that have fireworks, buildings, cars, sky, clouds, foreground, background, etc etc. If I had included such an image in my set, that would have spoilt the coherence.

I did not consciously think of this when I chose my set. I just put them together on the basis of feeling - they felt that they belong together. But now that you asked, I realised all four pixs are simple.

Talking about feeling, I now see that all four pixs also have a peaceful feel. They do not convey drama, excitement, tension, etc. My people portrait was a choice between the old sakuhachi player and a young rap / hip-hop artist.

http://photos.jpgmag.com/1521044_135846_216e83c1e8_p.jpg

I settled for the sakuhachi player in the end although the rap artist was a more dramatic, attention-grabbing image. It was a somewhat difficult choice but I went with my gut feel.


This is why good to discuss. It also helps me to think about what I did and why I did it. In the end, I also benefit from the process.

i see. yes it was really very hard to have all images correlated hence i was wondering how I could link them up in the ned like you said maybe a certain style or composition for all 4 photos are correlated/ link can be right

i agree with you on the sakuhachi player over the rapper. as all your 4 photos are of peaceful nature and the rapper who have spoilt the mood of the set.

I submitted my strongest set too but was not selected. Maybe some link was missing some how or too messy!:)



Thanks for the clarification....

However, there are still those who commented on Richard's winning entries (via PM) but haven't step out here to discuss openly (you know who you are).

no problems just wanted to clarify things. words can be very misleading and maybe we should all meet up over coffee be much easier to talk. :jump1:

[bluffname]

maybe we should all meet up over coffee be much easier to talk. :jump1:

Coffee would be good. You arrange with KopiOKaya, anytime after thursday. Anybody else wants to come along? Coffee on me, but not Starbucks. If not too many people even Trang Nguyen coffee @ Liang Court can :)

[excelglsi]

Coffee would be good. You arrange with KopiOKaya, anytime after thursday. Anybody else wants to come along? Coffee on me, but not Starbucks. If not too many people even Trang Nguyen coffee @ Liang Court can :)
I dont drink cofee... Ice teh can....:coolnod:

[KopiOkaya]

I dont drink cofee... Ice teh can....:coolnod:

As long as it is not instant man-made, warm chrysanthemum tea. :cheers: :thumbsup:

[KopiOkaya]

Coffee would be good. You arrange with KopiOKaya, anytime after thursday.

Can I order Sapporo Beer?

[excelglsi]

Can I order Sapporo Beer?

Beer? Haha.. cant drink... Pls cal mi if got such LIM Kopi session...:cheers:

[KopiOkaya]

Okay.... folks. I am organising a meeting and discussion session with this year's Ngee Ann Photography Competition cum Exhibition Photograph of the Year winner, Mr. Richard Seah. (Yes... you will meet 'the man' in person).

Venue: Trung Nguyen Cafe (Liang Court, #02-34/35/36). This place serves excellent traditional Vietnamese coffee. A variety of selected tea and cold drinks are available also.
Date: Friday, 19 June 2009
Time: 8:00pm

http://www.asiamalls.com.sg/cms/files/liangcourt_map_big.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/level2.jpg

Those of you who are keen to join, please list you nick below (and PM me your hp numbers):

1. bluffname
2. Kopiokaya
3.
4.
5.
6. (max)
I am limiting the attendance to a maximum of 6 persons.

[KopiOkaya]

Pls cal mi if got such LIM Kopi session...:cheers:

Your wish is granted.

[salnts]

As long as it is not instant man-made, warm chrysanthemum tea. :cheers: :thumbsup:

you v bad!!!


I dont drink cofee... Ice teh can....:coolnod:

dun drink coffee better u order ice "empty" :P

[KopiOkaya]

Okay.... folks. I am organising a meeting and discussion session with this year's Ngee Ann Photography Competition cum Exhibition Photograph of the Year winner, Mr. Richard Seah. (Yes... you will meet 'the man' in person).

Venue: Trung Nguyen Cafe (Liang Court, #02-34/35/36). This place serves excellent traditional Vietnamese coffee. A variety of selected tea and cold drinks are available also.
Date: Friday, 19 June 2009
Time: 8:00pm

Those of you who are keen to join, please list you nick below (and PM me your hp numbers):

1. bluffname
2. Kopiokaya
3. excelgsi
4.
5.
6. (max)
I am limiting the attendance to a maximum of 6 persons.

[KopiOkaya]

you v bad!!!

You not joining us this Friday arh? Come lah.... got free drinks and TCSS.

Anyway, you can take a FREE Liang Court shuttle bus from Clarke Quay MRT station (click here (http://www.asiamalls.com.sg/cms/files/signage_v2_19_Jan_09.pdf) for information), or you can take bus 195 from Marina Centre.

[bluffname]

You not joining us this Friday arh? Come lah.... got free drinks and TCSS.

Anyway, you can take a FREE Liang Court shuttle bus from Clarke Quay MRT station, or you can take bus 195 from Marina Centre.

Looks like boh seng li (no business)

[KopiOkaya]

Looks like boh seng li (no business)

Unlike Clubsnap, this place must take time to build crowd. Give them until Thursday to decide. ;)

If still 'boh seng li', then both of us go together.

[madmacs]

fridays are out for me

[jacob]

i'll see if i can make it but no guarantee as will be very busy.

[KopiOkaya]

Here are images of the cafe.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/TrungNguyen2.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/TrungNguyen3.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/TrungNguyen4.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/TrungNguyen5.jpg
[Photos: KopiOkaya / Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR]

[KopiOkaya]

fridays are out for me

I apologise for the inconveniences.... :p

The timing and day was arranged to accommodate Richard's schedule.

[KopiOkaya]

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/TrungNguyen6.jpg

[salnts]

Friday i got smth on leh. Friends inviting me to butterfactory :P

OT abit. does Fuji have a line of rangefinders?

[bluffname]

I apologise for the inconveniences.... :p

The timing and day was arranged to accommodate Richard's schedule.

But if so many people cannot make it okay to change ah

[KopiOkaya]

But if so many people cannot make it okay to change ah

See how. If attendance is still 'kosong', I shall postpone.

Otherwise, both of us will still meet up regardless.

[excelglsi]

See how. If attendance is still 'kosong', I shall postpone.

Otherwise, both of us will still meet up regardless.


I will join u guys... :cheer: (90682397)

[KopiOkaya]

I will join u guys... :cheer: (90682397)

Welcome... welcome :cheers:

[jacob]

still not sure whether i'll be able to join. buy pls go on and keep this thread posted. i'll check in case i can go.

[KopiOkaya]

still not sure whether i'll be able to join. buy pls go on and keep this thread posted. i'll check in case i can go.

Come lah.... got FREE kopi complimentary from Richard.

After that, all of us take MRT home together.

[jacob]

Come lah.... got FREE kopi complimentary from Richard.

After that, all of us take MRT home together.

milo peng can?

[Jt-FieD]

aiyah i can't make it.... got to work...

[KopiOkaya]

milo peng can?

McDonald's is just downstairs at level 1. Anyway, they have other beverages too.

[GhostDancer]

:) Looks good! Okay, I'm going! :victory:

[KopiOkaya]

:) Looks good! Okay, I'm going! :victory:

PM me your contact.

[KopiOkaya]

Okay.... folks. I am organising a meeting and discussion session with this year's Ngee Ann Photography Competition cum Exhibition Photograph of the Year winner, Mr. Richard Seah. (Yes... you will meet 'the man' in person).

Venue: Trung Nguyen Cafe (Liang Court, #02-34/35/36). This place serves excellent traditional Vietnamese coffee. A variety of selected tea and cold drinks are available also.
Date: Friday, 19 June 2009
Time: 8:00pm

Those of you who are keen to join, please list you nick below (and PM me your hp numbers):

1. bluffname
2. Kopiokaya
3. excelgsi
4. jacob (pending... waiting for his Milo Peng)
5. Ghostdancer
6. (max)
I am limiting the attendance to a maximum of 6 persons.

[jacob]

Okay.... folks. I am organising a meeting and discussion session with this year's Ngee Ann Photography Competition cum Exhibition Photograph of the Year winner, Mr. Richard Seah. (Yes... you will meet 'the man' in person).



must bring autograph book for him to sign liao.:clap:
after that can start a fan club.:grin:

[jacob]

:) Looks good! Okay, I'm going! :victory:

hopefully i can go. can meet u again.

[KopiOkaya]

must bring autograph book for him to sign liao.:clap:
after that can start a fan club.:grin:

No need autograph book lah.... Just take off your shirt can liao. Richard uses a tattoo gun. Permanent and life-long membership to his fan club.

[jacob]

No need autograph book lah.... Just take off your shirt can liao. Richard uses a tattoo gun. Permanent and life-long membership to his fan club.

no no no...... cannot afford him to ruin my FUN badge.:happy1:

[GhostDancer]

hopefully i can go. can meet u again.

:) Yups~ Me too.

[salnts]

sorry guys i cant make it. i be at butterfactory making buttercup cakes hehe.. i will def join you guys some day:D

[jacob]

u can always give us a call if you change your mind. hehehehe.

[KopiOkaya]

i be at butterfactory making buttercup cakes hehe.

Simi butterfactory?

[KopiOkaya]

no no no...... cannot afford him to ruin my FUN badge.:happy1:

Your FUN badge at the back mah.... Tattoo autograph in front.

[bluffname]

Simi butterfactory?

Cho goo yu hor li kak kaya chiak lor tee lim kopi.

[KopiOkaya]

Cho goo yu hor li kak kaya chiak lor tee lim kopi.

Goo yu bo ho lah.... Planta buah lor tee kak ho jiak.

[bluffname]

Goo yu bo ho lah.... Planta buah lor tee kak ho jiak.
Eeeee..... Planta si keh eh goo yu, oo trans fat, chaik laiu sim peh! Kak chiak liau pui pui!

[KopiOkaya]

Eeeee..... Planta si keh eh goo yu, oo trans fat, chaik laiu sim peh! Kak chiak liau pui pui!

Planta si palm oil leh... mahlayseah cheng hu kong palm oil tapa trans fat.

[GhostDancer]

sorry guys i cant make it. i be at butterfactory making buttercup cakes hehe.. i will def join you guys some day:D


I think you can still make it, bro. It's 8pm mah. You can attend for like half to one hour and then jit tao lute Butterfactory lor. That place not so early heat up one.

:grin:

[salnts]

I think you can still make it, bro. It's 8pm mah. You can attend for like half to one hour and then jit tao lute Butterfactory lor. That place not so early heat up one.

:grin:

meeting a friend for dinner before that. i will try.. i dun understand a word said here is it english wad KopiOkaya said? :rofl:

[KopiOkaya]

i dun understand a word said here is it english wad KopiOkaya said? :rofl:

A mixture of Hokkien, Teochew, Malay and Englandish. :grin:

[GhostDancer]

Haha LOL ^^ Have a good day!

[KopiOkaya]

This thread has served its purposes, and thereby, I will close it.