Envy

Credits
Model: Nadine

Time. Sometimes you have too much of it, and sometimes too little. Some days remind you that you need to make the most of it.

Flying Dragons

Forgive the post title, I just couldn't come up with interesting names to call this post. There was a state-wide blackout yesterday that lasted for around six hours and even more in other places as the power was restored in stages. As chaos had surely ensued within the city, I was left completely bored and without anything to do. I set out once again with my camera into the garden. Just as I wondered if there was anything interesting to take photos of, a dragonfly caught my attention as it flew around and perched itself on the branches of a dead plant which had more dragonflies.

Its times like these that make me wish I had a macro lens. The few dragonflies that were sitting on those branches didn't scare too easily and they just sat there the whole time I was taking photos, even when I got really close with the lens. These photos were all shot at f/8 to try and get more of them in focus. 

An interesting thing I found was that auto focus in situations like these where there are plenty of other objects such as branches or leaves in the frame which are high in contrast can be a challenge for the 6D. Whether using the center AF point or selecting all of them was really difficult to pinpoint towards any of the dragonflies as it tends to back focus instead towards the bush in the background.

The only solution I came up with was to get really close and select the center AF point as well as filling most of the center frame with the subject, making it easier for the AF system with just a slight adjustment with the FTM focus ring as I switched angles.

First State

Credits

Model: Nadine Dargham

Me, Mahira and Nadine went on another photo shoot at Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort. I was completely off my game because we arrived and started the shoot just before noon. It got too bright and hot very quickly so I stopped while Mahira continued.

End of May

I'm back again. I had been busy the entire month preparing for my final semester exams. Now that its all over, all I have to do is just wait for my results before graduation. I cant believe how three years have gone by so quickly. I mean I'm glad that its over, but I guess the feeling hasn't really sunk in yet. It feels strange to think that there wont be any more lectures to attend.

Anyway, These are some photos of caterpillars from the garden, I hadn't used my camera for so long that I was actually worried I forgot how to use it. These caterpillars were on the same plant. They seemed to like it so much that there were several more around. Sadly they all looked the same so there wasn't much to shoot.

Training Session

Here are some photos from a couple of our university football team training sessions that Gavin, Mahira and myself helped to photograph. Gavin even helped carry a little puppy that went astray to reunite with it's mother.

Another Perspective

Shot these with a 50mm lens in reverse which shortens the minimum focus distance for a "macro-like" effect. Haven't had the chance to do any portrait sessions recently. Hope to be able to make time for one soon.

More Than Nature

Been away for the past week. I finally have the time to post and I have lots to update soon :D

Nature, Subjects and Time

Been busy *sigh* I just couldn't find the time to update my blog as often as I would like (the post title was decided in like two seconds). Uni is about to start and I already have so many things to do. There's also the dilemma of choosing either 4 or 5 subjects this semester. I was incredibly stressed out the last time I took 5 and It seems that most of my friends are taking that. I would really hate to take a class alone next semester especially if it's a difficult one.

I will be uploading photos of the recent wedding on the next post so keep an eye out for it :) I'm hoping to make time to get more photos up here. I feel like I have been neglecting my blog.

Walking Around The Garden

This is where I usually go to for some inspiration. It always provides something different to shoot and it never takes too long to find something interesting. Although it is good to have diverse garden with many different species of plants, insects and bugs, having it right next to a sort of jungle presents problems because it attracts many wild and dangerous creatures like cobras, monitor lizards, scorpions and on occasion, a chicken from one of the houses above the hill.

I would love to write more but I am still extremely busy. There is so much left to do and I really need all the rest I can get. 

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

This is the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM lens. I had my eye on this lens for a very long time and now it's mine. I needed a better performing lens than the basic kit lens I have which is the Canon EF-S 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 IS. It now serves as a backup lens.

The Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM lens has a fantastic review and to be honest after only a few hours of testing, I could see the amazing quality that this lens produces and it completely performs up to the expectation.

The second image with the lady bug is actually a 56% crop from the original. This was shot at 55mm f/2.8 and clearly shows that this lens is sharp wide open.

This lens features FTM full time manual focusing and is capable of very fast and very quiet focusing thanks to the USM ultrasonic motor.

I cant say more actually since I haven't found anything wrong with it. This is a brilliant lens and I'm hoping to shoot great photos with it in the future.

Click Here for the review at the Digital Picture. 

Familiar Stranger

I'm beginning to think that our garden is some sort of magnet for various wild creatures which are either dangerous or poisonous. I lost count of how many times monitor lizards such as this one have literally just dropped into the garden.

This one in particular slipped from the top of the retaining wall and got caught on the vines which in my opinion really helped it to pose for the camera :)

This was taken on the same day that I was supposed to go out for a photo shoot like I mentioned on the previous post. It rained the whole day (of all days!) so we had to postpone.

Out of Sync

Effervescence

Haven't been able to go on photo outings recently. I got sick again but I'm getting better. The good thing is that there will be a shoot in a few days and I cant wait for it :)