the Grampians, southern winter 1998

birds

sing

for

their

lives

Mornington Peninsula, Australia
On film, Nikon f801s

Music: Nine Horses
Lyrics/vocals: Stina Nordenstam

The Threesome

My three other nephews. Taken during a school summer holiday in 1992. My hometown in China. The heat was intense, the glare was burning, as you can see from their faces. They were playing at the same spot I was playing when I was their age. They were catching the same summer beetles I was catching. The one on the right is the closest nephew. We look more alike, don't we? These kids of course are all grown-ups now.

This picture was shot on film with a Nikon F801s. The original print and negative have been kept surprisingly well, making this old picture look very young still.

Picture upload has been made easier and better with the new Blogger and the link functions of Flickr. More to come. Stay tuned!

The Banquet


Many would disagree but I think the old China is a better China.

The soil was cleaner. The water was clearer. The air was filled with scents, not fumes. Poultry didn't take steroids. Fishes weren't fed on antibiotics. Organic produces were the only thing to be taken for granted. Life was difficult but faces were more genuine and happiness came from within. Yes, growth has been spectacular. So is the cost. Sustainability is at best a concept, not a reality.

This picture was taken some twenty years ago when I was released for holiday from secondary school. These days it only takes two hours to get there (Dongguan). Those days it required nearly a day.

I was stealing my brother's manual camera (Nikon FM2). Immaculate but painfully heavy for a small kid. Those days there were only films. So this picture holds a degree of authenticity that just comes naturally with it, although I have now converted it into digital.

The backdrop is a typical courtyard in a Chinese village. The folks at the back were making food for my cousin's wedding banquet. Those days there were no restaurants in a village. Banquets always took place in an open area. You would find dogs and chickens chasing round your feet while sipping your soup. Those days banquets were far more environmental-friendly as shark fins would never appear on the menu.

The face in front is my nephew, who is not much younger than me. A camera was something highly exotic in these surroundings. Whenever you held it up, kids would throw you a ton of curiosity.

I miss the old China.

Cooking with a View


















It's been years since I was on the road.

This picture was taken probably at my last road trip in Southern Australia. Don't remember exactly when or where as I have no habit of making a proper record. I do remember, however, how mesmerised I was by this very scenery. It has been my wallpaper ever since.

Taken on 35mm film (yes, film is strictly better than digital!)
at 28mm (more or less)
f/ and shutter speed.. don't really remember..

Using a circular polariser, the reflection from the lake surface is significantly reduced while colors become more saturated. The result is a spellbinding picture where it's hard to tell between the sky and the lake.

The earth, the sky, wilderness, freedom, tranquility, vastness of the mother nature... I'm counting days down to the next road trip. And hopefully I'll bring my cookware along!

* Click picture to enlarge

Too drunk to be able to say anything...
Pic first, more later...

Lining Up...

Weekend is always something to look forward to...

Thanks Alexandra for shooting and sharing the dinner!

Still Cooking...

Pics are finally uploaded from the camera. It's actually easier than I imagined. The pace of technology really makes me an old-timer...
It's getting late. So pic first, more later...

That's probably just a little too much for myself...