My first "WOW" impression on HDR (High Dynamic Range) photos came from the introduction of a friend to me on this site.
(http://lionel.textmalaysia.com/a-heaven-of-hdr-photos.html)


I finally got the software (which is PhotoMatix) and had a chance to give it a simple try. It was just a 5 minutes trial, and to be honest, the result of the software looks pretty cool.

Anyway, still have to do more research and trial and error on it. :)


 
Here's the original 2 photos which I've took from Phuket.......






The above one is the under-exposed, while the below pix is the over-exposed.






And now, here's the combined HDR pix.







What do you guys think?

1. Cool?
2. Very Cool?
3. Noob?

 

 

That's right. 
Just bought a new SB600 Flash unit and a Lambency Diffuser.





Very very nice. I like it very much. Thanks a lot for ikan for all the trouble in getting me those units ^_^ That's what friends hendrix are for :p








I just got the time to test the units out tonight. Bought 4 rechargable SONY 2700mA batteries, total RM110. Damn expensive. Please don't ever go to the camera shop at the ground floor of Gurney Plaza anymore.









Previous, here's what it looks like when using the built-in flash on my Nikon D40.
Notice the huge black spot on the middle bottom of the pix? That's what happens when your 'equipment' is too LONG/LARGE.









This was the virgin shot I took with my virgin flash, attached with the shower head lambency diffuser attachment. Flash unit pointed directly at the subject.
I like it very much.
With the diffuser, the lighting seen here is very pleasant to the eye. Not very harsh and hard. That's the natural effect that I'm looking for. But still, the shadow behind is a bit of an eyesore. And thus, the 2nd test shot ........











With the flash unit pointing towards the ceiling, the flash light bounced off the ceiling, illuminating the upper part of the shadow, thus, making the shadow less apparent. Love it :) Love my new toy very much :)

 

Last weekend I went to Botanical Garden alone, as Dan visited her beautician at Perangin.





It started of with me wanted to make this trip a project which captures and show pictures of nature that can motivate and pass on the idea of 'Saving The Green" kinda stuff.





Anyway, must be my creativity sucks, or my skills noob, or most probable most, ended up all the shots are ................ nothing more than normal shots.

 

 

A bit disappointed though, nonetheless, it was more like a comeback to me, as my camera has been sitting in its shelf for more than 6 months.


Anyway, I tried something new. I jumped into the river this time, and took some 'different' shots from the past.

 

 
The entire trip lasted around 2 hours.
And of course, what's a Botanical Garden photography trip without shots of the ancient primates? :p

 

 

Do Check out the rest of the photos at my facebook,   ..... here.

 

TOKYO - Nikon corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of its newest FX-format digital SLR, the Nikon D700.

Nikon FX-format digital SLR - exceptional performance combined with superior modbility and functional versatility to provide serious photographers with outstanding value.  The D700 featured an FX-format first introduced with the Nikon D3. Highly praised for its outstanding features, the D3 established a new level of professional performance in terms of overall image quality, extraordinarily low noise, ISO sensitivity range, continuous high-speed shooting, color gradation, image crispness, durability, weather-resistant operation, system versatility and more.......

 

[read the rest of the article here]

 

Canon 1000D.
Does that scare you?
Man, ,that definitely made some strong impact (at least on me :p)

The number ONE THOUSAND.......
The thought of a ten Century......

That really makes me wanna find out more about it.



" ......Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 10 June 2008: Canon today announces its latest D-SLR, the EOS 1000D. Featuring a 10.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor, 7-point wide area AF system and up to 3fps continuous JPEG shooting until the memory card is full, the EOS 1000D represents a more affordable entry point to the world of EOS cameras – whilst taking full advantage of over 70 years of imaging expertise......."

(Read more about it from here)



Photo from www.dpreview.com

We had a great surprise by a 20min lengthy non-stop fire works action on the 12th night. The action was from the nearby Setia Pearl Island developer project, and the fireworks was really fantastic. And so, I eagerly and patiently set up my tools and sets on the 13th night, hoping to get the same 'treatment' again from our house.

A 2 hour wait from 11:30pm - 1:30am on the 13th night, nothing ......

another 2 hour wait, from 11:30pm - 1am on the 14th night, nothing ......

I still din give up hope, and waited again for the 15th night, again ....... hard luck :(

Anyway, something is better than nothing, hopefully we are better prepared next year.


























Not very satisfied with these pix, as they are not very nice. nonetheless, .......

~~~~~~ Happy Chap Got Meh ~~~~~~

^_^

Are you willing to fork out RM2600 for that Nikon 18-200mm AF-S DX VR lens?
Do you have money to spare for that Canon EF 28-135mm IS lens?
Or you want to carry a Manfrotto tripod all over the places while you are travelling?



Or would you be rather travelling light with the new creation of this which can virtually replace all of the above featured, with a mere $1/= ????

The choice is your.
Hahahahahahah :D

Wow wow wow .....

Those that know me, knows that I have a D40.
Those that know me knows that I'm a hard core Nikon fan too.

And here it is. The successor of Nikon D40 -------> Nikon D60 !!!!!







picture taken from www.dpreview.com











Directly quoted from www.dpreview.com ......

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 29 January 2008 - Nikon Europe today announced the debut of the Nikon D60, a digital SLR designed for the consumer who wants to combine top technology with user-friendliness and creative features. The D60 provides a resolution of 10.2 effective megapixels, Nikon’s exclusive EXPEED image-processing concept, in-camera editing functions and a 3-area auto focus system. The camera offers continuous shooting at 3.0 fps, near instant power-up in just 0.19 seconds and high ISO sensitivity, all in a compact, lightweight body with a user-friendly ergonomic design.

The Nikon D60 is designed to simplify camera operation and allow the photographer to concentrate on taking pictures. The camera’s simple, user-friendly design includes a reduced number of buttons and a combined monitor and information display. A 2.5-inch LCD screen presents information using an easy to understand graphic user interface, with three types of presentation style to suit all users. The symbols and numbers in the display rotate through 90 degrees, presenting information in the correct orientation according to how the camera is being held. The D60 also includes a new feature that turns off the LCD monitor screen automatically when the viewfinder is in use.

The D60 utilizes Nikon’s exclusive EXPEED technology to maximize image quality and processing speed. The camera also offers creative features that are designed to allow the optimisation and adjustment of images without the need for a computer. Image optimisation is achieved through functions like Active D-Lighting (which compensates for strong shadows), and the automatic correction of false eye colour when using the built-in flash. Creative features include the automated creation of stop-motion animation files from a sequence of images, and effects that simulate the use of optical filters to produce colour shading and sparkling highlights.

To combat the dust that can be introduced into the camera body when changing lenses, , the D60 includes an integrated dust reduction system. Nikon’s exclusive Airflow Control System channels dust out of the image path and a vibrating, self-cleaning sensor unit shakes off any remaining dust from the camera’s optics.

The Nikon D60 standard kit comes with a high-performance VR-NIKKOR lens, the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR. Compact and lightweight, the lens offers 3x zoom with a versatile focal length range of 27mm to 82.5mm (35mm-format equivalent). Nikon’s advanced Vibration Reduction technology combats the effect of camera shake, allowing the use of shutter speeds that are up to three times slower than is practical with non-VR lenses. And with its sophisticated, leather-toned design, the lens looks as good as the pictures it takes. “The D60 is intended to put high quality photography within the reach of ordinary consumers.” said Toru Uematsu, Manager Prosumer Products at Nikon Europe B.V  “The combination of precision technology and carefree convenience places the D60 in a unique position of offering compact camera users the chance to move up to digital SLR with ease and security.”






Here's the brief hands-on from dPreview.