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Gear

"Melvin is sold out to the Nikon system (sorry Canon shooters). He shoots with Nikon D80 and Finepix S2 Pro dslr bodies. Mel loves using the 50mm f/1.8, and 80-200mm f/2.8D most. He also has a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8, and a Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Macro. For lights, he has two 500W/s studio strobes, but prefers to carry an SB800 Speedlight "because it's not as heavy". He packs all these equipment in a lovely Crumpler 'Karachi Outpost' backpack. He has other nice stuff too, but just doesn't want to tell you."

About

"A native of Borneo, Mel only recently traded his headhunter's machette for a digital SLR and a SCUBA tank."

Archives

the new migin.net Sunday, July 15, 2007 |


After much procrastination, I have finally revamped my website. I almost spent USD $149 on a really cool website template. ALMOST, because for some reason payment from my credit card did not get through. So I decided to take things into my own hands. 6 hours and $0.00 later (yes, I'm cheap, didn't spend a cent)... here you have it folks, a spanking new website design. If you want to know how I did it for no money... well, feel free to ask me lah.

The site is still new. I haven't the time (or energy) to put up any content in the 'about' page yet. The gallery only shows 3 portfolio sections. Will work on these things as I go along. I'll be putting up my latest work on the home page from time to time. Feel free to check out the new look at www.migin.net.

By the way, Joanne and Stephanus got married recently. I shot their engagement photos in February this year. Joanne is Dr. Jonathan David's eldest daughter.

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Staff Photo Day Thursday, March 22, 2007 |

Last Monday was office staff photo day at Glory Christian Centre. I'm so happy and proud to be part of this team! Can't imagine it has been 9 years already. The above set is complete save for one, my Senior Pastor. Dr William is overseas at the moment so I will be scheduling a special shoot for him when he comes back. Check out the portraits on the staff photo page.

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iStockPhoto Exlusive Wednesday, March 21, 2007 |

"Nikonian" by Margaret Vun
Nikon D80, 80-200 f/2.8. Lighting: Two 1000ws studio strobes. Strobe #1 with large softbox, #2 lit the background with a honeycomb attached. SB800 on slave provided fill in light.

It finally happened! After many months of waiting, I have been accepted as an Exclusive Photographer with iStockPhoto.com. I'm ecstatic - that an international stock photo agency recognizes my work. *Mel grins ear to ear* :o)

Okay folks, you must be wondering what the big deal is all about. I joined the site back in May 2005 just for fun. It costs nothing to join. To submit stock photos, you do have to take a test and submit 3 photos for review. I was surprised I got accepted. That year my account accumulated a grand amount of US $1.80. Haha, peanuts.

Well, it's now 2007. 'Peanuts' $1.80 ... is how much I make per download. Well, it's more like how much I can make, with $1.80 being the royalty paid for a large image download. All in US dineros. Sweet.

The reason why I'm happy today is not so much of having coins jingling in my online piggy bank. It's the whole idea of selling my images. Two years ago, I would never have believed it would be possible for me to photograph anything of value. I always wanted to be a photographer since age 14, but never thought it would be possible. At least not a professional. It's funny how God puts seeds in your heart, and then it 'dies'. Wake up 16 years later and you find them not dead, but growing, and growing, and growing. If there is one thing I have learned here, it is this. Never give up on your dreams. Ever.

Okay, enough about my introspective ramblings. For you curious people out there, here's a link to my portfolio on iStock. Not pretty or impressive, but at least it's something lah. Here's the link.
'View

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Miracles Thursday, March 15, 2007 |

I am finally a published photographer, yay! The page above was taken from a forthcoming photo book I have been working on. "Love Faith Purity" will be on sale April 8th. Working on this project really S T R E T C H E D me creatively. Not only did I have to use my best shots, I also had to think as a print/layout designer. Working with type faces, text layouts, grids, graphic placement... phew. It's hard work I tell you! :o)

Photo Notes
How did I shoot the compass you say? I used my Nikon D80 mounted with a Tamron 90 mm macro. Set on manual, I shot it at f/8, 1/125s, ISO 100.

I like to use off-camera flash. I set an SB800 on "remote", my built in flash set on "commander" mode. Flash settings: D80 -3 ev (don't want on camera flash to contribute much light), SB 800 0 ev. Used a diffuser and angled it to the left of the compass. Background is a large piece of black sugar paper. Shot on RAW, post processed on Photoshop with the help of Alien Skin's Exposure plug-in.

Shooting tips:
1. Focus on the top part of the compass (in this case I focused on the needle)
2. Use medium distance. If you have a macro lens, the tendency is to go overkill and go in too close. Your camera is not a microscope, so step back a bit. I pushed my lens away so as to get better depth-of-field. Even at f/8, going in too near can all but blur the image's point of focus.
3. Have fun!

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diamond day Saturday, February 24, 2007 |

Diamond on Heliconias
Nikon D80, Tamron 90mm macro SP f/2.8 ~ available light

I'm almost done with the book! Shot A Mag's diamond ring as a final key photo for this project. Aside from her ring, Aunty Mag has been providing creative support along the way, something I really appreciate.

Well, it has been a tough assignment, really enjoyed the creative stretching it brought. And my heartfelt thanks to Ps William, a father and mentor who really knows how to bring the best out of you!

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JAM Session 2007 Friday, February 23, 2007 |

I'm working on a special project for GCC, in which some of my best images will appear on print. While working on the youth page, I had the chance to pull out some of my previously forgotten shots from past JAM Sessions. So for you guys out there, enjoy last year's pics. And get ready to JAM this year. Ham and A Mag, you guys inspire me to go on each day! And DC gang (especially ZETA crew), you guys truly rock my world. :o)













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Sneak Peek Thursday, February 22, 2007 |


Not saying much more than this... she's waiting for me at the post office. Will blog more once I pick her up. If you know what I'm talking about, check out the Crumpler website. My new sweetie is a Karachi Outpost. Yessshhhhhh!

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Portraits Tuesday, February 20, 2007 |

Cynthia and Mel are back in KK for the holidays! Thought it would be nice to set up a family photo session since the whole gang was here. We were supposed to have the photo shoot done at Kinabalu Park, but last minute decisions changed all that. I couldn't think up of any new locations to do this, so I took the easy way out and went back to a familiar place. (Louis and Jasmine would definitely recognize the place!) It was a fun 1 hour shoot, after which we trooped to Little Italy for dinner. Sweet!

Nikon D70s & D80, 80-200mm f/2.8D, 50mm f/1.8D ~ Available Light

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Charge Up! Confrerence 2007 Monday, February 12, 2007 |

If you're reading my blog, chances are you're a photography gigster like me (or on the way to be one). Don't ask me what gigster means, I just stole that term from the Crumpler Bag website, lol!

The cool people from LiveWire Media are bringing a super once-in-a-lifetime event in KL this March. My good friend and photography wiz Louis Pang will be giving a 2.5 day seminar, sharing the secrets of his trade. In his own words:

This is not just a talk. There will be practical assignments and shoots as well. I will demonstrate how I shoot, camera settings, shooting considerations, how I fire flashes remotely for outdoor and location shoot, and most importantly the Lightning Fast Workflow that allows you to edit and process 2000 pictures, colour & exposure corrected in under 5 hours (when many take over 2 days). The whole idea is to empower you so that you can enjoy the same professional quality and finishes in your photography.

Louis normally charges RM350 PER DAY for something like this. Total conference cost for 2.5 days? RM180 (LiveWire members) and RM200 (new people) if you register by FEB 15th.

You can get the Conference Form Here.

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Shooting A Pro Saturday, February 10, 2007 |

The "Belly Button" Shot
Photographer : Louis Pang
Nikon D200, 12-24mm f/4 ~ SB800 speedlight triggered remotely

Hey guys, check out this post on Louis Pang's blog. It's got a familiar face in it, haha.

Proud to say that I had the awesome, awesome, awesome privilege of imaging one of the biggest names in the wedding photography scene. It was a tough assignment. Just how do you photograph someone who is so much more capable in that field? To be honest, I did have quite a few sleepless nights prior to the shoot. I quote Louis, "Nothing is easy. But then, nobody wants nothing."

Louis and Jasmine
Nikon D200, 50mm f/1.4 ~ Available light

So I just gave it my best shot. One thing I know about portrait photography is this: the subject must be relaxed. Forget lighting. Forget depth of field. Forget composition. To me, a forced smile is just as bad as an out-of-focus shot. (Hey Louis, not talking about you here ok? Lol!) I guess this is where I am in my element as I like to make people laugh.

Photographer : Louis Pang
Nikon D200, 80-200mm f/2.8 ~ Available light

I learned so many things on that one shoot alone. The three hours spent working with Louis and Jasmine felt like an equivalent of 4 to 6 months trying to figure things on my own. It's really cool to have a friend who really knows his stuff!

Jesselton Wharf
Nikon D200, 80-200mm f/2.8 ~ Available light

At the end of the day, we wrapped up the shoot and called it a day. And what a day it was, shooting the dynamic duo from Tawau. Thanks for your friendship, you two are really somebody special in my life. :o)

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Something To Think About

"To be successful, you have to be different. If you want to be different, you might have to stand alone. It might be lonely, but it will be right. And in the long run, you will be rewarded." Kevin Johnson ~ Phoenix Suns, NBA all-star athlete.

"Nothing is easy. But then, nobody wants nothing." Louis Pang, quoting someone else (lol!)

"Anyone can lead when everything is alright, when things are going their way. The true test of leadership is when everything goes wrong." Dr. William Vun ~ Senior Pastor, Glory Christian Centre, Malaysia.

"Expect rain. Train in bad weather. Learn to light fire in the most impossible conditions. That being said, when the sun comes out, we can count it as a bonus, a blessing." Discovery Club outdoor training philosophy.