Photography Talk by Zainal Halim

Zainal Halim is Reuter photojournalist. I always like to know how international media work. Basically he describe himself as a ‘firemen’. Company will assign him to various destination when there is news for coverage. He will find his best way to arrange all equipments, logistic, documentation and such in order to landed the news scene and start working. There are no clear guidelines and all up to his interpretation of the environment and story. Later he will need to edit caption for the photo as well. Such a amazing job he got!

Following are some sample photos taken from www.zainalhalim.com and quoted with photography tips by Zainal.

” a good photographer creates the pictures”

” always try to get clean background” ” Find a nice bacgkground, then wait for the subject”

“subject must stand out..”

“always think one step ahead”

“walk around” “study what to shoot”

“Know your lens, what can it do” ” 17-35, 70-200″

“Diagonal lines, nice pictures”

My experience to motoGP 2009 Sepang, Malaysia

The best gift for motorsports fans would be witness the race or
drivers from the racing track. It definitely beat the grand stand
viewpoint. On race track everything is extra lively, it’s not just
adrenaline stimulating. I am so thankful for the opportunity given by
Dorna to access Sepang Circuit paddock and track during Malaysian
motoGP 2009.

On Friday I check-in to media centre. This time I have pre-booked a
work desk and locker a day earlier so I can keep my equipments safely.
This is 3rd time I’m in media centre since SuperGT and MME2009. It
always proud to come back here and work together with other
photographers and journalists. It’s like an international media frenzy
with me sitting next to Ducati medias. I rushed to track after that to
catch the pit lane walk. Most riders welcome fans at their paddock
and without questions the Yamaha Team has the biggest crowd. Once the
session closed I went back to media desk to do some live blogging. It
is fun when you can tell the world that you are bringing this Live!
from the media centre!

Next session is the free practice and my adrenalin was pumped up and
shutter continues firing. I can’t afford to lose any good shots on the
track until I missed my lunch. Well, fortunately I had a hearty
breakfast and it is not everyday I can spend time doing the things I
that I’m passionate for. The photo shuttle feeder does a great job
totting me around circuit. It’s a comfy change to sit in VW SUV.
Sepang Circuit has the longest track in of all the motoGP races. There
are plenty of spots to catch nice shots. The most memorable one would
be turn 14 and turn 15 where racers will do wheelie after the practice
session before heading back to paddock. Additionally, at this point
you will
hear the loudest engine sounds. I need ear plugs for tomorrow session.

It was tiring after in Friday’s session but I still managed to reach
the circuit in the morning. I couldn’t remember much details on
Saturday other than shooting practices and qualification photos round
the track. It was a hot day, reported 36 Celsius degree. In media
centre I have the chance to peek at other photographer’s photos. It
was so eye catching and what I saw inspired me to do slow panning and
colour contrast boost. Bummer! The network connection on my desk is
out and I have no chance to do
live blog. I went to grand stand mall area to snap some event
pictures. This year there are lesser booths. I planned to get a new
helmet but there are limited choices. Kawasaki booth are still the
biggest and features many models. That’s how to run a motor show! At
the end of day, Rossi and Lorenzo secured 1-2 pole position. Rossi has
renewed circuit best pole timing. I missed yesterday press conference
due to the fact that I’m not aware that I can join in the live
coverage of the press con. So today, I ensure myself to join all media
and photographer in the press conference. It is LIVE in front of me!
This definitely beat the watching live on TV because I can see not
only the riders, but also other people in the room such as team
managers and officers. Another fun day ended and I rush back to town
to attend a wedding dinner.

Sunday morning I saw many motor convoys heading to Sepang Circuit.
There were antiques, superbike and cupchai (moped). It is the most
happening day for motorcycle fans in this region. In warm up session
Rossi did a wheelie in front of supporters. What a great entertainer!
That’s why everybody loves him. The 125cc always in tight battle. The
Malaysian wildcards entries finished the race and celebrating. I like
bikes rowing together and allows me to take awesome pictures. The
250cc saw Aoyama having a tough battle with Simoncelli and Japanese
claiming victory. Just minutes after the podium ceremony ended, it
rained and delayed the motoGP race from starting. The photographers
came prepared and put on their impressive complete rain gears. Most
Malaysian photographers sonly put on a disposable poncho, for them and
camera as well. I was so impressed! Soon after the rain had stopped,
the race begun. I standby in turn 4 to witness the first lap battle.
Surprisingly, Pedrosa and Stoner led the way and Rossi was at 7th
position. After few laps Stoner is flying away but Rossi did a
comeback to stay at the 3rd spot. I left turn 4 and proceed to turn
7th where Rossi fans are waiting Rossi to complete final lap to be
crowned as champion. The fans brought a real live chicken and some
eggs. In later press conference Rossi explained that old chicken
doesn’t lay egg, but this time, however ‘chicken’ (himself) did laid
some eggs for ninth times! Funny but meaningful. The fans stopped
Rossi and to congratulate him. I ran back to podium to catch the
ceremony. In press conference Yamaha explained that Rossi will decide
his future with the team. Yamaha would like to keep Rossi until he
retires from racing. To me as long as Rossi stay in motoGP the fans
will be happy regardless which team he is in. I see fans waiting at
paddock for his appearance and he will try to sign as many autographs
as possible . Year 2009 motoGP championship is very difficult
especially challenges came from teammate Lorenzo. The strong always
grow stronger, that is extra lesson I learned from this trip.

This trip is made possible by arrangement from Dorna and Sepang
Circuit. Big thank you to both and it is really a life time
experience.

Click here to see the full gallery

motoGP 2009: Qualification

The track is baking hot in the afternoon at 36 degree Celsius. Yamaha
racer Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo both secure 1-2 grid place in
tomorrow race. Pedrosa from Honda team share the from row at 3rd spot
with Yamaha rivals. I like the press conference because it really make
me feel live with motoGP. Rossi become the spotlight of all journalist
and photograph because he has renewed fastest Sepang lap record.
Meanwhile he only need to finish at top 4 in tomorrow race to crown
world champion of 2009.

motoGP 2009: Live Blogging from Sepang / Practice session 1

Lorenzo is the fastest man in Sepang today.

Hot and humid afternoon
I always like Suzuki blue.
Try some new tecnic, ultra slow panning to turn picture into watercolor. Wheelie after practice session. It is a traditional
Rossi fan is everywhere. He is very friendly and will do all autograph.

250cc practice but I’m too tired to continue today.

motoGP 2009: Live Blogging from Sepang / Friday Pit Walk / Bikes and paddock

See the full gallery on posterous

Ask for more pictures

motoGP 2009: Live Blogging from Sepang / Friday Pit Walk / Riders face book

Check out faces below. There is opportunity to have autograph and
photo with riders. Should I keep shooting or be a motoGP fans? I think
I can do both in next session.

See the full gallery on posterous

Ask for more pictures

AirAsia Malaysia motoGP wildcards

This is a wild card entry to motoGP 125cc class. Special arrangement
by Sepang Circuit to bring Malaysian rider back to world stage. I have
opportunity to snap some photos since this bike is located at AirAsia
office entrance. A heavy modified Yamaha TZM for motoGP racing. Good
luck to Malaysian riders, Elly and Fahmi. See you on paddock!

Bangkok in Panorama

Travel is to open your eyesight. No matter how wide your camera lens
angle can go, it still can’t beat a human vision. Not to mention about
bird-eye or fish-eye effect.

I have try some panorama stitch on Photoshop CS3 on my recent Bangkok
trip photos and it works very well. The panorama is a puzzle from few
images and it is not necessary to be horizontal or vertical format,
you can have both! CS3 is smart to identify the puzzle and blend theTha Chang Wang Lang
colour perfectly. Few tips for do panorama stitch.

1. Shoot the scene in portrait mode (put your camera in vertical)
2. Do preview in viewfinder/LCD and sweep from starting-point to
end-point to make sure you have cover the interesting subject you
want.
3. Maintain the horizontal at your best. You can have a tripod assist.
4. Maintain the same zoom range, do not change your zoom angle for whole scene.
5. Leave some gap so each image captured have a overlap point. You are
not required to crop very tight, about 70% will do. 30% is section
which captured in previous shot.
6. Shoot the image as fast as possible to avoid lighting change or
other moving objects in scene.
7. If there are many moving objects in scene, you might want to wait
until everything still up or slow down.
8. Do your post processing in Photoshop CS3 or later. Voila!

Complicated? Get a Sony HX1 with in-built sweep panorama function!

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre

Market near Grand Palace

Jim Thompson House living hall

Jim Thompson House staircase to second floor. It was special because Thai house build staircase outer.

Receptionist and souvenir shops at Jim Thompson House.

River behind Jim Thompson House

Rama VIII Bridge

Rama VIII Bridge

Thanon Sam Sen Street, the place I lodged. Near Khaosan.

Menam Chao Phraya

Grand Palace. (Missed the top part )

Thanon Prajadhipok bridge near Saphan Phut pier

Display at Museum of Siam. Muay Thai, Thai dancer, street food, various races.. This is Thailand.

Museum of Siam. Very interactive Plearn (play+learn) driven tour.

My Hanoi Experience

There are plenty blogs and guides talking about Hanoi and the famous
Halong Bay. Thus I decide to share some fun facts during my 4D3N trip.

1. There are very limited English signboard in Hanoi. So be prepare to
ask around and not everyone speak English too.
2. Uncountable and unstoppable motorcycles on the road. If you want to
cross just walk as usual to opposite. The motorcyclist will avoid you.
Pedestrian rule! But don;t make eye contact or look at the
motorcyclist, it will make them confuse!
3. Hardly see any music store or anyone listening radio. My ride to
Halong Bay and Perfume Pagoda was on a silent tour bus.
4. TV feature most of the International channels, just like our Astro,
but this one is totally FREE!
5. No need to bargain hard because Hanoi seller will sell you standard
price same as they offer to local. (You can try to bargain if you
speak good in Viet)
6. There is a famous fruit milk shake located near Water Puppet
theater. Make sure you have a glass to complete your Hanoi tour.
7. Water Puppet show is so unique and special. The ticket is just
VND40,000 (RM8). Brilliant and bravo!
8. Be at Hoan Kiem to catch some romantics moments.
9. Every street in Old Quarter is selling specific products.It is very
convenience to do shopping.
10. Most buildings in Hanoi are slim and tall.
11. There is no really a pagoda in Perfume Pagoda.
12. In weekend you wouldn’t to miss Dong Xuan night market.
13. Ask for price before you buy. My friend bought few bananas for RM8
while a bicycle woman approach him outside the bus.
14. The local brew beer only cost VND3000 (RM0.60). Cheaper than water!
15. The wires hanging around city is art. The cable guy does amazing
stuff to manage it.

Ask for more pictures

My Hanoi Trip – HDR and panaroma

Play with HDR and panaroma stitch from my Hanoi trip photos. HDR is
using 5 pics of 0.5 bracket. Only the Hoan Kim Library and St Joseph’s
Cathedral has good result. The trick is: these two images captured
without turn on DRO in Sony A700. The rest of the images DRO has made
enhancements and Photomatix unable boost the dynamic range further. By
the way all these are shot hand held without tripod.

Hoan Kim Library

Yen Vi River – journey to Perfume Pagoda

St Joseph’s Cathedral

No idea about this temple name but it is super nice! It is located before Thien Tru Temple.

Perfume mountains

Jetty at Chua Huong

Heading back to My Duc town on Yen Vi river