Photography Interest Group, 23 Jul 2011

Calling all SHC members interested in Photography.

I am trying to start a like-minded group of SHC members to visit places of interests in Singapore. What we can do is first to capture as many pictures as possible and later, select about 20 or so, edit them and make a movie out of it. (We can use the Windows Movie Maker available free from your computer operating systems).

For those more adventurous, you can even publish your movie in Youtube. There are lots of examples in Youtube you can view and see how it is done.

I suggest our first place of interest is our Singapore Chinatown. Those who know this place well can suggest the routing. There are some suggestions in the Internet via: http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/singapore/chinatown/401/chinatown_walking_tour_route_1.php

  • First Photography Outing: Date: 23-07-2011
  • Meeting Place: Chinatown Stn – NE Line, Exit E (Chinatown Point – in front of The Coffee Bean)
  • Time to commence walk: 3.00PM (Total walking and picture taking time is about 2-hours)
  • NB: If group is too big (>15), may have to split into 2 groups (assistant tour leader required)
  • Anyone interested to be tour leader/assistant?

Your comments and feedback are welcome. Who is coming?

hewlee      emoticon

Those registered coming :

  1. Hewlee
  2. Jassmine Teo
  3. Mike Tay
  4. Annie Loh
  5. Ng Lai Hock
  6. Lee King Seng
  7. Clara Ho
  8. Jam
  9. Audrey Wong
  10. Fong Cheong Kong
  11. Danny Lye
  12. Judy Lim
  13. Christina CL Chan
  14. Aaron How
  15. Angie Ng

Photos by Danny Lye & Jama

Videos by Danny & Jama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLFpMDPugo4&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KTDxkJixHM

Author: Hew Lee

After retirement, I help seniors to bridge the digital divide. Web: https://itforseniors.wordpress.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/user/faberlodge

64 thoughts on “Photography Interest Group, 23 Jul 2011”

  2. Hi Hew Lee,

    I would wanted so much to join in this Photography Interest Gr on 23/7 , unfortunately i m join the SHC live to eat event on that day.

    Please include me in the next meeting.

    I Agreed with Emeritus that the Malayan Railway will be a better choice since its cut date is by end of this mth July.

    Rgds
    Audrey

  3. Hi Hew Lee,

    I love the fact that your Photography Interest Grp will eventually learn to make movies from our Photography works – Mmm!

    I am very much into short movies since I’ve volunteered myself to the NYU Tish Film School’s students yearly projects for the last 2yrs.
    Most of the projects that came to me were referrals from the former students that had worked with me before.

    I had done interesting shoots in the moving train – a foresight of a NYU MFA Film student who realised the ending of the Tanjong Pagar Railway St…quickly did a short movie in January this year, called ‘Crossings’. I played a passenger having a light conversation with this young Korean actor, invited all the way from Korea.

    The other was 3 midnite shoots from 12am to 9am at Dublin Irish Pub –
    its called ‘One Night at Patty’s” – a dark comedy. I played the Pub owner.

    If you’re intrigued to know more – I can share on our photography field trip this 23 July when we break for tea, hehe…I definitely want to learn more from you – Thks!

    I love videography too and have a fancy to learn how to edit.
    Did a 5 days editing course at Objectifs, but they were too fast for me to really apprehend all the steps.

    If I can learn & master what you’re tailoring for us to achieve – pls include me.

    And how do I assist you?

    My email contact: aunty.pearly@gmail.com

  4. #1 Kong Chee: – I believe the Malayan Railway (Tg Pagar Stn) has already closed.
    #2 Audrey: – There is always a next time, not to worry. Enjoy your eating event.
    #3 Pearl Wong: – All volunteers or helpers will take charge of a separate group but doing the same walk on the same day (in staggered timing) and briefing members on points of interests along the route. This only will happen if we have a large interest group (say >15 pax). Through your personnal emails, I will prepare some notes on the walking/picture taking). We all can then end at the same location for debriefing before ending the walk.

  5. Hi Hew Lee
    I’m interested in photography but am not a photo. buff. Am also not skilful – just ‘point and shoot’ with an auto camera, but i’m very interested in the creative aspect of photography, and hope to pick up some useful tips/tricks by joining this upcoming photo field trip.

    Thanks for organizing this interesting outing and see you on the 23rd, 3 p.m. :)

  7. Dear Hew Lee

    I think the station is open till 17 July, it allows people to trek all the way to Bukit Timah.

    Please correct me if I am wrong.

    Cheers!
    Lai Fong

  8. Hi Hew Lee,

    Pls include me in your Photography Outing on date: 23-07-2011

    Just like #5 Jasmine Teo, I only know how to “point & shoot” with my camera – without any skill.

    Tks.

  9. Hi Yew Lee

    Welcome to the club and I am glad we finally have a photography interest group under your care. I do like to take photos too but my camera is ‘collecting’ dust now as I have been out of practice for awhile so hopefully with your leadership I can find some like minded people to go ‘shooting’ with. Too bad I’ve signed up for the ‘Live to eat’ event by Dan so cannot join you folks for the 1st outing. I shall be looking forward to join you on your next event ……… am still an amateur in this area and hope I can learn some techniques from you.

    Cheers
    Sockie

  11. I would love to join this outing as I’m very interested in photography.Regarding the KTM , the station is already closed but tracts along Bukit Timah/Ghim Mo/Holland rd area are open to public till end of the month before they are dismantled.

    I’m find with any location for our first photoshoot.

  13. #6 Pearl Wong: – We can only form one group so far.
    #7 Lai Fong: – Thanks for your correction. What I meant “closed” is that the “train service” is no more in operation, i.e. no more train pictures possible.
    #9 & #10 Sockie: – no need paiseh – we are all humans. Enjoy your eating event.

    #5, #6, #8 & #11 Those Coming:
    1) Pearl Wong
    2) Jassmine Teo
    3) Mike Tay
    4) Annie Loh

    Please also view link (double click mouse)mentioned in the above post for a brief background of the field trip routing.
    … see you on 23/7 at 3.00PM

    hewlee

  14. Hi Hew Lee,

    Its too early to conclude there’s only 4 of us since 23 July is still some wks away. Hope by then more will join in.

    Is a Lumix L3 good enough to bring along?

    pearl.

  16. #14 Pearl Wong: – Any point and shoot camera will do unless you want to further your photographic skills – you need to get one that can allow you to perform manual settings. I have given my SLR to my son and now I am using one Olympus compact shock & waterproof camera.
    #15 Lai Hock: – Thanks for your interest, see you.

    Updates on those coming:
    1) Pearl Wong
    2) Jassmine Teo
    3) Mike Tay
    4) Annie Loh
    5) Ng Lai Hock

  19. #18 King Seng: – You are welcome to come along. The photo field trip is just the first step. I try to arrange a field trip, once every 4-5 months. The months in between are for those who want to continue to manage the pictures taken. Ideas are plentiful. Some requires you to purchase a program to manage all your photos, e.g. flip album, burning your pictures into DVD-discs, playable by standard DVD-players, some are free, like making your pictures into a movie by Windows Movie Maker. You can even publish in the Youtube for all (public domain) to see. For those that requires hands-on for the next step, we have to explore ways to achieve it. Maybe first we communicate through emails and you can also visit the web site for guidance.
    The basic requirement for the next step is one working computer with Microsoft opersting system (XP or Windows 7)installed with Windows Movie Maker.

    Updates on those coming:
    1) Pearl Wong
    2) Jassmine Teo
    3) Mike Tay
    4) Annie Loh
    5) Ng Lai Hock
    6) Lee King Seng

    hewlee

  20. Hi Hewlee,

    In your update (#19), you left out one name. At #11, Jam says s/he’s joining the outing.

    Any advice on attire? Besides camera, anything else we need to bring along? TQ.

  21. #20 Jassmine:- Thanks Jassmine.
    #11 Jam:- Sorry, I did not read your last sentence fully. I got distracted by the KTM topic :)
    What we need for the field trip?
    At 3.00PM, the weather is still quite warm. Luckily, we are walking through built-up areas and under shades. I would suggest to wear something light. For those who wish to put themselves in the picture, then some color balance consideration may be required. Other items include, water (it’s a tourists’ area, so you can buy it there also), sunglass, hat/cap, umbrella, walking shoes, camera with battery fully charged!

    Updates on those coming:
    1) Pearl Wong
    2) Jassmine Teo
    3) Jam
    4) Mike Tay
    5) Annie Loh
    6) Ng Lai Hock
    7) Lee King Seng

    hewlee

  22. Very interested in Photography Group. As certain tracts of the Railway are still accessible to the public till 17 July, would it be possible to organize an outing on say, Sunday 17 July, the last day.

  23. Hi, Hew Lee

    Thanks for forming the group. I am keen to join in. Thinking of my pre-u days when we can learn photography and go to the dark room… but too distracted in the dark room and finally learn nothing… :) Hence, must learn again… hahaha

    Clara Ho

  24. #22 Richard: – The walking group has decided to do the walk sometime in the middle of this month. Please look out for their final confirmation of details in the SHC web site.
    #23 Clara: – Now you don’t need to go to the dark room with digital cameras. I have done a few years sweating in my own bathroom doubled up also as a dark room. No money to get an air-con then. In this group taking the photos is just the first step. You are welcome to come along.

    Updates on those coming:
    1) Pearl Wong
    2) Jassmine Teo
    3) Jam
    4) Mike Tay
    5) Annie Loh
    6) Ng Lai Hock
    7) Lee King Seng
    8) Clara Ho

    hewlee

  25. Hi Hew Lee,

    Congrats!
    You have doubled participants for your photography walk now.

    May I know how many walks will there be before we learn to do the movie?

    pearl.

  26. #25 Pearl Wong: – Details will be discussed at our first meeting on 23/7. Every walk with a theme (or storyline) to produce a movie with music. For those interested, can also upload to youtube. The answer to your question is therefore one walk one movie. The walks are spaced out in about 4-5 months. The in between time is for transforming the pictures into a movie.

    hewlee

  28. #27 Audrey: You are welcome and thanks for your interest. As 23/7 is our inaugural meeting of like minded group of SHC members interested in photography and the IT required to produce a movie, I like to hear from you all how you want the group to move on. Knowledge like the learning space of a child has no boundary.

    Updates on those coming:
    1) Pearl Wong
    2) Jassmine Teo
    3) Jam
    4) Mike Tay
    5) Annie Loh
    6) Ng Lai Hock
    7) Lee King Seng
    8] Clara Ho
    9) Audrey Wong

    hewlee

  29. Morning Hew Lee,

    I suppose..its ‘how much & how long is the participation’ to move forward.
    If any costs thats beyond our ability, its definitely ‘cant afford’.

    If we can all work as a ‘photography/movie’ team, we need a venue to gather to learn and work together especially to ‘make & edit’ a movie ya.

    As you mentioned ‘Windows Movie Maker available free from your computer operating systems’ – we do need time to absorb and master it as I think its rather complicated & difficult to follow when I learnt movie editing with ‘final cut pro’ in class or my ‘imovie’ from my imac at home, unless the ‘Windows’ version is easy & simple to master.

    It will be great to screen our completed work to SHC members as a ‘Movie’ event for a change.

    pearl.

  30. Hi All

    Using the Windows Movie Maker is a simple n easy process. If u are not or still not sure, there are always video clips at http://www.youtube.com to help u. For example; search for “how to use windows movie maker”.

    To master it, u must practice, practice n practice. No point to learn if u don’t. If u don’t have a computer to practice, it’s gd to get one.

  32. #30 Yew Kwong: – Thanks for your advice. I still remembered my first experience with computer. I worried my wrong actions may spoil the computer system and repair cost then was in the hundreds of dollars. I agree with you, any IT program requires practice, practice and practice. With hands-on is the only way to move forward.

    #31 Pearl Wong: – We respect your decision. I would like to clarify that this Photography Interest Group which I volunteered to lead (for registered SHC members only – no gate crasher allowed) has no training cost involved.
    The training is only confined to learning how to take good pictures and using Windows Movie Maker to produce a movie. The intangible benefits are obvious. All we requested from each SHC interested member are as follows:

  33. Sorry, to fast to click the submit button.
    Delete from “All we requested ….follows:” and add the following:

    All we request from interested SHC members are as follows:
    1)Any digital camera that can capture pictures around 1MB memory size.
    2)A working computer at home and installed with Windows Movie Maker program.
    3)A thumb drive with about 2GB of memory.
    4)Your interest and time to achieve the goal of producing a movie clip.

    hewlee

  34. Hi Hewlee #26, #28

    i think having a theme will guide us (the greenhorns, esp.) to take the ‘right’ kind of photos. Eg if the theme is “Chinatown – architecture”, then i won’t be ‘shooting’ nature and activities which are what i’ll ‘shoot’ if no theme.

    The follow-up could be to meet for a critique of our photos and we lean how to take the same scenes more interestingly i.e. we learn perspectives, composition, etc …

    then we choose the best shots from the group and create a trailer….with music and commentary …

    and we can send this trailer to compete if there’s a suitable competition…lol! or upload to YouTube to promote Singapore. wow!

    …just a suggestion for a collaborative project :)

  35. #34 Jassmine: – We will have a brief discussion before we start on 23/7. Having multiple themes have the advantage of sharing our photos, in case you did not see what others saw.

    We can exchange our photos through emails. Once you have collected your lot, about 20, for a start, then you decide a theme (or “Title” of the movie)for yourself.

    hewlee

  36. Hi Hew Lee
    I am new to photography and request to join you. Just bought an NEX5D Sony and hope that it is good enough for this trip. Hope to see you on 23 July 3pm at Chinatown MRT. My email is fckg2004@yahoo.com.sg

    Cheers
    Jeffrey Fong

  37. I am a keen photographer and is also a member of Clubsnap.com where members buy/sell cameras, accessories and also share photos and tips too. Anyone interested to know more can register free on the webstie and get to see photos and comments.

    Can I join the group on 23/7 for the photo shoot ? Please advise more details on the meeting point and theme of the event. Chinatown has lot of archtecture buildings and street scenes too for photography.

    Rgds,
    Danny Lye

  38. #36 Cheong Kong: – Please refer to my comment #32 which states that this outing is only for registered SHC members only. If you are, we welcome you. Any camera that can capture pictures with about or >1MB size is good enough. See you.

    #37 Danny Lye: – Please refer to my comment #32 which states that this outing is only for registered SHC members only. If you are, we welcome you. If your main interest is in making known to SHC members to buy/sell cameras, then I would suggest you obtain approval from Terence to allow you to do so. I believe there is a category that meets your need under “On-line Fleamart, garage sales, etc.”

    hewlee

  39. I am a registered member of Silverhairs Club. I have no intention to promote any buy/sell camera. Is just a sharing for those who are interested in knowing more about photography where they can be members to share their photography skills and knowledges with others at the specific website. You have misunderstood my intention or meaning.

    So, am I eligible to join in the outing ?

    Danny Lye

  41. #39 Danny Lye: – Sorry if I have misunderstood you. You are welcome to come along. As I have said it before, taking the pictures is just but the 1st step. The next step is to produce a movie from about 20 odd best pictures you have selected. Thereafter, you can upload to Youtube for all SHC members to view your work. Details of the meeting is in the post above. 23/7 > 3.00PM > Chinatown Point > MRT EXIT E > In front of The Coffee Bean.
    hewlee

  43. #42 Judy Lim: – You are welcome. See you.
    Updates on those coming:

    1) Hew Lee
    2) Jassmine Teo
    3) Jam
    4) Mike Tay
    5) Annie Loh
    6) Ng Lai Hock
    7) Lee King Seng
    8] Clara Ho
    9) Audrey Wong
    10) Fong Cheong Kong
    11) Danny Lye
    12) Judy Lim

    hewlee

  44. Hew Lee,
    #39 At least you got me correct this time. Happy with your clear mind and not thinking that I am interested in making business here. If you are a good photographer then I would really like to learn more skills from you too. More exposure, more good skills and good photographs produced.

    Rgds,
    Danny

  45. Hi, Hew Lee
    I like so much to join in this Photography on 23/7, unfortunately i am join One Day Tour in J.B.
    Please include me in the next meeting

  46. Hi Hew Lee,

    Thank you for organizing this photography field trip and am delighted that it starts at Chinatown. A place where its buildings/architecture tells a story. It is my desire to capture such “architectures” before they are destroyed.

    I rely on the “auto-focus” feature, hence, often and surely, I will not get the picture that I want, so I wish to pick up some skills from you. :D

    However, I might not be able to commit regularly to these field trips as most, if not all weekends priority are given to my 2 grandsons.
    It so happened that, 23Jul I am not occupied during the day. If it is alright, I will join this field trip.

    Trust this is acceptable to you.

    Thanks,
    ChristinaCL

  47. #46 ChristinaCL – thank you for your interest. You are welcome to come along, as and when you are free on the outing dates. Taking the pictures is just the first step. How you arrange the pictures to communicate with others is the subsequent activities that will follow.
    hewlee

  51. #50 Angie: – thanks you for your interest, you are welcome to come along.
    Updates on those coming:

    1) Hew Lee
    2) Jassmine Teo
    3) Jam
    4) Mike Tay
    5) Annie Loh
    6) Ng Lai Hock
    7) Lee King Seng
    8] Clara Ho
    9) Audrey Wong
    10) Fong Cheong Kong
    11) Danny Lye
    12) Judy Lim
    13) ChristinaCL Chan
    14) Aaron How
    15) Angie Ng

    Registration is hereby CLOSED to ensure effective communication. Those interest (and not registered yet) is requested to join in the next outing, sometime in 4-5 months time. The reason for the long break is to allow those interested to continue to the next step of learning and producing the WMM movie.

    hewlee

  52. Hew Lee – Any other latest update before the meeting on Sat 23/7 @3pm ? I suggest we gather all members on that day to take a group photo before we set off on our journey for rememberance, what you think ? I will bring along my tripod and can get my camera set to “Auto” to take this memorable photo for our SHC’s photo gallery.

    Rgds,
    Danny Lye

  53. Hi Hew Lee,

    Oh oh,registration is hereby CLOSED ! Do you mind put me on your waiting or “reserved” list ?

    Hope is not giving you any problem.
    Thks n regards
    Lilian

  54. #52 Danny: – No further updates, everything as planned. Feel free to do anything you wish to do. As 23/7 is our inaugural meeting of like minded group of SHC members interested in photography, it will definitely be a good idea to have a picture record of all those present.

    #53 Lilian: – Sorry for the control of group size. As you may appreciate it, this first field trip of Chinatown is a very interactive type of field trip. Unless, I have assistant tour leader(s) who can take charge of another Group with “staggered” timing, I have to keep it small and manageable. To keep our lives simple and graceful (and to avoid any misunderstanding), I suggest we do not use the word “reserve” in our vocabulary.
    hewlee

  56. Hew Lee,

    Thank you very much for all your efforts in organising this very 1st Photography outing which was a success. You also brought us around Chinatown to show all the beautiful and historical buildings. Though the weather was hot and humid, we managed to take lots of photos for our album and I believe most of us will be selecting their very best shots eagerly trying to make a movie out of it. Anyone who is interested in the group photo, please email me at dannylye@hotmail.com (hope I am not infringing any rules here ?)

    Hope there will be more outings for all those keen photographer at SHC.

    Rgds,
    Danny Lye

  57. HI Hew Lee

    A big thank you for organising the walk and the photo taking session. Your explanation of the various feature were useful and enriching to me. Although I was born in Chinatown and have lived there for 27 years, it is ashame that most of the things you tell me were new ti=o me as I have taken them for granted.

    I have learnt how to do movie making using Window’s WMM prdgramme. However, I am now using Imac so I will have to figure out how to so it.

    I look forward to join you again in your next walk and photo taking session.

    Cheers
    King Seng

  58. Mission in Chinatown…

    We are here, camera-toting,
    The old Chinatown we have come a-looking.
    Weaving in-between high-rise complexes,up and down
    we look, for remnants of old Chinatown.

    There’s the Majestic! A survivor of old Chinatown.
    But, alas, she looks pale; she’s lost her crown,
    Ousted by towering steel and concrete edifices,
    Sophisticated buildings, detached and soulless.

    Pagoda and Smith are cluttered like before,
    With souvenir stalls now, not trades of yore.
    A slim, black samsui woman sculpture I chance to see.
    Inconspicuous prop-she’s a little too wee.

    Now my eyes on the low-rise, shop-houses rest.
    Balm for tired eyes! Quaint, old world charm! The best!
    Facades of wooden louvres in wooden casement windows,
    Architecture of old, in unbroken, parallel rows.

    Now my shutter gets real busy,
    Spurred on by thoughts of making a movie. :)
    Snap! Oh no, some heads got in! Snap!
    No good. Where’s the best angle? Help!

    *copyright

  59. Hi Jassmine #58,

    Very nice and memorable poem. Indeed you are very talented. I wonder where you study poetry. A great start to “One night in Chinatown” too.

    Terence Seah

  61. Hi Terence #59, Geraldine #60
    Glad you like the poem. :)

    Terence,
    the focus of the poem is not suitable as a prelude to the Chinatown night event. Will post a poem that reflects the celebratory mood of “a night in Chinatown ” in the 100% Mandarin post.

  63. #62 Kwan Pearl & Simon Lee: Thank you for your interest. This Photography Interest Event actually consists of two parts; 1) to share our skill in photography and 2) to share our IT knowledge in producing a movie with Windows Movie Maker and uploade to Youtube.
    In my earlier Comment (#26), I said that one outing will produce one movie. The outings are spaced out in about 4-5 months time. This in between time is for the slower ones or those busy working to have sufficient time to transform their pictures into a movie. Tentatively, our next outing is scheduled on 19/11/2011, venue not decided yet.
    hewlee

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