Beyond the viewfinder. The reason why I gave my blog this name is because I don’t want this blog to be all about my work, the wedding images I take. I want it show what I do besides photography and perhaps, a little about my life as well.  But don’t worry, I will still be posting up wedding images. Soon ok?

I was swarmed with work right after the Bali trip. It’s the same as how you guys work overtime after taking leave. Emails, admin, edits, delivery, meet ups… you name it. The Hari Raya long weekend was especially long for me, with back to back weddings. The one consolation for the long standing hours are the people that were at the weddings, the couple, relatives, friends and even vendors. Gives me that warm and fuzzy feeling. I may be too engrossed taking pictures that my response might be a little less than warm, but when the dust settled, reminiscing the events are just as great.

My exercise regime took a long break after that 2 weeks of sickness and 2 weeks in Bali. Add another week of crazy workload, that’s more than a month without working out. For someone who can’t keep still, that sucks. So here’s the much needed “break” from work. I remembered a friend once told me, after one wedding, the next day should be “no work” day. That’s one thing I always remember… to make me feel less guilty:)

So Batam was the place to be. We headed out to Batam Cable Park for a full day of riding. Had an awesome time with really good company! I had so much fun I forgot I didn’t sleep much, didn’t eat much and worked my body so hard. All in the name of de-stressing:D

Here are some images from the trip.

EP off the ramp with a stylish bone out.

Andy hanging on the line.  Hang on, don’t come down yet.

Oooooooooo’brien!!

Suter’s powerslide. I think this backdrop is so much better than ECP!

Covered in a veil of water droplets.

Whiplash-ed!!

Lin and Li doing some synchronized ollie-ing. Nicely executed.

Al and Ray by the dockside. So much fun for a day.

I took some time off Sunday and headed down to Ski 360 for the Singapore Wake Park Championship 2009. It’s nice to see some of the best in the region pit their skills against one another. Nice to see some familiar faces too. I was a little beaten down by the heat though. I wish I could just jump into the water if not for the camera. I have been shooting from the boat for quite some time now, but this is the first time shooting off the shore. I think I’ll need more practice to get it 100% right. Here are some shots I got on that day.

What exactly have I been doing? Well, besides some photography, editing and admin work, I have been spending the rest of the time resting, relaxing and learning new things. Here’s a “MTV” that I made for our regular wakeboarding trips:)

My board is in hospital for a week. So the closest I’m getting near the water is going through the image archives. So happening right? Let’s see what I found.

Suter spinning, FS, BS… whatever…

Creating some misty effect in the morning.

 Very often, I’ll bring my camera along when I go wakeboarding. I love to photograph the riders in action, not just because I think the actions look really good. But it gives me the opportunity to practise my photography. Outside of weddings, I hardly even do any photography anymore unless I travel (I’m trying to work on this…) or ocassionally photographing the dogs. Over the few times that I took these guys in action, I found that it is actually quite similar to weddings in a way. Lighting, timing (this is so important), anticipation and composition. I think it’s pretty good training. And it makes me feel better that at least I did something good out there, since I suck at wakeboarding:D

Someday, I’m going to take it a step further to go on the tube. Someday…:D

Suter  up on a Raley

Epa doing a shifty

Andy going for a Indy shifty

grabbin’

Good rider, butter smooth water… and we’re just waiting for some amazing lighting. It came and stayed for awhile.

There you go Andy:) Land your 3 and I’ll get the videos done:P

Managed to have some water time couple of weeks back. Went wakeboarding REALLY early in the morning. Brought my trusty 20D along and did some shots. Didn’t get to post them earlier because I was bogged down by work. Here you go!:D

Suter serving a chicken salad.

Indy shifty

Hah, the last one’s Andy. Sorry, I think the silhouette shots look better here. We’ll try for the face next time!:D

Went wakeboarding yesterday morning, hoping to iron out some moves and banish some painful thoughts. Didn’t do too well and got hell from Jem (the driver). He has been scolding me for the longest of time (most of the time for my own good, although sometimes I think he just do it to get the kick out of it), but this time it felt much worse than any other time.

I just couldn’t land my jumps properly. He got real pissed and shouted across the water, “if you are scared, don’t wakeboard!!”. Sigh… I’ve never felt so close to tears before. Even though I knew his intentions, it still hurt like hell. Anyway, I just kept telling myself to be positive, to try again and again till I get it right. Even though I still didn’t get it, I know there’ll be another day to try again.

When I took a break, he told me that he doesn’t understand why I’m always trying so hard, trying to be perfect and why I’m always thinking. I wonder how much of what he said is linked to what I am like in real life. In trying, sometimes, we hurt ourselves more than we know. I have much to learn…

Some comforting parts, he said he’ll teach me how to do a backroll some time. Good, I’ve been wanting to learn that.

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After the short photoshoot today, I decided to get some drinks from a petrol kiosk. Added 2 more unusual items to my shopping list, Her World Brides (because I heard I’ve got pictures up in this issue) and New Paper (because it’s toilet friendly sized… and I need a dump)

In the news, a secondary school boy fell during cable ski and was partially paralysed!! I don’t know how he fell, but it sure sounds serious. When I started wakeboarding, I remembered falling badly once (doing nothing spectacular – maybe the fall was spectacular) and had a head concussion. Wiped out a good 20-30mins of my life, which I can’t remember till now. Tomorrow, I AM GOING to buy a helmet and armour…

I’m going to buy a white helmet and stick stickers on it… like… ”armoured turban” or “lightsphere”:D

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Initially I thought I might not make it down because of client meetings. 4pm, I decided I should just pop by and have a look. Got there just in time, with 20mins before the finals. Met some friends and was standing near the area where the competitors left their gear. When they passed by, we went picture pimpin’ (I don’t usually do that, but they are pretty irresistable)… I only took 3, but that’s enough!:) These guys are very friendly too.

And no, taking pictures of them won’t improve my ride. Having the determination to learn will.

The whole competition was very inspiring. Behind every move is blood, sweat and loads of talent. Impressive work. Hope to see them again next year!:D

Philip Soven, before he went for the finals. Wished him good luck, but I guess, he didn’t really need them.

Dallas Friday. Ok, I didn’t tip toe to get this effect!! She’s petite!! And very sweet too.

Sasha Christian. Singapore’s only female representative:)

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…since I attended a wedding, as a guest. You know, that kind that have to give red packets:P j/k. Edwin, the guy who started wedding photography with me invited me to his wedding dinner tonight. It feels strange to be sitting down in a wedding banquet. When I saw him, he jokingly asked me, “didn’t bring your camera?”. I replied, “can you just let me be normal for once?”

I left halfway through the dinner as I felt a little unwell, I think the flu bug has caught up. Need to get some medication tomorrow. Can’t believe we ran out of panadols. While I was driving back in the heavy downpour, alot of random thoughts (with regards to weddings) went through my mind.

I think, I prefer to be special (abnormal if you like).

something extra:

my super duper cool looking dry cabinet arrived today! my camera equipments got their home upgraded from tents to bungalow now!:D

new tricks from wakeboarding. manage to land some 2 wake toeside 180s. i’m loving my board, it’s giving me consistency. but i dropped it and it got scratched:(

tomorrow, more work to do… hopefully the fever goes away. else i’m going to call in for MC. where’s my mirror?

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I’ve decided I should be more consistent with my wakeboarding. That also means, riding with the same board. After visiting the chiropractor to treat my shoulder joint, I popped by Mike’s board shop at Far East Shopping Center. Had a little chat with the staff there and decided I should just get the board.

It’s the Slingshot Recoil 2007 model. Not the prettiest design, but hey, it’s going at a great price!:D More importantly, it’s now MINE!! Went straight to Punggol after that to try it out. What a ride it was. I can’t wait to go back again next week!

Some pictures from the web (from activewake.com). Mine’s the olive one,

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Yes, this picture.

Now I’m really hungry. I think I need food. Some updates, I decided to put the wakeboard purchase on hold (again)! Chris told me it’ll be better if he lend me his board (nothing to complain since it’s a ronix ONE:D) since he won’t be wakeboarding for awhile. Alritie mate, I think that’s a good suggestion. I’ll get mine in time to come when I decide to do cable a little more seriously.

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After one of the many falls at cableski (Batam) yesterday, I saw something horrifying heading my way. A stray handle. It was a little too close and I know I won’t be able to avoid it. So, I ducked underwater, hoping it will pass. 2 secs later, I emerged… and scored a direct hit. Damn it. I felt stupid…

If that thing goes around the cable park at 30km/hr, that means I just got hit by a wooden rod, 1foot in size at that speed. And it hurts! Now there’s a little bump on my right forehead. *kok tau*

Alritie, mum just called, told me that uncle brought some durians from Malaysia yesterday. Sorry folks, I’m having my durian feast a little earlier. But rest assured, the durian parties will GO ON!:) I’m just “testing the goods”.

…from the computer and head to the swamps with Chris and Sups. Brought my semi-retired 20D for a little workout as well. Here are some images I took of Chris.

My first run was bad, bad bad bad… They said I look like a vampire, pale and all. Glad the 2nd was much better. The late nights have taken it’s toll. I better get back to a healthy routine soon.

So, this was taken by Chris:) Not bad eh!:D I meant the photo.