BOKEH

Making best use of the 50mm portrait lens to produce some bokeh effects. Switch to f1.8 to f2.8 for best effects.



A "normal" bokeh with christmas lights behind the figurine.


Using a self-made love-shaped filter to transform the christmas lights into love shape. (Cheng Cheng, thanks for the lovely figurine from US !)


Another self-made paper filter with a bear-shaped this time


There you are ... the love shaped paper filter. I bought some black papers (papers must not be too soft or thin; $0.40 each piece), get some dimensions of the camera lens, draw the shape on the paper and use a pen-knife to cut the shape out. Use a rubber band to secure the filters to the camera lens.


The bear-shaped filter


This is how I took the photos with a busy-body dog accompanying me throughout my shooting ! It wasn't as easy as I thought to take these bokeh photos. The greatest hindrance is that the camera refused to focus on the main subject ! Still trying to find out why this happens. Overall, it was a fun session! CK came back in time to see the "mess" I have created in the living room with christmas lights scattered on the chair and the black papers trimmings on the floor ! Bahwahwah !

Such a pity

CK bought SHE's latest live concert DVD. After watching the entire concert, I couldn't help but admired the three energetic ladies on stage. They have sung almost 48 songs. For those who listen to SHE's songs, most of their songs were fast-paced ! They not only danced and performed on the huge stage but also moved around to the extension stage which were closer to the audiences ! Most of them are reaching their 30's, therefore it can be quite a challenge. Overall, it was a fantastic performance !

The three ladies have mentioned that this might be their last concert together, I felt a chill down my spine! This world concert was performed before Selina's unfortunate incident. No one would ever think this really might be their last concert together !

I love this group ! They must be the longest singing group ever-formed in Taiwan. I love their songs and dance moves but most of all, I love the genuine friendship that they have. The three ladies looked very pretty especially in MTV and concert. I couldn't help feeling very sorry for Selina. She might be label as a "Sweet Princess" amongst the team members but she is really a singer who can laugh at herself or crack funny jokes on stage or behind scenes. Hope she will recover soon.

Long weekend makan

Last week has been great ! Always love long weekend !
A late breakfast at "Cafe Cartel" with CK and dinner at "Rong Guang" with CK and mum.
Dad also gave us a treat at "Different Taste" restaurant. How to go on diet ?

Food glorious food !

Been invited to a friend's housewarming and she is such a good cook !! Wonderful spread of food which she has prepared some of the ingredients the day before the housewarming. A lot of effort has been put in to prepare a feast for her guests ! Thank you !

Sourcing for a pet boarding house

We are currently sourcing for a pet boarding hotel/house for Mr Jojo Tan in June. We decided to pay Petopia a visit.

I would say this is a higher class fully air-conditioned boarding house with spa service and grooming for dogs. For a 5 day stay there, Jojo's stay will cost more than one air-ticket ! (only stay) All the staff in this pet hotel have to wear uniform and a cap too.


These are the hotel's mascots. Check out the dog with a "bear" print on his fur. Some have vegetable colour dye on their fur.


The enclosed play area for the boarding dogs.


Individual room for the dog. Most of the time, the dogs will be at the play area. They will only be confined in their "hotel" room during meals and night time.


The spa and grooming room for very pampered pets. (see the 2 white dogs on the grooming table)


The walkway from the counter to the play area ...

CK and myself think that this place is ok for Jojo as long as he is in good hands. However, we knew that Jojo does not enjoy so many other dogs' companion. We wanted to try out a couple in Yishun who looked after dogs in their house soon.

Revisting a Primary School excusion location

I wanted to revisit a reservoir during our Primary School excursion. However, I could not recall which particular reservoir that was. I could only remember that the location has either one or more towers.

Most likely, I would need to look through my photos if I can find them.


A very "old-fashion" tower ... so nostalgic


Upper Seletar reservoir is a very small reservoir. Seriously, it wasn't very worth visiting unless you are just wanted to check out the place like me.


It was a rather hot morning ... just took some photos and off to somewhere else.


We brought mum and Jojo along ...


Jojo was extremely thirsty even though we only stayed for a while. Luckily we always bring along his water supply.

A morning picnic at Botanical Garden (17 April 2011, Snday)

It has been raining cats and dogs recently especially evening time. So it was a good idea to have a morning picnic at the Botanical Gardens while the grass was still dry. We all enjoyed this activity in the morning. It was a well-spent morning with 1B18.


The food we prepared:
Egg mayo sandwiches, hotdogs and crabmeat sticks : Fang, Gavin and Ryan:)
Fried chicken wings: Tiang
Baked Puffs and fried vegetarian bee hoon: Bee Cheng, Jun Long and Min
Little baked buns : Min
Chocolate banana cake, fishcakes, eggs and luncheon meat : Diana and CK



The picnic gang ... unfortunately Lee Lim could not join us this round. Nevermind, we will definitely have more picnic at Botanical gardens in the future.


Trying out Olympus camera. This is the "Pin-hole effect" which I find it relatively nice.





We fell in love with the "soft-focus" effect. Why ? It simply compliments everyone's skins and we don't appeared so "harsh".


The "dramatic effect" ... this effect needs some posing and attitude to appear nice. I personally think that Fang ad Gavin has caught the essence of it.


While the rest of us walked around the swan lake, CK and the 2 boys (and Jojo) just chilled under the shade.

Other photos taken on this beautiful day: