Archive for the ‘Photos’ Category

Travel Photography – “Beyond Boundaries” by Laxmi Kaul

Saturday, October 29th, 2016

The “Beyond Boundaries” photo exhibition showcases Laxmi’s photos from multiple visits to the Kashmir. This story first appeared on The Travel Memoir.

Here you can see the photographer, Laxmi Kaul with one of her subjects. A juxtaposition of the modern Indian woman with one in traditional garb.

Here you can see the photographer, Laxmi Kaul with one of her subjects.. A juxtaposition of the modern Indian woman with one in traditional garb.

Beyond Boundaries presents Laxmi Kaul and her journey with the people and nomads of Kashmir, where life is about simplicity, serenity and sincerity.

“After shooting in a highly turbulent & conflict–ridden area, I have realized that it is the everyday lives of the people living there that matter to me. They are the ones who makes me want to go back to and continue to narrate their stories. Their daily lives & cultures. I have discovered there is something special in the everyday; for one, we are alive,” said Laxmi Kaul.

What goes on around the borders?

Sometimes life is about the unplanned moments, the appreciation of nature and how civilisations interact.

Laxmi Kaul is a self -taught professional photographer, having started photography at a young age when she saw her father’s passion for making images.

Since then, she has never looked back.

Despite being a commercial photographer, she still holds people and documentary photography closest to her heart.

Laxmi connects with spirituality in daily life and travels with a patriotic zeal.

A photo posted by John Tan (@tech4tea) on

This photo is one of many beautiful shots that Laxmi Kaul is exhibiting at the Leica Galleries Singapore at Raffles Hotel Singapore from now till 5 December, 2016. Photo credit: Laxmi Kaul.

She believes the camera is her tool and photography is an extension of her very being.

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Holiday greetings: Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2016

Wednesday, July 6th, 2016

Here’s wishing all Muslim friends: “Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri”!

A photo posted by John Tan (@tech4tea) on

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri! Muslims and non-Muslim visitors taking a breather from the hustle & bustle of the Ramadan bazaar last night.

It’s Hari Raya Puasa today.

After a whole month of fasting during Ramadan, today is the day that our Muslim friends have been looking forward to.

A photo posted by John Tan (@tech4tea) on

Little girl having henna drawn on her hand at the Ramadan night bazaar. Thanks to the girl’s mother for so generously granting permission for this photo.

Here are some photos from visiting the night bazaar last night at the Geylang Serai area in Singapore.

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Getty Images launches Virtual Reality Group for VR/360 content

Wednesday, June 8th, 2016

Getty Images is deepening its commitment to immersive content with new virtual reality business to make available high quality VR and 360 content.

“With the launch of the Getty Images Virtual Reality Group, we are embedding VR content technologies into the core of our business and ensuring that, as use of VR continues to grow, its users are further enhancing their experience with access to the world’s best imagery,” said Dawn Airey, Chief Executive Officer of Getty Images. Photo credit: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images.

“With the launch of the Getty Images Virtual Reality Group, we are embedding VR content technologies into the core of our business and ensuring that, as use of VR continues to grow, its users are further enhancing their experience with access to the world’s best imagery,” said Dawn Airey, Chief Executive Officer of Getty Images. Photo credit: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images.

Getty Images Virtual Reality Group is a new business dedicated to the creation and global distribution of virtual reality (VR) content.

“The technology is still in its infancy – as are the business models addressing how to use it – but we can expect to see VR become a leading tool for visual storytelling. It is anticipated that over 14 million consoles will sell this year alone (TrendForce), and we are only on the cusp of what will be a tectonic plate shift in VR,” said Dawn Airey, Chief Executive Officer of Getty Images.

The Getty Images Virtual Reality Group brings photographic and video technology together with Getty Images’ 21 years of experience in visual storytelling, to offer content for existing and future VR platforms.

The Group provides an offering of over 12,000 premium 360 images with new content added daily, as well as high res gigapixel content from key events and venues.

High quality VR production is also being offered through Getty Images Assignments.

Adapting to new image technologies, Getty images began building its collection of 360 and gigapixel imagery four years ago, pioneering the use of these techniques in its role as the Official Photographic Agency for the International Olympic Committee at the 2012 London Olympics.

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Holiday greetings: Happy Lunar New Year 2016

Monday, February 8th, 2016

Happy New Year to all the people from cultures that celebrate this traditional festival! And to all Chinese around the world, Happy Chinese New Year!

A photo posted by John Tan (@tech4tea) on

It’s Chinese New Year today and the beginning of the Monkey year in the Chinese Zodiac. Happy Chinese New Year!

It’s the first day of the Lunar New Year. This year, it’s the year of the Monkey, according to the Chinese zodiac.

We took the photo when our family visited Jigokudani in Nagano back in 2008 to see the unique Snow Monkeys that indulge in the natural hotsprings there amidst the Winter snow.

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Time to say goodbye to the Goat Year

Sunday, February 7th, 2016

Today is the eve of the Lunar New Year, and the last day of the year of the Goat.

A photo posted by John Tan (@tech4tea) on

Saying goodbye to the Goat Year. Today is the last day of the year of the Goat Zodiac. Tomorrow is the traditional Chinese New Year and the beginning of the Monkey Year.

Tomorrow is the traditional New Year based on the Lunar calendar and the beginning of the Monkey Year, according to the Chinese Zodiac.

The curious goat in the photo was grazing on farmland on the mountainside overlooking Zell am See in Austria.

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Happy New Year 2015

Friday, January 1st, 2016

A new dawn to a new day. A new year for a new beginning.

I hope this sunrise is symbolic of the hope that the new year brings to those looking for a new beginning in their lives. Taken handheld using a Nikon D750 with AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4G ED VR lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

I hope this sunrise is symbolic of the hope that the new year brings to those looking for a new beginning in their lives. Taken handheld using a Nikon D750 with AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4G ED VR lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

Here’s wishing everyone a fantastic 2016, a new year that will bring new aspirations and immense fulfillment.

About the photo

Snapped this shot while strolling on the beach in Thailand a few weeks ago in pre-dawn darkness.

It was a rare shot for me in that the horizon was clear of the usual haze and layer of clouds so the rising sun could be seen emerging from the horizon itself.

It was breathtaking how the nascent sun lit up the sky with golden and red hues as it tore itself from the horizon.

POTD: Corridor in Masjid Abdul Gafoor in Singapore

Monday, August 10th, 2015

Amidst the searing heat of the afternoon sun, the mosque offers a cool refuge and respite for worshippers and visitors.

The corridor is still empty, although in an hours’ time, worshippers will arrive for the Friday prayers. Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

The corridor is still empty, although in an hours’ time, worshippers will arrive for the Friday prayers. Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

Masjid Abdul Gafoor was gazetted as a national monument of Singapore on 13 July 1979.

Gowns for worshippers’ perusal in the Abdul Gaffoor Mosque. Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

Gowns for worshippers’ perusal in the Abdul Gaffoor Mosque. Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

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POTD: Singapore celebrates her 50th National Day

Sunday, August 9th, 2015

Here’s wishing Singapore a Happy 50th Birthday.

This is one of many murals found on the walls at the banks of the Singapore River. Photo taken with a Samsung NX2000 with a Samsung 20-50mm f/3.5-5.6 ED lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

This is one of many murals found on the walls at the banks of the Singapore River. Photo taken with a Samsung NX2000 with a Samsung 20-50mm f/3.5-5.6 ED lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

This year, Singaporeans celebrate 50 years of independence since 1965.

This is also the 196th year since Singapore’s founding by Sir Stamford Raffles.

Let’s wish for the best for Singapore for the next 50 years!

POTD: Prayer hall in Masjid Abdul Gafoor in Singapore

Friday, August 7th, 2015

The prayer hall is the most sacred part of the mosque and is at the core of the building, directly below the cupola and tower on the roof of the mosque.

Beautiful calligraphic inscriptions decorate the prayer hall. Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

Beautiful calligraphic inscriptions decorate the prayer hall. Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

Only worshippers are allowed into the prayer hall.

Visitors/tourists and women are not allowed inside.

Caps/songkoks for use for worshippers. Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

Caps/songkoks for use for worshippers. Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

The following descriptions are from the Wikipedia article on Masjid Abdul Gaffoor.

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Fireworks Tip 3 of 3: Filling your frame

Thursday, August 6th, 2015

Here’s Part 3 of the three-part series on tips for shooting fireworks photos – on what kind of lens to use and getting creative with composition. Contributed by Canon Imaging Academy.

Use a wide angle lens to capture the entire fireworks scene. Photo credit: Canon Imaging Academy Associate Trainer Joseph Goh.

Use a wide angle lens to capture the entire fireworks scene. Photo credit: Canon Imaging Academy Associate Trainer Joseph Goh, Joseph Goh Photography.

Below is the final of the three-part series on tips for shooting dazzling photos of fireworks.

Editor’s note

Since the fireworks for the National Day celebrations are on such a big scale, it essentially covers a large amount of sky over the Marina Bay.

In order to capture all the different types of fireworks firing at the same time, and to avoid cropping part of a firework burst, use a wide angle camera that have a large field of view.

If you are using a zoom lens, zoom out to the widest angle.

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