Life on the streets
- Thread starter lesneo
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BONUS SMILE
There was a time when I was terrified to take photos of strangers on the streets. I shocked myself by falling in love with both Street Photography and the strangers. Each life I captured has an amazing story that begs to unfold. I shoot quietly and discreetly most of the time, but there were times when a connection was made and a conversation ensued, and I plucked enough courage to ask to take a photo. Such was with this wonderful and kind gentleman. He saw me fidgeting with my camera and called out to me. I was cautious at first before realising his friendliness. We tried to converse but was met by a great language barrier I couldnt speak Malay. I gestured for permission to take his photo which he obliged. The smile was a great bonus. For all the times that I got shouted at on the streets for taking a photo, this encounter encouraged me that its worth it all.
There was a time when I was terrified to take photos of strangers on the streets. I shocked myself by falling in love with both Street Photography and the strangers. Each life I captured has an amazing story that begs to unfold. I shoot quietly and discreetly most of the time, but there were times when a connection was made and a conversation ensued, and I plucked enough courage to ask to take a photo. Such was with this wonderful and kind gentleman. He saw me fidgeting with my camera and called out to me. I was cautious at first before realising his friendliness. We tried to converse but was met by a great language barrier I couldnt speak Malay. I gestured for permission to take his photo which he obliged. The smile was a great bonus. For all the times that I got shouted at on the streets for taking a photo, this encounter encouraged me that its worth it all.
TRUE HERITAGE
This traditional tailor shop isn't your typical highlight along Jonker Walk. I was drawn to it because it's business model isn't to attract the tourist's dollar but to serve the local community. To me, this is true heritage, a profession that stays honest to its roots. See the mess? I love it. It's authenticity in its purest form.
This traditional tailor shop isn't your typical highlight along Jonker Walk. I was drawn to it because it's business model isn't to attract the tourist's dollar but to serve the local community. To me, this is true heritage, a profession that stays honest to its roots. See the mess? I love it. It's authenticity in its purest form.
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY
Buskers are creative people. They come in variety of talents and even colours – in this case, gold. Their main purpose is to amuse you and hope that you'd follow up with a donation. Mr Gold here makes his busker life depending on tourists to take a photo with him, with a fee of course. However, he wasn't treated too kindly with many passerby wanting to snap but not wanting to pay. He voiced his displeasure numerous times, warning people not to do so without paying. It's a tough life on the street. Unlike other times when I shot discreetly, I was more than glad to part with RM2.00 for this shot. It's golden.
Buskers are creative people. They come in variety of talents and even colours – in this case, gold. Their main purpose is to amuse you and hope that you'd follow up with a donation. Mr Gold here makes his busker life depending on tourists to take a photo with him, with a fee of course. However, he wasn't treated too kindly with many passerby wanting to snap but not wanting to pay. He voiced his displeasure numerous times, warning people not to do so without paying. It's a tough life on the street. Unlike other times when I shot discreetly, I was more than glad to part with RM2.00 for this shot. It's golden.
SWEET
Heading out and walking about is definitely the best way to soak in the ambience of the street and photograph life. When fatigue sets in and the walking stops, it's assuring to know the photography can still go on. I'll usually pick a good spot, and let life come to me instead. Resting atop the popular stairway which leads to Malacca's History & Ethnography Museum, this boy came up really close with an enchanting lollipop in hand. A quick adjustment to my camera's hyperfocal focusing set him up for this photo. I'm comparing the sweetness of how I got this shot to the lollipop in his mouth.
Heading out and walking about is definitely the best way to soak in the ambience of the street and photograph life. When fatigue sets in and the walking stops, it's assuring to know the photography can still go on. I'll usually pick a good spot, and let life come to me instead. Resting atop the popular stairway which leads to Malacca's History & Ethnography Museum, this boy came up really close with an enchanting lollipop in hand. A quick adjustment to my camera's hyperfocal focusing set him up for this photo. I'm comparing the sweetness of how I got this shot to the lollipop in his mouth.
HOW TO START YOUR DAY
I saw a man smiling all the time. He was conversing with another when I came into the scene and even after he was left alone, his expression didn't cease. Of course I took a photo of him with his picture perfect expression. As usual, I tried to read into things and the philosopher in me prompted: can one smile and not be happy? Or can one be happy and not smile? My take is, it's possible in both instances. But how amazing it'll be if one be happy and smile. Try it. It's not hard.
I saw a man smiling all the time. He was conversing with another when I came into the scene and even after he was left alone, his expression didn't cease. Of course I took a photo of him with his picture perfect expression. As usual, I tried to read into things and the philosopher in me prompted: can one smile and not be happy? Or can one be happy and not smile? My take is, it's possible in both instances. But how amazing it'll be if one be happy and smile. Try it. It's not hard.
PRODUCT OF THE PAST
From time to time, I still dream about the kampong where I spent my childhood. It was a place where the doors of each house stayed open all day. These rustic abode in Malacca jolted my memories of those years. Though Ive grown to appreciate privacy and the valuable space behind a closed door, Im largely a product of that past, hopefully all that is good.
From time to time, I still dream about the kampong where I spent my childhood. It was a place where the doors of each house stayed open all day. These rustic abode in Malacca jolted my memories of those years. Though Ive grown to appreciate privacy and the valuable space behind a closed door, Im largely a product of that past, hopefully all that is good.
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THE CASE ABOUT PEANUTS
Behold the peanut seller. Contrary to the popular idiom that describes peanuts cost next to nothing, these luscious ones do come with a price tag, albeit a very reasonable one. This vendor surely doesnt work for peanuts though hes selling them. Am I confusing you?
Behold the peanut seller. Contrary to the popular idiom that describes peanuts cost next to nothing, these luscious ones do come with a price tag, albeit a very reasonable one. This vendor surely doesnt work for peanuts though hes selling them. Am I confusing you?
OWNERSHIP
There were a couple of times I entertained the idea of owning a shop someday. More often than not Id dismissed it because its not a walk in the park. There are scary details to address, like rent, hires and financing that do a good job blowing away any wishful thought bubbles above my head. That may be why I like to take photos of shop owners. If there are workers in a shop, Id usually observe and attempt to pick out the owner before setting my sight to photograph. This gentleman exuded a sense of pride standing in front of his shop. He deserves such an air and have my respect.
There were a couple of times I entertained the idea of owning a shop someday. More often than not Id dismissed it because its not a walk in the park. There are scary details to address, like rent, hires and financing that do a good job blowing away any wishful thought bubbles above my head. That may be why I like to take photos of shop owners. If there are workers in a shop, Id usually observe and attempt to pick out the owner before setting my sight to photograph. This gentleman exuded a sense of pride standing in front of his shop. He deserves such an air and have my respect.
FIX YOU
Fixing is an essential job. It extends the lifespan of things, living and non-living. The job involves getting our hands dirty and plentiful hassle. That’s why many would chose to replace things rather than getting them fixed. We need to be careful because there’re values lost when we do that and not everything can be replaced. I believe there’re things which get better after a few fixes. In life, nobody can always be new. That’s why we need to assume the role to fix and be open to being fixed. Thinking to discard? Try fix.
Fixing is an essential job. It extends the lifespan of things, living and non-living. The job involves getting our hands dirty and plentiful hassle. That’s why many would chose to replace things rather than getting them fixed. We need to be careful because there’re values lost when we do that and not everything can be replaced. I believe there’re things which get better after a few fixes. In life, nobody can always be new. That’s why we need to assume the role to fix and be open to being fixed. Thinking to discard? Try fix.
BIBIK BE
The Peranakan culture is one that stands out in Malaccas heritage. Known locally as Baba or Nyonya according to gender, they embrace an unique fusion of traditions between early Chinese migrants and local Malays. An icon of authority in this culture popularised by TV dramas around the region would be the matron figure known as the Bibik, who runs each Peranakan household like a headmistress. Characterised by a strict persona and her traditional Sarong Kebaya outfit, the Bibik is the one who leaves the deepest impression on me regarding this beautiful culture. Here, the tour guide of the Malacca Peranakan Museum in her symbolic attire broke a smile after completing her tour of bringing us around. She was otherwise stone cold in her expression during the tour. Whom did she remind me of? A Bibik for sure.
The Peranakan culture is one that stands out in Malaccas heritage. Known locally as Baba or Nyonya according to gender, they embrace an unique fusion of traditions between early Chinese migrants and local Malays. An icon of authority in this culture popularised by TV dramas around the region would be the matron figure known as the Bibik, who runs each Peranakan household like a headmistress. Characterised by a strict persona and her traditional Sarong Kebaya outfit, the Bibik is the one who leaves the deepest impression on me regarding this beautiful culture. Here, the tour guide of the Malacca Peranakan Museum in her symbolic attire broke a smile after completing her tour of bringing us around. She was otherwise stone cold in her expression during the tour. Whom did she remind me of? A Bibik for sure.
PORTRAIT OF A RAINY DAY
I’m keen to try new things. I don’t mean smoking. If there’s a weather that street photographers frown upon, it’ll be rain. I’ve seen beautiful photos taken when the sky is wet and I was keen to try but never did. The opportunity presented whilst in Malacca but I disappointed myself, half the time more concerned about getting my camera wet. Resigned to stay sheltered, this gentleman walked into my scene. Honestly, I was more attracted to the smoke from his cigarette. I shot a few frame but was most happy with this one when he turned while the cigarette smoke was dancing. No sun? No problem.
I’m keen to try new things. I don’t mean smoking. If there’s a weather that street photographers frown upon, it’ll be rain. I’ve seen beautiful photos taken when the sky is wet and I was keen to try but never did. The opportunity presented whilst in Malacca but I disappointed myself, half the time more concerned about getting my camera wet. Resigned to stay sheltered, this gentleman walked into my scene. Honestly, I was more attracted to the smoke from his cigarette. I shot a few frame but was most happy with this one when he turned while the cigarette smoke was dancing. No sun? No problem.
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