Once again, AFA is back! More pricer tickets, more events and guests. Most importantly,  more kawaii cosplayers!! ^^ Another long hiatus due to my crazy study work schedule, things might get more havoc from now on.

It’s rather intriguing to see more people with dslr coming for such events. This means an inevitable need to further improve the photo skills XD The cosplayers, to me, are the main attracting factor for the general crowd. Otakus, anime/cosplay/gunplay fans aren’t counted in this group. They are already enlightened. The testing of the new 5D Mak II continues…

More at My Flickr

Bring in a model that has got fashion sense, lighting, cameras and you’ll get great shots, a group of tired people with newfound experience! Pic was stolen from Jie =P

I was really glad that Rosemary agreed to be our first model for the fashion themed shoot. My my, she came well prepared looking so gorgeous with that new new hairdo! She’s pretty dynamic in her first time as being a model.

The shoot started off slow. I shot first, ill prepared on model directions. So some time was pretty much spent on her staring at me and me staring back. We were expecting each other to lead the other on. That’s no good during a shoot.

Communication is important between the two. And for those who know me I’m the quiet sort. I have taken for granted for things go well in such circumstances. Things should be done with prompt and clear instructions. Encouragements ARE a must. It allows the model to be comfortable and feel good. This induces better results. Things I kept forgetting: One simple equation.

Event + Response = Outcome

If you desire the outcome, make a response to get attain it. Going with the flow doesn’t work.

So the shifu took over for there. I observe and steal the skills Lol! Lighting positions, camera angles, tilt of head and body position of the model. Gotta grab a bit and evolve a new style to it.

Thanks Rosemary, mj, jm for making this shoot possible!

Further improvements
- gotta try the primary light from the posterior diagonal right without diffuser.
- communications skills. Not just during the shoot but everyday life
- setup preparation was slow. Perhaps a place with no external interference. Stationary everything in one place.
- using a homemade softbox

That’s all I can review on the way home. If you more to add, please feel free to comment.

Finally, thanks the iPhone for being such a useful tool for blogging on the go.

Night Festival is ending! No more free events at the National Museum of Singapore for a bit =’(

I missed last weeks jazz performance and zouk’s “pinic whatever” due to some sudden and urgent need to rush a priject proposal into the night. Such a sacrifice…. argh.

Here are some of the pattens The Electric Canvas came up with:

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A very nice display indeed! Need to scout for more events to look at. Things are gonna be a lttile quiet without the Night Festival =/

Singapore Garden Festival gave me a really valuable lesson. Plants have life. Especially roses, they wither away in 5 days. Never ever go on the last day of flower show =P

My humble shot for the event. Best of all the harvest that day =/ I need to work on flora photography. Bring flash next time too… Next to try shooting other flowers inside of 90% orchids.

All my precious are out! This is my secret collection of Anime models. They won’t get to breath the air for long, since I don’t intend to display them out in the open. Maybe it I have a glass shelf tower with lighting. I might reconsider.

All these took 4 years to collect. My first piece was the 1/8 Scale Pre-painted Figure Fate/ hollow ataraxia Saber Black Dress Ver by Alter.

My next 2 pieces was a period of crazy Shakugan no Shana fandom with actually 2 figurines of Shana! The 1/8 Scale Pre-painted Figure Shana by Kotobukiya. Followed by 1/8 Scale Pre-painted Figure The Girl from Tendokyu Ver from Solid Works .

Finally my most recent piece sometime in the 1st quarter of the year, 1/8 Scale painted Figure Haruhi Suzumiya by Max Factory.

Basically, I try to get figurines with good details, especially the hair details and clothes. Or the painting of the eyes and posture.

More buying to come when I go to Japan! ^^ Checkout my wishlist hehe…. Maybe I’ll try to get the nendoroids there. Might be cheaper.

Anyways, this setup is quite all right. Just a few problems though. The lamps aren’t bright enough to make the background totally white. And the mahjong paper for the background does not give a good uniform white look. Need to scout for cheap lamps and a more softer and reliable background.