Dodges and Burns

The time has finally come for me to go on a trip to China. Just hope to be able to enjoy the trip without interruption.

Hangzhou, here I come….

Taken recently on a family trip to Batu Ferringhi, Penang. Even though I have been to  Batu Ferringhi many times, I went to the beach for once only. So, when I was there for the second time, this guy actually rode this horse over, asking if we were interested to have a ride. At that moment, the speedboat move pass the background.

Photo was taken handheld and using DPP to produce 5 different exposures before combining them using Nik Software HDR Efex Pro. I used the preset “Granny’s Attic” setting to create the above photo.

I have not been travelling to oversea for quite a while. Those who know me would know how much I love travelling.

The last travel that I went to (both counted for business and personal trip) was to Krabi with WL in July 2010. Both of us were stressed out for different reason it was something that we both needed.

This year, however, is another year for my travelling but most definitely for a different reason. I am hoping for 3 overseas trip this year and so far, I have two planned out already.

China would be the first destination while Cambodia would be my second personal. I am still undecided on the third trip as I am tempted on several destinations, namely, Hanoi, Vietnam; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Gold Coast, Australia or Adelaide, Australia. Highest possibility would be Hanoi but nothing has been confirmed so far.

On the other hand, it is possible for me to visit Tashkent, Uzbekistan if the company allow me to go. Keeping my finger-crossed.

I think I am falling in love with Nik Software HDR Efex Pro. It has many cool features and what I like most about this program is the presets for many different setting (each one extremely stunning by its own account). Another plus that I see in the program is how it save the HDR file in 16 bits TIFF file, which means I wont lose a single bit of information when I save it again and again. And by using Photoshop Elements, I would convert it to 8 bits and finally jpeg before uploading it here.

The above photo is taken in my house’s garden. While waiting to go out, I took my time shooting one of the many red pack (angpau as we Chinese call them) hanging from one of the plant in the garden. As it was abit windy that day, the red pack move around while I shoot it. Still, I like how the slight blurry feel it makes.

P.S. My usual Friday posting of “Photo of the Week” has been bring forward for a day for two reasons. First, it would the the last day of Chinese New Year today (the 15th day of Chinese New Year) and second, I wont be around on Friday as I am going on a family trip to Penang. (You can be assured of more photos about Penang soon)

This is my first photo processed using Nik Software HDR Efex Pro. The swing was being built by someone a long while ago and it has become a favourite item for hikers to Broga Hill, Selangor. Going up there late in the afternoon with the intention of shooting sunset, I detour abit to this swing and shoot it. Moving around, I saw the light breaking thru the clouds and without a second thought, I take this in AEB to process into a HDR. To deepen the mood, I purposely make it into a black and white photo.

Every person would have it ups and downs in his life. It may be cause by a number of factors and one that is kinda prominent in my life is work (on the downside).

Due to the sensitivity of this topic, I could not put it in details but those who are extremely close to me would know what happened.

Anyway, the main reason that I am writing this post is to “let it out” so that I could get on with my life. No point holding onto this bad mood when there is a whole happy and exciting world that waiting for me.

So, here I am, throwing it all out and moving on. And thanks for listening to my ranting…