After 5 days in Cherating, Kuantan now I am back in Kuala Lumpur. The 1st thing I did was go to Low Yat Plaza. Its a place to buy computers, handphone, PDA, Camera and all electronic gadget. I upgraded my laptop RAM which is quiet cheap now. I spend RM150 on a piece of 512MB DDR 333 RAM. Then bought a new battery for my laptop cost me RM290. All of it come to RM440. Very reasonable comparing the price when I first bought this laptop.
It seems now that PC business no longer belongs to the chinese. At Low Yat Plaza now there are quiet a few Pakistani shop competing directly with the chinese. Most of the sell laptops and I upgrade my laptop at one of these pakistani shops.
I will be returning to Kota Kinabalu tomorrow. Hopefully I can post pictures and article of Cherating, Tawau and about Diving in Sabah. Now I am in Pandan Indah at Steven Corner. Its a coffee shot with free wifi access.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Andrew Henderson: Leprosy in India
Here's a hard-hitting photographic essay by Andrew Henderson on the ravages of leprosy, and on a leprosy colony in Khammam, India. Although India is working hard to eradicate the disease, lepers' colonies still exist. Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease, and if left untreated, can lead to progressive and permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes.
Leprosy has affected humanity since at least 600 BCE, and was well-recognized in the civilizations of ancient China, Egypt and India. In 1995, the World Health Organization estimated that between two and three million individuals were permanently disabled because of leprosy. Although the forced quarantine or segregation of patients is unnecessary, and can be considered unethical, a few leper colonies still remain around the world, in countries such as India, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Due to the introduction of multidrug therapy in the early 1980s the disease can be treated successfully.
The photographs are disturbing, but bring us the reality of those afflicted by this terrible disease and how they deserve our compassion rather than our fear.
Andrew's main interest lies in the theme of religion, exploring its effects on the world, and the capability it has to link diverse cultures together. He interned at Magnum Photo Agency in NYC, and published his work in The New York Times, Newsweek, US News and World Report, LIFE, The Sunday Times (London), Polaris Images, and The Fader, among others. In 2006, he was named Runner-Up College Photographer of the Year and nominated for PDN's 30 Emerging Photographers of 2007.
Here's Andrew's photo essay on Leprosy
Friday, May 11, 2007
World In Focus Contest 2007
National Geographic Traveler and Photo District News have announced World In Focus, the annual self-proclaimed "ultimate travel photography contest". The contest is open to amateurs and professionals, and there are 6 categories: Wilderness Photography, The Human Condition, Extreme Exploration, Urban Landscapes, Snapshots and Open Series.
Digital submissions can be made on-line, while color or black & white prints and/or transparencies are to be submitted to the National Geographic Traveler.
I'm surprised that one of the categories is Snapshots..the submissions have to be of "fun, quirky, unpredictable, spontaneous moments". Since the contest is open to amateurs, I suppose it's a good idea.
As always with these contests, all those interested ought to read the terms and conditions very carefully and decide whether they're willing to accept them. Both NGT and PDN are obviously reputable, but one can't be too careful.
Good luck! Here's the link.
Digital submissions can be made on-line, while color or black & white prints and/or transparencies are to be submitted to the National Geographic Traveler.
I'm surprised that one of the categories is Snapshots..the submissions have to be of "fun, quirky, unpredictable, spontaneous moments". Since the contest is open to amateurs, I suppose it's a good idea.
As always with these contests, all those interested ought to read the terms and conditions very carefully and decide whether they're willing to accept them. Both NGT and PDN are obviously reputable, but one can't be too careful.
Good luck! Here's the link.
Ezra Millstein: Brazil's Carnaval
Ezra Millstein is from New York, and has lived, traveled and studied thoughout Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin and North America, as well as the Middle East. Most of his travels has been on his own, but some are a result of his work for the Peace Corps, WWF, Grassroots International and the National Geographic Society. He won numerous awards, including being selected as a finalist in the Smithsonian 4th Annual Photo Contest.
With a peripatetic traveler and prolific photographer such as Millstein, it was difficult to choose a specific gallery to recommend among the many good ones he lists on his flash-based website, but I chose his images of Brazil (click on Brazil and then Carnaval). His one-before last photograph of the series is just the funniest picture I've seen in a while, but I chose the one above to illustrate this post as it pulsates with rythm....and it has motion blur! For me, dance pictures must have motion blur...otherwise the dancers seem frozen.
Ezra Millstein's Galleries
ps Thanks Cathy!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Amanda Koster: Moroccan Women
Amanda Koster says that she has made it her mission to document some of the world’s more compelling issues. She combines her anthropology background with photographic and videography skills to create media content as a means for effective communication, storytelling and learning.
She studied photography at the International Center for Photography in NYC, and holds a BA degree in anthropology. She works with magazines, newspapers, design agencies and non-profit organizations around the world. Amanda has worked extensively with youth media projects internationally, teaching photography as a tool for visual storytelling creating a voice and outlet for underrepresented youth.
I also believe that she was a fellow mentor involved with Phil Borges' Bridges To Understanding project.
Koster has received grants for her project Before Harmony: Moroccan Women's Song Project. The project, collaboration with Festival Fès, documents female Berber and Arab Musicians of Morocco with hopes to spark an interest in this region and also show that there is more than one image of women in Islam. In addition, the project illustrates particular women totally devoted to perusing their passion while contributing to their culture.
The website gallery is accompanied by a Berber traditional chant by Charifa Kersit, who is an extradordinary singer. The similarity between this chant and flamenco will be obvious to all.
So hurry and click on Before Harmony and turn up the volume of your lousdpeakers...it's worth it.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Ahmet Ertug: Istanbul
Although Ahmet Ertug is not a travel nor an editorial photographer, his photographic art is such that it's a privilege to post of him here on TTP. Email exchanges with Di Mackey, a fellow photographer and blogger (whose delightful blog Woman Wandering is on my notable blog links on the right hand side) who lived in Istanbul, rekindled my interest in this magnificent city and reminded me of my paltry efforts some ten years ago to photograph its superb Ottoman mosques. I was particularly delighted to see that Ahmet Ertug published a book on Sinan, the genius architect, who built the extraordinary Suleyman mosque in Istanbul.A Turkish national, Ahmet Ertug studied and practiced architecture in London. He also practiced his chosen profession in Iran and Turkey, and was also deeply involved in photography as a side interest during these formative years. His serious commitment to photography started when he was awarded the Japan Foundation Fellowship to do research on the traditional architecture of Japan in 1979. He traveled extensively in Japan and photographed ancient temples, Zen gardens and festivals.
He returned to Istanbul and became involved in the conservation planning of the historical city, and through this involvement developed his knowledge of the historical city and its monuments. He started photographing the Ottoman and Byzantine monuments in Istanbul using large format cameras, and his resulting exhibitions were shown in Paris, Madrid, Toronto under the auspices of UNESCO.
He uses a 20x25 cm / 8x10 inch large-format camera in his photography of architecture and sculpture. A permanent exhibition of Ahmet Ertug's Hagia Sophia photographs is on display in the upper gallery of Hagia Sophia, in Istanbul.
So visit Ahmet's website and immerse yourself in his imposing architectural photographs. He also has photographs of Asian statues that should'nt be missed.
Monday, May 7, 2007
British Library: Sacred
This post may have nothing to do with photography, but is all about the courage of the British Library in exhibiting a collection of sacred texts side by side for the first time which reveals the similarities between the world's major religions, and the creativity of those who have practiced them.
Joining the throng of visitors who flocked to the British Library to view Sacred, the exhibit currently being buzzed about in the British press, I was pleased to see men in yarmulkes, women in veils and others...and lots of families with their children.
In Sacred, the Books of the Three Faiths: Judaism, Christianity, Islam - the British Library has decided to make the aim of the exhibition - the first, apparently, of a series - not only the diversity of faiths in Britain but also to illustrate how much the main faiths have in common. We need to be constantly reminded how alike these monotheist faiths are, and how they all sprang from the same small area with the same customs, values and theology. As far as I'm concerned it succeeded, and reaffirmed my long-held belief that all religions are one and the same.
One of the most fascinating exhibits is an ancient Gospel written in Arabic whose opening verse reads "In the name of Allah...". Incredible but true. I wonder how our reactionary religious fundamentalists can spin this?
And will the Metropolitan Museum or the New York Public Library ever have the intellectual courage, and brave the public's prejudices to mount a similar exhibition in New York City?
For those who won't have the chance to visit London this summer, here's the British Library's website for the exhibit.
POV: No More Stock Photographs?
A recent article appearing in the UK's Guardian newspaper makes the point that picture-sharing sites such as Flickr (and others) will be decimating stock images libraries. Picture agencies are going out of business, or are facing bankruptcy. The issue is that Flickr -as an example- holds the work of thousands of talented amateurs (and even pros), who are capable of producing a handful of photographs that are publishable.
It's been estimated by Editorial Photographers UK (EPUK) that if only 1% of the pictures on Flickr were publishable, that would result in 1,500,000 usable pictures were being uploaded every year. A sobering statistic expecially since the owners of these pictures are generally non-professionals, and would be willing to accept below-market rates for their work.
I've sold, and continue to sell my images to travel companies and publishers...however, prices have fallen and competition is intense...so the writing is on the wall.
This article dovetails perfectly to my earlier post in which I agreed with Dan Heller's opinion that Flickr may well enter the stock photography field.
An interesting and thought-provoking read, the full Guardian article can be found here.
It's been estimated by Editorial Photographers UK (EPUK) that if only 1% of the pictures on Flickr were publishable, that would result in 1,500,000 usable pictures were being uploaded every year. A sobering statistic expecially since the owners of these pictures are generally non-professionals, and would be willing to accept below-market rates for their work.
I've sold, and continue to sell my images to travel companies and publishers...however, prices have fallen and competition is intense...so the writing is on the wall.
This article dovetails perfectly to my earlier post in which I agreed with Dan Heller's opinion that Flickr may well enter the stock photography field.
An interesting and thought-provoking read, the full Guardian article can be found here.
Kazuyoshi Nomachi: Mecca
Kazuyoshi Nomachi was born in Japan and began his freelance career in 1971 as an advertising photographer. He turned to photojournalism the following year upon his first encounter with the Sahara Desert. After two years spent photographing the desert, he followed the Nile River from mouth to source and then travelled through Ethiopia, his photographs capturing North Africa's harsh environment and the men and women who live in it.
From 1988 he turned his attention to Asia. Repeated trips to Tibet produced photographs depicting the religious faith and daily lives of people living at extremely high altitudes.
Nomachi converted to Islam, and as a result is one of the few Muslim converts ( the legendary Thomas Abercrombie of the National Geographic being another) given access to Islam's holiest cities. He travelled to Saudi Arabia and spent five years photographing the great annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina.
The photographs that resulted appeared in leading publications around the world, including National Geographic, Stern and GEO. He published 12 photographic anthologies in various countries. His work has won numerous prizes, among them the Annual Award of the Photographic Society of Japan in 1990 and 1997.
His website needs a facelift, and there are a few typos, but it adequately allows us a glimpse of his prolific work in Tibet, the Nile, the Andes, Morocco, Ethiopia, Iran, Danakil, Bolivia and Bhutan. I chose his work in Mecca to showcase on TTP.
Kazuyoshi Nomachi's Mecca
Kazuyoshi Nomachi's Home Page
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