I just can’t find the words to describe the experience I’ve learned from the Treasures Of The Rainforests Photography  Challenge and Conference 2009 (TOTR) at Batang Ai this June.

There are so many photos to share, and I will start off with this posting.

Being a wedding photographer, continuous learning is a lifelong journey. I faced tough challenges just to attend this workshop, but all the hard work is well worth the effort.

I was so delighted to meeting 8 professional photographers (speakers of the workshop) who tirelessly guided participants about the tips and tricks in photography. They are so humble and ever so willing to help. 4 days 3 nights is just too short for me.  Here are some of my favorite shots taken during the workshop.

For more photos, you can click here. or you can browse the captioned photos below.

I like the colours of the beads on display at the Serian market

Old lady weaving basket out of PVC strips

Jim taught us to look for photo opportunity around us

Silhouette of participants on the canopy walk

Taking advantage of available light

One of the many longboats ferrying us to Nanga Sumpa longhouse

Sunset presented in a different way

I like the colours

Miring ceremony (Iban tradition)

Traditional musical performance

Children watching the musical performance

To this man, a longboat ride is like our everyday car ride to work

At times, they have to push the longboat due to shallow river

Rivers are too shallow, everyone has to get out from the boat and walk

2 crew for the longboat, the pilot and this is the navigator

Patrick taught me how to frame and shoot this waterfall

Longboats

For more photos, you can click here.

This was my last wedding assignment for the month of May, just a few days before Hari Gawai (Harvest Festival), Imabel and Mervyn tied their knot.

It was a wedding of two cultures, Imabel a Bidayuh and Mervyn, a Kadazan from Sabah. It was a routine shoot for me, started off at 7th Mile (a bridal house) where Imabel and Mervyn was required to go there for their make-up. Then we proceed to Bau town St. Stephen’s Church at Bau for the wedding mass.

Due to time and logistic constraint, Mervyn booked a room for us at Jambusan. Yes there is an inn at Jambusan called the Jambusan Inn. Joseph (videographer) and I prepared our slideshow and videos there. The dinner reception is just opposite the inn, so there is no problem for us to getting there on time.

I love the dinner shoot the most. There was a wonderful live band singing wonderful songs. Somehow, when I am in the shooting mood, rock songs is very pleasing to my ear. That was what the band was playing that night.

To me, highlight of the night was when the band played “Jambatan Tamparuli”, a very famous song in Sabah. The music was just fantastic. I just can’t describe how much I like the atmosphere, the dancing and the best part of all…. Mervyn is a very good singer too. He sang “Sweet Child O’mine”.

I will post more photos soon.

What’s your age? Someone asked when I was taking a stroll at a shopping mall with my family. I jokingly said 18. She gave me a weird look. Then few days later, more people are asking for my real age. This happens because I was featured at a blogger’s column at Breeze magazine issue 16.

As the official photographer, I didn’t expect to be featured there… when they asked for my details, I thought it’s just for the record. However, I am glad that I was featured here, in this magazine. What excites me most (though it’s some error done by the editor) was my age and DOB. My actual DOB is 1st Jan… I’ll leave it to you to guess my birth year.

I wish I could provide them with a better article.

I was part of a team of photographers covering for this dinner at Hilton’s Grand Ballroom. Our most important assignment is to shoot one photo… Phua Chu Kang@Gurmit Singh greeting Datuk Wong. It was a tense moment for me, I guess same goes to the team… I kept aiming, pre focus on my target… and the moment both of them are together, I took the shot. I was glad my shot is selected as a special gift to Datuk. Check out the photos in the album later.

This is my first time at Phua Chu Kang live show. I just can’t stop laughing throughout the whole event…. it was so hard trying to shoot and laugh at the same time

Click here for more photos

The Toast

Birthday cake

Important shots of the night, it’s hard to focus the camera with strong spotlight at the back.

Production team printed and framed the photo, as a gift to Datuk.

Special group photo for game participants.

As a long time fan of Phua Chu Kang aka Gurmit Singh, I was very excited when told that part of my photography assignment is to cover an interview session with him. I just don’t know what to expect at first when I saw him in person, so I snapped away, taking candid photos during the whole session.

Gurmit, being Phua Chu Kang, the interview session was so hilarious. He is such a funny man, with spontaneous one-liner that makes you laugh and want more of his jokes. I enjoyed every minute of the interview session. It was fun!

Click here for more photos.