::had quite a busy weekend.. lotsa things to do in photog..

Saturday
Sat was the photog course which we had in school.. the instructor came to our college to conduct the lesson.. went though some more concepts then went out to shoot some pics around the college campus.. already had one shot in mind.. actually I shot it before, er unexpectantly with Zhi Kai.. but wanted to further refine the idea and the execution..
we have an circular area under the fountain where LT 1-3 are.. noticed that the light coming from above seemed like a spotlight of sorts.. had the idea of somebody looking up into the light, surrounded by the light, feeling all alone, wondering what lies above.. the shot called for the circular fish-eye lens to give that expansive perspective, wanted to make the person look tiny in the area.. at first Amelia wasn't really sure about being the "model", so I volunteered myself first.. got a chair to give a higher angle, so it was more of looking down.. Amelia took a few shots, but its pretty much a hit or miss.. cos you got to stand on the chair and raise the cam up even higher.. Amelia finally agreed to stand there.. got the shot below..


all alone in this strange new world..
this was one of the better ones from the trial and error.. prob how the J1s would have felt the first time..
then met up with the teachers and instructor to discuss about the staff phototaking.. planned out how the staff were going to be arranged, whether there's sufficient space, how the shoot gonna take place, tried the different possible locations etc..
then went to eat with some of the working com ppl.. then did more planning after we came back.. wanted to try out the semi-circle area at the flag pole there.. really fond of this shot instead of the one Mr Lau suggested.. it was raining while me and Zhi Kai carried a table to visualise the shot.. then went for band pract.. nothing much special.. went to eat with Chester Shi Chie, the two J1s, Liying and Clement..

Sunday
went home quite late so woke up at 11plus.. was meeting the rest of photog for our CIP.. Spectra 365.. walked to Shines centre along Boon Keng road.. registered and waited for the event to start.. the trainer was very familar, Lye, who conducted our level camp slightly less than a year back..talked about fear, commitment etc.. that courage cannot exist without fear..
spilt into 5 groups I think.. our facil was Henry, who was a NYJC alumni.. hahaa.. then went on to the high elements.. first was the broken bridge.. Kian Hwee volunteered to be first, followed by me.. we had a choice of either going across with our eyes open or closed.. wanted to cross with my eyes closed, but when I got up there felt uneasy and fearful.. the platform was swaying slightly as I crossed.. felt quite good after reaching the other side..


the broken bridge..
got Cun Kang to hold on to my cam since he didn't bring his track-pants.. took some pics along the way..
next was the Vertical Challege.. where you have to clim the horizontal logs to reach the next level.. we had to pair up, so it was rather random.. and randomly I was picked first together with Teng Xiu from HCI.. the full body harness took some time to put on, helped her put on after I did mine.. again, there was the closing eyes option... well not exactly an option, but had to choose which of us was going up "blind".. so I was going up blind..
set our goal at the 3rd log which we had to complete in 6mins.. sat on the first log, which was rather unstable.. swang around and with my eyes closed almost fell down.. had some trouble pulling myself up to the 2nd, so offered my knee to let her go up first.. the first climb was the hardest.. after she was up, she helped me up.. struggled quite alot.. tried a few times, but in my mind just thought of my goal and just perserved on.. it drizzled slightly, which I could feel splattering on my face.. after one last push, got myself on it.. it was quite unstable clinging on the log, but once I sat up was quite ok.. keeping your balance while trying to stand up on a single log was hard.. the next climb was comparatively easier.. had a great sense of achievement as we stood on the 3rd log.. actually still had some time left and we wanted to go further but the 6 mins was up before we could even start..
had a debrief with our facil.. he commented we really worked as a team.. now I truly experience the feelings I captured during LTC.. really enjoyed working with Teng Xiu.. chatting for awhile while resting and watching the other pairs go up.. only then we realised how difficult it was.. quite a number of pairs couldn't even make it up the first one..
before we know it, it was 6 plus already.. had a more detailed briefing on what the whole project was all about.. basically we would be assigned beneficiaries, where we would have an activities day and a photography outing day.. quite similar to the one done with migrant workers.. http://www.thephotoessay.com/insideout/c1.html

Monday
Mon by right is waking up late day.. but for the past weeks thats not happening.. had staff phototaking in the morning so had to wake up early.. Wen Zhong got all the equipment ready already by the time I reached.. Mr Heng, who is also my maths tutor, was lending us his cam and lens.. he had the 10-22 and 17-85 lens.. the 2 lens I would buy if I had a dSLR..
the sun was not too bright and hot.. wanted to use the semi-circle area but Mr Lau didn't agree.. so used the steps at the side of the parade square..


checking the view..
had 3 cams just incase one doesn't work proper and also have more shots to choose from.. who's eyes not open, head tilt wrong way etc.. had a few fun shots after checking the view and arrangements while waiting for the teachers to come.. and they only came at 8.40.. arranged in order of height, then went in by rows.. had to squeeze in 150+ ppl into the shot, so turns out to be 7 rows.. had to grab some benches from the canteen in order to get the last row visible.. used some fill flash cos the sun was casting some shadows on the faces.. would have prefered to shoot in the early part of the morning, where the light isn't so bright.. but we had to abide by the time given to us..
by the time we finished shooting was just after 9.05.. still had to keep all our equipment plus put back the bench.. Zhi Kai and I had a physics test somemore.. got into the LT only at 9.15 and they already had started the paper.. didn't have time to finish the paper.. did the structured first.. then just tikum-tikum the MCQ..

Labels: photog

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.:JeReMyChAn blogged on 10:46 pm:.
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.:JeReMyChAn blogged on 11:12 pm:.
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::wanna blog about the weekend.. was pretty preoccupied over the weekend.. Sat morning had our photog course, which finally resumed after so long.. met at Clarke Quay at 8, think the station had some errors, the fire alarm message was repeating like a spoilt recorder.. bought back 2 cams, but didn't use the dSLRs.. used my trusty S80 instead..
felt quite moody, dark clouds were looming over us the whole time.. so switched to B&W mode, though I could do the conversion in the PC, but shooting it direct felt much more authentic..







then did a series of experimental shots.. was in kinda narcisstic mood, shooting myself.. hahaa.. the versatility of a compact camera..






then had to rush off to Changi Airport.. Yang Hao was leaving for Australia to further his studies, so the band wanted to send him off.. hiaz, the percussion section lost a verytalented player.. walked back to Clarke Quay MRT, actually wanted to switch at Outram.. a train was approaching the station, so didn't really think much and boarded it.. ended up transfering twice instead of once.. got to the Airport at noon, then went to find them.. they said they were going to BK to eat, so reviewed some of my pics while waiting there..
BK was quite empty, so there were plenty of seats for us.. lent Huai Yu some money, since she was short of cash.. didn't have a proper breakfast, so was quite hungry..
said our farewells outside the check-in area.. took some pics, but my cam was running out of batt.. some cried, esp the percussion ppl.. felt happy for him, since he's persuing his dreams now..


with the Clarinet Section..
Lucius was helping us take the pic, then Annie was also taking.. Annie isn't exactly tall, then Lucius placed the cam on her head, hahaa.. but then the flash caught one of her hair resulting in a streak..
then took 53 back to sch for practice.. the choir was still using the room when we got back, so quickly took our instruments and went for sectionals.. to tell you the truth, things aren't running so smoothly for me in band.. having mixed feelings.. Mr Tan spoke to me during the first few days of school after I returned the Eb.. said he would buy one, just for me.. then things changed.. maybe what Mr Ng said to me 3 years ago was right.. well, now its starting to show.. the previous sectionals took out the rather old Alto Clarinet to try out bar I in Sinfonia.. the slow part with the clarinets soli.. not that I've any qualms about switching, just feel that I could do more..
went to collect the CF cards from Zhi Kai opposite, while I was walking back, then met Mr Tan in his car.. or rather he met me.. at first couldn't recognise who it was, cos the interior's quite dark.. had a heart to heart talk with him.. told me I was inconsistent in my playing.. brought up my sec sch also.. all this while in NY, just feel uncomfortable whenever someone brings up the term Montfort.. yes I'm proud to be a Montfortian, but I hate the way people generalise about the school.. makes me feel like I shouldn't even be here, just a few of us every intake.. unlike the flood of AMK/Xin Min ppl.. like I'm some statistical abnormality.. but I am here..

Sunday had to go down to Bras Basah for the preliminary selections.. the first time I'm seeing how my pics turned out.. the facilitator jokingly commented that I shouldn't take so many nice pics, then so hard to select.. there were some nice ones, had only 1 shot prior to this that I knew was THE ONE.. was waiting at Hougang Mall and they had a celebration there also.. then there was a tent with some graffiti art displays in it.. there was one particular one board on the ground which read "Bye-bye 2006".. waited for somebody to walk off the board, then used a slow shutter speed to create motion blur.. the pic turned out quite nice, the right timing of him stepping off the board.. suggests a sense moving on from 2006..
the next pic was a pleasant suprise.. my family together with my cousins went out for lunch on the 31st also.. was a very spontaneous shot, just happen to catch my grandfather peering over at my cousin.. they were both eating, then my cousin was using a bowl and chopsticks while my grandfather was using a plate and fork and spoon.. quite an interesting juxtaposition.. then with another customer in the background between them and the background showing pics from the past to the present, it completed the composition.. but then can't get my pics back until after the exhibition, which hopefully some of my pics would get selected..


was raining then walked to Marina Square to have my lunch.. ordered a black pepper beef set from Cavana.. not bad, except the egg got mixed up with the rice.. and its a hotplate so it kinda cooked into the rice.. wanted to take a bus home from the Esplanade.. then as I walked there suddenly realised that CO had a free performance there at 3.. called up my class. then just nice met them outside the entrance to the concert hall.. the turn out was quite ok for a free concert.. attending a different genre of concert for a change..
then met Yew Tat at the concert.. hahaa, then he said SP were having a concert also.. in an hour's time.. its free, so why not.. waited for his friends to come then took a bus to VCH.. it was at 5, then if there's a concert at SCH at 7 can complete the set.. hahaa.. they played some quite familar pieces, including Fantasy Variations.. which is quite technically challenging.. oh yea, they had a Contra-Alto clarinet (I think, cos I recall a Contra-Bass is much bigger, like you can stand up and play) and there was a solo for it.. the low notes are really impressive..
then went for dinner with my family.. well, my bro and mom anyway.. since my dad's in Indonesia helping out with the missing plane and all..

Labels: photog

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.:JeReMyChAn blogged on 10:21 pm:.
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::already close to 3am in the morning.. wanna blog to get somethings off my chest.. lotsa things happened during this past 3 days especially.. had new teachers for photog, Mr Lau and Mr Seng.. Since it the start of a new year and having new teachers, the teachers wanted us to sort out the way we run the CCA.. which franking speaking, needs to be, cos our organisation issn't exactly up to standard..
Monday was quite a long day, as with Friday.. only Tues and Thurs we end quite early.. Monday was quite special, this year Monday the sch allocated a one hour free period at the start, so everyone could come an hour later, plus trying out a new system of starting 15mins later, only need to get to our first lesson at 9am.. met Ming Shi for her pics, then went to copy out in the library.. then 9am begins the start of a long day.. last period was PE, didn't do much, took height and weight.. then Mr Lau wanted to meet us about the CCA Bazaar.. compiled the pics for O1 and the exhibition pics over the weekend.. didn't finalise the pics for exhibition only until Mon evening.. Hui Yen wants to print some and Si Hui too, they got a couple of landscape pics from their overseas trip.. ended quite late, then rushed to Bras Basah to get the mounting boards.. then rushed to KT Photo to send the pics for printing.. already almost 8 by then, then took the train back to sch to keep the mounting boards in the darkroom.. even though the mounting boards aren't heavy, they are very hard to hold, imagine holding a extremely large piece of board and walking around.. reached home close to 10..
Tue's my shortest day, but still have lotsa things to do.. rushed back home to get the mounting spray and burn a DVD of the O1 pics cos Mr Lau said my SD card couldn't be read.. then that DVD also can't be read.. what the heck, it works perfectly fine on my com leh.. better work this time with my thumbdrive.. then rushed to return back the Eb clarinet to Ray, was raining by then, so practically ran in the rain.. took a cab to collect the pics, cos the rest were waiting for me at the darkroom, think they didn't hear properly, then the pics were bordered.. although I could ask for a reprint, but practically no time for that.. some of the landscape pics look good with a border but some don't.. took the train back, except this time without the clumbersome mounting board.. still had to buy plastic boards for backing.. asked Amelia and Boon Kiong to help out, quite efficient, already cut the mounting boards by the time I got back.. mounted the pics, cut the plastic boards, did the posters.. stayed till almost 8 to settle everything, well not everything, still haven't get the display boards for the exhibition and get the pamplets photocopied.. Li En also stayed back quite late to prepare for her Piano Ensemble.. can relate to her very well, since we're often very busy.. spent alot of money in 2 days, and only left $2 in my wallet.. still had to print the pamplets, Hui Yen helped us to put the posters and she was still with her friends.. lent from her some money to print.. got to the place Zhi Kai suggested, quite ulu, but its cheap.. freaking tired by the time I got home.. still had Maclaurin Serie's which I haven't done and its due..
was close to my breaking point by Wednesday.. coupled with GP essay test, the various reps hunting for mony and homework, Melissa telling me off for the posters brought me to the very edge.. then the Maclaurin Series that Joel need to collect I haven't done, and our new maths teacher was Mr Heng.. he really blew up in Maths lecture today, scolding us for talking etc.. then that imagine appeared in my mind, that was it.. unhappily put down my bag and clarinet which I almost lost in LT 4 cos I forgot to take it with me when I left.. really can't take the stress and pressure anymore and broke down.. Ms Shahida came to find out whats wrong, just told her can't take the stress and pressure of this past few days.. the first time I buckled under stress and pressure.. at that moment, just feel just wanting to talk it out with another person, like a best friend or something.. yea, there may quite alot of peolpe I'm close to, but theres no one person thats closest.. as I said in a previous post, just feel there's a lack of support, or encouragement.. that little boost if you wanna see it that way.. that feeling lasted though the Principal talk, which remined us of the impending A levels and that didn't help.. a little hug and a "Jeremy, its OK.." would work wonders here..
the "warmth" as Gloria would put it.. seeing her inside and outside of band is like seeing two different persons.. in band she's the bubbly and cheerful little girl we come to know of, outside band esp during sch hours, she gives me that depressed feeling.. speaking of band, felt much better after stepping into the band room and setting up my instrument.. just played whatever I felt like playing, though could barely hear myself over the rest of the people.. the feeling faded away once we performed.. just played my feelings out, really didn't care what the audience thought.. if I had a solo I would just play it all out.. something I feel is lacking in some of the more "emo" solo parts.. not expressive enough..
Mr Tan and the teachers echoed my view in the band room.. its like an either or variable in the band.. when we are playing outdoors, we enjoyed oursleves very much, but musically wise leaves more to be desired, then when playing indoors, intonation, balance all that quite good, but as Mr Tan puts it we're just playing the notes on the score, not the music on the score..
the 2nd performance was much better, Leon also got the audience more involved.. then went over to photog booth to see what's happening.. not bad, got alot of people that signed up.. alot credited to Hui Yen cos she went to "borrow" the choir's mic to announce.. hahaa.. too many infact, not enough cams to go round.. the teachers met with the Ex-Co to iron out all our duties, making them clear-cut.. ended the day on a slightly more positive note with a compliment from Mr Lau..

wah, 4am already, but feel much better after having "penned" my thoughts down.. so much for these past few days..

Labels: rant

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.:JeReMyChAn blogged on 3:00 am:.
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::back tracking this post.. didn't have much time to blog in the past few weeks and don't wanna leave this "unblogged" and forgotten..
went to the Night Safari with the band on Friday.. why you might ask? well, our SYF set piece was of the same name, and guess where the composer got his inspiration from? yup, so why not experience the real thing and have a better understanding/interpretation of the music.. had a short band practice till about 7, where we had dinner aka chicken rice.. then left for AMK interchange..
a 138 was about to leave as we arrived at the interchange, actually we could board the bus, but the other half of the group wasn't here yet.. so waited for them..

Labels: band, night safari

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.:JeReMyChAn blogged on 11:48 pm:.
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::haven't been updating lately.. the last day of the year was quite busy.. sorry to disappoint those expecting lotsa pics in this post but thats the disadvantage of film.. probably will do another post once I get my pics back..
participated in Eye é City 2006, a visual record of the last 24Hrs.. their website is http://eyeecity.blogspot.com for those who wanna know more about it.. basically, every year ppl who sign up go around the island on the last day of the year taking pics that best represent the prev year..
set up a challege for myself, to shoot film.. they were gonna give you the film and process it for you, so why not.. after all you have to pay a $12 registration fee.. went to Bras Basah Complex to collect the film and register.. can't show you the pics that I took cos they haven't returned me the negatives with the CD yet.. going to select the 3 pics on the 14th, so the moment of truth arrives there..
did bring along my S80, but didn't really shoot much with it.. initially thought I could just take one with film and another with digital.. but there were some moments that you just can't repeat.. the details of the 31st I'll do once I get my pics back.. so in the mean time, leave you with the only (digital) pic I took on the 31st..

Labels: Pics

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.:JeReMyChAn blogged on 6:15 pm:.
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