Tags archives: Leica S3

Saturday Outing: Miri Marina Street

Tabi basa and greetings everybody! I hope all of are healthy and had a good weekend with your family and friends. Even if you are alone, I hope you took that opportunity to improve your craft or whatever skill you wish to be good at. Silence is golden, and solitude is necessary for growth, just like a seed, buried in the darkness. 

PHOTOSHOOT AT JLN MARINA, MIRI

For today’s post, I would like to share the activities that I had with fellow Miri photographers at Jalan Marina, Miri, not far from Miri Time Square.

Behind The Scene

Look at this lovely leading line.

The theme for today was actually lady in red, but since Kat is appropriately-dressed, we took her in for photoshoot too. Besides, she was also one of the regular faces for photoshoot by our fellow photographer circle in Miri. 
For this photoshoot, the goal was to learn more about lighting placement, because that is one area that I wish to be better at. Due to work commitment, I rejected a number of jobs, especially those nearing Christmas and New Year as I will be on duty. However, as and when I have the opportunity, I will join Denz Harper and the other boys; Jay Potret, Steve M, Raf & Clayri (first time meeting these two) for photoshoot. This would be the last for 2021 with them though and I’ll join them again next year. 

Denz “Happy” Harper & Elisha

The talents for our photoshoot was Viviana Uring, Elisha & Katheria (Prudential insurance agent, can look for her. She’s very helpful).   As usual, we took turns to do photoshoot with these talents. Basically we just shoot until we think we have all the shots and then move on to the next talent. 

GROUP PHOTOSHOOT


Group photoshoot is something that I only do twice ever since I took-up photography. It is primarily due to bad past experiences, which makes me prefer to go and do photoshoot on my own. 

How to play with light and shadows are the fundamentals. There is a lot of other aspects too, with gear being the last. Gears are supposed to make our life easier, not the other way round. In fact, you don’t need to break the bank to be really good. 

A good photographer can create a beautiful image from any gear.

As for myself, if the outcome is not great enough, it is because of my lack of skill, not because of the gear. That’s why I am pretty excited and look forward to the upcoming workshop with Sean as discussed with Denz, and hopefully it is in Miri. 

From group photoshoot also, we also learn how to appreciate that each photographer has their own ways of editing. There is nothing to quarrel about. Only when they seek for our opinions, then we offer ours.

THE FINAL RESULT:

These are the images that I favour from the rest of the pictures. Feel free to have a look.

VIVIANA

Elisha

Katheria

Note: her photoshoot is not planned, so that’s why she not wearing red.

RAW/DNG OR JPEG?

I only shoot DNG (RAW) because I would like to have the ability to fully optimise whatever images that I have created, let’s say I wish to edit it differently later in the future. This is the thing that I have discussed with Denz, Clay and Jay over our coffee talk yesterday.

Denz and the rest are mainly Photoshop users. Before this, I tried using Photoshop. But it is a steep learning curve for me. Then I used Lightroom until I discovered Capture One. Now, I am using Capture One for all of my editing, though I still keep Photoshop standby if I need some heavy lifting. Like what Denz always say, try to master one software first before moving onto the next.

EPILOGUE

It was such a fun evening with these peoples. I look forward to do another photoshoot with them again in the future. Don’t forget to follow me at my social media here: linktr.ee/claudiusweson.

Lastly, don’t be quiet about any sexual harassment. Speak up. Let yourself be heard.

Tukang Rantek,
Claudius

Saturday Afternoon at Tennis Court

Tabi basa and greeting everybody! Finally it’s Sunday and there is only one day left for my first ever Citra Kenyalang Performance competition which is being held online at my Facebook page Tukang Rantek.

For today’s story, I’d like to write about my exprience doing photoshoot at a tennis court with fellow Miri photographers: Denzel “Denz”, Steve Maggie & Mas Jay.

Our talents for yesterday’s session was Katheria & Steph. On our way to Miri Tennis Complex, Kat left her racket. As we get near to the court, Denz told us that he forgot to bring the balls. So, we have to bought two new sets of balls at Servay near Grand Palace.

This is where do our photoshoot (top middle)

This is actually the first time I meet those three in person: Jay, Denz and Steph. But we did our photoshoot as if we have known each other for a very long time. I am also the type of person who don’t approve random FB friends request unless I have met requestor in person (with few exceptions).

For our photoshoot, there was no system in place. We just shoot at random at first. Since there is only two talents and four photographers, we did our session by doing it per talents. I started off with Kat because the other boys seems to be more interested in Steph (tok nok ditangga ku ja), where Kat was left to her own devices.

Kat seems to be insecure with her own tummy, but I hope she takes it as a motivation to maintain her fitness level.

After a while, finally I managed to get my turn to photograph Steph. She seems to be serious, but she’s actually a friendly person and easy to work with. She demonstrates her familiarity with photography sessions and it makes my life easier. She’s also an anime lover, including Jujutsu Kaisen and Attack On Titan (still waiting for the final season, part 2 where Erehh became the bad guy. Duh)

Sometimes, even as a photographer, I also need to give few instructions to the talents in order for them to be able to help me with my requirements.

Finally, after 1.5 hours of photoshoot, the session came to an end. So, here is the pic that we took before we departs.

May be an image of 4 people, people standing, outdoors and text that says 'LUOFU m. SHOT ON BLACK SHARK 2 AI DUAL CAMERA H'
Picture courtesy of Denz Harper.

Final Result

Kat

Steph

Epilogue

For this photoshoot, I used a single-OCF (off-camera flash) where it is adequate, considering I am not assisted by anyone. It is also sufficient to fill most of the shadows generated by November sun. For me, having photoshoot with like-minded friends is important to strengthen bond as well as to have fun in the weekend.

Perhaps I should write more about my boudoir in this blog. Anyway, have a good weekend everyone!

Tukang Rantek,
CW

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Follow me at my social media here.

Story of Perscilla: Pru-Tecting Lives

Tabi basa & greetings! Today I’d like to share about Perscilla, a Melanau – Iban lady but was raised and resides in Miri. Her father is a Melanau, while her mother is an Iban. In this post, she wore Melanau traditional costume consisting of black satin blouse, yellow-red songkey sarong and red embroidered chest decoration with string pendant.

Perscilla graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from University of Malaysia, Sarawak (UNIMAS). She worked three jobs prior joining Prudential as a full-time insurance agent because she wants to know and explore more on insurance business.

According to her, she wants to join insurance business because she wants to give an awareness to herself, family and relatives about the importance of insurance and what it can provide in case something unfortunate happens.
With insurance, she’ll be able to ensure that her circle of family, friends and dearest clients always have the best protection that can guard them financially should death, disability, critical illnesses or accident happens.

Aside from teaching how to save money for emergency or illnesses, insurance also helps to plan further in the future such as planning for children’s educatiom and also planning for their beautiful retirement.

With insurance, her client also will have a peace of mind as they has no need to worry should emergency happens since they have secured their money and planned for their future ahead.
Her journey so far makes her realise that this industry is beautiful as it helps her to connect with a lot of people regardless of their race, cultures, occupations etc. Her clients eventually became her friend and it brings her fulfilment to be able to serve them and subsequently grow successful as an Insurance Agent.

From her also I learned that the insurance agents that forces others to purchase an insurance plan only brings a bad name to the rest of the insurance industry.

I hope that her story inspires you to embrace a new understanding and get yourself protected by getting yourself an insurance plan not only for yourself but for your family.

Tukang Rantek,

Claudius

Note: 

Claudius is a boudoir & portrait “tukang rantek” based in Miri.

Tukang Rantek means photographer in Bidayuh.

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