F.U.N. Bromancing Outing @ Esplanade - Celebrate December

[KopiOkaya]

Celebrate December offers inspirational, heart-warming performances and activities in the month of December, culminating in a significant New Year’s Eve event for the whole of Singapore. Two key elements of Celebrate December - the bell charms on which members of the public are encouraged to pen their hopes for the new year, and Letters Home in which letters written by Singaporeans expressing heartfelt thoughts of home are read aloud at the Concourse – lend a reflective poignancy to the year-end festivities.

Performance from SLIDE THAT! trombone ensemble:

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/CelebrateDecember_1_2009-12-19.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/CelebrateDecember_02_2009-12-19.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/CelebrateDecember_7_2009-12-19.jpg
[photos: KopiOkaya]

[KopiOkaya]

Performance from NUS Jazz Band:

Tim
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/CelebrateDecember_3_2009-12-19.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/CelebrateDecember_6_2009-12-19.jpg


Fast hand
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/CelebrateDecember_4_2009-12-19.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/CelebrateDecember_5_2009-12-19.jpg
[photos: KopiOkaya]

[bluffname]

Very nice skin tones, especially the swee char bor. Must do more fine tuning on mine.

[bluffname]

The NUS Jazz Band performance was, in a way, one of the toughest shoots at Esplanade. Never before have I seen so many music stands and especially microphones!!!! Argh!

Quite a challenge to shoot decent pictures on a stage like that. The secret is to find the right position - at the far side rather than in the centre, in this case far right was probably the best. That was how KopiOKaya managed to shoot an entire row of saxies.

Another way is, well... to just shoot through the music stands. Like this pix of "Sax behind bars":

http://www.photographs-of-hands.com/jazz/sax-bars.jpg

---------

Meanwhile, my favourite trick, with Esplande's "special" music stand that has a row of lights on top, is to shoot through the space below the lights. I first discovered this in December 2008 and have used this trick many times already, to the point of being cliché. But it still works.

Sometimes have to bend down or sit on the floor for this type of shots. And it's a tikam2 game to get the eyes, mouth etc in the right position. I shot maybe 20+ pixs of this girl, only a few came out nice.

Limelight

http://www.photographs-of-hands.com/jazz/limelight.jpg

-----

Brighteyes

http://www.photographs-of-hands.com/jazz/brighteyes.jpg

[bluffname]

Meanwhile, sometimes lucky no music stands blocking, like these two pretty ladies, one handsome chap and my old buddy, who was the drummer in the band 30 years ago and is now a sexy (ie bald at the back) conductor.


http://www.photographs-of-hands.com/jazz/swee.jpg

-------


http://www.photographs-of-hands.com/jazz/swee2.jpg

-------


http://www.photographs-of-hands.com/jazz/lang.jpg

-------

http://www.photographs-of-hands.com/jazz/up.jpg


UPZ! BOOMZ to you, Tan Chin Boo! Well done! The band is sounding good!

------

By the way, the compere Timothy (handsome Indian guy in KopiOKaya's pixs) is a budding photographer. I feel he has the basic good eye and can develop to become a good photographer. Must psycho him to buy Fuji, Ho Ho Ho!

He wrote to me: "I like shooting scenery. Really makes me ponder on God's goodness." Can view some of his pixs on his blog here (http://oracion.blogspot.com/2007_10_01_archive.html). Those who have pixs to share with him let me know, I will pass his email address to you. He will be getting in touch with us for NUS Jazz Festival next year.

[KopiOkaya]

I feel he has the basic good eye and can develop to become a good photographer. Must psycho him to buy Fuji, Ho Ho Ho!

Yeah... The colors of the pictures in his blog look weird. MUST definitely psycho him to buy a FinePix.

[KopiOkaya]

The NUS Jazz Band performance was, in a way, one of the toughest shoots at Esplanade. Never before have I seen so many music stands and especially microphones!!!! Argh!

Quite a challenge to shoot decent pictures on a stage like that. The secret is to find the right position - at the far side rather than in the centre, in this case far right was probably the best. That was how KopiOKaya managed to shoot an entire row of saxies.

Yes, the Maestro is correct. Normally in such a situation, I would station myself at the far left or right side (depending on the performance and stage layout), while trying to capture the 'actions' behind the music stands and microphones. Focus on the expressions of the musicians such as this:

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/CelebrateDecember_9_2009-12-19.jpg
[photo: KopiOkaya]

Here, this young man was observing Mr Tan Chin Boo's directions attentively.

[bluffname]

Here, this young man was observing Mr Tan Chin Boo's directions attentively.

While the other two are... dreaming or looking at char bor? :rofl:

[bluffname]

Fast hand
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/CelebrateDecember_4_2009-12-19.jpg

Hey, looks like he has six or even eight fingers :rofl: How did you do this instead of the usual motion blur? :confused1:

[KopiOkaya]

While the other two are... looking at char bor...

And lau nuah. :happy1:

Hey, looks like he has six or even eight fingers :rofl: How did you do this instead of the usual motion blur? :confused1:

Don't know... It was in the original photo.

[selim]

I was on far left, his young man was definite observing Mr Tan directions
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2587/4202086282_5fec3e96c5_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2730/4202086404_979ce01bc8_o.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4202086502_a8738b785d_o.jpg

[sgsoonhoe]

Some of mine from NUS Jazz Band..

The Bassist
http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp220/pbsoonhoe/Celebrate%20December%202009/SF20091219NUSJazzBand_3559.jpg

The Singers
http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp220/pbsoonhoe/Celebrate%20December%202009/SF20091219NUSJazzBand_3626.jpg

No one is looking at Mr. Tan
http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp220/pbsoonhoe/Celebrate%20December%202009/SF20091219NUSJazzBand_3551.jpg

And one from Slide That !..
http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp220/pbsoonhoe/Celebrate%20December%202009/SF20091219TheSlide_5075.jpg

Some of the other events from Celebrate December @ Esplanade are here (http://s413.photobucket.com/albums/pp220/pbsoonhoe/Celebrate%20December%202009/)..

[KopiOkaya]

The Bassist..
http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp220/pbsoonhoe/Celebrate%20December%202009/SF20091219NUSJazzBand_3559.jpg

This is my favorite... :thumbsup:


And those not in the series...

http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp220/pbsoonhoe/Celebrate%20December%202009/SF20091219NUSJazzBand_3591.jpg


http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp220/pbsoonhoe/Celebrate%20December%202009/SF20091219NUSJazzBand_3536.jpg
[photos: Sgsoonhoe]

[amberture]

Some SOOC pixs from me:
- Shot at 3200 - Noisy
- Pix using the ghost Konix Filter
- Normal Pix using 85mm. My gear not long enough. Who said "length" not important.

1)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2719/4203528636_8e4e0a6738.jpg

2)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2576/4203518268_3717500a72.jpg

3)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2455/4202760679_41cb386b5e.jpg

4)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2777/4203518938_fcf736dd44.jpg

Thanks,

[bluffname]

1)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2719/4203528636_8e4e0a6738.jpg



Hey, this is great! He not so cool like that, more cute :happy1:

And I thought you said "Yes Sir!" You will post big big? :knock1:

[amberture]

Hey, this is great! He not so cool like that, more cute :happy1:

And I thought you said "Yes Sir!" You will post big big? :knock1:

You are so "bad". U still expect me to post big big when I said I shot the pix @ 3200 (noisy), blurred with Ghost Artistic Filter....

foR U, i posted the pix of the cute guy - big big, without cropping again.

Cheers

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2670/4203087547_cdab60ac5c_b.jpg

[bluffname]

foR U, i posted the pix of the cute guy - big big, without cropping again.



GOOD :grin: Doesn't it look much better now? Anyway this pix where got artistic filter effect?

[amberture]

GOOD :grin: Doesn't it look much better now? Anyway this pix where got artistic filter effect?

Got. But u must be thankful u did not see those ghxxt. Look at those light in background. I am still upset over the Konix filter. :(

[bluffname]

Got. But u must be thankful u did not see those ghxxt. Look at those light in background. I am still upset over the Konix filter. :(

But in this case nice mah. Keep that filter!

[sgsoonhoe]

Some SOOC pixs from me:
- Shot at 3200 - Noisy


I kind of like the ISO 3200 from S5, I would say it gives the film type of grainy feel..

[amberture]

I kind of like the ISO 3200 from S5, I would say it gives the film type of grainy feel..

Congrats on your Photo of the Month. Kudos to you.:clap2:

Agreed. Once I shot b/w in 3200 and with Ord setting to increase the noise. Very Grainy. Hippee.

cheers:coolnod:

[bluffname]

Congrats on your Photo of the Month. Kudos to you.:clap2:

Huh? What is this about SoonHoe's photo of the month? Where and which pix? Congrats too, SoonHoe! :cheers:

[sgsoonhoe]

Congrats on your Photo of the Month. Kudos to you.:clap2:


:confused1:

[amberture]

:confused1:

Huh? What is this about SoonHoe's photo of the month? Where and which pix? Congrats too, SoonHoe! :cheers:

Pls refer to the following link:
http://fujifilmfun.wordpress.com/

Rule of thumb - must visit Sgshoot/ FunBlog 10x per day :happy1:

[bluffname]

Pls refer to the following link:
http://fujifilmfun.wordpress.com/

Rule of thumb - must visit Sgshoot/ FunBlog 10x per day :happy1:

Ah, that one ah! Yes well-deserved. Truly captures the Christmas mood.

And yes, must also Tweet and kena Tweeted 10x per hour.

[sgsoonhoe]

Pls refer to the following link:
http://fujifilmfun.wordpress.com/

Rule of thumb - must visit Sgshoot/ FunBlog 10x per day :happy1:


Ah, that one ah! Yes well-deserved. Truly captures the Christmas mood.

And yes, must also Tweet and kena Tweeted 10x per hour.

thks amberture and bluffname..
only help spreading the festive mood through photographs..

[amberture]

Ah, that one ah! Yes well-deserved. Truly captures the Christmas mood......

How about all of FUN members in this costume? More Christmas mood

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/137/329974978_9bb4245073.jpg?v=0

[bluffname]

More Bro-mancing... this time on Tuesday 22 Dec, with Bluffname, SgSoonHoe and Amberture again at the Esplanade.

Not a lot to shoot. Ministry of Bells at the Concourse had basically one 'photogenic' member at the far left but although I had some nice shots of her, they were nothing special. I noticed, however, that they bowed at the end of each song, all the way to almost touching the tabletop where they place their bells. This was what I waited for and managed to get a few. Like this:

http://www.photographs-of-hands.com/xmas/bow-bell.jpg

Over at the outdoor stage, Alo Brazil was just a three-piece band of drums, keyboards and double bass / flute. There were lots of old folks in the audience, brought there by a community centre. So couldn't get good seats. From my position at the far right, the bassist / flautist was mostly facing away from me.

Then... during one difficult and dramatic passage on the flute, he suddenly turned to face me! Snap, snap, snap, snap... Only one shot was sharp and didn't have the microphone in his face. I was lucky. I consider this my "Christmas gift".

Thanks, Dear Flautist. (I think his name is Colin, I've shot him a few times before).

http://www.photographs-of-hands.com/xmas/alobrazil.jpg

[KopiOkaya]

I apologize for my MIA for days. I had been busy preparing Christmas and working.

Firstly, MERRY CHRISTMAS to all F.U.N. and SgShoot members.

Shot at 3200 - Noisy

Actually, if you compare ISO 3,200 images from S5 Pro to, say, those from D300, it is noisier no doubt. But the 'grain structure' (or should I say noise structure) is more refined and less obtrusive. High ISO images from S5 Pro actually make very good black-and-white images even without processing.

How about all of FUN members in this costume? More Christmas mood

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/137/329974978_9bb4245073.jpg?v=0

I am sure I will get prickly heat after wearing that.

[KopiOkaya]

thks amberture and bluffname..
only help spreading the festive mood through photographs..

I truly feel that this photo of yours deserves the 'Photo of the Month' title. No doubt it is a little soft and its white balance off, but these are not important. The image not only incorporates the festivity mood, but above all, it cleverly captures the significance and essence of family togetherness and motherly-love. This is a heart-warming image which reaches deep within our hearts and bring back memories of our own mothers and families during the holiday seasons.

To all F.U.N. members,

I understand that some of you may be wondering why such a 'blurry' and 'off-color' image got chosen for Photo of Month. Let me clarify this. Neither are we talking about technical-perfection nor creativity. Rather, it is about the right mood and excellent timing. Soon Hoe composed and clicked his FinePix F70EXR at the exact moment, which appropriately captured the mother and child, as well as the excited and enthusiastic father (seen from the reflection of the silver orb). This image is timeless and meaningful not only to that family, but to us - the viewers, too.

[TheChef]

I fully agree. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all at sgshoot.

[bluffname]

To all F.U.N. members,

I understand that some of you may be wondering why such a 'blurry' and 'off-color' image got chosen for Photo of Month.

Not so blurry and off-color lah, in my opinion still very acceptable and yes, it truly captured the festive mood. In any case "the decision of the judge will be final" :rofl:

You better watch out, better not shout
Better not argue with the judge...
KopiOKaya is cuming... to town!
Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho!

[KopiOkaya]

Better not argue with the judge...

Me no judge. I am sure most people will agree that is a 'Topeng-standard' photo.

[KopiOkaya]

26 December 2009

Performance from The Fritz Quartet:

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/CelebrateDecember_03_2009-12-26.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/CelebrateDecember_01_2009-12-26.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/CelebrateDecember_02_2009-12-26.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/CelebrateDecember_04_2009-12-26.jpg
[photos: KopiOkaya]

[CONT]

[KopiOkaya]

Performance from The Fritz Quartet:

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/CelebrateDecember_08_2009-12-26.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/CelebrateDecember_05_2009-12-26.jpg


Performance from BLESS:

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/CelebrateDecember_09_2009-12-26.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/CelebrateDecember_10_2009-12-26.jpg
[photos: KopiOkaya]

[KopiOkaya]

Performance from Freaky Z:

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/CelebrateDecember_11_2009-12-26.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/CelebrateDecember_12_2009-12-26.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/CelebrateDecember_13_2009-12-26.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/CelebrateDecember_14_2009-12-26.jpg
[photos: KopiOkaya]

[bluffname]

Again, more images coming soon...

Chop this place first as I have to go out to run some errands.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/Chop_tissue.jpg
[photo: KopiOkaya]

:happy1: This one Photo of the Decade, not blur blur and no head, no hands, no leg, no body, no backside... everything chop off like the cellist. This one not chop but choap!

[bluffname]

The Fritz Quartet from my angle, sitting on the floor cushion vs KopiOKaya and SgSoonHoe who were sitting on the "Triangles". Glad I followed my guts and stayed on the floor, I rather like the view from there.

First, the compere and violist... Dunno what he was talking about. All I could here was "Click! Click! Click!" all around me.

http://www.photographs-of-hands.com/dec09/viola.jpg

------

The first violinist... I took the most shots of her, wah maybe 50 or more, trying to get a "perfect" version of something like this.

http://www.photographs-of-hands.com/dec09/violin.jpg

------

The second violinist... Errrr, this is the ultimate "chop" - everything chop off, not a single pix of him, ho ho ho ho!

------

Finally the cellist. This is called pizzacato (alamak! must have been thinking of pizza... it's pizzicato) where, instead of bowing, he prucks the strings instead.

http://www.photographs-of-hands.com/dec09/cello.jpg

------

And then, after prucking, his hand grides through the air.

http://www.photographs-of-hands.com/dec09/pluck2.jpg

[bluffname]

WAIT... I have one more pix from the lock concert at the Watelfront.

http://www.photographs-of-hands.com/dec09/wait.jpg

[KopiOkaya]

:happy1: This one Photo of the Decade...

No, no, no...

THIS IS the photo of the Decade:

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/Choap_tissue.jpg
[photo: KopiOkaya]