Taipei (2009) - Scooters - A Rain Shot

Still on scooters (see previous blog entry).

Scooters scooters everywhere. I think I've grown to love taking photographs when or after drizzle.

Unlike taking a shot in daylight which one could leverage on the shadows and its cast angles to create stunning image effects, rain on the other hand, creates a different opportunity. Instead of casting shadows, the water in the surrounding context casts reflections which could be very useful in photograhy.

This shot above, however, could not really demonstrate what I have just said, but you could see the reflections of the scooters on the bottom right of the image. This photo's focus is on the passing vehicles at the background. Thus creating a feel for movement while the scooters are in their stationary position.

Taipei (2009) - Scooters - Naturally Neat

Many things the Taiwanese have normalized and accustomed to to do as society has amazed me. One of the first things I noticed is that stark contrast on how everyone parks their scooters by the road.

It is just amazing. In fact to simply say amazing is an understatement. Why so? It is easier to be neat and to follow public rules for parking when one is not in a rush and when there are ample space to maneuver the bike. The parking lots for scooters (or motocycles) in Taipei are actually quite scarse because of the large number of "scooter'ist" on the road.

Despite the number of riders trying to find a lot even if they have to literally squeeze in between a gap the size of a paper thickness, I've not (yet) caught any parked scooter whose handle is not positioned to the left.

That is not all, this societal rule applies also to bicycles. Amazing isn't it?

Taipei (2009) - National Palace Museum

National Palace Museum under the clear blue sky.

Wild Flower

A digitally modified and enhanced photograph of a wild flower taken many years back.

Taipei (2009) - Shilin Night Market - Kittens for Sale

Shilin Night market has a corner that sells animals and birds of all kinds. Most of them looked very cute and cuddly. Well, of course they have to be otherwise who'd be buying them...

Taipei (2009) - Insects

It was evening time. On our way back to our hostel we came across a fruit stall. We decided to buy some fruits. A flying insect crossed my path and stopped over some pears. Very quickly... and I mean VERY QUICKLY, I snapped a shot of it at rest.

Taipei (2009) - Beef Noodle

Dinner Time! I like the way the guy in yellow looked at the camera. =)

Taipei - Ice Jelly Dessert @ Shilin Night Market

We were at the Shilin Night Market for dinner. Before heading off to soak into the market atmosphere we got ourselves a cool ice jelly dessert. It was really nice. The sight of the bucket full of jelly and floating lime reflecting the ceiling light was even more captivating at least for me.

Taipei (2009) - Black Ball Dessert & Plant on Table

We were at a dessert stall having Mango dessert with Black Balls. Nope I didn't get it wrong. Not black pearls... black balls. Sounds wonky I know. By the way, their website is http://www.blackball.url.tw/.

And every table is decorated with a little potted plant. Refreshing.

Taipei - National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall

Guards in the National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall.

Taipei - National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall

Our first few days in Taipei was sort of dampened by the occasional showers. However while we were making our way up the National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall, I noticed at the joints of the steps, little plants. They looked very fresh because of the rain drops on the leaves. Water on the ground makes the scene complete with contrasting reflections both from the leaves and the sky.

At the point of time when I bent down to take a shot of the plant, I can sense many eyes looking at me and wonder what on earth I am doing... I know I just noticed something so natural and beautiful but so easy to miss. That little plant made my day.

Taipei - National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall

One of our first tour around Taipei was the National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall. The most impressive was not really the building. It was how guards were deployed to guard the statue of of the former president Chiang Kai-Shek.

Anyway, back to photography... I observed that many tourist took photos of the magestic building. And in the internet you will find countless similar shots of the same building with some variations of its perspective depending on where they were at the time the shot was taken.

I decided that that was pretty boring. So I focused on the beautiful blooms as the foreground and took at shot with the building as the backdrop. Well, I think I can still appreciate the beauty of the building without a somewhat common perspective taken by most photographers.

Taipei - Sashimi!

This is my share of sashimi. Huge thick slices of tuna and salmon.
Nice color. Good to eat too.

Droooooooool....

Taipei - Ximending

Somewhere tucked around Ximending was an exhibition on arts and films. This very old calculator was on display.

Urinal @ The Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3

Wonder if you have heard this phrase 'We aim to please, you aim please'. This phrase is directed only to male users. Male toilet users. Male toilet urinal users to be more precise. I guess the designer for this urinal understood how very 'well' a man uses the urinal.

I think the image of the 'housefly' as a target on the wall explains how much fun one would have while... pissing. =)

Fire-Extinguisher @ The Singapore Airport Terminal 3

Hsinying went to the toilet before we made our way to the boarding gate to Taipei this June.

I was waiting outside the men's toilet and found the fire-extinguisher amusing as it just looked like a red-bodied bird with a very weird round beak facing the wall. It looked pretty angry too. Just then Hsinying walked out of the toilet. I did thought of taking a photo of her coming out of the toilet as part of the photo story board for our trip to Taipei.

The fire-extinguisher as the foreground immediately became the most desirable foreground. I've decided to focus on the fire-extinguisher instead. 'Ahem...'

Kuala Lumpur - Palace of the Golden Horses (2009)

That was my tradition toast ordered from Old Town Coffeeshop. Quite crispy and tasty.

Very photogenic too. =)

Kuala Lumpur - Palace of the Golden Horses (2009)

I think we should be in Times Square in Kuala Lumpur... (?) or another shopping mall?
Anyway, had coffee in Old Town Coffeeshop and traditional toasts. And walked around in the lobby and coincidentally was an exhibition of Mazda cars. Then maybe I thought I should fill in the lens with some of those logos and signs.

Partial close-up showing the yellow lit sign-board and subsequently the brightly lit Mazda logo makes a nice photo composition. Don't really need to have everything in all the time...

Kuala Lumpur - Palace of the Golden Horses (2009)

Magpies basking in the warm morning sun.

Fire Hydrant @ BBSS

It was one of those lazy hot June holidays afternoon after an entire day of D&T coursework consultation with some of my graduating students. I was in my car about to drive off from the first lot and noticed a very capturable context. A bright red fire hydrant basking in the foreground with bright red sun-shades decorating the Design and Technology workshop. The sky color was also wonderful.

Kuala Lumpur - Palace of the Golden Horses (2009)

Lunch time... display by a single stock of rose in a wine glass standing beautifully in the centre of the round meal table. Quite a pleasant sight when there are dozens of rows of tables with a consistent display configurations.

Took a close-up shot from my table. Then realised something missing. I liked the close-up shot very much but somehow it feels dull. Before the second shot, I sprinkled some water extracted from the wine glass and immediately, the pretty rose sprang to live. Now you should understand why florist sprayed their flowers with water and the fruit guy who sprays water on their fruits. To make them look fresh and pleasant.

I proceeded to take another close-up. This time changing the color to setia. =) BEAUTIFUL!!! I LOVE IT. =)

Kuala Lumpur - Palace of the Golden Horses (2009)

Lift Lobby Lighting Display

Every lift lobby was decorated elegantly with displays like photograph shown above. Warm lightings were used to create a very warm environment.

The potted Orchid plant tastefully placed in the middle give the Victorian theme a tint of Chinese. Very unique combination.

Kuala Lumpur - Palace of the Golden Horses (2009)

Bedside Table Lamp: Bronze horse

(Close-up shot taken diagonally up from the floor)

Table Lamp: Bronze horse

Some where in the hotel which I forgot where...

(Close-up shot taken diagonally up from the floor)

We were at the Palace of the Golden Horses in Kuala Lumpur for our annual church camp this year. Someone asked the receptionist how many horses are there hotel and there are 8888 of them. '8' is an auspicious number for Chinese.

There were many horse figurines within and outside the hotel. But I can't find any 'gold' ones though.

Hong Kong Relaxed (2007)

That is my wife relaxing while reading a magazine and me sipping coffee and looking out for nice shooting perspectives. This final image concludes the series of Hong Kong trip photos.

Coming up next:

A selection of ARPC Church Camp Photos 2009.

Followed by 'Holiday in Taipei' Photos taken in June 2009...

Hope you enjoyed my photos so far.

Hong Kong Ocean Park (2007)

It was Christman period when we were in Hong Kong. The Ocean park wasn't spared with beautiful Christmas decorations that caught my eyes with the brightly colored bear and snowman figures in stark contrast to the greens from the background.

The entire context soothes the eye and creates an unparalleled tranquility.

Hong Kong Ocean Park (2007)

Nice wheel. But didn't get on that one.

That was my time on the roller coaster in Hong Kong. There are two in the Ocean Park. The first ride sent my heart right to the throat. The second ride I sort of figured out a breathing technique so that even when I plunge vertically down or forced a 360, I remained calm and composed. And that worked pretty well. =) The second ride was more fun...

Hong Kong Ocean Park (2007)

Went to the Jelly Fish Exhibit in Ocean Park there housed various species of... Jelly Fish! Colored lights were artificially cast in the tank on the Jelly Fish to enhance and stimulate the visual senses of the visitors. It is enough to spur me on to take a couple of shots. Smile Jelly Fish!!!

Hong Kong Ocean Park (2007)

Walking along the pathway and passing through a building with large white vertical pillars. The backdrop was a very high constrating clear blue sky. That was not the most spectacular thing. Several eagles circled in the sky. Looking through the pillars on the eagles feels like looking out of a window. Managed to snap a decent photo of an eagle soaring pass.

Hong Kong Outdoor (2007)

Other than the sub-way; the every efficient MTRs in Hongkong, there are other very interesting modes of transportation to the various tourist destinations.

To THE PEAK, we queued a loooooooooog time and sqeeeeeeeezed the sweat out to get on the tram en-route to THE PEAK. We could have taken an alternative transport but to miss riding on the TRAM is to render the trip incomplete. I got the photograph from a perspective slightly lower than eye level and included the background watch advertisement and its building to cover the entire image. Overall it has this very earth tonal expression with tones and shades of brown:grey and a timeless feeling.

I think the cable car was when we were on our way to the Ocean Park. Very colourful cable cars and you can hear 'you got to take a shot of us!'. If i remembered correctly, the cable cars were taken when we were off the platform already hanging in mid-air. The relaxed sun-basking effect on the cars triggered my shutter hands to take a shot.

Hong Kong MTR (2007)

Hong Kong is well-known for its efficiency in transportation. Most Hong Kong working class commute to work via the sub-way. It is so well interconnected that there is almost no need for a car. Above many of the stations are shopping malls and within the subway itselfs are mini self-sustaining shopping havens. Basically, what you can find and get above gound, you could find them underground. Apparels, food, groceries, toys & magazines, you name it.

Though crowded and noisy during the peak hours (note: unlike the Japanese subway which is very quiet where no body really talks to each other or over the phone in the name of politeness), when the train cabins are vacated, they are spotlessly clean.

Another thing I love about the Hong Kong train is they have an indicator to show you where you are at any point in time on a map just above the doorway.

I wonder how this simple strategy to get people around and knowing where they are took Singapore so long to notice. The train system is something Singapore can't beat, another is the status of a shopping & food paradize.

Hong Kong Patterns (2007)

Sometimes we eat in restaurants. This time happens to be in a chinese desert restaurant (above image) and a Japanese restaurant (image below). Both have very outstanding wall features that brings out the 'richness' in gold with its warm yellow interior lighting. Very intricate designs that shows their focus on ambience.

Hong Kong Buildings (2007)

Buildings that makes use of glass and reflection facade usually brings out some character out of the structure. Depending on the the angularity of the surfaces reflected light and the colors of its surrounding, it provides the contrast in color and tone of the overall building depite it being similar in color scheme to begin with. It is both a clever and effective way of enhancing the effective aesthetics of a building.

The last one in yellow and cyan tint is the hotel we stayed in called Ibis Hotel. We prefer the one in Bangkok.