PHOTOLOG PROJECT v.2 by Winston Chan
A project to improve my understanding and creativeness in the field of photography, and become efficient at capturing those perfect moments.
16/500 - Can’t Get Enough
Loving my new lens. Really injected some much needed energy into my photography.
As for this shot, since moving home and into my new room (sister’s old room) I have the pleasure of watching the sunset from my window. I love it. The warm light that floods into my room is brilliant. I’ve wanted to capture it’s beauty but never seem to motivate myself to do so (maybe I was feeling my photography skills had become inadequate - of course, not shooting would not help anyway). Thankfully, the energy brought about by the arrival of my new lens gave me the fuel and drive to take this shot.
Simple, but I think it’s pleasant. I can really feel the warmth, yet know the cool of the night is approaching.
Taken using the Tamron SP AF17-50 F/2.8 XR Di II @35mm
- f11
- 1/60s
- ISO 200
(click images for hi-res)
15/500 - A New Hunger
I’m still alive, and this time not a foodograph (despite the title of this post).
I have known for a long time that I don’t read enough, in fact for many years the only form of fiction that I read, that wasn’t animated in any form, were comic books. So I have been meaning to start reading again.
I’ve had this thought for a fair while now but never put thought into action. Until Monday, where out of pure spontaneity, I bought The Hunger Games (it was going for cheap and other than seeing the title pop up on here and facebook I knew nothing about the series).
You know what? I can’t put it down. I find I have to force myself to stop reading in order to get work done.
On another note, MY NEW LENS FINALLY ARRIVED. FINALLY.
I got the Tamron SP AF17-50 F/2.8 XR Di II for anyone interested. I used this lens during my cousin’s wedding banquet (borrowed from a good friend) and loved it; I knew it would replace my kit lens very well and provide better low light capabilities too.
So expect some more life in this blog now. Sorry about lack of posting.
Taken using the Tamron SP AF17-50 F/2.8 XR Di II @17mm
- f2.8
- 1/40s
- ISO 200
(click images for hi-res)
14/500 - Too Much Peppery Goodness
Another Foodograph…
Not posted anything in a while and again haven’t really been out shooting much either. I have, well had, a number of commissions and design projects all with deadlines in this month so, suffice to say it has been a busy month. Three down now, one more to go and this last one is a big one - I have a few more weeks to get it finished, wish me luck?
So yeah, this was my dinner: Roast Pepper with a Pork, pepper and Red Onion Stuffing, topped with Mozzarella and Black Pepper (too much pepper?) Made completely from scratch with no recipe or anything and I have to say, it was pretty amazing. Though, I was absolutely ravenous at the time so the reality of it may be that it tasted fairly average but was over-compensated by my hunger.
Same set up that I have been using for the past few posts: Jessops 360AFD, as a slave triggered by my Lightscoop, with a reflector dish held by my little brother of an assistant.
Taken using the Sigma AF 24mm “Super Wide” f2.8
- f5
- 1/40s
- ISO 400
(click images for hi-res)
Trial and Error Process
I’m not a great cook, but I like cooking. I’m not much of a sweets man either, nor am I much of a baker but it’s always good to do something new and step outside your comfort zone. It was quite a trial and error process.
A sweet apple preserve sandwiched between two thin layers of pastry, gently baked. Add one lolly stick (before baking) to create a yummy little snack for kids (or adults).
Guess you could say this is another area or opportunity for creative outlet. And doing new things is a good place for inspiration to come about in my creative work. Not only that, but I had a chance to really try some food photography and played around using my Jessops 360AFD, as a slave triggered by my Lightscoop.
- 9/500
Taken using the Sigma AF 24mm “Super Wide” f2.8
- f7.1
- 1/160s
- ISO 400 - 10/500
Taken using the Sigma AF 24mm “Super Wide” f2.8
- f5.6
- 1/50s
- ISO 400 - 11/500
Taken using the Sigma AF 24mm “Super Wide” f2.8
- f5.6
- 1/50s
- ISO 400
- 12/500
Taken using the Sigma AF 24mm “Super Wide” f2.8
- f7.1
- 1/50s
- ISO 400
- 13/500
Taken using the Sigma AF 24mm “Super Wide” f2.8
- f7.1
- 1/50s
- ISO 400
(click images for hi-res)
![Long Awaited
Bah, so following the fail of my last task (taking 250 photos before the new year) I have began anew and set my goal a little lower - 500 photos in the year 2012. As I’m sharing my focus over both photography and illustrative work (amongst other things) I didn’t want to set an unreachable target.
So, a new year (x2 as I’ve just celebrated the Lunar/Chinese New Year with my family [you could say x3 since I also aged another year on the same day as the lunar new year]) and everything is restarted or resumed! I had been a little lost during the winter months but thankfully, now, I have regained my focus and determination! Here’s to the year ahead!First (and second) post(s) of the year sees some long awaited gifts finally finished and given to some dear friends and family. As I had been asked to take some shots for a friend’s wedding and a cousin’s wedding, I owed the two couples the photos. Rather than just give them the prints and a random DVD from the printers with soft copies burnt on, I wanted to create something for them. Originally, I had planned to do something innovative as well as creative but because of a change of circumstances and lack of time I decided to keep it simple. So, using shots that I took at the weddings, I designed and assembled by hand the two gifts to give them - a photo DVD with box art and sleeve created by me.Hopefully, both couples will enjoy them. The shots in the post were originally taken as documentation so that they could be used in a portfolio of designed work but I thought I better post them up here too since it had been so long since my last post. I tried to achieve a “shot in studio” look using my simple gear. The set up consisted of a sheet of white card as the back drop; a 22.5” reflector dish, my Lightscoop to trigger my Jessops 360AFD, which was off camera. After many different attempts and arrangement of the gear, I was happy with the look so composed the different elements of the shot.
(click images for hi-res)](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyd6u3aTfF1qgfm0wo2_250.jpg)
![Long Awaited
Bah, so following the fail of my last task (taking 250 photos before the new year) I have began anew and set my goal a little lower - 500 photos in the year 2012. As I’m sharing my focus over both photography and illustrative work (amongst other things) I didn’t want to set an unreachable target.
So, a new year (x2 as I’ve just celebrated the Lunar/Chinese New Year with my family [you could say x3 since I also aged another year on the same day as the lunar new year]) and everything is restarted or resumed! I had been a little lost during the winter months but thankfully, now, I have regained my focus and determination! Here’s to the year ahead!First (and second) post(s) of the year sees some long awaited gifts finally finished and given to some dear friends and family. As I had been asked to take some shots for a friend’s wedding and a cousin’s wedding, I owed the two couples the photos. Rather than just give them the prints and a random DVD from the printers with soft copies burnt on, I wanted to create something for them. Originally, I had planned to do something innovative as well as creative but because of a change of circumstances and lack of time I decided to keep it simple. So, using shots that I took at the weddings, I designed and assembled by hand the two gifts to give them - a photo DVD with box art and sleeve created by me.Hopefully, both couples will enjoy them. The shots in the post were originally taken as documentation so that they could be used in a portfolio of designed work but I thought I better post them up here too since it had been so long since my last post. I tried to achieve a “shot in studio” look using my simple gear. The set up consisted of a sheet of white card as the back drop; a 22.5” reflector dish, my Lightscoop to trigger my Jessops 360AFD, which was off camera. After many different attempts and arrangement of the gear, I was happy with the look so composed the different elements of the shot.
(click images for hi-res)](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyd6u3aTfF1qgfm0wo1_250.jpg)
![Long Awaited
Bah, so following the fail of my last task (taking 250 photos before the new year) I have began anew and set my goal a little lower - 500 photos in the year 2012. As I’m sharing my focus over both photography and illustrative work (amongst other things) I didn’t want to set an unreachable target.
So, a new year (x2 as I’ve just celebrated the Lunar/Chinese New Year with my family [you could say x3 since I also aged another year on the same day as the lunar new year]) and everything is restarted or resumed! I had been a little lost during the winter months but thankfully, now, I have regained my focus and determination! Here’s to the year ahead!First (and second) post(s) of the year sees some long awaited gifts finally finished and given to some dear friends and family. As I had been asked to take some shots for a friend’s wedding and a cousin’s wedding, I owed the two couples the photos. Rather than just give them the prints and a random DVD from the printers with soft copies burnt on, I wanted to create something for them. Originally, I had planned to do something innovative as well as creative but because of a change of circumstances and lack of time I decided to keep it simple. So, using shots that I took at the weddings, I designed and assembled by hand the two gifts to give them - a photo DVD with box art and sleeve created by me.Hopefully, both couples will enjoy them. The shots in the post were originally taken as documentation so that they could be used in a portfolio of designed work but I thought I better post them up here too since it had been so long since my last post. I tried to achieve a “shot in studio” look using my simple gear. The set up consisted of a sheet of white card as the back drop; a 22.5” reflector dish, my Lightscoop to trigger my Jessops 360AFD, which was off camera. After many different attempts and arrangement of the gear, I was happy with the look so composed the different elements of the shot.
(click images for hi-res)](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyd6u3aTfF1qgfm0wo3_250.jpg)
![Long Awaited
Bah, so following the fail of my last task (taking 250 photos before the new year) I have began anew and set my goal a little lower - 500 photos in the year 2012. As I’m sharing my focus over both photography and illustrative work (amongst other things) I didn’t want to set an unreachable target.
So, a new year (x2 as I’ve just celebrated the Lunar/Chinese New Year with my family [you could say x3 since I also aged another year on the same day as the lunar new year]) and everything is restarted or resumed! I had been a little lost during the winter months but thankfully, now, I have regained my focus and determination! Here’s to the year ahead!First (and second) post(s) of the year sees some long awaited gifts finally finished and given to some dear friends and family. As I had been asked to take some shots for a friend’s wedding and a cousin’s wedding, I owed the two couples the photos. Rather than just give them the prints and a random DVD from the printers with soft copies burnt on, I wanted to create something for them. Originally, I had planned to do something innovative as well as creative but because of a change of circumstances and lack of time I decided to keep it simple. So, using shots that I took at the weddings, I designed and assembled by hand the two gifts to give them - a photo DVD with box art and sleeve created by me.Hopefully, both couples will enjoy them. The shots in the post were originally taken as documentation so that they could be used in a portfolio of designed work but I thought I better post them up here too since it had been so long since my last post. I tried to achieve a “shot in studio” look using my simple gear. The set up consisted of a sheet of white card as the back drop; a 22.5” reflector dish, my Lightscoop to trigger my Jessops 360AFD, which was off camera. After many different attempts and arrangement of the gear, I was happy with the look so composed the different elements of the shot.
(click images for hi-res)](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyd6u3aTfF1qgfm0wo4_250.jpg)
Long Awaited
Bah, so following the fail of my last task (taking 250 photos before the new year) I have began anew and set my goal a little lower - 500 photos in the year 2012. As I’m sharing my focus over both photography and illustrative work (amongst other things) I didn’t want to set an unreachable target.
So, a new year (x2 as I’ve just celebrated the Lunar/Chinese New Year with my family [you could say x3 since I also aged another year on the same day as the lunar new year]) and everything is restarted or resumed! I had been a little lost during the winter months but thankfully, now, I have regained my focus and determination! Here’s to the year ahead!
First (and second) post(s) of the year sees some long awaited gifts finally finished and given to some dear friends and family. As I had been asked to take some shots for a friend’s wedding and a cousin’s wedding, I owed the two couples the photos. Rather than just give them the prints and a random DVD from the printers with soft copies burnt on, I wanted to create something for them. Originally, I had planned to do something innovative as well as creative but because of a change of circumstances and lack of time I decided to keep it simple. So, using shots that I took at the weddings, I designed and assembled by hand the two gifts to give them - a photo DVD with box art and sleeve created by me.
Hopefully, both couples will enjoy them.
The shots in the post were originally taken as documentation so that they could be used in a portfolio of designed work but I thought I better post them up here too since it had been so long since my last post. I tried to achieve a “shot in studio” look using my simple gear. The set up consisted of a sheet of white card as the back drop; a 22.5” reflector dish, my Lightscoop to trigger my Jessops 360AFD, which was off camera. After many different attempts and arrangement of the gear, I was happy with the look so composed the different elements of the shot.
(click images for hi-res)
Winter Market
This time of year means the return of the Winter Market here in Newcastle. Although much of the regular market stalls were there, I came across one I had not seen before.
THE SMELL FROM THIS STALL WAS AMAZING!
- 6/250
Taken using the Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di @70mm
- f4
- 1/500s
- ISO 400 - 7/250
Taken using the Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di @75mm
- f5
- 1/500s
- ISO 400 - 8/250
Taken using the Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di @70mm
- f4
- 1/200s
- ISO 400
Really need to get a move on if I want to reach my target…
(click images for hi-res)
Colours of Autumn
Took a short walk the other day down to the beach and to the local supermarket, and took these snaps on the way. Was really intrigued by the details in the leaves and autumnal foliage.
- 3/250
Taken using the Sony Alpha DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 @55mm
- f5.6
- 1/125s
- ISO 200 - 4/250
Taken using the Sigma AF 24mm “Super Wide” f2.8
- f5
- 1/400s
- ISO 200
- 5/250
Taken using the Sigma AF 24mm “Super Wide” f2.8
- f8
- 1/250s
- ISO 200
Hm… under two months left, can I reach my target?
(click images for hi-res)
2/250 Refreshing
‘Tis the season for these “berries”, quite refreshing indeed!
Taken using the Sigma AF 24mm “Super Wide” f2.8 with Jessops 360AFD
- f3.5
- 1/100s
- ISO 200
(click image for hi-res)
1/250 Heart-warming Grub
The dish a lot of people have come to associate with me. Good job I love to make this and love to eat it eh?
Funnily enough, I’ve never made this dish at home before and it was stressful at times because of that. However, I think the crackling was the best I’ve made and the gravy was absolutely tasty…even if I do say so myself.
Taken using the Sigma AF 24mm “Super Wide” f2.8 with Jessops 360AFD
- f7.1
- 1/30s
- ISO 200
On another note, this post marks the start of Photolog Project v.2 with a new ‘shop front’ and a slightly altered format of things but let’s hope that I can continue to progress in understanding and creativity when making photographic images. As I stated in my last post I’ll no longer be uploading daily as I’ll be giving (much needed) attention to drawing and illustration which will reveal itself in a new blog; my journey back into the world of illustration! I really hope that both these two projects can really compliment each other as the days go on.
(click image for hi-res)
What’s To Come…
Well, it’s been more than 3 months since my last post and in my hiatus I’ve been evaluating this my project and looking at where to go from here.
I will be continuing with this project, it’s not going anywhere, but some changes will have to be made just to make it all work better but I do believe that I have benefited greatly from starting this project. A lot has happened in the last few months, and indeed in the last year, and photography has helped me to stay creative.
As mentioned, some things have happened causing my situation to have changed some what and as a result I’ve done a lot of thinking and re-evaluating. In previous posts I’ve described a need to refocus on drawing and creating images in a way that I used to enjoy before getting into photography.
So, what’s the plan?
Again, I will be continuing this project but what will be changing is the format; I will still carry my camera with me wherever ago and continue shooting in the same way but I will post slightly differently.
My aim is to post up 250 photos within the remaining months of the year, at any time and in any order rather than restricting myself to posting one photo once a day. I hope that this will give me some more fluidity and not force myself too much when there is nothing to post. I hope that this ‘reboot’ will bring some more energy back into this project and help to move me along in my photography but also give me some time to express my creativity in different art forms.
What’s to come? You shall see!
10/07/11
Hand in Hand
So, after a 3:00am start and a long journey south we arrived at our destination to share in the joy that is the union of a dear brother and sister before our heavenly Father. After a beautiful ceremony we followed on to a wonderful dinner served in the gardens of Lamport Hall.
All in all, though tiring, it was a wonderful and beautiful day. Praise the LORD.
Taken using the Sigma AF 24mm “Super Wide” f2.8
- f5
- 1/320s
- ISO 100
09/07/11
Crafted Preparation
As tomorrow some friends and I would be traveling down to Leicester to attend a friend’s wedding, I had to prepare myself for the journey today. Not only that but I also had to finalise the making of the group wedding card - depicted in today’s shot - for us all to sign and give to the bride and groom.
I was actually quite glad to get to make something again after over a month of not having much time to myself back at home. I quite like the ‘craft’ side of design and creativity…
Taken using the Sigma AF 24mm “Super Wide” f2.8 with Jessops 360AFD
- f5
- 1/100s
- ISO 400
23/06/11
Taking My Mind Off Things
A lot of things have happened, a lot of things have changed - original plans have been adjusted. Finally had some time to myself and just did some drawing to take my mind off it all. Love all these little sketches.
Pandas are cool.
Taken using the Sigma AF 24mm “Super Wide” f2.8 with Jessops 360AFD
- f5
- 1/50s
- ISO 200
15/06/11
Over Packed
Finally, I can go home. I have a habit of always packing far too much.
Taken using the Sigma AF 24mm “Super Wide” f2.8 with Jessops 360AFD
- f5
- 1/30s
- ISO 400
