An Introduction to Bird photography.

Birds are very interesting creatures, but it’s not so easy to photograph them. Wild birds usually don’t pose where you want and, moreover, it’s often difficult to get close enough to take quality pictures. But if you know some basics of bird photography, it becomes much easier to capture amazing moments of the birds’ life.

Finch Bird. shot with my Olympus E620 Zuiko Lens 70-300mm

It’s not necessary to have an expensive camera of lens, however the proper equipment lets to take bird photos easier.

Shot with Olympus E620 lens 70-300mm

Most birds are quite shy, so you need at least 200mm (300mm is better) to take pictures of them. Longer focal length not only lets to photograph birds from larger distance, it also gives more blurred background. 

Tripod, monopod, flash, even remote control sometimes help much, but usually aren’t necessary.

The next step is to learn, how to get to the birds closer, so then you will be able to take quality pictures of them.Everything starts with a good light. The best time for photography is morning or evening because the light is soft and has a pleasant hue, shadows are not so distinct, it’s easier to get details from very bright and dark areas.

Birds are wonderful creatures. When you are taking photos, don’t harm them. I strongly advice you not to photograph birds near nests (except when the distance is large and bird isn’t sensitive to disturbance – there are only very few such species). Even if you don’t harm birds, you can show the place of the nest for predators. The life of bird is more important than a photo.

Conclusion

Bird photography is exciting and full of adventures.

Read more: http://www.digital-photography-school.com/an-introduction-to-bird-photography#ixzz1hpi4TJTz

Policemen On Bicycle.

“Police Officers - Should there be more police officers in our streets? Every day I see small offences being committed (driving with a mobile phone in hand, bike riders on the pavement, youths drinking in ‘non drinking zones’, etc) but there is no one of power there to prevent or stop this from happening?

The Royal Police of Malaysia in Sarawak launched its bicycle beat unit  to widen its reach in crime prevention.This unit might eventually cover all areas under its jurisdiction, especially those places which are not accessible to police patrol cars.

I think our cops do a great job.

 wonder if the local police have been as extensively trained riding this bicycle and yes,cops on bikes will be faster than cops on foot.the patrolmen on bicycles will cover an area for at least two hours before moving to another location.The policemen involved will be fully equipped.

I have faith that members of the newly set up unit are fully capable of doing their jobs effectively and hopefully the Kuching Waterfront – which is such an attraction to visitors and locals alike – will be safe for all of us local and also to the tourist.

“Should there be more Police on bicycle in Kuching? Of course they should & what say you ?.

 

 

 

Sarawak Black Bean Coffee .

Most if not all would not have known that here in Sarawak, we have our own home grown coffee. Liberica from Sarawak  region is simply the freshest coffee .100% pure Sarawak gourmet coffee, you must try it out! Our very own Sarawak coffee that we should be proud of.

 A cup of coffee for me is just nice,come with brown sugar and little cookies.I love it. It's definitely the best coffee in Kuching.

 As a recent coffee drinker, I wonder if these coffee is actually from Sarawak as it tasted so fine that even ****bucks blends could not have compared to the freshly brewed coffee out of the expreso machine into a glass filled with just ice alone. I love this simply marvelous .

Do you know that this place also featured in a travel magazine in Denmark. The article wrote " If you do not drink Black Bean Coffee, your trip to Borneo is not complete."
 There are two types of coffee beans, Liberica beans and Robusta beans. It’s planted in the mountainous area of Sarawak next to fruit trees and under the coconut trees. Most importantly, they are pesticide free!.The owner ensure that the coffee beans are fresh so that you will get the freshest coffee daily. you can also buy the coffee beans or powder to have your very own Sarawak gourmet coffee at home.

Airport Air Traffic Control Tower .

Last week i have a chance to visit local air show in my town(Kuching,Sarawak)the host is Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia .One of the officer asked me  if I wanted to visit the Kuching International  Airport Air Traffic Control Tower and see with whom The Pilot of the plane communicating every time they seek permission to taxi the runway, or receive directions as to which runway to take off from etc. “Yes I would love to!” I replied. I asked if we will be walking there and he said, “No we’ll drive there”. “But it’s not that far ".

Kuching International Airport Control Tower.

On arrival we have a short briefing as per requirement they requested us to switch off our cell phones,take of our shoes and silent please.Taking picture is allowed and it is best not to fire your camera flash.

excellent view the Flight Control

The Air Traffic Control Officer (ATCO) on duty.

AirAsia holding waiting clearance to take off from ATCO.

Control Room of flight movement.

I saw what an excellent view the Flight Control crew had of the entire airport, and beyond. It was unbelievable. The tower was circular in shape and had glass windows all round i.e. the crew had a 360 degree view. There were 5 people working, and I was shown around the tower and the instruments. There were several screens which the crew used to communicate with air traffic. It was a quiet day and  I only saw a couple of planes flying and landing.
Thank You to Kuching International Airport Control Tower (The Officer in-charge) for the educational visit.

Air Shows in Kuching.

Department of Civil Aviation is celebrating Malaysia Air Festival 2011 to mark its 100 years in the Malaysian Aviation.The two days event held at Hornbill Skyways Hanger in Kuching International Airport.

Hornbill Skyways in Kuching.

For Sale @ The Malaysia Air Festival in Kuching.

The Malaysia Air Festival commemorates 100 years of the country’s aviation industry.The air show provided guests with an opportunity to get up close to new-generation aircraft.

Hornbill Skyways Hanger view from the Airport Control Tower.

 Aviation fans braved the hot weather on the days of the events to catch a glimpse of static aircraft display by Hornbill Skyways,Royal Malaysian Airforce and Royal Malaysian Police and also Malaysia Airport Berhad.

Ground Control Tower .

Aircraft movement controller room.

Visitors also have a opportunity to visit the Air Traffic Control Tower.

City folk, thronged the airfield to catch a view inside the aircraft and helicopter exhibit at the events.

Many gave a thumbs up to the event which commemorates 100 years of the country's aviation industry and I hope  the Malaysia Air Festival  promote general aviation and bring the industry closer to the people.
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Negative Space in Photography.

Negative space, by definition, is the empty space around the subject or focus of the photograph.  If the edges of the photo frame the contents within, and the subject is the focal point, it’s possible that just about every photo, even macro’s and tight portrait shots can have negative space.

Click Here: Focus on Composition: Negative Space

KLCC in Kuala Lumpur.

The negative space technique and showcase how it can be used to bring out emotions and feelings.Mostly focusing around people, including negative space for photographers for some reason tends to lead to the overall photo having some lingering emotion.  It can often include despair, loneliness, abandonment, anger, rage and sorrow, although happiness and joyfulness often do appear, not nearly as prevalent though

Negative space, by definition, is the empty space around the subject or focus of the photograph.  If the edges of the photo frame the contents within, and the subject is the focal point, it’s possible that just about every photo, even macro’s and tight portrait shots can have negative space.

Give negative space photography a try, keeping in mind that the subject matter is still key, but look at composing slightly different with a focus on less, and you’ll be happily surprised with more.

Street Photography-Hunting Down The Moment.

Location:Waterfront @ Kuching in Sarawak. Photo by Awang 2011.

One of the exciting things about photography is the anticipation of ‘the shot’ – hunting down the moment in time that is worth recording and being there with your camera poised when it happens.

India Street Mall in Kuching.

 No genre of photography creates this anticipation like ‘Street Photography’; moving with the crowd, ever alert to the signs of human activity, watching and waiting: to see and not to be seen.

 Street photography has been a passionate past time for many since the discovery of photography. The very first fixing of a photographic image  of a person was a street scene.

Everyone has the potential to be a street photographer. Not everyone is game.
This is my approach. It doesn’t suit everyone and there may be some ethical questions I am answerable to, but I’m sure you can weed out the bits you like from the borderline criminal behaviour of an obsessive street photographer such as myself.

Photo by Awang 2011.

Irrespective of your ‘rights’ there is the question of etiquette. That also varies from culture to culture and person to person. I have my own personal approach (which requires the wearing of a good pair of running shoes and a more than ignorant look on my face) but that may not suit everyone. Ultimately, discretion, common sense and personal safety, are the prime considerations. It may not always be about ‘getting the shot.’

Photo by Awang 2011.

Talking about place of the shot.The usual venue is where people gather. ‘Street’ can be interpreted in many ways and might include alleys, shopping malls, shops and cafes, parks, buses and trains, market places, in fact, anywhere you will find the structures and architecture of civilisation with the people who frequent them.

My favourite places are shopping malls (open and closed), High Street in small towns and villages, and the back streets of big cities.Just be careful if you catch someone doing something they shouldn’t be doing. That’s when it can get ugly.