Gavin Gough and I officially start our 2012 Thaipusam workshop tonight, here in Penang. So yesterday met several of the families we have arraigned for our participants to follow and photograph during the festival. We also did a pre-workshop run through with the models we have secured for our participants to photograph.

We have found three lovely models, none of them are professional, but each one is beautiful in their own right. Not only were they beautiful on the outside, each had a something special on the inside as well and were a real joy to work with. I want to thank Victoria for bringing her skills as a makeup artist to play. (But Victoria, I think you had an easy job with such lovely ladies )

The young lady in the black outfit, called a kebaya nyonya, is Cindy Ong. I think I am going to take her home and give Jessie a big sister! Cindy not quite 18 years old is full of drama and is a natural at this modeling stuff. The next Jayshri Mennon or just Jay. Jay was not only a wonderful model but a huge help this week in prepping for this event. She has recruited most of her family as subjects for our workshop participants to document as they perform these important Hindu rituals. Thank you Jay. Speaking of Jay’s family, her sister Shri is making the orange sari look so beautiful. Between Cinday, Jay, Shri and Victoria how can we help not take a good picture?

The prep work for this event did not start yesterday, but months in advance. Sometimes I think people think all you have to do to make a successful workshop happen is just show up and teach. Far from it. Gavin and I have been working with the help of people here in Penang for close to a year to make this happen. We are excite to develop a unique and exciting workshop for our participant. Maybe in 2013 you can join us?

A fisherman pulls in an empty net off the shores of Batu Ferringhi.

I am working on a project for a NGO that is focusing on the peoples of Africa and Asia’s coastal waters. In short, we are looking at issues of over fishing, climate change and natural disasters like the Acheh tsunami and how these factors effect the livelihood of the coastal people. This is from today’s shoot right here in my backyard.

83 year old fisherman, Ariffin pulls a horseshoe crab from his net.

Empty nets are frequent these days.

Becasue the fishing is so bad, Ariffin and his family suppliment their income by transporting Arab tourist to remote beaches to picnic.

f/1.8, 1/2500 sec, at 85mm, 250 ISO, on a Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

This will be a short post. It’s really just a reminder to take advantage of the moment. This morning I went to Georgetown (Penang, Malaysia) scouting out some locations for an upcoming photo walk. As I was walking through Little India, I stopped and went inside a Hindu temple. These temples have always been inviting and friendly and I thought I might take some photos. I was quickly told by the very stern and very grumpy temple curator, I could not take photos in his temple.  Having never been turned away from photographing inside of a temple, I double checked that he was indeed the curator. This seemed to make him all the more upset. The poor guy definitely got up on the wrong side of whatever he sleeps on. Feeling somewhat dejected and frustrated I left. As I walked outside I thought about the very large painting of a lotus on the ground in front of the temple, a mandala of sorts. I had an idea. I wanted to leave, but I made myself stand there and wait for a moment. I could walkaway, upset by the grumpy curator or I could wait for a sari clad woman to walk over the mandala and get my photographic satisfaction.  My patience was rewarded and frankly I felt better not letting my emotions rule me.

f/2.8, 1/160 sec, at 16mm, 100 ISO, on a Canon EOS 5D Mark II

I walked on. Only a few feet further I saw a Muslim gentleman standing in his butcher shop doorway. He had a very stern and somewhat intimidating look on his face.  With the curators voice still echoing in my head I assumed this man’s expression meant, “Keep walking. There’s nothing for you to see here.” So, I kept walking. But, there was another louder voice in my head that said, “Just go talk to him. Don’t let fear rule you.”  So, I went back and greeted this man. Immediately his face lit up and he smiled. Before long we were old friends and he began telling me the history of Indian Muslims in Malaysia. How, according to him, many Malay call them, “Mamas” or “Mamak” but they see themselves as simply Malaysian. I asked him if I could take a few photos and he quickly agreed. Granted, these are not great images. I don’t post them here because they’re my best work, they certainly are not. I am posting them as a reminder to all of us, myself included, to slow down, take advantage of the moment and don’t let fear direct your photo shoot.

f/1.2, 1/400 sec, at 85mm, 200 ISO, on a Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Listed by date:

Thaipusam – Penang, Malaysia

February 4th – 11th, 2012

Join Gavin Gough and I as we photograph this visually startling event. Every year 800,000 Hindu Tamil and Chinese devotees of Muruga, the Hindu God of War, gather in Penang to celebrate Thaipusam. On the day of the festival, devotees will shave their heads and undertake a pilgrimage along a set route while engaging in various acts of devotion, notably carrying various types of kavadi (burdens) and participating in acts of mortification of the flesh by piercing the skin, tongue or cheeks with skewers. You can see some of my images from previous Thaipusam festivals here, here and here.

We will also be photographing the historic Georgetown, Penang. Georgetown is a UNESCO treasure and a sample of Colonial Asia in a time capsule.

Lhasa, Mt. Everest to Kathmandu Overland

April 22nd – May 4th, 2012

The overland route connecting Lhasa, Tibet with Kathmandu, Nepal is one of the most beautiful and and sought-out land routes in all of Asia. We had so much positive feedback from this trip in 2011 that we decided to run it again!  Tibet resident photographer Brian Hirschy and I will be co-leading this trip. Covering a distance of 600 miles, this workshop will take us from the ancient Tibetan capital of Lhasa to pristine high altitude lakes, winding ancient rivers, beautiful farming valleys, Everest Base Camp and over the Himalaya Mountain passes to the ancient Nepali city of Bhaktapur. We will be visiting the most famous monasteries and temples in all of Tibet while spending 13 days immersed in the unique Himalayan culture. Join us on the Roof of the World to get up close and personal with Himalayan culture and the adventure of a lifetime! See previous posts on this years workshop here.

Angkor Photo Workshop

July 16th – 30th, 2012

The Angkor Photo Workshop is limited to 16 participants. Don’t let the numbers fool you! With 4 instructor through out the workshop each and every participant will get plenty of face time with each instructor. This workshop is unprecedented, you will have one-on-one with four of your favorite photographers, Karl Grobl, Gavin Gough, Marco Ryan and myself as you explore and hone your photography, learn visual storytelling and learn software like Soundslides Plus, Audacity and Lightroom.

This workshop includes a multitude of activities including lectures, one on one instruction, critiques, assignments, and exploration of all things photographic. All done in one of the most visually exciting places on earth, Angkor Wat. But it doesn’t stop there, you will also visit Cambodia’s vibrant capitol city, Phnom Penh. Read previous posts on this years workshop here, here and the participants work here.

First, let’s get something straight – this is not a review. These photos are not straight out of the camera and put on this blog post (with the exception of one). I imported them into Lightroom and then did my normal workflow on them. Most of these were shot in raw, though not all. I will give you my thoughts on this camera, with one caveat; I just bought it yesterday and only used it for about 4 to 5 hours.

For the most part I really, really like this camera. I know there is a lot of controversy over the cost of the camera and its abilities. Some folks call it nothing more than a glorified point and shoot. Others think it’s the best thing since sliced bread. I think it’s somewhere in between. There are several things that are frustrating with it but there is a lot that is good. The image quality both in JPEG and raw is astounding. When I shot JPEG, and there were a few that I did with the built-in presets, there was still enough latitude to tweak them in Lightroom. Lightroom now has the ability to import the X100′s raw file with no troubles.

My likes:

I like the feel and the look. I mean honestly, what is there not to like, this is a sexy camera. It’s heavy enough to feel substantial; the metal is brushed and beautiful even the name etched in the top of the camera looks nice. The analog dials are a joy and come in a wonderful relief after using my G9.  I love the fact that I can adjust the aperture on the lens (where it should be!) and the shutter speed with the dial on the top of the camera. I can set it to aperture priority, shutter priority or full program mode just by turning the dials to “A” on the aperture ring or on the shutter dial. The viewscreen on the back is bright and crisp. The hybrid optical viewfinder is everything it’s cracked up to be. In a word: AMAZING! It gives you more information in a viewfinder that I’ve ever seen before and it’s all bright, crisp and clear.

My dislikes:

The  dial on the back does seem a little flimsy at times. It is rather small. When I go to use it I often hit the wrong button and make the wrong changes. Toggling between the viewscreen on the back and the viewfinder is confusing when trying to view images. Oftentimes the image will appear in the viewfinder rather than on the back of the camera, and this is frustrating. I’m sure it’s just a matter of me getting used to the right sequence of buttons to push, but it wasn’t very intuitive for me. The camera is very complicated and after working with it for about five hours today, there is still a lot to learn. It definitely has a high learning curve. I actually think it’s harder to figure out how to use this camera than my 5D MK II. But again, it may just be a matter of playing with it and learning and it should all become second nature after a while. Others have complained about the shutter being slow. It’s not so much the shutter being slow as it is the electronic viewfinder catching up with what’s happening with the camera, at least I think so. I don’t feel I missed any photos today, but I did not see what I took at times.  Frankly, I will not be using the electronic viewfinder much as the optical viewfinder is so stellar. It’s kind of hard to explain. The whole optical viewfinder is a completely new bird and something that you just have to pick up and play with. The camera makes some noise when you flip between the optical and  electronic viewfinders. It is a rather tinny and cheap sound. At first I was quite concerned, then once I figured out what was making the sound and seeing the tiny little metal shutter over the viewfinder closing, it made sense. Lastly, the battery went pretty quick… as in, after five hours of shooting it was dead. I have heard this is an issue. I hope there will be a firmware update to fix this soon.

It sounds like there are more dislikes than likes. Not really. I think it is a matter of getting to know this camera and how it works. In the end, the good out weighs the bad. It is not a camera for everyone. I wanted a sophisticated small rangefinder and this is as close as it gets today. If you want a full review check out  Ken Rockwell’s review HERE. Also, checkout this rather silly hands on review video by DigitalRevCom and a comprehensive look at the camera by What Digital Camera. In getting to know the camera I found the best option is to put the manual aside and visit Ken Rockwell’s online manual he has made. You can find it HERE.

Like I said, at the beginning, this is not a review,  I wanted to just highlight some of the pictures I shot with it today. I think you’ll see that these images are as good as anything you can do with the DSLR given its limitations. I look forward to using this camera.  Certainly, there is no buyer’s remorse here.

Click on the images below to view it and read any comments.

Yesterday, we walked a few hours through Durbar Square in Kathmandu. Again, not really like I remembered it. But certainly better than Tamel and it’s hippies. Baktipur is what Durbar Square in Kathmandu could be. Kathmandu is trying, but it is going to take time. Freak Street and it’s hippies dominate and influence Durbar Square too much. But that is just my option. Some of you may love it. I found it tiring. But them I have a killer cold or flu and the whole world is tiring to me these days.

Today I fly back to Penang and to my family. It is always a good day when it is flying home. My wife and daughter are the best and I miss them every time I travel. I made a promise to my wife to not touch the computer nor the camera for a few days. I want to focus on my life with the family. So it will be quite for a while. Thanks for reading and commenting over this past two weeks. You make this blog possible.

You might remember a couple years back I posted images from the Hindu celebration of Thaipusam that takes place here in Penang. Last year I was in Iraq and not able to cover it. But this year I am home with camera in hand. To get the full story on Thaipusam watch and read THIS and THIS from those older posts.

Today started slow with a silver chariot being wheeled slowly through the streets of Georgetown. But it ended with the full force of body piercing and spirit inhabitation. Quite frankly, it gave me the willies! Below is a series of images of a woman and the process she goes through to ready herself for her pilgrimage of Thaipusam. It is not for the faint of heart.

Click on the thumbnail to view full size.

Photo by Victoria F.

I received this email yesterday from Victoria, a student in my Introduction to Photography class held here in Penang. I thought I should share it with you as a great reminder how traveling photographers need to be aware of the culture around them and always try to be sensitive to the local norms and traditions. Always remembering we are the visitors, this is not about us, this picture is about them. I am quoting this letter fully. I will let you comment. Did she handle it well? What would you have done?

Hi Matt,

Thank you again for yesterday’s class, it was very informative and certainly got me out the door today to practice! Though what an experience today actually brought.

I had almost 2 hours set aside and drove into Georgetown (around…around…no parking…around again) passing by so many exciting things to shoot. I eventually found a parking place and meandered into the busy district of Jalan Pinang (now with only 1 hour and 15 minutes left).

I found a bright blue wall, complete with scarlet red plastic chair and upon it perched the most interesting elderly Muslim man. I ‘stole’ a few shots but decided with my fixed lens that I wasn’t close enough so with those Kahunas you told me I needed, I moved in closer and asked the old man’s permission. A gentle nod and a few snaps of the shutter – I was happy. That was until I went over to show him what I had made of him and he waved me away, he didn’t want me near him and told me to go away down the street! My feelings unhurt but a tad bemused I accidentally stumbled into a little alley cafe just a few feet away.

I was greeted by the smiliest old man with a full white beard and he was dressed in Pakistani clothing. Before I knew it I was chatting to the smiley face and asked him if I could make his picture, he was more than happy to and liked the photo as much as I did! He told me to come in and sit down, so I selected the wobbliest tin table and plonked my self and camera down. Mmm roti bakar, half-cooked eggs and a coffee, a fantastic mid-morning brunch!

This alley though, was dark and dingy. This coffee place was snuck into the dark space and truly could be described as a hole in the wall. Not much more than a tin roof covered over between 2 buildings. It was then as I perused the ‘room’ that it dawned upon me…I was the only woman in this hole AND a ‘putih¹‘ at that. My camera sat next to the coffee cup, I desperately wanted to pick it up. There’s a man on the left of me who is Pakstani too, a younger but still bearded man. He sits against a deep brown burgundy wall and is bathed in a perfect shaft of light from above. His face is fantastic, the mood is everything I have wished for. I look at him, he doesn’t break a smile, in fact he is harsh. I try to not to catch his eye…the camera still sits.

Inside I have an inner turmoil going on – as a woman should I try to take this shot? He is giving me the cultural clues that I should dare not. Is it worth it for me to do this? Maybe I lost my reputation already by being a woman out on her own who was coming in, sitting down, talking to the old boy and wearing a breezy shirt? I thought of other white women and how they could be perceived on another day. Should I go for it? The sickening feeling of intimidation won and the camera still sat there.

Upon paying I was glad it had won. It was Pakistani the Younger who handled my bill and was he so careful for the 50 cent change not to touch his hand and mine at the same time that he dropped it into my palm from a good height above.

I’ve felt it before but now I really know; there are men’s worlds and women’s worlds. Times when they clash together and times like today when they are distinctly separate. Today I needed a male photographer alongside me for the man’s world and then I wonder if the story would have been different! As disappointed as I was that a great photo opportunity had been let go of, I was glad to be able to read and respect those cultural lines as best I could.

I did however, get a chance to play with the white balance & exposure compensation a lot so it was a good little jaunt into town after all

Thanks for all

Victoria F

See Victoria’s Flickr portfolio HERE

I just finished my first ever Introduction to Photography course here in Penang this morning. I had eight students with varied experience, all gather at my house around my dining table for a look into how to get the best out of their cameras. I must say, three hours seemed more like three minutes. But with the help of a snazzy (I must say) Keynote presentation, we were able to stay on task yet answer most of the questions and still have some time left for some practical work. I had wanted to take everyone to the beach to shoot, but it rained rather hard here this morning. So, when it stopped for a few minutes, we ran into the road in front of my house and shot some mini-assignments. The aim was not to take pictures of the beach, but to practice what we covered in class. So we were still able to accomplish that. In fact, I must say I was quite impressed with the images they came up with right on my road. It just goes to show, a good photo is made not taken.

In the three short hours we were able to cover the basics:

1. how to hold your camera
2. button and dials
3. the exposure triangle
4. aperture (depth of field)
5. shutter speed (motion)
6. ISO
7. exposure compensation
8. basic composition:
   • rule of thirds
   • uses of lines
   • negative space
9. plus a myriad of trick and tips

The students seemed pleased. One student wrote,

“Thanks! I love the course. I learned a lot about the artistry rather than just aperture/shutter speed etc…”

If you’re a new photographer or know someone that would have benefited from this three hour introduction but missed it, don’t fret! I’m running the same course this Wednesday, December 15th from 9am till 12pm. There are still plenty of spaces for this Wednesday’s course. Just email or call me (+60 164908704) for information or registration. It is a great value for only RM 150 or $47.  Join the fun!

It’s that time again, time to register for the WorldWide Photowalk. I love these walks. It’s a time when fellow photographers both professional and hobbyist can gather together and just have fun. No pressure, no real rules, other than be safe, a time when photographers encourage each other with camera in hand.  And best of all, it is FREE! Every  participants will have the opportunity to win dozens of prizes worth thousands of dollars. There are hundreds of photo walks that will take place on July 24th. (Editors note: Maybe you are a little unclear about what the heck is a photo walk? Check out this well crafted overview HERE.)

But the one photo walk I’m most concerned about, is the one I’ll be leading. You can find it’s page HERE to register.  There is only space for 50 photographers. You’d think that would be plenty, but every year it fills up in a matter of days. This year we’re focusing in on Forgotten Penang. We will be walking in and among many historic buildings as well as many derelict buildings. It’s the derelict buildings that offer some of the real photographic possibilities. I chose 7 am as a start to allow us time to shoot the Campbell Street morning market for people shooters like myself. I also have a arranged a special opportunity for our walkers. I have invited a shooter from the UK who’s living here in Penang to join us. His name is Mark Hall and he specializes in panoramic images. They’re pretty amazing and he is excited to be able to share his tricks and skills with the rest of us. So for about 30 minutes we’ll have a free pano workshop that Mark will be leading. He is bring his pano tripod head, as well as other gear, and offering you a chance to use it, hands-on. How fun is that?

So the route this year will be roughly from E&O hotel to Jalan Phee Choon in one direction and Jalan Transfer over to Lorong Love the other direction. Confusing? Just look at the map below.

Remember, there are only 50 spaces available. Sign up today. There may not be any places left by tomorrow! See you at the walk.

View 2010 Worldwide Photo Walk in a larger map