Went to KL almost a month or so ago, to do a coverage of Didi and Khalil's wedding there. Did quite a number of things over there, of which sightseeing and being a tourist was one of them. Wouldn't have gone to the Aquaria at the KL Convention Centre if Nikki and Mashee didn't drag me out there. But it was good times anyway, snagging the above photo made the RM38 entry fee just bearable.

Ok, list of things I did there this time.

1. Rode on a bike during a wedding coverage. Weirdest, moment, ever.

2. Finally got to visit YL Camera at Pudu Plaza. Had to sneak out really early for this, so I wouldn't get dragged out for shopping. Truly a mecca for photographic fiends everywhere. Ask for anything here, photography wise, they'd surely have it, if not at the back, it'd be upstairs in their other unit(!). Got some lightstands for me, and a servicing for my camera body. Ask for these stuff from other retail shops in the big shopping centres in KL, I'd bet you'd be met with a blank stare.

3. Stayed at other places than Bukit Bintang; stayed somewhere near Jalan Masjid India, and then moved out to a posh hotel at Mid Valley, called The Gardens. The area where we stayed initially is particularly good for my early morning wanderings. I frequently visit a small shop selling top ups for the Malaysian telephone line (those things run out pretty quickly if I may say so.) and stop by the numerous mamak eateries dotting the place. A lot of things to shoot really.

4. Met a lovely model over laksa, and shot another.

All in all, quite a fun experience, and I'm honored to be able to cover Didi and Khalil's wedding events, from Brunei all the way to Senawang. Wish I could join you guys in Amsterdam!

Labels: KL, Paid Shoot, Photography, Trippin', weddings

Posted by SoulJah at 1:42:00 AM

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I've just realized I haven't posted quite a lot of Trippin' photos lately, as I have not been out of the country with the camera lately. So in an effort to bolster my Trippin' collection on this site, I'll have to regurgitate some photos I've taken from my New Year's trip to KL.

As I was waiting for everyone to return from their shopping, initially I tried to sleep off the afternoon to lessen the effect of the previous boat/plane/bus/LRT ride, but how can you when KL is beckoning just downstairs? So with camera in hand, I set out to explore a bit of Jalan P. Ramlee, and what it has to offer.

Instantly as I set out of the apartments, this was waiting for me at the shoulder of the intersection. Composing it against the background of blaring lights and music, sets off a tone of normalcy against the hectic city life. Great area we stayed in actually, stalls just down the road, a small grocery shop (important!) and a great Indian eatery just a bit of walk away down a small road, where I get my breakfast everyday while everyone's still out of it on their beds.

I find that I'm a bit reluctant to shoot on the streets of KL. While the other lads are more than happy to hang around and shoot their hearts content along Jalan Bukit Bintang, I still feel a bit concerned about whipping the darn thing out in public. My lenses aren't actually tiny, save for the 50mm and the 105mm, but I tricked myself that I'd be more inclined to shoot in public only if I have the 50mm with me. I'd have done so too, if we weren't too busy shopping and eating! Yeah, show me to the nearest Adidas boutique or sports apparel shop, I guarantee you you'd find a shopaholic in there (me!).

Oh I wanted to try the steamboat after a long night of partying, but at 3AM, it was already gone. Darn.

Labels: Equipment, KL, Photography, Trippin'

Posted by SoulJah at 10:13:00 PM

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First and foremost, Happy New Years 2009 everyone! Hope you had an awesome time in 2008, an awesomer time at New Year's Eve, and the awesomest time in the year ahead!

As you can clearly see, I was back in KL to do a spot of partying, a spot of R&R, and a spot of photography, if you can believe that. Figured I'd stuff my bag full of clothing rather than photography items, I gambled on just bringing my D300 body and 50mm f/1.4D, as my main target was to do another shoot with my fave model there. And I've worked out a booking with Ted Adnan and Barebones Studio so I have my shooting space and lighting gear ready when I got there, so I have the opportunity of utilizing a bigger shooting space, without having to lug my heavy lightstands around, as my backpack is heavy enough, and finally get a chance to meet one of the region's Strobist heroes.

My travel was not without it's perils. The boat, Seri Anna, taking me to Labuan disembarked so late and travelled so slow that by the time I reached Labuan terminal, I was literally already late for check-in at the AirAsia counter at Labuan Airport. Got out of the terminal, I whistled for a cab and when it came near The license plate said fresh and it had dice in the mirror. If anything I could say that this cab was rare, but I thought, "Nah, forget it. Yo, holmes to Bel-Air!" I pulled up to the house about 7 or 8 and I yelled to the cabbie, "Yo holmes smell ya later!" Looked at my kingdom I was finally there, to sit on my throne as the prince of Bel-Air.

...sorry, sorry... Internet meme... Had to do it...

Anyway I whistled for a cab, got in as fast as I could, paid him double so he could get me to the airport within like, 5 minutes, jumped out when I got there, ran to the counter. I asked what the closing time for the counter was, and he said, "9:45"; the exact time I have on my watch. The same kinda thing happened as well when I was going to KLIA's LCCT. Finished the shoot quite late at 4pm, while my flight was supposed to be 6pm. Ted's studio was in Kajang. KLIA was quite a ways away. Traffic was jammed.

Under the predicament at hand, the model need not send me to LCCT, she was late for an appointment anyway. But she sent me still anyway, getting lost in the process. And people wonder why she's my favourite model... Well fortunately that's the end of my perilous journey to KL. Hopefully in the near future, I'd pick out far better travel arrangements so as not to stress myself out during my supposed R&R session.

Anyway, here's an ubiquitous shot of Petronas Twin Towers at night. I'll post other shots soon. Again, limiting myself to one lens is quite a good exercise in getting the shooting cobwebs out. More shots to come soon!

Labels: Architecture, Equipment, KL, Photography, Season's Greetings, Trippin'

Posted by SoulJah at 11:52:00 AM

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Labels: KL, Outing, Photography, Trippin'

Posted by SoulJah at 5:48:00 PM

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Labels: Architecture, Documenting, Experiment, KL, Landscape, Outing, Photography, Trippin'

Posted by SoulJah at 1:25:00 PM

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