Few things that I want to do this year...

2009 started off a little troubled. Things are slowing down now and finger crossed will get back to normal soon. One will always become stronger when gets over the obstacles and then will probably appreciates more of the surroundings.

It'll soon be 3 years since I first arrived in England, ya 3 years and I still have not done enough yet. There are a few things on top of my list that I must do this year or I'll regret it if I were have to move if circumstances change.

1. Watch England plays at Wembley - and YES I'm going next week for the World Cup qualifier to watch England v Ukraine!
2. Visit Old Trafford and watch a match, even Kenny Sia managed that and why I have not? Hopefully will be able to get tickets for one of the Champions League match.
3. Get a bike and organise a road trip to Scotland - the ultimate location for landscape photographers! Well.... bike is unrealistic, especially I'm not looking at others now except the Ducatis... and unless I make some fortune unexpectably i.e Lloyds' share price shoots up more than 100% like Barclay did last few weeks... but I'll definitely visit Scotland this spring / summer.
   

I bought the wc qualifier tickets online yesterday from the FA and it reached the doorstep today, that's very efficient. I was worried that I might not get it on time before the match day :)

Will have more plans (well I don't usually plan, things just pop up in my mind, once in a while) when things get settled and dusted, gotta keep reminding myself to live life to the fullest during the stay.

Bermondsey Tank

There is a WWII Soviet T-34 tank near my place which I always wanted to shoot some photos. Finally brought my gears there after I watched a clip on Youtube recently about its story.



The privately owned tank is located at the junction of Page Walk and Mandela Way, near Old Kent Road, a highly unlikely place to find such thing.

The story behind: originally the land owner submitted a building plan but it was disapproved by the authority. He was pissed and submitted another plan for a tank to be placed there. The authority thought it was a septic tank and approved it... and next thing you see is a real tank there.

On the wall is "we all fall down" by graffiti artist Mantis.

I'd stayed there for quite a long time taking multiple shots of myself around the tank, for another 'self-cloning project', until...

two policemen came and questioned what was I doing there. I was not surprised as this is not the first time. Two years ago when I was shooting at Canary Wharf for buildings and kids playing I was stopped and demanded to delete the kids photos. This is not a very photographers friendly country. If you take photos of high profile buildings you are a suspect terrorist, if you take photos of kids you are a suspect pedophile.

Anyway, they are both very friendly and just took my details and asked me to be careful of the area. And now I regretted not to ask them to pose with me to include them in my self-cloning project!

Wireless MU

Finally bought myself a Man U jersey at Sports World Piccadilly Circus. It's ashamed that as a self-proclaimed Man U since early 90's I have never bought an original MU jersey. All jerseys are selling for £25 now, or £30 with player's name and number. This is also for the preparation to visit Old Trafford, one of the things that I must complete while I am still in the UK.

Photo taken using wireless flash - Sony A700 + Tamron 17-50mm/2.8 on tripod with built-in flash as trigger; HVL-56AM flash set on another tripod on the right, approximately 1.5m from the object and power set to 1/32; black side of my 110cm 5-in-1 reflector as back drop; focal length 45mm and exposure setting ISO 200, F8 at 1/60 sec.

Wireless flash with another flash Minolta 3600HSD hold in hand, bit harsh though even with the smallest power.

Another wireless flash attempt, this time HVL56AM on the right and 3600HSD on the left. The power control on the 3600HSD is not as good as HVL56AM as it can only on focal length distance (24 to 85mm / guide number 20 to 36), quite difficult to control. Whereas HVL56AM's power can be set from 1/1 to 1/32 (guide number 17 to 56). Not that well-verse on the flash terms but it's very interesting to try out wireless flash with my low budget studio set up. Will definitely do more experiment when I find time.

Joanna Wang 王若琳

Have not been following new Chinese singers for years until I heard about Joanna Wang 王若琳, Taiwanese version of Norah Jones. She has got impressive voice and talent.


"Let's Start From Here" - it's not new but I wonder how I could I missed on this one.

Am listening to her two albums now "Start From Here" and "Joanna & 王若琳". Just after a few plays I know I will like her songs. Highly recommended!

Streetfighter

Had a chat with a friend who just sold his Honda CBR 600RR and bought a new Kawasaki Z750, that's over RM50k in Malaysia, what a hobby... He changed for the reason that he doesn't has the balls to handle a super bike and prefer a street bike instead.

I will enjoy as much on a bike compared to a fast car, if money is not an issue. Been browsing on used Ducati Monster recently, that's about £4-5k for a 3-4 years old S2R or S4R, kinda realistic for a potential first time buyer like me... still, it's a dream, especially at the current economy condition which it's better to keep some cash for the tough time.

Ducati is launching its new street bike this spring, the streetfighter, which is a real beauty!

Love the matt finish twin exhaust pipes!

Starting price £10k and £12k for Streetfighter S with additional traction control and data analysis technology.


The official video.

Well, what I will do is to spend £1 weekly on lottery to buy a dream.