I wish I can be more disciplined, hardworking, hold strong to my beliefs, and never give up.

My passion for photography will never die, but passion to be a working photographer is seriously wavering at times.
In the current economy, plus saturated local photography market, my current age, average photography skills I have, and the only child in the family (means I will be the sole breadwinner in the future).
I really thought of hoping not to get into university, and just get a full time job, which I will have the money to survive, sustain photography equipments, and going for overseas trips.

But I just read upon an blog post on "Eulogy at Wayne Thunder's Funeral" [link] , and the line that hits me the most is: "Bo Pian lah. This is the path we have chosen. I'd rather be working hard than feeling sad about not chasing my dreams."

Thank you for the inspiration Wayne.

It makes me feel so guilty that I'm even hesitating on the path I wish to take.
Harder and filled with more obstacles, doesn't mean it's not possible.
Nevertheless, I will keep shooting and improving photography skills, learn new techniques, and strive hard for my first real paid assignment and international band photo/media pass.

Till then, I will go sleep now, and prepare for my part-time work at the camera shop in a few hours time.

---

Concerts that I want to shoot

Lamb Of God on April 15th at D' Marquee, Downtown East
Mayday 五月天 on April 17th at Padang
SHE on April 17th at Singapore Indoor Stadium
Stereophonics on April 30th at Fort Canning Park
Tears For Fears on May 4th at Resorts World Convention Centre, Compass Ballroom
Copeland on May 5th at *SCAPE: Auditorium
Deep Purple on May 12th at Singapore Indoor Stadium
Pitbull on May 18th at Fort Canning Park

As usual if anyone got/knows anyone who can give media/photographer pass, do call/message me (+65 92961539), or forward my portfolio [link] to them.
I can contribute the photos taken from the show!
Thanks!

---

Which I purchased...

- Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII N [link]
- Billingham Hadley Pro + SP 40 Leather Shoulder Pad [link]

Going to test run the lens at this weekend's Esplanade gigs, and also time to hit out the gym if I want to last the whole gig with this setup.
For the bag, as usual there's never one perfect bag, sadly but true, sigh.

Current bag (Hadley Pro)
Dream casual setup = Macbook 13" + D700 with grip + 24-70mm + 35mm = Cannot attach lens to body if putting in laptop, else to fat and ugly.
Dream travel setup = D700 with grip + 24-70mm + 14-24mm + 50mm = Not enough space to even reverse hood on 24-70mm to slot in bag.

One size up from current bag (Hadley Large)
Can do both of my dream setup, but at the expense of 3 factors.
1) No top handle on the bag
2) Cannot attach pouches at the side
3) No back zipper slot

Anyways, hope the potential commercial shoot will be confirm, that will definitely ease up this 2 expenditures by quite a bit.

---

Concerts that I want to shoot

Lamb Of God on April 15th at D' Marquee, Downtown East
Mayday 五月天 on April 17th at Padang
SHE on April 17th at Singapore Indoor Stadium
Stereophonics on April 30th at Fort Canning Park
Tears For Fears on May 4th at Resorts World Convention Centre, Compass Ballroom
Copeland on May 5th at *SCAPE: Auditorium
Deep Purple on May 12th at Singapore Indoor Stadium
Pitbull on May 18th at Fort Canning Park

As usual if anyone got/knows anyone who can give media/photographer pass, do call/message me (+65 92961539), or forward my portfolio [link] to them.
I can contribute the photos taken from the show!
Thanks!

---

Recently I kind of have the "artist's block" for post-processing.
Might be due to:
Lethargic (after work reached home already 9-10pm+)
Same photography style (can't see real progression or evolution, other than the 1 off shoot once in a while, that shows change)
Bad photography skills (so many great international photographers are getting even better, local photographers have up their levels too, whereas I feel I'm still not improving)
Very basic photoshop skills
Or all of the above.

I think the best shoot I had and enjoyed recently will be Vocaloid - Magnet (Rin X Len), I don't know is there any significant change or progression in photography style, but I tried.

Normally I don't post teaser shots on deviantART, but I really quite like that photo.
So I guess you guys will see that photo real soon!
(Probably 1-2 days time)

Anyways, I think I just quite tired of the current environment, would really need a change of environment like a short backpacking trip out of Singapore.
Would really really want to go Thailand cos-convention, I think WCS Thailand is around May I heard?
Definitely want to experience the convention over there, and meetup and have photoshoots with Thailand friends!
Other than Thailand, would love to go Philippines too, and also know a few Philippines friends over DA, plus there is Typecast!

Time to sleep now, CHAO OUTSIDE!

---

Concerts that I want to shoot

Lamb Of God on April 15th at D' Marquee, Downtown East
Mayday 五月天 on April 17th at Padang
SHE on April 17th at Singapore Indoor Stadium
Stereophonics on April 30th at Fort Canning Park
Tears For Fears on May 4th at Resorts World Convention Centre, Compass Ballroom
Copeland on May 5th at *SCAPE: Auditorium
Deep Purple on May 12th at Singapore Indoor Stadium
Pitbull on May 18th at Fort Canning Park

As usual if anyone got/knows anyone who can give media/photographer pass, do call/message me (+65 92961539), or forward my portfolio [link] to them.
I can contribute the photos taken from the show!
Thanks!

---

Help me by giving me llama badges!!!
Thanks a million llamas!

Anyways, has been in an artist's block for post-processing of photos for a few days already.
So will take a short break, and enjoy some retail therapy later today when I get my pay!
Not good to the wallet at all, not good!
But still...
Billingham Hadley Pro [link] + SP40 Leather Shoulder Pad [link] = Woohoo!

---

Concerts that I want to shoot

Lamb Of God on April 15th at D' Marquee, Downtown East
Mayday 五月天 on April 17th at Padang
SHE on April 17th at Singapore Indoor Stadium
Stereophonics on April 30th at Fort Canning Park
Tears For Fears on May 4th at Resorts World Convention Centre, Compass Ballroom
Copeland on May 5th at *SCAPE: Auditorium
Deep Purple on May 12th at Singapore Indoor Stadium
Pitbull on May 18th at Fort Canning Park

As usual if anyone got/knows anyone who can give media/photographer pass, do call/message me (+65 92961539), or forward my portfolio [link] to them.
I can contribute the photos taken from the show!
Thanks!

---

I finally created a fanpage for my photography works over on Facebook!
Do join if you're on Facebook and like my photography! [link]

Working at Benphoto for about a month already, will be getting my first salary on Friday!
But it's only enough to buy a small fraction of my current wishlist, just getting my higher priority items first.

1) 2TB 3.5" HDD
2) 4x Scythe CPU fans
3) 320GB/500GB 2.5" HDD (Might postpone to get this)
4) Billingham Hadley Pro + SP40 Leather Shoulder Pad + 2x Avea 5 Side Pouches (Very tempted to get this, more of a want here though)

---

Concerts that I want to shoot

Lamb Of God on April 15th at D' Marquee, Downtown East
Mayday 五月天 on April 17th at Padang
SHE on April 17th at Singapore Indoor Stadium
Stereophonics on April 30th at Fort Canning Park
Tears For Fears on May 4th at Resorts World Convention Centre, Compass Ballroom
Copeland on May 5th at *SCAPE: Auditorium
Deep Purple on May 12th at Singapore Indoor Stadium
Pitbull on May 18th at Fort Canning Park

As usual if anyone got/knows anyone who can give media/photographer pass, do call/message me (+65 92961539), or forward my portfolio [link] to them.
I can contribute the photos taken from the show!
Thanks!

---

I started to shoot quite a number of Vocaloid themes of cosplay recently.
So a few nights ago I decided to really try listen to more Vocaloid songs, regardless of popular, not so popular, or just random videos watching on youtube and nico.

This act was totally worth it, I found out some composers I like, their genre of music is similar to my normal listening taste.
Rock and metal genre that is, welcome to Hagane Vocaloid.
The composers that I like are Yuyoyuppe, hazy-P, and 164.

Some samples of their songs:

Yuyoyuppe - Metal/Screamo

+Be My Sacrifice+ (Miku) [link]
「S」 (Luka) [link]
Emotion & Reason (Miku) [link]
Despair (Miku) [link]
-ELIS- (Luka) [link]

164 - Rock

shiningray (Miku) [link]
unused impulse (Miku) [link]
heavenly blue (Miku) [link]
madder sky (Rin) [link]

hazy-P - Metal

rain_stain_ (Miku) [link]
poetaster_and_singing_dolls_ (Miku) [link]


Other than those composers, I also found a band called Ouzoku BAND.
The musicians are make up of Nico community.
Guitar: 海賊王 (Kaizokuou)
Bass: ティッシュ姫 (Tissue Hime) - Most of you guys should know him, did a lot of bass cover for anime songs too
Drum: 王子 (Ouji)
Session-vocalist: ひなぎく (Mika from Daisy X Daisy) - By the way, she's Nana Mizuki's sister

Currently they released 2 albums, debut album is originals.
2nd album was covers of popular Miku Hatsune's songs, they just play the instrumentals, vocal is still using Miku's voice.

Some samples of their songs:

Originals

TRIP STAR [link]
UP↑ROAD [link]

Miku Hatsune covers

from y to y [link]
Romeo to Cinderella [link]

Do give it a try if you like Rock/Metal songs, it's only several songs!
Tell me if you like it or not, if you have listened to those.

"So that was about a friend who is fucking up and there is nothing you can do about it! And you just watch'em go down down down. And then, other times you have got friends that don't fuck up at all and are great people. And then you just lose them for some reason. They are off the planet and you never had a chance to say goodbye. I only mention this because there was a person we used to know here and that was Diane and ah, we never got a chance to say goodbye. This is goodbye. And if you've got good friends, love them while they're here."
~Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam

Eddie Vedder dedicated the song "Light Years" to Diane Muus at Pinkpop 2000.

Youtube link of the song here [link]

Life

Currently just waiting for results, whether my application for Nanyang Technological University's School of Art, Design & Media is accepted or rejected.
In the meantime, I'm currently working part-time every Wednesday-Saturday, 12pm-8pm at Benphoto (Peninsular Shopping Center Level 1, near the canteen).
Anyone that's in the vicinity, do feel free to come visit me at the store during the days I'm working.

Recently been listening to lots of Pearl Jam (Ten, Binaural, and live albums) and Radiohead (The Bends and OK Computer albums).

---

Photography

Recently just did another couple of shoots, last Sunday and Tuesday.

1) Zone-00 - Heavy rain for a long time, and as usual we have like about 30 minutes odds real shooting time, really really little shots.
2) Vocaloid - Magnet (Rin X Len) - It was a slow start, but we gain momentum gradually midway through the shoot, on preview I do see a few satisfy shots.

Work In Process

Code Geass R2 DVD Cover Art (Retouch and final edit)
Sailor Moon (Retouch and final edit)
Gintama (Partial done)
Pandora Hearts (Not started)
Kikyo (Non-cosplay) (Retouch and final edit)
Zone-00 (Selection done)
Vocaloid - Magnet (Rin X Len) (Not started)

Will have a shoot this upcoming Sunday.
Anyone will be going to the JRock and Cosplay event on Friday & Saturday at The Cathay?
I will be going on Saturday after my work, probably reaching there latest 8.30pm, event ends around 9.30pm if I'm not wrong.

---

Photography Equipments

Hope to save up and buy in sequence:

1) AF-D 35mm f/2 - To use for light setup during an outing with friends. (24-70mm is too big, 50mm is not wide enough for friends shot.)
2) AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII - Concert lens
3) SB900 - 51 AF-points AF assist
4) Coolights LED600 - To tryout different shooting styles for photoshoot, general usage for cosplay event.
5) AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8
6) AF-S 24mm f/1.4 - The best lens for 1) scenario, but the price and reason to buy just isn't right now.
7) Billingham and Fogg camera bags.

Equipments that I can dream of:

1) Konica Hexar RF with Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 - I will be very contented with this RF setup, no need Leica.
2) Hasselblad 503CW
3) Mamiya RZ67 Pro IID

---

Concerts that I want to shoot

Mosaic Music Festival on March 12th-21st at Esplanade
Placebo on March 18th at Fort Canning Park
Lamb Of God on April 15th at D' Marquee, Downtown East
Mayday 五月天 on April 17th at Padang
SHE on April 17th at Singapore Indoor Stadium
Stereophonics on April 30th at Fort Canning Park
Deep Purple on May 12th at Singapore Indoor Stadium

As usual if anyone got/knows anyone who can give media/photographer pass, do call/message me (+65 92961539), or forward my portfolio [link] to them.
I'm willing to contribute photos and/or negotiate terms and conditions for the usage of photos.
Thanks!

---

Went to Malaysia for a short trip during 22nd-25th of February as said in my previous journal entry.
Quite a fun one, met new and current friends, and did the shoots as planned other than one.

1) Love Is War [EAGER LOVE REVENGE]
We ( ) decided to shoot in an abandoned flat estate in Petailing, cause we saw in photos like not bad, the best we could find in KL area for the LIW shoot.
But an usual occurrence that happens to me, the area is not as good as we have thought only on the photoshoot day itself, so we just did the best we can.
Glad that we have decent photos from the shoot, I'm contented with the results either way, so it's all good at least.
Photos here: [link] [link] [link] [link]

2) Hakuouki
Which we had planned since last year but had been postponed a number of times, seems like we can't seem to escape that fate this time round too.
Ayase's company has an urgent meeting for that day, so in the end a last minute change of plan.

to

Sprite (Didn't really thought of a proper name yet)
To shoot Kikyo's in one of her dress, which she does for her fashion assignment during her schooling years.
Weather doesn't seems to like me very much, as we reached the location, it started raining heavily for about an hour or so.
It's only about 6pm when the rain stops, so we have pretty much an hour or so to do the shoot.
I'm still processing the photos, but I won't say I'm very optimistic.
At least, it was an enjoyable chat throughout the shoot, even with the rain and lack of time to shoot.

3) Cheongsam

It's a portrait shoot practice, so leaning towards a casual shoot as I'm learning to shoot proper portraits.
By the way the models are and Crystal, and we shot at Pavilion in KL, modern jungle for the win! LOL!
Photos are also still processing, but there are a few that are quite ok (I hope).
Will post here when I'm done with it!

Of course I did manage to met some of my Malaysia friends, and also did some walkaround, shopping and eating with my mom.
But I think quite a number of my Malaysia friends didn't know I'm coming over, as I didn't tell them personally, other than posting in my previous journal entry only.
(Will personally tell you guys next time I'm coming over again, so can yum cha!)

Recently I completed watching Liar Game Season 1+2 in 2 days, can't wait for movie to be out, be it screening or online. Erika Toda is ♥
Also watched Code Blue Season 2 up to Ep8, feel Ep6-8 quite boring, hope the series will end with a climax, or we will most likely expect a SP or Movie version.

Can't wait for KimuTaku's drama for the upcoming season.

ps: For Malaysia coser friends, how's the cosplay event yesterday?

---

Photoshoots' Editing-in-Process:

Code Geass R2 DVD: 75%
Sailormoon: 75%
Gintama: 15%
Pandora Hearts: 0%
Sprite: 25%
Cheongsam: 75%

---

Concerts that I want to shoot

Mosaic Music Festival on March 12th-21st at Esplanade
Placebo on March 18th at Fort Canning Park
Lamb Of God on April 15th at D' Marquee, Downtown East
Mayday 五月天 on April 17th at Padang
SHE on April 17th at Singapore Indoor Stadium
Stereophonics on April 30th at Fort Canning Park
Deep Purple on May 12th at Singapore Indoor Stadium

As usual if anyone got/knows anyone who can give media/photographer pass, do call/message me (+65 92961539), or forward my portfolio [link] to them.
I'm willing to contribute photos and/or negotiate terms and conditions for the usage of photos.
Thanks!

---

Spend most of my CNY at home, due to food poisoning, lots of LS-ing and feeling crappy.
Didn't even do any 拜年 at all, other than grandma's one. Sigh~

CNY
Day 1 - Temple + went grandma's to 拜年.
Day 2-6 - Most of the time at home to recover, but did went out one of the day with mom to temple to 拜太岁.
Day 7 - Went to a photoshoot to shoot a bit, but wasn't feeling that good at all, since only recovered on Friday.
Went to meet up with for dinner and I bought Eastpak's Walker (black squares) backpack after the shoot. (I think I'm hooked to Gintaco's tacopachi too!)
Day 8 - Finish doing the assignments, and packing for the Malaysia trip.

While all the time at home, was spent doing the uni course's entry assignments/tests + portfolio selection, completed Gyakuten Kenji (Chinese Ver.), other than that was catching up on Code Blue S2 episodes, Gakky (Aragaki Yui) is CUTE!
By the way, I still think Japanese or Chinese language will be the most accurate to play, the culture and slang left untouched in compared to English Ver. (I played GS1-3 in English, GS4 and GK in Chinese)
Also watched The Prestige (what a twist at the end!), and The Hurt Locker, great watch for both of them.

By the way, I will be going to Malaysia from 22nd-25th of February!
Planned 3 shoots during my time there, 1 pair of younger gens and 1 pair of veterans.
I'm quite worried with 1 of the shoot, as I have insufficient equipment for it (lights), so I will be improvising and hope the results will be at least decent!

Wants to meetup with Malaysia friends on my lists!
Due to my recent sickness, not able to online much to update, so I guess this meetup will be pretty hard since too last minute already.
But if anyone still interested in it, can sms to my Malaysia number from Monday onwards!

Anyways, hope everyone has a great Chinese New Year, catchup with all the relatives, eat all the yummy yummy food (which I can't, NOES!), and get more angbaos (or giving out for some of my friends)!

---

Photoshoots' Editing-in-Process:

Code Geass R2 DVD: 75%
Sailormoon: 75%
Gintama: 15%
Pandora Hearts: 0%

---

Concerts that I want to shoot

Brown Eyed Girls on February 27th at Zouk
Backstreet Boys on February 28th at Suntec Int'l Convention & Exhibition Hall
Paramore on March 7th at Singapore Indoor Stadium
Mosaic Music Festival on March 12th-21st at Esplanade
Placebo on March 18th at Fort Canning Park
Lamb Of God on April 15th at D' Marquee, Downtown East
Mayday 五月天 on April 17th at Padang
SHE on April 17th at Singapore Indoor Stadium
Deep Purple on May 12th at Singapore Indoor Stadium

As usual if anyone got/knows anyone who can give media/photographer pass, do call/message me (+65 92961539), or forward my portfolio [link] to them.
I'm willing to contribute photos and/or negotiate terms and conditions for the usage of photos.
Thanks!

---

If anyone has caught a bit of band/music play of the title of my previous journal, good for you.
If not, it's the first 2 songs X Japan usually played during live, "Amethyst/Rusty Nail".
The post was posted on last Friday, which marks the start of the weekend, so there you go.

---

Apart from all the job finding, I'm currently preparing my course application requirements and portfolio for university.
By GPA, I'm 100% fail/lol'd/mock by others, so I hope it's mainly graded on portfolio.

I will be applying for NTU's Art Design Media course, and of course choosing Photography as main.
Need to do why-I-deserve-to-get-in composition, draw a couple of things on different themes based on creativity/originality/problem solving, and a short write based on creativity.
By the way, my drawing is epic phail.
So the only salvation is my portfolio, oh god.

I started watching Code Blue Season 1 (Japanese Dorama), since I saw some commented that Yamapi will most likely succeed KimuTaku in the future.
I will say he's not bad, but definitely can't win KimuTaku in general or versatility.
Fortunately, this show is not those 偶像剧, is 实力派 series, it's a great watch, currently at episode 6 of season 1.
Still have several episodes to catch up to episode 4 of season 2 though.
And...Aragaki Yui is HOT in the show!
Of course, there is still Erika Toda too!
But of recent years in dorama that I have watched, the show that almost make me drop manry tears is Change, starring none other than KimuTaku.
Hope this year KimuTaku will be an awesome one, and I always wish that another of his show will break his history record of 41.3% ratings (if the show can get an average of more than 15% ratings, it's considered high already) of Beautiful Life last episode. [link]

For the upcoming Chinese New Year, which also happens on the same day as Valentine's day this year!
Hope everyone (especially us Chinese) will be enjoying the weekends, for me it will be the food!!!

One of the best song for Valentine's Day in my opinion.
Firehouse - Love Of A Lifetime [link]

For Chinese New Year song, how about the latest Namewee's LOL ver of CNY song.
[link]

---

Concerts that I want to shoot

Brown Eyed Girls on February 27th at Zouk
Backstreet Boys on February 28th at Suntec Int'l Convention & Exhibition Hall
Paramore on March 7th at Singapore Indoor Stadium
Mosaic Music Festival on March 12th-21st at Esplanade
Placebo on March 18th at Fort Canning Park
Lamb Of God on April 15th at D' Marquee, Downtown East
Mayday 五月天 on April 17th at Padang
SHE on April 17th at Singapore Indoor Stadium
Deep Purple on May 12th at Singapore Indoor Stadium

As usual if anyone got/knows anyone who can give media/photographer pass, do call/message me (+65 92961539), or forward my portfolio [link] to them.
I'm willing to contribute photos and/or negotiate terms and conditions for the usage of photos.
Thanks!

---

Un-lonely nights, romantic moments
The perfect dates, the sweetest kisses
The love
Typecast - Will You Ever Learn

Just go read journal [link] then come back to my journal, lazy to type lol!

I agree most of it to a certain extent, but of course it varies with each's experience with the others.

I used to get disappointed easily in the past, but life still goes on, just learn more, and be more open-minded.
In the end, it's only cosplay photography, a hobby, not something that can be your iron rice bowl, at least in Singapore.
No, and by saying this, doesn't mean I don't take cosplay photography seriously.
To me, whatever I shoot, I will aim for perfection, but of course you won't be perfect, it's just the extent on how much % you are short of perfection.

In short, just do what you like and do enjoy at least a bit during the process of the shoot.
Sometimes, when we shoot too much or too long, we forgot why or what we are shooting for.
So try to remember what/why you are shooting for, enjoy what you are doing, and of course get some great photos in the process!

I'm blessed to know cosplayer friends like , which I have known for sometime, and enjoy working with them very much.
No (again), I'm not saying the rest aren't good, just this are my preference.
I wish to have chance/more chances to work with cosplayers like
Of course this will be the local-based cosplayers list, if it's international list, there are too cosplayers I would want to work with!

On a side note, I'm amused that people say I can read BL books calmly like it's nothing (but it's really nothing much, not something I don't have, and there is even mosaic on the one I read).
Not that I like BL/GL or whatever you can think of, if it's for a shoot, I will read/research/watch whatever is needed.
That's my professionalism for my photography.
Sometimes, I hope people can treat me like an adult (ffs I'm already 23, and I'm very liberal), I don't think there nothing I can't see/read/hear/do.
I'm willing to do any shoots if it interest me, regardless of genres.

Plus the recent inside jokes on me about shooting naked boys, I seriously don't mind shooting though.
Cause I really need to build up on proper portraits portfolio (I willing to shoot guys or girls, regardless naked or dressed of course -_-).
The only portrait that I can show for now, is like taken years ago?
The Dollmaster shoot with and Xiao Hui. [link]

Will be doing coverage for local band Monochrome soft album launch at Hard Rock Cafe later this evening, and rushing to La Salle's 15 Minutes cafe to shoot 9837 Miles to Texas, a benefit show for Inch Chua to raise funds for her trip to the prestigious South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival in Austin, Texas.
For Saturday, I will be shooting Monochrome (full setlist, open to public) at Esplanade At The Waterfront for the start of their 10 shows album tour.

---

Concerts that I want to shoot

Brown Eyed Girls on February 27th at Zouk
Backstreet Boys on February 28th at Suntec Int'l Convention & Exhibition Hall
Paramore on March 7th at Singapore Indoor Stadium
Mosaic Music Festival on March 12th-21st at Esplanade
Placebo on March 18th at Fort Canning Park
Lamb Of God on April 15th at D' Marquee, Downtown East
Mayday 五月天 on April 17th at Padang
SHE on April 17th at Singapore Indoor Stadium
Deep Purple on May 12th at Singapore Indoor Stadium

---

As usual if anyone got/knows anyone who can give media/photographer pass, do inform me please!

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Already emailed a few music-related magazines for a concert photographer post, no replies from any.
Ask around friends who work in or know people in companies or agencies that deal with media side, no luck with photographer vacancy also.

I'm able to work full time or freelance (assignment-based or paid by the amount of photos used).

I may not be the best concert photographer locally, but I'm confident to get the job done well.

Already missed Green Day, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and almost The Killers (canceled their gig).
I hope not to miss the chance to capture musical talents such as Rise Against, Saosin, and Muse for the upcoming Big Night Out 2010 on February 3rd, Paramore on March 7th, Placebo on March 18th, and Lamb Of God on April 15th.

Anyone that can help me hook up with any contacts, will be greatly appreciated.
Do show them my portfolio below if needed, thanks!

My portfolio: [link]

You'd kill yourself for recognition, kill yourself to never, ever stop
Radiohead - High And Dry

Gonna show this town how to kiss these stars
~Kings Of Leon - Manhattan

Finally feeling /really/ better now, probably will recover fully by tomorrow.
Hope I don't say this too early lol!
Sick since last Friday night, and the sickness is on and off, even when I'm at home resting the whole day.
Guessed the visit to the doctor's on Tuesday helps, thanks to the anti-biotics.

Now to start on my post-processing work, lost 5 days of time already.

"Events change men, but men do not change events. But these two men are extraordinary because they changed events."
~Shen, Infernal Affairs III

(Just finished watching the awesome trilogy recently, the closest a Chinese show can get to The Godfather trilogy.)

This is one insanely-sick weekend (literally), down with a fever on Friday night (what a great start for a weekend).
Go for a quicky option of eating some medicines couple of hours before Saturday's shoot, and the traditional method of wrap yourself with multiple shirt/blanket/etc... to sweat out.

Was still fine, until about the end of the shoot, and got very much worse after dinner at the food court, shivered (damn the air con from the mall and mrt) till I reach home, and spam the medicine and does the traditional method again.
I can really feel my whole head was hot (LOL), and the ears are not getting voices that clearly.

That was one hell long of a night, the last similar experience was when my teeth infection (7 activated at once) few years back, which I got a high fever.

Sunday was much better, other than being super hungry since Saturday night.
Spam medicine after brunch, and ready myself for the shoot.
Didn't shot well today though, I personally don't like what I've shot today, but the cosplayer do like a few of the photos, at least there are something she brought back, else it will be damn suck and paiseh from my side.

WIP List:

CGR2DVD=55%
SotD=75%
CF=90%
MF=0%
Tianzi=0%
SM=0%
Loveless=0%

Probably 2 more cos-shoots for this month, 1 cos-event, 1 gig-shoot (no, none of the international acts, didn't get no reply from Junk magazine on the photographer slot)

I will always give my best for shoots, and if there's something that is needed or required for a shoot, and I can afford it (which I sold most of my portable audio equipments to fund for my current D700) and see it beneficial, I will get it too, in time!
What I hope in return is, just don't disappoint me.

By the way, if you think I'm crazy, I'm definitely not.
I wished I was crazy enough, sacrificial enough, gambled in chances enough, open-minded enough, but I guess I don't have that much guts to do all of them together for now.

But I'm definitely trying to be more open-minded, and take my chances.
As I have nothing much larger to lose, in compared to time.

My main influences in photography will still be & Todd Owyoung

CF + Xmas + EOY + New Year = Over


Work in process:

CF = 100%
EOY = 100%
SotD = 80%
CGR2DVD = 15%
MF = 10%
Tianzi = 0%


Want-to-buy list:

Spyder 3 Pro Monitor Calibrator
Nikon SB900
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8
600 LED Panel (recommended & poisoned by ) [link]


Fact:

About 4 shoots planned for this month.
ORD-ing on the 22nd of this month.
Finding photographer or photographer assistant job.

Comic Fiesta 2009</u>

Time really flies fast ain't it.
Feels like just awhile ago when I last attended Comic Fiesta 2008 over at Sunway Pyramid (KL), Malaysia.

Can't wait for CF in couple of days time!
To meet up with old friends, and hope to make new friends, plus all the awesome booths, people, and atmosphere over there!

This time round, I'm not traveling alone, psycho'd one of my army friend Sihan to go with me.
Since he is also interested in cosplay and photography, no reason not to go!

Anyways, I will be in Malaysia from 18th-23rd (technically 17th evening I depart from Singapore), currently 23rd nothing scheduled, might be interested in doing a shoot that day, but preferable a short session though, give me a note or so if there are any interested parties.

Will be looking forward to see , , CC, Jothan, KK, Kikyo, Ayase, Adrian, , , , , and any others that I missed out!


Photoshoots</u>

Code Geass R2 (Mutuality Artbook Designs) = Done!
Check out the link to the finale photo of the series, the description has my words and thoughts on the shoot. [link]

Code Geass R2 (DVD Cover) = 15%
Most likely will see progress, minimum early next January.

Vocaloid (Sandplay of the Dragon) = 0%
Just did the shoot like just now, literally. (16-12-2009)
It was a last minute and rushed request from me, but and Lucia are game for it, so yay!
On a serious note, I'm very very sorry and felt bad, cause I didn't shoot well at all.
Didn't have a tripod, but do have 3 lights and 2 stands, but after experimenting for awhile, still very bad results. (First real attempt at strobing, failed badly, low lights + night time + noob cake me in strobing.)
As we have only 1 hour to shoot, very limited time + have to juggle with the people (KIDS!) there + lights pattern.
No choice, I have to change back to my usual style, which was using just 1 flash and shoot.

Really love working with them also, no stress, enjoyable, and have lots of fun over the shoot, even though it was a failed shoot due to my incompetency.

Will be working with them again in the coming months!


Anime Festival Asia 2009</u>

Damn, it was a blast!
The event itself was disappointing, just like last year, overhype and come to the real thing, it doesn't deliver, but much improvement compared to last year.
It was the people/cosers who came over, it's been a long time since I got back that feeling when I go for local conventions during 2004, I can't really explain it, but it's just shiokness and priceless.
, Ching, , are an awesome bunch of new friends!
Hanged out with them + our local gang over dinner during day 1.
Group shot (excluding me, since I was taking the photo) [link]

By the way, I'm one of the 4 lucky audiences that got chosen by the K-ON seiyuus during the live K-ON experience (selection by random seat number), to receive the autographed board from them! [link]

I also managed to take picture with Danny Choo [link] and the Thailand bunch of cosers [link] [link]!
But didn't managed to chat and take photo with Team Indonesia ( & Orochi) + Team Philippines ( & ) + Kaname + SHOKOTAN!

I'm missing the Thailand peeps already, sigh!
Don't think I will be going to Thailand in January though, some other months next year I promise!

Also make some friends over DA after the event, like , if you are coming to Singapore again, give me a message!
Or if I'm going over!
By the way , I missed the Typecast guys too, and you guys have Saosin and Lamb Of God performing over there next year!

Gonna end this post here, though I have much more to type, but I need to sleep and wake up early tomorrow to do bag packing and item check before departing for Malaysia!

"Life is short, so learn from your mistakes, and stand behind the choices that you made"

The annual day where a number in my profile increase by 1, that being called "Age".
Which I also share it with friends and .


Recent Life

I really really hate to be so repetitive, but the truth is, I'm still very busy with lots of backlogs undone, couple of shoots that need planning and discussion, and many new stuffs that need to be research/done are quickly catching up.

Past few months I've had: Moved house, shot 3 cosplay conventions, 3 cosplay photoshoots, 2 major local music festivals, 1 minor army event, on top of many other misc stuffs.

The period/transition phase was a difficult/trying time for me, so many things to do, so little time, when army ate up most of the time.
Was stressed, frustrated, drained.

I'm fortunate to have,
Good friends like Kelvin, YY, Gab, PCK, for companionship, entertainment, laughter, doing dumb stuffs, and friendship.
Photography/DI/Equipment help from , , , , , .
for sending encouragement sms-es, it really helps brightens my day.
for showcasing a couple of my works in an upcoming goth/alternative photography/art exhibition, among other great artists' works. Thanks!
, , who are my favorite local cosplayers and I really enjoy working with, plus I managed to work with all 3 of them in the 2 epic photoshoots.
Also to all the other friends I didn't list down (there are too many friends!) that have helped me in anyway, regardless how big or small it is.
Thank you all! *bows*

Currently, main thing on hand is to find a decent/good photolab to are able to print A3 or A2 size photos, for the exhibition showcase.
Next, will be really going into discussion with 2 friends for shoots, which I owe them and postponed for quite sometime.
Felt really bad and sorry for the numerous delays.
Lastly, the usual backlog edits.

Next convention to attend will be Anime Festival Asia 2009, with big names like May'n, Shokotan, Yoshiki Fukuyama, Ichirou Mizuki, Danny Choo, and Kaname attending, it's hard not to go.
I really hope that somehow I can get a media pass for the gig/concert segment.

Outside of photography and cosplay, I will be attending 2 weddings in November (Happy Events!).
First would be the wedding of Marcus (Vertical Rush) & Liana, which will be on the 7th, which is also my mom's birthday.
Second would be the wedding of my army SSG Chin & his wife, which will be on the 21st, which is also the 1st day of AFA09, so I will be going off early from the event.


Photography

For cosplay conventions' photos I will just release them when I finish editing any photo, TGX and GCA done, left with STGCC.
For cosplay photoshoots' photos, Hakuouki is pretty much done (1 more photo to go), Code Geass is 50% done.
Baybeats' photos are probably only 25% done.

Upcoming shoots will be 1 cosplay shoot + 1 portrait shoot.
Will also be looking to find a model to collaborate on a concept shoot.


Comic Fiesta (KL, Malaysia)

Pretty much confirm that I will be attending this convention, really missed all the friends over there, even non-cosplayers friends too.
One of most memorable cosplay convention I went too.
Most likely will be having a couple of photoshoots during my time over there.
Nothing confirmed as of now though (shoot-wise).


Thailand cosplay conventions in January?

Will need help from any Thailand cosplayers or anyone who knows.
I heard there will be a major cosplay convention in January, but I have no details and stuffs on it.
Would love to know more of it, or anywhere I can get more info of the convention.
As usual, I wonder anyone (cosplayers/photographers) will allow me to bunk over at their home, during my trip over there.
Firstly, I can really save a bunch of money.
Secondly, it's so much more fun to stay with new friends with common interest.

Like last year, when I went over to attend Comic Fiesta at Malaysia, it happened so fast and last minute, I'm found myself a place to bunk at, which is 's house (for the first half of my trip), which help me with the arrangement.
Due to this, I get to know friends like CC, KK, Jothan, Daniel, Raven, Arisa, Peggy, and many more!
For the second half of my trip, I bunk over at Ayase's, we get to walk around KL, and get to know Adrian too.

I return the favor during Cosfest 2009, where and co. bunk over at my house.

To cut things short, it's just more fun and the priceless experience, to bunk over at friend's pad who shares common interest!

So I would really to be able to do this for my probable Thailand cosplay convention trip next January.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

- Totally unproductive couple of weeks, mentally tired after work, so didn't do much editing at all.

- But things are picking up for the Hakouki & Code Geass shoot, will be publishing new photos of them soon.

- Started to do some editing and publishing of cosplay convention photos, nowadays do not really have time to edit conventions photos.

- Will be posting some photos from Prelude@Esplanade gig.

- This weekend I will be shooting Baybeats (Singapore biggest free admission annual music festival), but didn't manage to get a media/photo pass, so will be shooting within the crowds, won't be expecting awesome photos.

- Shooting a cosplay shoot this Sunday with friends, time to have fun and super tiring, cause I will be going down to shoot Baybeats in the evening.

- Helping out to shoot some army stuffs next week, anything that I can play with photography in army term is great!

- Currently nothing on for next weekend.

- Lastly, will I be able to make it to watch Man Utd VS Arsenal match tonight?
Cause after Baybeats, will be collaborating with a friend to interview and do some band shots of bands (probably 1-2 bands).

Taken from

>>> Be one of the first 18 people commenting on this journal entry, and I will add you to the Featured List!

>>> For each of the 18 first people answering this journal I will put his/her avatar and the three deviations I like most from his/her gallery on the list.

>>> If you answer, you'll have to do the same in your journal, putting me on the first place, completing the list with 17 other people. The idea of this is not to get a free feature, it is to spread art around for everyone.

1)
[link] [link] [link]


2)
[link] [link] [link]


3)
[link] [link] [link]


4)
[link] [link] [link]


5)
[link] [link] [link]


6)
[link] [link] [link]


7)
[link] [link] [link]


8)
[link] [link] [link]


9)
[link] [link] [link]


10)
[link] [link] [link]


11)
[link] [link] [link]


12)
[link] [link] [link]


13)
[link] [link] [link]


14)
[link]


15)
[link] [link] [link]


16)
[link] [link] [link]


17)
[link] [link] [link]


18)
[link] [link] [link]


I decided to add in some photos at current time, of those didn't make it into the first 17.


[link]



[link]



[link]



[link]



[link]



[link]



[link]



[link]



[link]



[link]



[link]