Homecourt
Getting stuck in a rut. Stagnation. Lack of motivation.
It's been a while since I've gotten these feelings, and whenever stuff like these happens, I always make sure to take a step back, so I can get a better look at what I've done and see how I can grow further.
And the opportunity to photograph "homecourt" came by.
Getting stuck in a rut. Stagnation. Lack of motivation.
It's been a while since I've gotten these feelings, and whenever stuff like these happens, I always make sure to take a step back, so I can get a better look at what I've done and see how I can grow further.
For most assignments these days, I've gotten so used to using zoom lenses, that I've gotten a bit lazy and forget all about composition, thinking that I can probably make the crop after.
And yes of course, moments are important and I think I am pretty confident of capturing those, but when it boils down to framing and composition, I think I need a little bit more work, and maybe that would help me out of my rut.
So it's time for some personal work, which I feel helps a lot in my growth as a photographer.
A recent conversation with and sharing by Stefen Chow, shed some light on what I could do and what I could explore. That got me back on my feet.
After graduating and getting into the hustle and bustle of work, my friends and I rarely found time to get together to play basketball as regularly as we would. And as luck would have it, the opportunity to do it finally came, when most of us could make it. For some of us, this was our rare chance of playing and working out together. For me, I had to give up playing much, but I felt it was worth it in the end. It was going back to my roots, because basketball was the first sport I photographed since I started my journey.
I restricted myself to just a single 50mm lens and forced myself to work on the composition, and at the same time, in my mind, I looked to photograph something else, rather than your usual action. Also, I decided to include an aerial view of the court that we usually play at, through the DJI Mavic Pro. And this is the resulting series from a night of street ball fun. Just to give you an idea of what happens when we play, and what our "homecourt" looks like.
HSBC Singapore Sevens
The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series was in town last weekend and this was my first time covering a sevens game. My experience was made interesting thanks to the fans, who came decked in all kinds of costumes.
The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series was in town last weekend and just like previous year's edition, the Singapore leg seemed to provide challenges to the top teams on the leaderboard.
This year, leaders South Africa and Fiji were knocked out early and the Cup final pitted the two North American teams against each other. The Canadians were the eventual victors, beating USA 26-19, and thankfully, the players were celebrating pretty close to the try zone where I was positioned, allowing for a pretty nice jubilation frame.
This was my first time covering a sevens game, and personally, I'd prefer the format of the 15s anytime, partly because there's more action. Nevertheless, my experience was made interesting thanks to the fans, who came decked in all kinds of costumes.
Thanks again, to Edgar, for allowing me to help out with coverage!
Rugby Union - Singapore Sevens - National Stadium, Singapore, 15/04/17 - A general view of the match between USA and Wales. REUTERS/Yong Teck Lim
Rugby Union - Singapore Sevens - National Stadium, Singapore, 15/04/17 - Fans dressed in costumes react. REUTERS/Yong Teck Lim
Rugby Union - Singapore Sevens - National Stadium, Singapore, 15/04/17 - England’s Oliver Lindsay-Hague (L) tries to evade a tackle by France’s Stephen Parez. REUTERS/Yong Teck Lim
Rugby Union - Singapore Sevens - National Stadium, Singapore, 15/04/17 - An England rugby fan reacts. REUTERS/Yong Teck Lim
Rugby Union - Singapore Sevens - National Stadium, Singapore, 15/04/17 - South Africa’s Zain Davids (R) tries to evade a tackle by Japan’s Kosuke Hashino. REUTERS/Yong Teck Lim
Rugby Union - Singapore Sevens - National Stadium, Singapore, 15/04/17 - An England rugby fan looks on. REUTERS/Yong Teck Lim
Rugby Union - Singapore Sevens - National Stadium, Singapore, 15/04/17 - Fiji’s Amenoni Nasilasila is tackled by Hong Kong’s Toby Fenn. REUTERS/Yong Teck Lim
Rugby Union - Singapore Sevens - National Stadium, Singapore, 15/04/17 - Fans dressed in costumes react. REUTERS/Yong Teck Lim
Rugby Union - Singapore Sevens - National Stadium, Singapore, 15/04/17 - Kenya’s Frank Wanyama is tackled by Australia’s Tom Lucas. REUTERS/Yong Teck Lim
Rugby Union - Singapore Sevens - National Stadium, Singapore, 16/04/17 - South Africa's Tim Agaba reacts. REUTERS/Yong Teck Lim
Rugby Union - Singapore Sevens Final - National Stadium, Singapore - 16/04/17 - Canada players celebrate their victory. REUTERS/Yong Teck Lim
Rugby Union - Singapore Sevens Final - National Stadium, Singapore - 16/04/17 - Canada players celebrate their victory. REUTERS/Yong Teck Lim
Thaipusam
This is my first time photographing the festival, so I set out to look for interesting details. Thanks to Edgar for letting me tag along and sharing some tips and Don for the EF 135mm F/2L USM, which is a beast of a lens and extremely helpful in cleaning up background mess!
The Thaipusam festival is celebrated annually by Hindu devotees on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Thai. It is a thanksgiving festival, where devotees participate in a long procession to honor the Hindu god Murugan.
This is my first time photographing the festival, so I set out to look for interesting details. Thanks to Edgar for letting me tag along and sharing some tips and Don for the EF 135mm F/2L USM, which is a beast of a lens and extremely helpful in cleaning up background mess!
A devotee carries lime piercings on his back during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee has his arm pierced during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee has his body pierced during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee reacts as he gets his body pierced during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
Devotees carry milk pots during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
Devotees carry milk pots during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee reacts after having his cheeks and tongue pierced during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee with his cheeks and tongue pierced waits to start his procession during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee has his cheeks and tongue pierced during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee pulls a chariot with hooks on his back during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
Devotees make offerings during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee receives blessings from his family members during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee with his cheeks and tongue pierced waits to start his procession during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee pulls a chariot with hooks on his back during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee has his cheeks and tongue pierced during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee with his cheeks and tongue pierced waits to start his procession during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee receives blessings from his family members during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
A devotee has his back pierced during the Thaipusam festival at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on February 9, 2017 in Singapore.
New year, new goals
It's okay to not perform well, especially so when you're starting out on a journey. I can underperform today, but maybe a few weeks and months down the road, I'll be better. Because that's how we grow up.
Fireworks explode in Marina Bay during New Year celebrations in Singapore January 1, 2017. REUTERS/Yong Teck Lim
Since I set out on my pursuit in photojournalism, I have never looked back and vowed to realize my dream of making it among the top guns.
It seemed like a natural path to take, specializing in sport since I grew up loving it. Eventually I got better at it, but there was a catch. Anyone from the industry here in Asia can tell you that focusing on one genre isn't going to work out, because there isn't really a market for certain photography genres, especially sport. I moved to other options, and explored other genres.
Naturally, when you feel that you're at a certain level, the bar increases. And when your work doesn't make the cut, you grow dejected. But it's all part and parcel of the process. To me, I choose to see it in a way where I'm lacking behind, and I need to improve. I didn't fail yet. I merely underperformed. To me, I fail when I give up.
It's okay to not perform well, especially so when you're starting out on a journey. In the last quarter of 2016 and through 2017, I'm photographing subjects and trying techniques that I've never done, taking on more video assignments and picking up video editing.
There is a steep learning curve, but like I mentioned earlier, because we're in Asia, you have to do more. I choose to get out of my comfort zone. I can underperform today, but maybe a few weeks and months down the road, I'll be better. Because that's how we grow up.
GOALS for 2017
Take on more video assignments
Complete 3 photo stories
See better, shoot better
The gentleman's game
Covered golf for the first time ever and prior to that, I was completely clueless about the sport and the governing rules and regulations. Reading about it definitely helped, but no matter how much you know about it, nothing beats the first-hand experience.
Having new firsts in the new year is always a good thing. And 2017 welcomed me to the gentleman's game.
Covered golf for the first time ever and prior to that, I was completely clueless about the sport and the governing rules and regulations. Reading about it definitely helped, but no matter how much you know about it, nothing beats the first-hand experience.
To sports junkies, golf can be pretty boring when you compare it with action-heavy sports such as basketball or football. And as a one-man team, following the leaders would be a good way to ensure that you meet assignment requirements.
And because I had never stepped foot into a golf course before (don't judge), day one of the event was spent on understanding the environment, access, players, and things I can or can not do. I always make a mental note to take it easy and be patient and absorb whatever that I can. Time will make everything fall into place.
As always, I'm grateful to the people around me - Maye-E, Wallace, Mark and Edgar, for sharing their knowledge and tips on covering the sport.
Adam Scott of Australia throws his putter after missing a putt on the ninth hole during the SMBC Singapore Open golf tournament at Sentosa's Serapong golf course in Singapore January 19, 2017.
Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand hits out of a bunker on the fifth hole during the SMBC Singapore Open golf tournament at Sentosa's Serapong golf course in Singapore January 20, 2017.
Adam Scott of Australia tees off on the seventh hole during the SMBC Singapore Open golf tournament at Sentosa's Serapong golf course in Singapore January 20, 2017.
Adam Scott of Australia hits a shot on the seventh green during the SMBC Singapore Open golf tournament at Sentosa's Serapong golf course in Singapore January 20, 2017.
Adam Scott of Australia tees off on the eighth hole during the SMBC Singapore Open golf tournament at Sentosa's Serapong golf course in Singapore January 20, 2017.
Angelo Que of the Philippines and his caddy walk on the seventh fairway during the SMBC Singapore Open golf tournament at Sentosa's Serapong golf course in Singapore January 22, 2017.
Angelo Que of the Philippines tees off on the ninth hole during the SMBC Singapore Open golf tournament at Sentosa's Serapong golf course in Singapore January 22, 2017.
Song Younghan of South Korea hits a shot on the 18th green during the SMBC Singapore Open golf tournament at Sentosa's Serapong golf course in Singapore January 22, 2017.