Cicak's Photoblog (or "AdamCLT Photography")

Before & After : KG. MANGI-PANGI

Greetings & Salam

This is just another example of my before and after processing photo. I took this shot this very morning on my way back home from Ranau. I've been going back and forth and I thought some day I'll take a shot of that and this morning I manage to find some time to do it.

This is a scene in Kg. Mangi-Pangi, one of the many villages in my hometown Tambunan

UNPROCESSED

DODGE + BURN, SHARPENING, REMOVED THE ELECTRIC WIRE

Paddy Field without Paddy

Greetings & Salam,

I believe, what makes a photographer different to one and another is; the presentation. The two pictures below are my recent shots and if you notice, the first one is a bit overcooked. I did it by creating a pseudo-HDR with some sharpening and some dodge & burning.

Meanwhile, the other picture down below has undergo minimal 'edit' such as brightness adjusting and sharpening on the little house area.

I hope you guys like it.

Square Cropping of Macro Photography

Greetings & Salam,

I once read somewhere that one way to 'break' the Rules of Third rule is by 'square cropping' your photos. So I tried square cropping these two macro shots that I took last weekend.

They do look different to me.

Any comments?

DIY 'Pringles Can' diffuser

Greetings & Salam,

At last, I find an opportunity to buy a Pringles (it was not the actual Pringles but something that mimics its cylinder can) and make a DIY 'pringles can' diffuser.

A photo enthusiast friend recommends me to build one. A super simple one just like this picture here (credits to Petapixel)

This diffuser is for the internal body flash of the camera. My SB-600's monitor is broken and I can't read anything on its monitor. Maybe I'll try and make other DIY diffusers for external flash in the future.

I know it's hideous. LOL

So this is the result. The first picture is the original photo, cropped without any adjustments whatsoever while the second one has some minor adjustments with its shadows and highlights. In other words, the second one is the 'post processed' image.

What do you think? Not bad for 'internal flash' eh?

JPNC Pre Wedding IV

Salam,

I was one of the commentary during Jebat.Net's Pre Wedding IV which was held at Majlis Belia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu recently. It was a great experience and I am happy to meet new friends and learn new stuff.

Jebat.Net Photography Community had three "Pre Wedding" photo shoots so far and this is the fourth. Photo enthusiasts from all over the country (mostly in Sabah) came. Kudos to those who came from as far as Tawau, Sandakan and Lahad Datu (8 hours drive to Kota Kinabalu!).

Here are some photos of the event, and 3 of the best shots picked by the AJKs

Group photos (taken from Jebat.Net Photography Community Facebook Group)

Group photo - Most of the participants left early.
(trying to catch the bus home I guess)

The girls.

.

These are 3 of the best shots. Each won a prize sponsored by ProArt Kota Kinabalu

Shot by Js Larrie

Shot by Soddiq Norazmi

Shot by Zack TheRunner

Groups and contestants are given special themes and places to shoot their respective couples. A 'new rule' was included to the rules and regulations of this event, which is Muslim couples are prohibited to touch each other. It was a 'trend' among local photographers nowadays to shoot pre wedding couples with daring poses which has caused so many critics (and condemns) over the Internet.
In order to set a new and 'healthy' trend, the 'new rule' is made and hopefully those participants who joined this event will stick to it for the rest of their 'photography life'.

** The couple in the first picture (shot by Js Larrie) are non-Muslims.

House spider with her 'Offsprings'

Salam,

This type of spider are all over my house. The skinny house spider. On my previous post, I posted pictures of a spider with 'her' eggs.

Now I present you a spider with her 'offsprings'. Some of them are still in the eggs shells.
The funny thing is, I shot these pictures in the toilet and I nearly fell off the chair while doing it.

House Spider with her 'Grapes'

Salam,

Trying to shoot 'macros' (or 'micros') after my wife lend her Tamron SP90 macro lens to me.
I was always fascinated with 'macro shots' and to be honest, this photography 'genre' is the actual reason why I really want to have 'photography' as my hobby.

This is a common house spider. I didn't know it was 'carrying' its eggs. I was going to kill it because my house is always full of spiderwebs. But then I remembered about the SP90 and minutes later I was down the floor, trying my best to get the best shot of this beauty.

Nikon D90, 1/100, f/16, ISO-100, FL: 90mm + Raynox DCR250 diopter macro lens adaptor , 45% crop

100 % crop of the first image

If you have tips on how to shoot better macros, be free to share. Thanks in advance :)

Hibiscus Stamen with Raynox DCR-250

Salam,

It has been a while since I last get on hold of my old camera; as it was with my younger brother most of the time. I entrusted my Canon 450D to him to make sure I get the full potential of my latest Nikon D90 (bought in March last year). Due to lack of budget, I can't buy my self a decent Nikkor zoom lens yet for my camera. That’s why I still need my old camera.

When I first bought the Canon 450D, I also bought the Canon 'budget' zoom lens which is the 55-250mm. That lens is by far the perfect one to be 'combined' with the Raynox DCR-250 to get extreme close-up if not already mimic a dedicated macro lens capability.

I don’t have insects to ‘shoot’ at but I have plenty of flowers to get the same ‘macro shooting enthusiasm’.
I bring to you, the “Hibiscus Stamen series”

Comments & critics are welcomed.
Thanks

High Key with Children

Salam,

Shot a high key photo during the children's report card signing. This is Syn

Leaving October

Salam,

It has been a long time since my last post (September?). Today is October the 30th and tomorrow will be the end of the month of October. Time sure flies very fast.

The coming month, November, is a very special month for me. I bought my first DSLR sometime in November 2008, after much persuasion from my best friend Silver Rider. Thanks for 'bringing' me to this 'DSLR world' my friend.

me in year 2009

Looking at my photo work now, I am proud to say that I have improved a lot. Thanks to my friends, photography workshops, video tutorials on Youtube etc. I met a lot of 'beautiful souls' by having this hobby. This is the best hobby ever! I made new friends and went to places I never been before. I will cherish those sweet memories forever.

I still have a long journey ahead with this hobby of mine. I seek happiness doing it and I hope I can make everyone around me happy with it too.
Oh! And I'm getting married this November too! (November is going to be a sweet month for me forever) and my future wife, is into photography too!

So what's your story? When did you get started? Feel free to share :)

At Saiful Nang's 2nd Seminar in KK Sept 2011

Salam,

Saiful Nang's 2nd Seminar in Kota Kinabalu titled "Lihat Cara SN, Shoot Cara SN & Edit Cara SN" (see, shoot and edit the Saiful Nang way) was successfully held yesterday at the Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu.
Saiful Nang is my sifu and friend so I wouldn't miss a chance to see him again if he's in Sabah.

The seminar was superb. I got to meet my friends who share the same passion and hobby. Plus, I made new friends too. I was also thrilled to see my picture in big print thanks to Su Chung of ProART.my

It's funny to think about the fact that most people *thought* that they're better off learning everything by themselves and then gets arrogant with it. I knew some people who looks down on others only because they know a little better than everybody else (or at least they thought that they know better than everybody else).

You can never, I mean, NEVER can BEAT lessons that came from a teacher. That's why, learning something by listening to somebody else's EXPERIENCE is a lot better than learning at your own. Well that depends on how enthusiast you are with what you are learning, though.

I want to express my grattitude to everyone that has been with me through all these years (has it been 'years'? LOL) of enjoying my hobby; photography.

Special thanks to my friends in JPNC, the TPG and every beautiful soul out there.

P.S: Point to Ponder, hobbyists are making 'the art of photography' to be taken lightly. Remember, there are 'full time photographers' out there who feed their family with 'photography money'. Think about that before you accept 'photography jobs' with 'little pay'. (I'll reserve this topic for another post)

PHOTO CAMP by Pirut Photography

Salam,

Just sharing an interesting information and helping my friend to pass this around.

Pirut (a photographer friend of mine) is organizing a "photo camp" on the end of this (September) month. If you haven't heard of it, and if you're on Facebook, you can go HERE and look at the event's wall.

Here are the details of the PHOTO CAMP. (as copied from Pirut's official website)

PHOTOGRAPHY CAMP @ Kg. Tambatuon, Kota Belud
organized by PIRUTphotography
target audience is Beginner to Intermediate Photographers
(Others also invited!)

DATE : 30 Sept 2011 - 02 Okt 2011
3 Days 2 Nights – RM 850.00 Per Person
CLOSING DATE : 26 Sept 2011 (Monday)

Included Lunch, Breakfast, Dinner & Supper and also your Accommodation as a Bed to Sleep laa.. :) Your transport to be at that place are not Included!

MINIMUM 20 PERSON & MAXIMUM 25 PERSON

PAYMENT INFORMATION
PAYMENT & ACCOUNT INFORMATION
10196-0-01-800107-2 (Alliance Bank) / JAPRIN THOMAS

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please Inbox OR Email JAPRIN THOMAS @ Facebook
Email – japrinthomas@gmail.com / japrin_t@yahoo.com
HP No : +60138673620
FB's : www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001937631643
LIKE MY PAGE : PIRUTphotography ( www.facebook.com/pages/PIRUTphotography/110760508968038?r... )

PHOTOGRAPHY CAMP Tentative
Venue: Rest House Kg. Tambatuon, Kota Belud (https://www.facebook.com/ResthouseKg.Tambatuon)

September 30th, 2011

8.00am – 9.30am Registration
9.30am – 10.00pm Icebreaking session and briefing by organiser
10.00am – 10.15am Tea Break
10.15am – 10.45am Exposure by Lano Lan
10.45am – 12.15pm Walk Around Kg. Tombotuon with Lano Lan
12.15pm – 2.00pm Lunch
2.00pm – 3.30pm Shooting Macro by Ramdan Nain
3.30pm – 3.45pm Afternoon Tea Break
3.45pm – 6.30pm Walk Around Kg. Tombotuon with Ramdan Nain &
Lano Lan (Macro, Sunset & Slowshutter)
6.30pm – 8.30pm Rest & Dinner
8.30pm – 10.00pm Photo Comment & Critique
10.00pm – 10.15pm Supper
10.15pm – 12.00am Night Shot (Startrail) by Lano Lan

October 1st, 2011

5.30am – 6.30amSunrise Shot with Lano Lan
6.30am - 8.30am Rest & Breakfast
8.30am – 10.15am Etiquette @ Protocol In Photography by Francis Au
10.15am – 10.30am Tea Break
10.30am – 12.30pm Journalism by Zamain Singkui
12.30pm – 2.15pm Lunch
2.15pm – 3.30pm Basic Portraiture by George Duat
3.30pm – 5.00pm Outdoor Portrait Photography (Couple & Single)*
by George Duat (Theme would be PRE-WEDDING, FASHION & BIKINI)
5.00pm – 7.30pm Rest & Dinner
7.30pm – 9.30pmPhoto Comment & Critique
9.30pm – 12.00amBarbeque (Night Shot & Startrail Shot)

October 2nd, 2011

5.30am – 6.30am Sunrise Shot
6.30am - 8.15am Rest & Breakfast
8.15am – 10.15am Photo Manipulation with Adobe Photoshop by Sam
10.15am – 10.30am Tea Break
10.30am – 12.30pm Photo Album Design with Photoshop
(Template & Custom) Part 1 by Edmund Wodjin
12.30pm – 1.45pmLunch
1.45pm – 3.00pmPhoto Album Design with Photoshop
(Template & Custom) Part 2 by Edmund Wodjin
3.00pm – 5.00pmDocumentation in Photography & Video (Francis Maluda)
5.00pm - 5.15pm Evaluation
5.15pm End of Photography Camp

* Photography models will be provided by organiser

Things To Bring :
1. DSLR with any accessories (Tripod, etc)
2. Laptop
3. Clothes @ Torch Lights @ Bath Accessories juga laa..
4. Kurupukkkk... :)

SIMPLE WORDS ABOUT THE SPEAKER

RUSLAN LUSI @ LANO LAN
Born in Kiulu, 5 Years Experience in Photography, Specialized in Metering as Exposure of Lighting., as ISO, Aperture & Shutter Speed.
Currently famous with his own trade mark "If You Trust Me". We call him as the Master of Metering. :) Check out this below link of Lano Lan!
Lano's Facebook : www.facebook.com/ruslanlusi
Lano's Photoblog : bylanolan.wordpress.com/
Lano's Flickr : www.flickr.com/people/51084768@N04/

GEORGE DUAT @ GOGDS
He is an Electrical Engineer, creativity is one of the most thing he must have as to see how the Electrical System Design and also to the Project Management. Studied Electrical Power System at University of Malaya. Has been a Photographer since 2005 but just to satisfied his heart as other., taken this photography as a Hobby. He is really great into Portrait and it was his Expertise. Click here for more about Gogds!
Gogds's Facebook : www.facebook.com/george.duat
Gogds's Photoblog : gogds.blogspot.com/
Gogds's Picasa Album : picasaweb.google.com/george.duat & picasaweb.google.com/gogds.photography

FRANCIS AU
Press Secretary to the Deputy Chief Minister at Ministry of Infrastructure Development Sabah. Studied BA (Hons) Psychology at Universiti Malaysia Sabah. With more than 10 years experience in his career now, The Etiquette & Protocol of Photography was one od the Most Important Thing that He must DO as to entertain others Press or Media Photographer and also to capture all of his DCM's Event Photos. Check out about him!
Francis's Facebook : www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001374313557

ZAMAIN SINGKUI
Worked at BerNaMa (Jurufoto Kanan), Studied at Universiti Malaysia Sabah. He is one of the 'Taiko of Journalism' in Malaysia. He is the only one of Sabahan follow PM while PM make a Job's Visiting to CHINA, LONDON, ROME and more... . As a National Media Photographer (its known as Berita Nasional Malaysia - BERNAMA), he already Travelling to The Most of Site in The World as ROME, LONDON, CHINA, BRUNEI and so on.. To know more about this Man of The Man in Town, come to see and let him Reveal his Story there!!
Zamain's Facebook : www.facebook.com/zamains
Zamain's Office : www.bernama.com/aboutbernama/bm/index.htm

EDMUND WODJIN
Diploma in Computer Graphic Design, 4 Years Experience in Graphic Design especially in Custom Album Design and also as a Full Time Custom Album Maker in one of the Famous Photo's Printing Shop in KK. Most of his client's was Studio of Photography around Sabah and and also some of Wedding Freelance Photographer. As a Full Time Custom Album Maker, Adobe Photoshop was his 'BFF' all of the day time. :)
Check out his facebook here!
Edmund's Facebook : www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1544660906

RAMDAN NAIN
Being a Photographer for more than 5 years, there is absolutely too many things we learn about photography. This photographer is awesome! He made it to learn more and more. Its not only about the wedding photography but also into journalism, macro, portrait and as well as a graphic designer.
Check his Work at here > www.facebook.com/media/albums/?id=1485411887
Ramdan FB > www.facebook.com/ramdannain

TOMIE SAM (SAM TUTORIAL)
As a Web Designer & also as a Graphic Designer in one of the famous web designer company is Sabah, Sam had a great work on this kind of media. His specialist not only into graphic but also into Sound Arrangement. Currently, he also make a part time teacher for those are really interested in Graphic Design.
Check his work here > www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.104372776324604.13115.1...
Sam's FB > www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002556477212&sk=info

FRANCIS MALUDA
Learn this media platform since 1979 at Technical Training Institute, KL. He is done with more than 50 telemovies (Bili-Bili Do was one of the group of Sabahan Artist working under this company) as a Director of Photography & Video. He is the Director of Al Mewah (Sabah) Sdn Bhd. He is also a Creative Director for LeoMedia Sdn Bhd (doing 3D Animation, Videography, Creative Media & Documentary Production), Director of the Borneo Discovery Magazine and also a Videographer for the Gimbaran Creative Media (Wedding, Event, etc). Being 25 years in this industry, Francis Maluda was one of the ‘Video’s Taiko’ in Sabah. Currently, he was doing an International Project which called Herbal Healers Documentary, granted by Ministry of Science & Technology Malaysia (MOSTI) and would be aired into National Geographic around the world.
Check out his profile / work at www.facebook.com/fsmaluda.
His website at www.gimbaran.net, www.sabahvideo.com, www.kolopis.com, www.borneodiscoverymagazine.com

There you are guys!! Come and join us to this Photography Camp!

Here is the flyer

If you are serious about getting to know what interesting stuff that you can do with your DSLR, you MUST join this Photo Camp!

Speaking from experience, I learned a lot by joining something like this (a workshop, a photo camp etc) than learning with my own pace. A lot of people out there thought that they are better off learning to 'master' their their camera on their own but it takes a lot of self enthusiasm to do so.
It is like going out to eat at some fancy place. You enjoy it more with a companion :)

So what are you waiting for? Call Pirut now!

P.S: To my friend Pirut, best of luck!

TPG Paddy Field Portraiture

Salam,

Here are some pictures from a recent photo shoot session with the TPG (Tambunan Photographers Group).

more pictures coming soon.

C & C are welcomed.

Post Processing Method

Salam,

I'm still searching for the perfect method of image post-processing. This is one of my method.

picture captured using a Sony T2

Processed image

Processed via Photoshop CS5, brightness and contrast adjust, healing stamp, used Topaz DeNoise and Topaz Clean and warm photo filter.

How do you process your pictures?

SAIFUL NANG is back to SABAH!

Salam,

Saiful Nang, one of the best local photographer that we have in Malaysia, the founder of the famous CandidSyndrome is back to Sabah!

click image for larger look

Mr. Saiful Nang will be running a seminar on September 24th 2011 at the Promenade Hotel, Kota Kinabalu. If you're interested to join, contact Mr. Jebat via his Facebook page.

Change of Blog Language

Salam,

ATTENTION!

After much consideration, I decided to change this blog's language to English. I believe most of the people who stumble upon this blog understand English (or in my case, "crappy English").

Thank you

Cinemagraph, The New Era Of 'Photography'?

Salam,

Baru-baru ini 'cinemagraph' telah menjadi isu hangat kepada dunia grafik. Apakah itu cinemagraph?
Pernahkah anda menonton filem 'Harry Potter' dan melihat gambar-gambar yang ada di dalam suratkhabar dari dunia magik mereka yang 'bergerak'? Contoh terbaik yabng saya ingat ialah gambar watak SIRIUS BLACK yang di dalam filem "Harry Potter : Prisoners Of Azkaban"

Teknik 'Cinemagraph' ini dipopularkan oleh Jamie Beck. Anda boleh cuba Google mengenainya sendiri :)

Saya pun teruja dengan dengan teknik ini kerana jika dibandingkan dengan animasi GIF yang biasa, seperti langit dan bumi.
Cinemagraph kelihatan sungguh artistik. Anda boleh melihat hasil-hasil yang mengagumkan di www.cinemagraphs.com

Dipendekkan cerita, saya terus mencari 'tutorial' mengenai 'cinemagraphs' dan selepas beberapa ketika, saya sudah berada pada tahap 'masking' berpuluh-puluh 'layers' dengan menggunakan perisian Photoshop.
Selepas mencuba teknik ini barulah saya menyedari 'limitation' pada komputer yang saya gunakan.
Untuk menghasilkan 'cinemagraph', kita harus 'bermula' dengan komputer yang mempunyai keupayaan memproses yang tinggi.

Walaubagaimanapun saya berjaya menghasilkan satu 'cinemagraph' dan akan cuba menghasilkan lebih banyak selepas meng'upgrade' komputer :)

Apakah jenis komputer yang perlu saya dapati? Ada cadangan?

Tutorial 01 & 02

Dokumentasi "Bulan Bahasa Melayu"

Salam,

Gambar-gambar kali ini ialah tugasan 'dokumentasi' untuk Program Bulan Bahasa Melayu di tempat kerja saya.
Saya sangat-sangat lemah dalam 'composition', sila komen jika ada kelemahan di dalam gambar-gambar berikut.

Exposure Correction VS Manipulated Photo

Salam,

Dahulu saya selalu tertanya-tanya jika gambar yang sangat cantik pada kalendar itu benar-benar wujud di alam nyata. Setelah membuat sedikit penyelidikan, rupa-rupanya jurugambar yang mengambil gambar untuk kalendar telah membuat sedikit 'photo manipulation' dengan menambahkan elemen-elemen yang tidak ada pada gambar.

Contohnya gambar 'Tambunan Misty Morning' yang saya ambil pagi tadi. Gambar tersebut gelap dan kelihatan 'muram'. Dengan mengubah nilai 'exposure' dan 'levels' melalui perisian Adobe Photoshop CS5, saya dapat 'membaiki' gambar tersebut. Perhatikan pula gambar di bawah di mana gambar tersebut telah saya 'stack' kan dengan gambar 'matahari' pada sudut lain.