= Stefan's Weekly Singapore City/Landscapes =

[SomeFormOFhuman]

Anthony, I bought the Tiffen ND 1.2 from ebay. I doubt I ever seen it in Singapore ever. It's about SGD$120. I think 77mm is the highest offered by Tiffen so far in this series. So there's no 82mm it seems; are you using a 16-35 II?

Thanks lazykid.

Everyone, I know many wouldn't care, as I have never won any awards or, entered any of them into competitions as I just shoot them for the sake of shooting what I see... but I guess it's time to put a stop to what I love doing and try something else instead. As far as I can say, a musician without an audience listening, and only to find that his works has never improved since, only to see that many are better and trying hard to catch up with them, it's kinda discouraging. Maybe it's my hectic lifestyle, or my complicated mind, for various reasons I am probably announcing my retirement from photography. Maybe it's only temporarily, or maybe for a long time.

 

[trialboy7]

Hi bro sad to hear. Just thinking about learning the trade with you

 

[Scintillation]

Anthony, I bought the Tiffen ND 1.2 from ebay. I doubt I ever seen it in Singapore ever. It's about SGD$120. I think 77mm is the highest offered by Tiffen so far in this series. So there's no 82mm it seems; are you using a 16-35 II?

Thanks lazykid.

Everyone, I know many wouldn't care, as I have never won any awards or, entered any of them into competitions as I just shoot them for the sake of shooting what I see... but I guess it's time to put a stop to what I love doing and try something else instead. As far as I can say, a musician without an audience listening, and only to find that his works has never improved since, only to see that many are better and trying hard to catch up with them, it's kinda discouraging. Maybe it's my hectic lifestyle, or my complicated mind, for various reasons I am probably announcing my retirement from photography. Maybe it's only temporarily, or maybe for a long time.

Hi Stephen, it's perfectly fine to go through a rough patch in your photographic journey. I have, and I think most of us have as well. It's in times like this when I reflect on my purpose on taking landscape photos, or any other kinds of photography for that matter. Why do I have to wake up in the ungodly hours of the morning, lug heavy gear, get drenched in seawater, brave thunderstorms, get chased by security guards, get stuck in customs and even have to fend off 6-7 Punggol dogs with just my tripod and a very determined spirit just to get my shot? And why, after when I upload my shot, only to have my shot ignored? Or worse, insulted or even stolen (note that I'm not against constructive criticism, but criticism without any suggestions for improvement is not classified as constructive in my book)?

I know it's discouraging when nobody comments on your work that you've put in so much effort to accomplish, trust me, I've faced it numerous times. I've even bore the brunt of remarks like 'they shouldn't sell semi-pro DSLRs to kids like you - you are only but a guy with a camera masquerading as a pro' on Facebook, which is pretty hurtful since most of my gear was bought using the precious cash I've saved in my army days - all the extras I've served, all the punishments and insults I've taken during those dark two years - they've gone into my gear. Comments like that are really like a blow to the face.

So why do I still post? If I post solely for the entertainment of people who wouldn't spare a second thought at delivering a snarky comment at your work - or worse - at you, I would have quit long ago. But I realised now that I should be doing it for God and for myself - it was Him who brought me to where I am today and also for the fact that I simply enjoy shooting. It relaxes my mind when I could just sit back and enjoy God's creation - and suddenly - all that I need to face, all those treacherous terrains and online know-it-alls become insignificant. I shoot because I like it (poor reason, I know), and thus I could care less of the judgement of the masses.

Well, you may disagree with me, but this is just my two cents. I hope you pull through your 'dark times' and continue to impress us with your fine works.

Regards,
Guy with Camera

 

[SLT33]

Hi Stefan. I wholeheartedly agree with Guy with Camera (Scillation). I do enjoy your works, and I'm one of those who have subscribed to your thread. While its ok to want to try something else, I do think you should not give up on photography. Perhaps you should look into joining competitions just as a means to push and motivate yourself to improve on photography, not that you are not good at it from what I can see from your works. I think if you want to improve, then a competition will surely be a good form of motivation, and bring your works to a wider audience than just here in Club Snap. You do inspire me, and I have learnt quite a bit from you. So, whatever it is and for what it's worth, your works have not gone unnoticed and unappreciated. I will keep on subscribing to your thread, simply because I enjoy your works and I eagerly wait for your next photographic art from you. But please do not retire from photography. We should not lose talented and passionate photographers. Cheers!

 

[iluvit]

keep up the good work stefan!
i'm a silent reader and i always make it a point to check this thread as and when i'm free and your work never failed to surprise me.

Happy new year to you!

 

[MGohzxc]

Hi Stefan, I think what Scintillation have said is very honest and true.. What about people like me who is just a small girl? Do you think people seriously believe I did all on my own? Except my Dad helps with the tripod and driving me around.. and do you know what kind of messages I get ? Well, I got used to it and I just enjoy what I do..
" Your photos are all about you and not someone else"...

 

[SomeFormOFhuman]

Thanks for your kind words everyone. Maybe I should take a step back and just take things at ease a bit. Not that I'm asking for praise, or comments or anything but the thing is, people just view these photos and just pass on. They never realise the effort being put into just to get the shot a photographer wants. And that's where the discouragement sinks in. Why bother if nobody cares about what you do? Well maybe I'm a different idiot with a weird idiosyncrasy that I should please everyone including myself in all the other things and hobbies I do besides this. Otherwise, it's pointless doing so. I admit I led a hectic, solemn and lonely lifestyle and God knows how much a sensitive thinker with sensitive emotions I am, my close friends know me as someone who tries to hard in everything that I hope to achieve but can't do so, and the effort goes unnoticed. (Yeah I'm a crazy guy who does train modelling, skyscaper models, 3D modelling, painting, illustrator, wood working and etc.)

Scint, thanks for your share. You're a tough guy, I understand how hard it is especially in the army. But I thought for once that, the troubles that people go through, it's all about life and I guess everyone experiences that. This World can be harsh at times, even that facebook comment about not having a kid a camera (that's idiot thinking BTW... Everybody is a n00b at the start, not that he's born with a camera in his hand) And I think that's the reason why I too still continue because mainly, I like what I'm doing, but I just hope that others feel the same way too. Thanks.

Still nonetheless, less talky more showy...

Zul's Last Stand

2 Image DRI using GND 0.9 hard for high tonality of clouds + Lee Big Stopper for smoothed water and cloud effects. Changi Point Walk, Singapore.

Zul, an amazing photographer who passed away recently on Christmas night, has inspired us many with his fantastic works of art and minimalism. http://www.flickriver.com/photos/r00ki3
This is also probably gonna be one of my last works in 2011... I'm probably retiring from photography due to a lack of support and encouragement. Sad, but that's what I'm going through now.​

 

[sinned79]

let me just say this.

i find that your mindset and attitude got to change.

to me by saying that you are retiring from photography is all farce and attention seeking.

at age 23, after posting for 1 year plus on this forum, now publicly (i use publicly cos this is a public forum anyway) announcement your retirement from photography, isn't this attention seeking? and probably i will even say childish. you dun really need to annnounce anyway if u really want to.

 

[SomeFormOFhuman]

Hi sinned79,

I appreciate your concern however, I humbly don't agree with that. And to be honest, I do not know what came over, or to the extent, what you were thinking when you start to say that... I think you kinda blew it out of proportion. Besides, I see no wrong to just express how I feel about the journey I've been through and observed, and I see no crime in that. I too been to many forums before of different interests and not just here... Many people share how they feel, some even started a new thread about it. Call that childish if you may, they're mostly American in their 50s and a working professional. And for you, maybe you have a different mindset of what sharing is; thus, maybe you don't need to reply if you do not like what I've written then. Thanks for your thoughts though.

 

[sinned79]

Hi sinned79,

I appreciate your concern however, I humbly don't agree with that. And to be honest, I do not know what came over, or to the extent, what you were thinking when you start to say that... I think you kinda blew it out of proportion. Besides, I see no wrong to just express how I feel about the journey I've been through and observed, and I see no crime in that. I too been to many forums before of different interests and not just here... Many people share how they feel, some even started a new thread about it. Call that childish if you may, they're mostly American in their 50s and a working professional. And for you, maybe you have a different mindset of what sharing is; thus, maybe you don't need to reply if you do not like what I've written then. Thanks for your thoughts though.

You think too much. Attention seeking is not a crime. I am merely saying how i feel by your announcement of retirement. My basis for saying you are seeking attention is not without basis. Remember you crash into edutilos- thread and accuse him of stealing your angles? And now you are ranting here in your own thread for not geting enough attention to your works so you are resigning. I am quite shock by what u done. I am here since 2001 and this is my second account, being more active in this forum only the past 2 years plus, its the first time i see someone crash into other thread to accuse him of stealing angles. To me you are just a typical young childish singaporean seeking for attention and being a quiter when you did not get what you want.

You must also understand this is a singapore based forum not your american based forum. I believe some here will agree with me how i feel just that they didn't post.

Since you already announced your announcement. I hope to see you made good your words. You maybe a good photographer but good attitude is an essense too. So good riddance for the new year.

Pardon me if you feel insulted. I am a very straightforward person and say things in a straight way.

 

[jxong]

Dudes!! Chill man it's new year eve!!

Just carry on shooting! U fell in love with it didn't u ? That's why we spend our time, money and brain juice on it..

I believe there's no retiring in photography.. My cam was in hibernation for years when it came out to see the new world again. Sometimes its as simple as just taking a break

Nonetheless cheers!

Photography is endless...

 

[SomeFormOFhuman]

It's all cool, jxong. That's his opinion of things - so do I, These are my views, and I respect everyone's thoughts about it. Though everyone is entitled to what they feel, respect is a two way minimum.

Well I have thought through and I have decided. But ultimately the recent events in my life has also, sadly, effected my hobby. It is far more grievous than that I wrote prior to this, and that's why various reasons that I shall not explain further from the surface of the truth, I have decided to "take a break" (for a better term if you think "retire" is too much). Maybe someday I will shoot again, not too sure when... But until then, no longer.

I wish everyone else a blessed New Year ahead, and as of effectively after this post, I am no longer updating this thread.