Happy New Year 2019 !

Happy New Year !

Sunrise Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I tried out the S&Q feature again in Kuala Lumpur this morning and this is the result of it.



What do you think?

Sunrise at Masjid Sultan Salahudin Abdul Aziz Shah, the Shah Alam Mosque, Malaysia

I've expected a rainy morning today, but went ahead to Shah Alam for a sunrise shot anyhow. It actually turned out quite alright!

© 2018 Edward Chen. The view of Masjid Sultan Salahudin Abdul Aziz Shah from Taman Tasik Shah Alam.
Taken with the Samsung smartphone camera and edited raw using Snapseed.

It's common that people nowadays use the smartphone, a device which they always have on them as their primary camera. However, I was a little surprised of how powerful a smartphone camera can be these days. I wouldn't imagine producing a photo like the one above with my older smartphone cameras.

The photo above was taken handheld using the Samsung Note 9 and then edited RAW with Snapseed right away with the phone. All these were done while my Sony a7r3 was still recording S&Q on the heavy tripod. At times I was thinking if I should have left the camera and the tripod behind! Haha!


Below is the video taken from the Sony a7r3, available only at 720p due to the filesize. You may also watch the 1080p HD version here: https://youtu.be/bD4LOJoEC8w

Note: 720p only due to size constraint 

With the rapid advancement in smartphone AI technologies, I think it may affect not only the feasibility of getting a dedicated camera like the Olympus OM-D E-M1 micro four thirds camera, but also other advanced cameras like the Sony a7 series which are currently popular among hobbyists.

What do you think?

Misty Cameron Highlands - a short video clip

I have been using the Sony a7R3 for some time now and has since traded-in my a7ii. Yup, sold everything including my battery grip. Although I have been missing some of the features which originally got me interested in the Sony a7ii, the a7R3 has some unique features of its own. One of those features is the S&Q (Slow & Quick) feature.

The video clip above is taken using the S&Q feature, 1fps for a total of 20 minutes. In the end, it only gives me less than a minute long clip.

Yes, I am not new in producing video clips, but I am STILL not good at it. 😜 But I hope you will like it.

A processed photo of the day before at Sg. Palas Tea Plantation, Cameron Highlands.
© 2018 Edward Chen

The scenery in Cameron Highlands can be breath-taking one day and extremely dull in the next day.

Have you been to Cameron Highlands, Malaysia?

Galeri Wau Pak Sapie and Sony a9 (2017 Sony Alpha Super Workshop Kelantan - Part 2)

We departed to Galeri Wau Pak Sapie, which is along Jalan Pantai Cahaya Bulan. Upon reaching the gallery, I was given the chance to try the Sony Alpha 9 (a9 [Shashinki]). So I immediately took off my Sony 16-35 Zeiss lens from my Sony a7ii and attached the lens onto the a9. 😆

Me and Sony a9. lol © Edward Chen

2017 Sony Alpha Super Workshop Kelantan - Part 1 (Arrival)

I went to the 2017 Sony Alpha Super Workshop in Kelantan. Here are some of the photos taken during the trip which was sponsored by Sony Malaysia and Kelantan Tourism (transportation, lodging, food and venue).

We reached Kota Bharu around six o'clock morning and stopped at Dataran Muhammadi. I went to the nearby market for a short walk while waiting for photographers from all over Malaysia to gather up.

Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah Kota Bharu. Sony a7ii + Sony Zeiss 16-35mm © Edward Chen.

Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah Kota Bharu. Sony a7ii + Sony Zeiss 16-35mm © Edward Chen.

Morning walk at the Setia Alam Wetlands

I thought of going for a short walk at the Setia Alam Wetlands after sending my kids to school early in the morning. But it was already seven o'clock when I was leaving the school, so I decided to do some grocery shopping before I went (since the sun was already rising). 😆

I reached the wetlands slightly before eight o'clock and took photos as I walked around the park. 😊 

All photos are taken with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 with the Kowa Prominar 8.5mm f2.8 MFT manual focus lens.

© Edward Chen Photography

As expected, due to the time of the day, it's not really what I wanted. The sun was too bright and the lighting was harsh. But it wasn't hot, so I just continued my walk around the park.

© Edward Chen Photography

Some Photos of The Rufous-backed Kingfisher and more

Hulu Langat is one of the popular places for cyclists, probably due to its location near the forest reserve where the traffic is not as heavy as in the city. There are also eco-camps in the area where tourists stay in huts next to small rivers and waterfalls.

Here, after consulting my anonymous friends on the location of the bird, I had the opportunity to see for myself the beautiful Rufous-backed Kingfisher, 4th type of kingfisher on my list. 1st - white-throated kingfisher (everywhere), 2nd - Black-naped Kingfisher (Tanjung Karang), 3rd - Collared-Kingfisher (Tanjung Karang).

Edit: I actually saw the Collared-Kingfisher before my trip to Tanjung Karang. Stumbled upon an old photo of it which I took at Pantai Jeram a couple of years ago.

Rufous-backed Kingfisher. © Edward Chen

Collared-Kingfisher and more... Birding Trip to Tanjung Karang Selangor (Part Two of Two)

Continuing from Part One...

As I took shelter in the warung (eatery), the locals (I should have taken a we-fie with them as they are super friendly) told me about the birds they usually see in the area. They mentioned the raja udang (kingfisher) being commonly spotted around there. But they mistook the bee-eater as one of the kingfishers. Egrets are common across the river, and so are eagles.

Then one of them called for me and pointed into the trees.

Not one, but two collared-kingfishers !

© Edward Chen

Birding Trip to Tanjung Karang, Selangor (Part One of Two)

Some new birds are added to my collection of photos on my recent trip to Tanjung Karang... 😄

It's a cloudy forecast on a Monday morning, rain seems to be coming soon. However, I went ahead with my plan to Tanjung Karang since I've already planned for the trip after my birding trip to Kuala Selangor last week.

Tanjung Karang is located about 15 kilometers away from Kuala Selangor, or 15-18 minutes away. The drive in the morning is smooth as usual, since most cars are headed towards the opposite direction.

I arrived first at Bukit Melawati. Scouted for a few minutes to see if there's any special bird hanging in the nearby trees. I just saw some swiftlets and lots of juvenile Asian Glossy Starlings in the trees. So I headed to Tanjung Karang after a few snapshots. It was already raining.

Juvenile Asian Glossy Starlings. © Edward Chen

Upon reaching the rural area of Tanjung Karang, I spotted a Black-naped Oriole with a bountyin its beak. But it flew off once I moved my car to get ready for the capture. 😭

Nearby in the same tree was a black Koel. It was watching me all along and wasn't startled by my presence unlike the Black-naped Oriole.

Birding Trip to Bukit Melawati and Taman Alam Kuala Selangor

As the morning traffic towards Kuala Lumpur is usually terrible during weekdays, I decided to travel to Kuala Selangor instead for my birding activity this morning. It took me around 46 minutes for a 41KM drive. Initially I decided to go Hulu Langat, but it's 74KM and more than an hour away due to moring rush hour. I will save that for another day. 😄

Driving to Kuala Selangor is a breeze. There is not much traffic as most people are headed to the opposite direction or they are just transporting within the small towns along the way.

Upon reaching Bukit Melawati, I saw a couple of cars and a few joggers near the lighthouse at the top of the hill.

Bukit Melawati Lighthouse. © Edward Chen

The "Common" White-throated Kingfisher, Black-napped Oriole and a Family of Whistling Ducks!

This morning is not the usual birding day, when I just see the common white-throated kingfisher at the park. Apart from the black-napped oriole, the great blue heron and other birds that I usually see, a family of whistling ducks came towards me and headed right into the pond! That's really a happy moment looking at how they stayed together and those little ducklings looked so cute! 😆

© Edward Chen

Birding at the Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam

It's one of those days when I feel like going on an outing further out from my usual area. Today I went to Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam (Bukit Cahaya). Met a few birding photography enthusiasts at the car park and joined them for the morning walk into the park. Thanks to Teoh, Teoh's son, SK Yeong and Michelle for their company! 😁

RM3.00 for carpark entry and another RM3.00 fee to get into the park.

Here are some of the photos taken:

White-throated Kingfisher.
© Edward Chen

 

Swiftlet.
© Edward Chen

Birding at the lake in the evening with the Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM

Following my previous post on birding, I went to the nearby park again. This time, it's in the evening. At first I was ready for a dull, gloomy weather as it looked cloudy. But it the wind blew the clouds away, leaving a harsh sunset at the lake. I regret not bringing along my cap!

There was no bird in sight aside from the few swiftlets dipping into the lake. A bee-eater saw me approaching and flew off as I walked another step.

Here are some of the birds I managed to take snapshots of before they flew away. 😁 Photos are shot at 500mm and cropped.

Asian Glossy Starling
© Edward Chen

2017 Thaipusam at Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur

Drawn by the contrasting colours and interesting rituals performed during Thaipusam, I have been visiting the Hindu Temples during this celebrated day almost every year.

As the temple is usually crowded and traffic is heavy, it's sometimes best to take the train from the nearest KTM Kommuter station to Batu Caves.

I took the 630AM train with a friend of mine, Gilbert, at the Subang Jaya station and reached Batu Caves after nearly 2 hours. (Yes, it's quite a long ride.)

I was using the Olympus OM-D E-M1 camera attached with the Olympus 12-40mm f2.8 Pro lens, and also brought along the Olympus 45mm f1.8 lens as well as the Olympus 75mm f1.8 lens in my pouch. 😃

Here are the photos taken...

Places to visit in Malaysia: Fonion Cultural Resort (峯年文化聖城), Melaka

I had the opportunity to visit a newly opened (since 9 September, 2016) cultural resort in Melaka, Malaysia after a visit to the Malaysian Academy of Han Studies with a group of primary school teachers. It is called 峯年文化聖城 or Fonion Cultural Resort.

It is interesting to see the place filled with structures which are with a glance, resembles to those usually found in Chinese temples or parks.

Photos are taken using the Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Kowa Prominar 8.5mm f2.8 MFT lens.

龙龟

A quick visit to Zoo Negara, Malaysia's National Zoo

I just had a quick visit to the national zoo today. I had very little time to take photographs of the animals as I went there with a group of primary school children this round. So, I brought along the Olympus OM-D E-M5 together with the Olympus 12-50mm kit lens only. I expected myself to be taking more group photos and just a few animal photos.

Below are photos of some of the animals.

Retrospective: Using the Nikon AFS 70-300 VR lens adapted to the Olympus OM-D E-M5

*This is one of the blog entries written in retrospective based on my recollection of the events which took place earlier. 

I went to the zoo in an outing one day. As I was curious as to how the Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR can perform with the 2x cropped sensor of the Olympus, I brought the lens along with me. 

© Edward Chen

Below are some of the photos taken.