Tag: landmark

Lean On Me

Saw a post from Teluk Intan native Chong See Ming and decided to try out Facebook’s improved search of old posts. Found the image surprisingly quick. That it works will save me much time in finding the captions for my book. The original pic is in high quality PSD format.

If you are a Photoshop user, you may like to know that the free Faststone Viewer is the only image viewer or simple app that can display PSD files in a gallery. Even Photoshop can’t do that. Heh.

The Leaning Tower Of Teluk Intan.

The iconic landmark at the former colonial town previously renamed Anson Bay. Built in 1885 by a Chinese contractor, the pagoda functioned as a water tank and clock tower. According to tourist info, the clock was originally crafted by highly-regarded London watch and clock makers J.W. Benson of Ludgate Hill.

Photography Notes: If you want good light, you have to wait for the correct time, bad weather notwithstanding. No other way, really. With a little luck, the sky was a perfect blue the day I was there.

I didn’t just wait for good light but waited also for a cyclist to come along to include some foreground activity. Quite a long wait too, as it was an exceptionally hot day and everyone else stayed indoors. Coincidentally, the scrap cardboard collector’s cargo was also leaning and was going to topple.

The use of an ultra-wide angle lens here presented two challenges. I have to be very careful in keeping the horizon level so as to preserve the natural tilt of the tower. With a very wide lens, it is easy to tilt the camera instead.

With so much sky in frame, the foreground exposure was a little overwhelmed. A little kick from the camera’s DRO smoothened out the harsh dynamic range and preserved some details in the shadow areas of the structure.

Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 320, f11, 1/400 sec.

#streetphotography #landscape #landmark #telukintan #leaningtower #pagoda #menaracondong #telukanson #perak #sonyalpha #a7r #samyang

Masjid Kampung Kling

This ancient mosque bears testament to the rich multi-cultural roots of Malacca. Its architecture design incorporates Chinese, Hindu, Indonesian and Malay elements. The minaret resembles a pagoda and there are European Corinthian columns and Moorish arches inside. It was originally built by Indian Muslim traders in 1748.

The landmark in the UNESCO World Heritage Site is difficult to photograph as it is surrounded by criss-crossing utility cables. Nevertheless; on a gorgeous morning, the mosque stands as glorious as its past.

Olympus OM-D, ISO 200, f11, 1/1000 sec.

#heritage #history #landmark #melaka #malacca #mosque #tbt #masjidkampungkling

Police Stop

Didn’t know the new Campbell Police Station or Balai Polis dan IPD Dang Wangi is now shaped like a mosque after reconstruction. Maybe, IT IS a mosque. It looks majestic and beautiful. I remember it used to be a tiny wooden shack beside Campbell Complex.

Hindu members of the police station put up a kiosk (tent) in front to welcome the passing chariot and deity tonight. That made it one of the stopover points where extended prayers and rituals were carried out. Here, the silver chariot and procession is approaching.

Although unintentionally captured, the juxtaposition showed the multi-cultural and multi-religious aspect of our society.

Panasonic Lumix GM-1, ISO 3200, f4, 1/50 sec.

#thaipusam #chariot #procession #policestation #campbell #dangwangi #streetphotography #cityscape #mosque #masjid

Conjunction of Venus And Jupiter – Part 2

The weather forecast for Kuala Lumpur tomorrow night, when the planets are supposed to be closest, don’t look too good. Plus, I wanted a picture when the planets are not merging or merged into a single blob as some predicted, so I shot some tonight just in case.

This is my first time looking and photographing a conjunction of planets, so I really don’t know. Tomorrow could be even better, weather permitting.

There is no need to try to get very close with a very long lens. Although bright, the planets are still small and far, even when using long tele lenses. You will need a telescope with tracking mount to get really close.

You don’t want a a picture of the pair by themselves, anyway. Find a local landmark to juxtapose, if you can. This gives the picture a geographical perspective or identity.

City skyscrapers are good but tricky as the surrounding roads are usually polluted with light from street lights. This can cause flaring and other unwanted effects.

To expose correctly for lighted buildings, you may end up underexposing the relatively less bright planetary bodies.

Finally, you don’t have to photograph the celestial event at all. Watch it live with your naked eyes, take in its beauty and store it to to your memory.

This was photographed with the Sony FE 70-200mm G OSS Lens in 2X CIZ mode.

Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 100, f14, 4 sec.