Shine

John Legend & The Roots - Shine

"Every human deserves an opportunity. Every human has potential. It needs to be developed, it needs to be cultivated. The best way to do that is to make sure that every kid has a good education. These beautiful minds trapped inside. Bring them back to life. Let them shine" - John Legend

Let them shine, let me shine again~
Everyone has potential, everything has potential. Just like the two of us. We just need to develop and take an opportunity to make it work again, just like from day one. Remember the first time we said those three words? It is time for us to shine again~

I don't mind...

Vancouver

I don't mind where you want to be or what you want to do.

All I want you to know is that I will always be there.

Remember that I am there to make things fair.

Just don't forget me so.

I miss you...

Questions?

Few people recently or in the past has asked me questions about me as a photographer and I have decided to write down all their questions and my answers on this blog post.

Lets start!

1. What kind of camera do you use?
- I use a Nikon D3000 (My first and only DSLR so far)

2. What lens do you own and use?
- I have 3 different lenses, the standard 18-5mm VR, 55-200mm VR telephoto and one prime lens 35mm 1.8F

3. What programs do you use to edit your photos?
- I use Photoshop CS5 and Picasa when I am lazy.

4. What kind of photos do you like to take the most?
- I mostly take landscape photography, however I do have great interest in taking photos of people too. Macro is something that I sometimes do, but not often. If I had to pick a certain object or thing that I like to photograph the most, that would be clouds. They are just very unpredictable and always comes in different kind of size and shapes. One of those photos that you would be only able to capture once in a lifetime.

5. What got you into photography?
- To be honest, I was never a big fan of photography until I started to take photos with my friend's DSLR. I have always and still a big fan of electronics and gadgets and I guess the camera caught my attention after that encounter.

6. What is your best and worst photography moment?
- Best and worst moment actually came from the same day. It was one of the best moments because I was able to photograph with a very special person and also of that special person. The shoot took place on a summer late afternoon at UBC Wreck beach. The whole time, I was really happy even though I knew all of the happiness would end. The sun was up in the sky, but covered with clouds. The sea rocked back and forth, but not too strong to create big waves. Just gentle silent waves, similar to the whole photography shoot. It was also my worst moment in photography because while I was so focused in taking a picture, capturing one of the best moments, I slipped into the ocean and my whole feet got soaking wet. The only positive was that it was only my leg, nothing more than that! However, we were pretty far away from my car, so I had to walk for a long time until I was able to take off my shoes and dry them.

7. Do you have a favourite picture that you took? If so why?
- Favourite picture? I actually have quite a few on my mind that I can think of. For sure there is one where stands out the most. Why it does? Well it captures everything I see and don't see at the same time. The picture just speaks greatly towards me. I would share the photograph, however, I would need the consent of that person. Despite that, I can share this other photograph that is one of my favourite photographs that I have taken.

Shores of Stanley in Hong Kong

This photograph was taken in the summer of 2010 when I went back to Hong Kong.

These are the questions that I get the most from people and if you have any more questions, feel free to ask me!

Cheers,

Kevin

"Where there is love, there is hope"

Batman & Two-Face (Harvey Dent)

"Where there is love, there is hope" - Batman

This quote is from Batman that was said in the episode "Two-Face Part II" about Two-Face's (Harvey Dent) situation.

Is there hope for me?

Kevin

Life with Decisions

Which step to take?

We all ask ourselves which is the right decision or the right step to take in life everyday. Everything we do will reflect on our future, small or big. But, how does one come down to these decisions. Just like that bird in the picture, there are so many stumps that he could have landed on, but why that one? Was it a much safer place? More beautiful? or simply just that one because it was the first one he saw? No one will know unless we ask him that and of course, we can't really ask a bird that question, can we now? 

During life there are decisions what we are proud that we have made and some that we regret making. I have made a lot of decisions in life that I am very proud of and still thinking about them. I have always been proud of making the right decision of going to the university that I wanted and taking the courses that I found interesting. The people that I have met have been amazing and wonderful. However, I have always wonder what if I went to the other University that I was also considering going. I would be studying totally different subjects and meeting different types of people. And I wonder, what if I made that decision, how would my life be right now? 

Obviously I do not  regret my original decision because I have had so many experiences with people, friends, school that I will never forget. There were so many life changing experiences that I experienced because of my decision of going to the university that I am in now. I am truly grateful for all the opportunities that I have received because of that decision. However, there are still many decisions that I regret or wished that I never had to experience or make.

So, can we always make the right decisions? Or do we think its the right decision because we want to believe that it is the right decision? To be honest, I think I have. For sure I think there are some decisions that deep down in my heart I know its the wrong one, but try to play if off as the right one. Simply mistakes in life that I have made that I don't want to think of as a mistake or decisions that I think are mistakes, but can't be redone.

Just wished the right decisions in life were as simple as hoping from one stump to another...

Kevin

Father and Son Badminton

Father and son badminton, what a good way to share some father and son time together! When I was in Hong Kong, I got the privileged to play with my little cousin at badminton and also watch my uncle play with him. Although my little cousin was not super good at badminton, we all had fun and was able to enjoy ourselves despite the limited time we had. Of course, my little cousin was just learning how to play. What made it enjoyable for me was he tried to smash the birdie every single time even though he was like 1 feet away from the net. He is such a hoot~ Nothing better than spending time with your family.

The smashing I was talking about...

Not sure why he is holding there...

Successful smash?

Does he hit it or not?

Father (Uncle Lou) returning his son's hit

Going for the all out smash!

To become a great player, one needs the game face and stance

Not trying for a smash?!!?

I miss my family, wish I could capture more of their moments together. I know one day I will be back to do so!

Kevin

China 2010

This trip was probably one of those experiences that you will always remember for the rest of your life. At first I was not very intrigued or even interested in going to China. I just wanted to stay in Hong Kong with my cousins and uncle. However, my mom and one of my uncle convinced me to tag along with them to visit my uncle's friend that works in China. So the trip consisted of a local tour guide, therefore, I was able to experience many things that I would never had if I went alone or with an actual tour group to China. I was able to visit local clothing factories and local markets. The trip for sure was an eye opener for me as I was able to experience and see the culture of Guangzhou, China. So for the trip, I was in a van that travelled to places that I never even heard of. All in all, the trip was something I will never forget and I have to thank my uncle, Wai Kwong, and my mom for bringing me along. I actually had a lot of fun, despite it being super super hot.

Please click on the pictures to enlarge.

City of Tai San

Roundabout (Shot from my hotel room)

Parking Lot of the Hotel

City Shot

Shrine in the mountains with local buildings on the foreground

Industrial Road

Taken from the front driveway of the clothing factory

Motorcycles are very popular, even for farming

Flags at a local store

Fish Market

Bought the fishes at the market and gave to a local restaurant to prepare for dinner

Old preserved buildings by the river

Old lady on boat transporting her goods on the river

Another angle at the buildings

Alley way

Another shot of the buildings (16:9)

Alley way shot (This is my favourite picture)

War Propaganda

Local Crabs for sale (The red one was the dominant one)

A stove to cook the food at the local restaurant

 

Local weaved baskets for sale

Manual Sesame grinder
Had one of the best Black Sesame Soup in my life

Baby Carriage

(To be honest, I don't even remember taking this picture)

Most of these photos are in 16:9.
As you can probably see. China is still a lot different than majority of the developed countries, but they are on the rise of becoming more developed economically and also the standard of living. I am very fortunate to be able to experience what I experienced and will always cherish these memories. Hopefully one day, I will be able to return to here and see it again and of course hope that you will be able to visit here too!

Kevin

Last Day of 2010 Photography Shoot

Before I start off, I have to say thanks to a special friend, Felix,  for getting me out and doing some last photography of 2010. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have gone out in the cold and took some amazing pictures of Downtown Vancouver from Lonsdale Quay.


The day was really nice with fantastic clear skies and the sun out. It was nice seeing the sun again after days and days of rain and snow, however, the sun was up high at noon creating a lot of glare, making the camera over exposed. I wished I had more time to take pictures, but that is alright, 2011 will give me the opportunities that I need to go back again for more!

Downtown Vancouver

Burrard Inlet Coast

North Shore Dock (Shot idea from Felix)

Benches on the dock

Wide angle shot of the dock

Dock view with Vancouver in the background

Same shot as above but its in 16:9 ratio

Desktop wallpaper for 1920x1080

Hard at work (Courtesy of Felix)

Happy New Years! 2011!

Happy New Years!

Hong Kong
(Not my picture)

I wish everyone a prosperous and wonderful new year!

I personally can't believe it is already another year. 2010 had its great moments, but also its bad. Hopefully 2011 will bring not just me alone, but everyone a better year than 2010! Can't wait to see what is in store for me!

Cheers!!!