Category: Thoughts

The Mamak Stall – Celebrating A Malaysian Institution

The roadside mamak stall is such a unique Malaysian institution. A convenience many take for granted until they migrated elsewhere. It can pop up under a tree and it is a great place to find food and drinks in a seeming remote neighbourhood. I was in a strange place behind Jalan Loke Yew with my friend Thiru Nash.

The red leafed iced tea in a scratchy plastic glass. Famous teh tarik or hot pulled tea is another favourite. The characteristic tray with soy sauce and pepper shakers, with another holding toothpicks. It prompts you to order ‘telur setengah masak’ (half boiled eggs) or maybe a roti.

Missing here are the ready packed nasi lemak and bee hoon. I wished there were fallen and dried leaves on the table to add character but the umbrella attached to each table does its job.
There is also another container with spoons and signature cheap forks with crooked or bent prongs. And free tissue papers or serviettes which we will never get at a Chinese coffee shop. And finally, there are other loafers and lepakians too.

I switched to Apeture Priority to include the other loafers at the back. At f22, the focus went from the ice cubes in my iced tea, to all the way to the back. There are technical things to think about at a mamak too.

Panasonic Lumix GM-1, ISO 2000, f22, 1/60 sec.

#roadside #mamak #stall #tea #streetphotography

There Is Hope

After speaking to Jidz Mohamed of Tesco Malaysia, I can confirm you can donate cat food and cat litter for my 5 cats. Their usual brand is Smartheart Seafood Flavour and they are costing me a fortune currently. I have had them since rescuing and adopting them as orphaned homeless kittens.

My revenue is reduced with my recent medical condition. My mobility is affected too and shopping for heavy stuff is challenging, I worry constantly about their food and other burden but am cheered up when I see them play with me.

Tesco online store will deliver your online purchases and I will need to give you my address and mobile number privately. Please PM or email me tvsmith@gmail.com for that. You will also need to choose a time slot for delivery.

It is a dependable system used by many animal shelters and soup kitchens. Currently, generous and angelic PuiSee Chu has donated, helped me buy and delivered it to my home when she is able. Other kind people and animal lovers have donated too, after the last appeal.

If you are abroad, you might have problem using an overseas issued credit or debit card. That sucks. Let me know and I will check with Tesco. You can also send money by Pay Pal to tvsmith@gmail.com and I can utilise the funds to buy the needed food for the cats. Thank you for your donations and contributions.

Direct Link to Cat Food:
https://eshop.tesco.com.my/grocer…/en-GB/products/7000634743
*You may choose a bigger or smaller pack.

Direct Link to Cat Litter Clumping Sand:
https://eshop.tesco.com.my/grocer…/en-GB/products/7003668754

Picture of The Alleycats. Three of the cats when they were kittens and scavenging for food in the back alley. Tabby on the left is all grown up now and was shown recently at the vet with a loose tooth. Are there other things I need? Yes. Please ask by PM. Thank you.

10 Tips For Photographing The Thaipusam Festival

10 Tips For Photographing The Thaipusam Festival.

Every year, thousands of shutterbugs congregate at #BatuCaves during #Thaipusam.

Due to the increased popularity of the hobby, there are now more people carrying camera equipment than devotees bearing the kavadi.

I’ve been shooting the event since the days of Ektachrome. 16mm Bolex and Betacam, so here are a few tips:

1. Don’t over-carry. Use a small messenger bag instead of a bulky backpack. Don’t even need to carry a big bottle of mineral water. You can obtain water for free or buy easily.

2. I always see noobs carrying tripods and long lenses. Unless you are shooting time lapse, a tripod isn’t necessary most of the time for stills.

Remember: Thaipusam is NOT a safari where you hide from far with a long tele lens. Get up close and capture the intimacy and devotion.

3. For video shooters, try to not use a big stabilizing rig or a cage in a very crowded space. For documentary-style, a little shake adds to the realism.

The reason to travel light is not only to avoid inconveniencing others. You’ll be glad by the end of the day, after walking or standing for at least 4 or 5 hours.

4. Get out of the way, once you get your shot. Be considerate to others behind you.

5. Do not join or create a ‘media scrum’. Most of you are not paid nor are you taking part in a contest. If you miss a shot, so what? There will be other opportunities.

6. Wear comfortable, decent shoes that are also easy to remove. Some places will require you to remove footwear.

7. Don’t wade into the river because you think everyone will regard you as a hero. You’ll an idiot, actually. The washing area around the river is for a sacred ceremony..

8. Most important gear is the battery. Bring enough spares or a power bank (for USB charging cameras such as phones and Sony 7 series cameras).

9. This is 2016; get a mirrorless or stop ‘chimping’. It is really awful to capture shots of camera persons checking their LCD screen after every shot. Have confidence in yourself. Either you got the shot or not.

10. Don’t look at everything through the LCD or viewfinder. Learn to take in the view with your naked eyes AND try to enjoy the event too.

My Life Story

Two columns, actually; with another under Sharifah Intan as editor, also at The Star. They are two ladies I respect and admire greatly.

Happy to read about June’s childhood bond with National Geographic Magazine in her column today. Unlike her, I depended on tattered and outdated copies found at the local barber shop. Admittedly, the photos and travelogues did influence my style later on in life.

By a fortunate twist of fate and serendipity, I met National Geographic’s American photographer David Alan Harvey when the magazine did a story on Malaysia.

Chatted with him at the Buddhist Maha Vihara Temple in Backfields on Wesak Day. I was a kid then and was greatly impressed as he had a porter and was given thousands of rolls to shoot.

He was humble and friendly for a man of such stature. This is why I always listen patiently when strangers come to me with questions about gear and techniques. when I am out on location.

The tragedy was; without a regular subscription or the intenet then, finding the upcoming article was a a hit and miss. It appeared a year later and I found it by chance in a 3 for RM 10 bundle in Sungai Wang Plaza.

The irony and tragedy was that the image of my childhood hero was destroyed when I joined social media. I hated his personal, non-assignment pics so much I unfollowed him! No doubt I admire his great body of work but am glad I was able to make decisions without being a fanboy.

One thing I learned early was; after I developed my own style, I decided to not follow any photographer. I don’t want it to influence my style. It can be subconscious or unintentional.

l’ll let you in on another secret:

I hope to publish my book soon and generous Johnny Ong is helping me understand In Design for self-layout and to do a mock up, being a published author himself.

Next step will be to find a sponsor, publisher or to crowd fund the book project as kindly Kashminder Singh suggested. Will need all the help from experts or people with experience such as publisher Amir Muhammad.

May also need an editor and someone to write a preface too. Was thinking of the accomplished Cy Leow for the preface. Maybe Ivy Ngeow, Ellen Whyte and others can also offer tips on crowdfunding or insights on the process.

Attached are some recent Buddhist Maha Vihara images I can find. There are more.

Whoa – Souped Up Cars On Thaipusam Chariot Night

I really don’t know how to write the captions for this pic. You know the cars that we see parked under the bridges in Putrajaya? Their intent are to show off their car’s sound system or I.C.E. (in-car entertainment system), I think.

I always expect to see some owners waving jumper cables because battery drain will be no small issue. Haha.

You know how some Yindians like to decorate or accessories their cars in the most gaudy fashion? What happens when they combine the two loves?

Last night, we saw a car decorated like a chariot and it was blasting very loud Indian music. Lo and behold! There wasn’t just one Knight Rider or KITT wannabe.

The whole street had similar cars parked together like an exhibition or competition, all with funky lights and music thumping hard in anticipation of the chariot.

Imagine the noise and blinding lights from the mobile Light Sensation show. Am happy to be able to record this new phenomenon on a Thaipusam procession night.

What are such car competitions normally called, anyway?

Panasonic Lumix GM-1, ISO 3200, f4, 1/30 sec.

#thaipusam #chariot #procession #lights #caraudio #night #streetphotograph