Family Photography Session

Death Row

A client has a well-loved shot of a favourite band, Death Row (right), and asked if I could model a picture of him and his children after that photo.

Never one to turn down a challenge, I naturally agreed to make that shot work for him.

 

 

I had to take individual shots of my client and each of his children in the many poses by the different band members. The children were all excited by the project, so were totally cooperative in striking the many postures required. After that, it was like playing jigsaw puzzles, as I pieced together the best takes. And here’s the result.

Photo in Photo Effect

This is my personal favourite. Families are important, and when all’s well at home, all’s well in your universe, I believe. I love the idea of family members holding each other’s well-being in their hands, as symbolised in this shot. Family love, forged in childhood days, cemented by love of parents, deep and true, and sweet ol’ familiar ways.

Half Shadowed Effect

This is always an interesting experiment, inspired by the Beatles in their album ‘Meet the Beatles’. You know what they say about your side profiles portraying different sides of your nature? Each time I shoot for this Half Shadowed Effect, it never fails to throw up interesting facets on the faces of the family members. Check this out yourself and see what you can uncover.

 

The Standard Family Portrait

Obviously we had to do some normal family portraits so here is one of them..

Cycling weekend in Bintan

Went to Bintan over the weekend with the wife, kids and some friends. It was a good trip – some exercise (we cycled to the kelong where we stayed), lotsa sun, sand and scrumptious seafood, and some fireworks.

What’s nice about such short breaks is the chance to rest and relax, and recharge. While my ever-conscientious daughter did lug along some homework, the drill was done against a background of sea waves lapping on the beach, with the occasional call of the random bird scanning the area for food, before it plunge-dive into the sea for a fish. My son, meanwhile, learned to play pool, among many other lessons from the uncles and aunties; picked shells, teased the cats and cycled on the kelong boards.

Here is a stop motion video created with 2,050 photographs of the three days we spent in Bintan

 

See the higer res version here : http://youtu.be/9U5aS8ZWYhI

 

It was nice, waking up to glorious sunrise, catching spectacular sunsets, those quiet, contemplative strolls on the beach with my boy. Amidst all that, I managed to catch some shots of the east side of coastal Bintan. Here are some of the shots in HDR.

 

 

 

Another Portrait Photography Special

Our last family portrait promotion was so well received some of you missed out and asked if there will be another. Well, we're pleased to announce there will indeed be a sequel to that fun time on December 15!

JJ Photography and Chronicle People will come together again on Saturday December 15 to do another session. So, this time, make your booking early for a 1.5 hour slot with two crazy creative photographers, for two settings in our gorgeous studio, with unlimited wardrobe changes and a whole lot of fun.

Portrait Photography Special

JJ Photography is collaborating with Chronicle People on Saturday 17 Nov for a portrait session at a special price. In recent months, I have had opportunities to work on a number of occasions with John Zhang, the photographer from Chronicle People. We have found a kindred spirit in each other, paving the way for an easy and amiable working relationship. So much so we are exploring even more ways to work together, this weekend's shoot being the first of many more photo sessions, although not necessarily of the same genre. So come on down to ..., and know that you'll be having a fuzz-free, relaxing and fun photo op.

CineMoco timelapse/movie motion controller

After a long search for an affordable slider motion controller, I am happy to have found something that can work on both tracks and flat ground. Cenetics, the makers of Cineskates  (wheels made for the Jobe Gorillapod SLR Zoom and Focus), has created CineMoco, a compact motor controlled dolly and slider for both video and timelapse photography.

The CineMoco can be used for sliding video, shoots photos between moves for timelapse photography, and moves on command for stop motion animation.

The modular system can be used both as a standalone dolly or with the tracks. The tracks/rails allow you to stabilize your camera on undulating grounds, but you are restricted by the length of the tracks. As a standalone dolly system, the possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

Unfortunately, the CineMoco system is unable to handle vertical slideing (although it looks like they are working towards this) like the Rhino slider which I was considering initially. Then again you can’t have everything. For instance, the Rhino Slider doesn’t come with a controller, but creator Kyle Hart is expecting to create one within a year. 

   
Cenetics is seeking US$50,000 in funding. As of October 3, it has already exceeded its target at US$71,510. Cenetics is still adding functionality to the CineMoco controller, like pan-and-tilt capabilities and keyframeing. Its Kickstarter campaign will run till October 26. Interested parties can check out the different packages available at the CineMoco Kickstarter page.

Time Lapse Photography (The Astro)

I have been dabbling with time-lapse photography the past few weeks and have been looking around for a good device for motion time-lapse. I have since backed a project on Kickstarter for a panning device called the Astro. The Astro is designed to be small enough to fit into your pocket, and easy to program. Its functions are accessed via a three-ringed control system, which is used to set the duration of the time lapse sequence (0.25-12 hours), the range of camera movement (0-360 degrees) and the interval at which photos are taken (0-60 seconds). Separate left and right buttons below the interval ring control the pan direction of the camera. With two of these devices and a pair of L brackets, you can produce a pan with tilt time-lapse video.

Astro was thought up by Oscar Ramírez, an Industrial Engineer with a passion for photography. His project on Kickstarter was backed by close to 2,000 people and he received US$412,998 - way above the targeted US$50,000 goal .
Check out his video here
 Now for the patient wait till December when it’s expected to be delivered.

Molly Malone's Irish Pub Bar Counter in HDR

Buy this Image

Did some HDR (High Dynamic Range) work the last few years and decided to put everything together recently. This shot was taken in the pub one morning before it opened for the day. I was quite pleased with the final product and made some postcards of different shots inside and outside and sold them fast. This is my favorite shot in the package. Took a total of 13 shots to get this final HDR product.

New baby props are finally in

After a long wait, newborn photography props are finally in. Most of these were hand knitted and are incredibly soft and comfortable.  Looking forward to using them in my next baby session.  Will post pictures soon.

New Props

Working with some new props for newborn and maternity photography. Tried a few of these props in a recent portrait session and the client was quiet pleased with the results. I am waiting for more props to arrive from the U.S. & Canada.

Fully booked in March

As usual, due to the number of advance bookings for March and our commitment to provide a quality product, we will not be taking any more customers for that month. For customers who have done their Maternity session with us and are due to deliver in March, contact JJ to make the necessary arrangement for your Newborn session.

Photographing Twins

Had a wonderful session with a pair of twins. Incredibly, both boys were very cooperative and the whole session went very smoothly. When one was awake, the other went to sleep and vice versa.  Mommy had such a pleasant smile about her throughout the session and also ensuring that I was properly nourished during the session. Daddy was like all new daddies, wondering when they will stop being such fragile little things and actually start with the real man sports.  

Write up in Expat Living Magazine

Write up in the October 10 issue of Expat Living. We were asked by the magazine to submit a picture or two explaining why we liked the selected shots. We decided to let two of our clients share their experience instead.

Fully Booked (Aug - Mid Sep 2010)

As usual, due to the many advance bookings we have received, we are sorry to inform you that we are currently fully booked until 15 Sep. In order to maintain the quality of our productions, we will not be able to take in any additional photography appointments until than.

Newborn Photography Gift Certificate

We now offer gift certificates for newborn photography. If you and your colleagues know a friend who is about to welcome a little one, the purchase of a private artistic Newborn Photography session is a joint gift they will never forget. 

Thoughtfully designed to give families with newborns the flexibility they need at this fragile time, the Newborn Gift Certificate is the ideal way to ensure that this remarkable event will remain as fresh and pertinent as those first days. Gift certificates are available in both the basic package and standard package.

Photography Session Feedback

So, how did you find your photography session? What did you particularly enjoy? I would greatly appreciate your feedback on our time together, as part of my constant effort to provide an informed and improved service.

Fully Booked for July 2010

Due to the many advance bookings we have received, we are sorry to inform you that we are currently fully booked for July. In order to maintain the quality of our productions, we will not be able to take in any additional photography appointments for this month.

Compliments from a Blog

Saw this interesting blog commenting about JJ Photography and felt quite complimented

http://blogaaholic.com/2009/05/04/newborn-photography/

Found out that she eventually got a group together for a group discount somewhere else (no harm no foul). Liked the fact that at least she did considered JJ Photography. 

Quote from her blog:
The above package is from JJ Photography and please, please don’t tell me it is very expensive as I couldn’t find any others who can take better pictures than JJ.

JJ Photography gets a write up in Expat Living Magazine

Write up in the October 09 issue of Expat Living . Two of our clients agreed to give a testimonial after being coaxed by Expat Living for their photography feature of some of the best in their business.