ROBIN WONG

I have been using older compact cameras for my street shooting lately. I believe there are some benefits to this - the older camera costs lower, so you have less concern of being robbed while roaming at less than safe areas in the neighbourhood. Not having to look over your shoulder all the time is a huge plus, compared to using a 3000 dollars setup, and even if you did bump into trouble, the camera costs almost nothing! Older cameras also impose limitations, having less pixel count, lower dynamic range and high ISO performance, and there is only so much you can do with "outdated" technology, you have no choice but to truly focus on what really matters in photography - telling a great story, capturing dramatic moments and paying attention to lighting and composition. Using a truly small and light camera, it also encourages you to go out and shoot more! Less is more. 

All images were shot on the Olympus XZ-1 which I got for about USD30. 

My timetable has been quite full lately, filled with shoots (paid jobs) and also making YouTube content ahead of time so I can have a planned 2 week break in April, well, starting now. I need a break, I think we all need a break. There was the recent OM-1 AF drama which I shall not get into too much details here, and a few other things in real life I have to deal with, nothing "end of the world" kind of issues, but they are time-consuming and both physically and mentally exhausting enough for me to go through. A clean break from everything can do myself good, and my definition of break means stop doing everything, run way to somewhere far, eat too much good food and spend time with awesome people. It starts with Malacca!

Over the weekend I had a short trip to Malacca, well, mostly to eat all the wonderful food there. I probably have gained too much weight I am amazed I can still fit into any of my clothes. All images were shot with Nikon D600 and 50mm F1.8 D lens. 

On the new year's eve (yes, it has been a while ago) I had an early morning photowalk with my friends who happen to be some of the best professional photographers in Malaysia. Andrew Chow, Jon Low and Eric Ooi all have switched to Sony full frame mirrorless at different stages of their career. I took this opportunity to ask them some questions: what made them switch to Sony from their previous system, what are their experiences using Sony as their main workhorse currently and... should I be making the switch to Sony myself? Undoubtedly I got some very interesting answers from my friends in my latest video! Check out the video on YouTube here (click). 

Since we were at the local wet market, I also did some shutter therapy, this time with the Nikon D600 and 50mm F1.8 D, attacking mostly portrait shots of people there. I did a POV street shooting showing you how I frame my shots, what happens around me before I click the shutter button, and I share the images here in this blog entry. 

I have the privilege to shoot the dress rehearsal for the latest KLPAC production, Let's Rock 3 last night, and boy oh boy was I enjoying myself too much. This is the third iteration of Let's Rock series, and I was right there at the beginning from Let's Rock 1 originally in 2017! How time flies, and the amazing popular rock music, being presented live with a twist - added layers of symphonic orchestra, live four piece band and large backing choir group, I must say you gotta watch it to see how magnificent this whole rock mini concert is! My favourite local singer-songwriters are also headlining the show - Bihzhu nd Fuad from Kyoto Protocol! It was so fun shooting the vibrant dramatic theatre stage with too much good music. If you are in Kuala Lumpur from 30 March to 2 April 2023, you MUST watch Let's Rock 3. Grab tickets here, and thank me later. 

Some technical details - images were all shot with OM System OM-1 and various M.Zuiko lenses: 12-40mm F2.8 PRO, 45mm F1.8 and 75mm F1.8

There are several techniques to gain more magnification shooting macro photography, and some of them are quite cheap and effective at the same time. I share the use of extension tubes on top of a dedicated macro lens, attached to a Micro Four Thirds body, and in this combination I have measured that I can achieve about 350% magnification. Of course I brought this combo out to a park and managed to shoot some really cool insects and spiders which I am sharing here in this blog entry. For full discussion on how I measure magnification and prove that I got 350% on my setup, please do go and watch the video I have published here (click). This is one example where it was easier to just demonstrate a process through video, than having to write down word buy word in an article format. 

It has been 10 years since Olympus launched the OM-D E-M1 in 2013 and I thought it would be fun to take mine out for a spin. The E-M1 original has changed the mirrorless camera landscape, showing what is possible and how a capable, professional mirrorless camera should be made. I discuss the significance of the E-M1 in my latest video, which also included me doing POV street with the E-M1. I am sharing the fresh images, mostly street portraits and environmental shots from the streets of Kuala Lumpur here in this entry. I used the venerable M.Zuiko 12-40mm F2.8 PRO lens, just because the lens was launched together with the E-M1, and has become the default kit or combo. You can watch my POV video here (click). 

I always find it annoying when I hear people say if the color photographs don't work, you can try to save them by converting to black and white. I personally believe black and white medium deserves a lot more respect. Instead of treating black and white as an afterthought, or plan B if the color images fail, it should be treated as the opposite. I strongly suggest shooting black and white with intention, purposefully finding black and white images and wanting to create monochromatic results from the start. Having the right intention and focus will result in stronger black and white outcome. 

In my recent street photography outing, I wanted to just focus on getting black and white images, so I ignored all colors and went full monochrome mode. I have made a POV video showing you how I composed these shots too, you can find it here (click).