Sun Symphony selected to showcase at RMIT University's MAGI Expo 2024

Sun Symphony was selected to showcase at the annual RMIT University MAGI Expo 2024, which took place on 14-15th of November. With this year’s expo called Banquet of Oddities, my animation was the first selection in the Abstract reel. To have had my animation selected to be shown in a theatre and to a crowd of professionals, industry artists, and students, is a huge privilege.

I Made a 2D-Animated Short Film All By Myself

From preproduction to the sound design, I made an original 2D short animation all by myself. It’s truly a feat that I am incredibly proud of and feel grateful to have put myself through the challenge of creating what is, in my eyes, a masterpiece.

The concept was originally conceptualised in one of my units, Animated Narratives. After giving it some thought, I wanted to produce at least one full-length short 2D animation in my time in my animation program. I had a few other stories lined up but felt this premise was more in line with my interest and the story more relevant to my current state of mind and being.

Sun Symphony is a short 2D animation about a distant future where the sun is dying and its power has become a commodity and can only viewed in cinema-like venues. We follow a man as he nervously waits his turn to experience what may be his last encounter with the sun and the memories they bring. The aim is to evoke a universal experience viewers can empathize with—a simple moment of feeling the summer sun's warmth amidst impending grim reality, capturing the essence of the calm before the storm.

I Wrote and Published an Art Book

Well, I did something that even surprised myself. I wrote a book.

Okay, it’s technically an art book that covers the initial stages of my preproduction phase of my current 2D-animated augmented reality experience called Lens (AR): The Future. The name isn’t the most creative but I’m pretty proud of what I’ve been able to create. The book printing aspect was completely optional but seeing it in person existing as a physical copy even with its own ISBN is something pretty special.

I could literally write a novel and be able to publish it.

You can preview and purchase the book on Blurb by clicking on the ‘Source’ link below.

Rising 2022: Golden Square

Wandering the streets of a dystopian cyberpunk metropolis and blanketed by the chaos of neon signs of restaurants, advertisements and hidden messages. I’ve been wanting to have my own little slice of a Blade Runner experience, and I got to say, I was able to get one. As part of Rising 2022, Golden Square revamped a multi-level car park into a multi-sensory art gallery experience. I was fully immersed. Here's a short video to show my Blade Runner-inspired journey at Golden Square:

The Minimalist's Film Camera - Initial Thoughts on the Agfa Optima 535 Electronic Sensor

Taking a temporary departure from the essay-like reviews I normally write for my initial thoughts and review on film cameras, I’m trying out a more minimalist approach that focuses on cleaner review comprising of a paragraph-long description, technical specifications, photos of the camera, and sample photos.

Thoughts:

If a minimalist was given a choice of film cameras, the Agfa Optima Electronic Sensor range would be high on their list. This is a beautifully designed film camera with clean lines, a heavenly large viewfinder, a near-perfect film advance lever, and that beautiful red shutter button. The few buttons and switches are all in the right places. This camera is an artform in itself. The camera operates with ease, the functionality is easy to get used to, and the performance, when done right, can result in some beautifully-framed shots.

Specifications:

• Type: 35mm film viewfinder camera introduced in 1976 by Agfa and is part of the Agfa Optima Sensor series.

• Lens: Solitar f2,8/40mm lens with 4 elements; single-coated.

• Diaphragm: Automatic; f/2.8 to f/22.

• Shutter: Paratronic with speeds 1/15-1/500.

• Focus: Manual with pictograms and top and meter/feet scale on the bottom of the focus ring; focusing from 3ft/1.09m to infinity.

• Viewfinder: Large finder with parallax marks for near focus.

• Film loading style: Manual

• Film advance: Manual single-strong lever with a ‘R’ button to rewind the film when pressed down and turned.

• Film speeds: 25-500 ASA.

• Flash: None but hot-shoe with flash selected in focus ring.

• Cable release socket: Located on left side of the camera.

• Tripod: Located on right side which is also used as a socket for a camera strap.

• Case: Leather with camera strap socket hole.

Photos:

Test shots:

• Film used: Kodak Ultramax 400

Lomo-view with the Lubitel 2 - A Simple Review of the ‘Amateur’ Medium Format TLR Camera

Is this a toy? No. For starters, this is a fully mechanical and manual twin lens reflex camera. In fact, the word ‘lubitel’ translated to amateur. The name implies this camera can be wielded by anyone, even a kid! In all honesty, I was a little underwhelmed when I first held the Lubitel 2 but hear me out first. Here was a camera that’s made to look like a toy with its plastic build and simple mechanics and operation. The plastic body may not be to the standards that others might want to feel in the camera, that high-quality ruggedness and sturdiness. However, wielding this camera somehow makes me feel like I’m not afraid to get a bit extra adventurous with it. It’s incredibly light. The operation is extremely simple but effective. It’s also a pretty decent-looking camera! I’m used to the complex number of knobs, flicks and switches of other TLRs and SLRs cameras I have that it made me feel rather lost when holding the Lubitel 2. However, I was too curious to witness for myself the impressive performance that this camera so discreetly tried to hide. The time has come for me to dive in to this.

I purchased my Lubitel 2 for just AU $50 off a local seller on eBay. It arrived safely and was packed well (thank you, seller!). You’ll find plenty of these Lubitel cameras on online shopping sites along with more popular and more advanced Lubitel 166B. I’ve found the prices have varied but usually range upwards of AU$100. I was pretty lucky that I scored mine at half that amount. Otherwise, I would have probably not gone out of my way to buy this camera just because I already had two other TLRs - the Yashica 635 and the Rolleicord III. I’m glad I found this camera at such a cheap price because I wouldn’t have paid any more for it due to a few quirks that I wasn’t too keen about.

Upon further inspection, there was a fairly large piece of the side of the camera missing. However, this was hidden when the door was latched on. In my film roll test, this proved to be no issue and there were no light leaks. I was very lucky with that. The film door itself does feel quite flimsy but does lock into place firmly. Again, I shouldn’t be expecting too much out of this camera given it’s overall plastic-build. If there was one thing I really appreciated about this camera, it was how easy and light to carry it around. I was even happy to throw this in my bag but I would recommend keeping it in its intended case or away from sharp objects like your keys!

On the film door is a red-coloured little window that allows you to see the film number printed on the back of the roll. By forwarding the advance film knob, all you need to do is to stop when you see the number shows up in the window. Unlike other TLRs that I’ve used where the film advance knob will automatically stop when the next shot is ready, you’ll need to rely on your eyesight and good light to be able to see the number. While it may depend on the film roll brand you use, but I struggled so much with being able to see the number through that red-tinted window. As a result, I lost maybe around four shots due to this. A tip: make sure you are in direct light to see the number, otherwise you’ll most likely lose out on a few shots.

Opening up the viewfinder, I was welcomed with a ghastly sight of a scratched up magnifier and dirty glass that reflected a rather awful and mould-infested mirror. Given how old this camera and years of storage it might have had, I was unsurprised by the usual dirt and grime that comes with these older film cameras. However, mould had taken over the mirror. I could see it through the viewfinder. I had a bad feeling that the mirror was beyond hopes of repair. And I was right.

Firstly, I dismantled the top of the viewfinder, which was fairly straightforward by unscrewing three screws semi-hidden on the sides and on the bottom. After unscrewing them, I was able to remove the top part of the viewfinder to gain access to the glass and the mirror. I was hoping that a little and gentle clean with isopropyl alcohol will remove the mould or whatever it was it looked like on the mirror. Sadly, this proved to be the wrong move. The reflective covering rubbed off in my attempts to gently wipe it off. The mirror quality on these cameras were pretty sub-par and not like those you find on other SLR cameras. As a result, I ended up having to toss away the mould-decorated mirror and bought a pack of new ones at the craft store. I can’t say if the original mirror had any particularly special about it, but at this stage I couldn’t tell. Swapping out the mirror with a new square-shaped one from the craft store did work. Now, I can clearly see through the viewfinder. If your Lubitel 2 camera comes with a dirty mirror that’s beyond repair, this is a fairly easy fix. Other than the mirror, there was just a lot of grime and dust internally. I washed the thick glass part with lukewarm water and gentle dishwashing liquid and wiped away the dust and grime with the help of a Q-tip and microfibre cloth. I think I had to do this several times before I felt comfortable with the fact that this camera was in an acceptable condition. Other than the mouldy mirror, the scratched magnifier, the internal dirt and grime, the annoying red tinted window making the film forwarding process difficult unless you are under direct light, I pushed forward with making this camera good enough to use again.

The same thing could be said with the case. Either this camera has seen its fair bit of use, which is great, or the years haven’t faired so well on the material. The case can still be used and, surprisingly, there is no mouldy smell! However, you’ll probably not see me swinging this case around so candidly. I’m afraid the strap might break!

After a clean and overhaul, the camera is now workable! Not that it wasn’t to begin with but the state and condition it was in would have made the experience rather unenjoyable. See that clean and shiny glass?

The question now: how does the camera perform and did the film roll test go? I decided to use a roll of Kodak T-Max 400 but didn’t realise that B&W development normally takes longer and is more expensive than regular C-41 developing. Well, now I know! One thing I found common in all of the reviews I read about this camera was how decent and sharp the lens performed. I had lost a fair few shots due to the issue I had with the red window viewer. In the ones that were successful and despite one of them being underexposed, the photos turned out sharper and clearer than I thought! For a camera that’s made to feel like a toy and operation so simple and basic, I was truly surprised. It is sharp for what we get at face-value. It was easy to compose my shots. While it was a bit hard to clearly see what was in focus due to the scratched magnifier and the spot-focus on the glass, it was easy to compose my shots especially for scenes that were set at infinity. One thing I did find was how easy it was to accidentally hit the shutter when cocked. The shutter is a small little switch that’s incredibly sensitive. I think this was another reason why I had lost a few shots. Other than that, I found the overall lightness made my composition strangely easier and quicker to do than my heavy ones. I used to think using heavier cameras helped with stability, but it was different with the Lubitel 2. Perhaps it was because of the lack of knobs and levers to change this and that setting that made it just that easier to use. Like using a point-and-shoot camera, I felt liberated with using this camera because I felt like I could spend more time composing scenes without having to worry about changing so many other settings. To summarise:

Pros:
- Incredibly easy and light to use and carry around.
- Although the body is plastic-build, it is sturdy.
- The limited amount of settings makes it easy to operate (this may be a good or bad thing for some)
- The lens quality is sharp and you will get pretty nice shots when shooting under good and bright-lit settings.
- These cameras can still be bought for a cheap price. Be warned, you pay what you get.
- This is an inexpensive and fun way to get into medium format TLR cameras as a casual hobby! The films and developing costs will be what costs more in the long run.

Cons:
- The quality of the camera is not that great and is probably a reason why you can get this camera for cheap.
- If you’re after a fully manual experience with various settings like mirror lock-up, multiple exposures, you’re best looking at other TLRs from Yashica, Mamiya, Rolleicord, etc.

The amount of time I spent on the overhaul and cleaning was because of the years of use and eventual storage. Other than that, I cannot fault this on the camera’s quality itself. While I my initial impressions were really less than impressive, I’m thoroughly surprised and happy with the Lubitel 2 overall. For any one that wants a simple-to-use TLR, this is a good option to go for. This may not necessarily be a first choice for those wanting to try medium format because I assume those who want to try this format are already experienced with 35mm and are wanting a bigger format to shoot with. When used in favourable lighting and when wanting to use a casual medium format TLR with little bells and whistles needed, I don’t think you can go wrong with this fun little camera.

I am Titanium! - Initial Thoughts on the World's Most Advanced Point-and-Shoot Camera, the Nikon 35Ti

While I’ve been busy in the typosphere and socialising with fellow typospherians in the virtual world of the internet, I’ve recently come upon an opportune chance to purchase a Nikon F2 - and I managed to negotiate a good price for it. After looking at my previous entry posts, I realised I didn’t post anything about one of my Nikon cameras, the titanium-clad Nikon 35Ti. Hence, the opportune moment arises for me to actually review the photos that I had taken quite some time ago and had full intent to post… but eventually forgot to do. Let’s start with a few photos to get the ions working.

Now you’ve got to take a minute to admire the sheer craft and technical sophistication that is unsurprisingly of Nikon. First off, a round of applause is well-deserved. The Nikon 35Ti has mostly been sparred against the Contaxt T2/T3 as both have just the same number of advanced options available on a point-and-shoot camera. Now, I don’t have enough money to purchase a Contax T2 or T3 so I cannot allude to their performance. But I don’t doubt all the wonderful things I’ve heard about the Contax T series in general. I do own a Contax G1 rangefinder camera and it was my main go-to for a couple of years before I started to explore other cameras.  Let’s go back to the Nikon 35Ti. While some people may not be the biggest fan of its boxy look, it is still a beautiful gem to behold. From the looks alone, you can tell the premium build that this camera has been given. It is solid and reassuring to hold. The leatherette covering makes it feel steady and safe to hold for those with sweaty palms. No more broken film cameras from a lack of a strong grip! I have only just run a couple of rolls on this camera, but I think I have enough experience with the Nikon 35Ti to give my initial thoughts on – the goods and the bads.

Without going too technical here, there’s a quite few neat and especially impressive features that makes this camera such a overachiever for all the good reasons. While not a fully fleshed-out one, this camera has Nikon’s 3D matrix metering system. What this means is that it measures exposure instead of light. The Nikon 35Ti also has one of the most insanely sharp lenses on a compact point-and-shoot camera. I don’t recall any of my photos being out-of-focus. In fact, the autofocus was spot-on every single time. The camera didn’t struggle with it. I believe you can shoot manual focus, but I don’t even think why I’d bother with manual focus when the autofocus works so well - too well! One of the most unique features that this camera has – and I think one of its strongest selling points but the usability of it is still questionable – is the beautiful analog display system at the top of the camera. It’s like looking at an Omega Seamaster dial that’s been slapped onto a Nikon camera. While some may think it’s not as practical because of the fact that you’d have to take yourself away from the viewfinder just to look at what the settings are, but I do like it for its functionality as an advanced compact camera. I think it would be handy for night photography and I’ve some beautiful shots taken with this camera. The analog display system shows you everything you need to know in a very clear and concise manner and I like it a lot.

My only gripe with this camera is the tiny button for a flash that I have to press and hold down every time I want to stop the flash from firing. There are instructions on how to disable the flash by inputting some sort of binary code but I don’t know if this resets every time I turn the camera off and on again. I have pretty small fingers but I find it quite cumbersome to have to hold down that iddy bitty button every single time. I normally don’t use flash in a lot of my photography so I’m not too pleased about this. Had they made a bigger button or made it a toggle on/off situation, it will tick the boxes of a lot more people. Another little thing which doesn’t really bother me but may bother others who like their quieter cameras is how the lens noisily extends and retracts via electric motors. It’s a tad bit clunky for such a small thing.

The Nikon 35Ti matrix metering system, crazily sharp lens, titanium build, and unique analog display system makes it one of the finest choices for an advanced/premium/top-quality/top-of-the-line/insanely-priced-but-for-good reason point-and-shoot camera. It’s an expensive camera and you will definitely be able to get cheaper alternatives that may not necessarily have all the whistles and bells like this one does but will still give you some damn good performances. It is sort of like a middle-man between a very basic point-and-shoot and a manual SLR camera. Whether you need that in-between option is entirely up you. It’s a fantastic camera and heads will be turning because of that beautiful analog display.

Type-à-tête - Hermes 3K (it’s not a Birkin)

Sure it's not a Birkin or a Kelly, but I’m happy to accept them and sell them to fund more typewriter acquisitions.

It needs a bit more cleaning and testing, but I feel like I'm floating in a sea foam of green.

Quirky QWERTY - Retail Therapy? Get A Typewriter

One more hour to go before I finish work for the day. It's hard to ignore that small clock on the bottom right corner of one's computer screen. For something so small, it can incite a lot of anxiety. Okay, breathe. I need to focus on getting work done. I can't afford to let work pile up. I switch on my headphones and plonk it around my ears. I open Spotify and select a playlist with lots of energetic beats and the occasional belting that still carries a tune. Noise-cancelling mode, here we go! One hour later, I stop my music, switch off my headphones and close my laptop. I'm finished for the day! Pleased with myself for my determination in the last hour, I swivel to my right where my work bench connects to my main work desk and there it is, gleaming at me as if it was smiling. It's my typewriter.

I don’t have experience with more popular, medium-sized typewriters like the Olympia SM3, the Smith Corona Stirling Silent and Super Silent variant, the Underwood Champions, and that coveted Hermes 3000 that’s on my bucket list. However, I have collected four portable typewriters and I can already tell, feel and describe the differences. I now understand why people get so hooked on buying typewriters now. Not only is it a great collecting hobby like collecting film cameras, it’s the journey of finding the one that feels right for you. I’ve had someone compare a typewriter to a computer keyboard - let’s not even go there. I’m starting to understand that it is a search for the one typewriter that truly connects you to your typewritten story by giving you a contraption that speaks to you - or your fingers. It’s the same relationship I have with cameras where, from a broad perspective, a camera can take a photo. But the journey involves whether you’re using a point-and-shoot camera or a medium-format camera. It can depend on the film you use. So many variables to take into account. Why must I be so fascinated in an expensive hobby?

Recently, I’ve been doing therapeutic typewriting sessions every Wednesday after work. It’s a great time for me to relax after the working day and to give my typewriters the attention they need. I’ve really enjoyed the slowed-down process of typewriting on fascinating contraptions that have, once again, stood the test of time. As I’m constantly focused and concentrating on tasks at work, typewriting let’s my mind rest and wander. With a stack of paper next to me, I could write the next bestselling novel for young adults!

This is the Olympia Splendid 33. For something so small, it weighs heavier than my other typewriters. It rarely slides when I type. The carriage shift is a hefty task for my little finger. When I was still practicing my typing, my left little finger would occasionally slip because it landed on the corner of the key and would eventually slip. Again, this is another difference I’ve come to learn is quite common in the Olympia typewriters. Some people say it’s almost a cumbersome effort to lift that carriage and, even more, when that carriage comes crashing back down. In my case, it’s a smaller typewriter and it has a heavy carriage shift. It doesn’t get in the way of momentum, regardless. The typing experience is also quite different from, let’s say, the Hermes Baby typewriter. My Hermes Baby typewriter types with a spongey but sharp feel but a a satisfying shack-shack sound of the slugs when they hit the paper. It has a lighter but quick typing experience. The Olympia Splendid 33 feels like more force is needed to strike the keys. It almost feels like the slugs are also shorter. It feels like you don’t need to push down all the way but the key tensions seems to be tight enough for you to want to put some effort in typing. However, the result is quite wonderful as it has a high-pitched but really snappy snuck-snuck sound to it. I feel this would compare somewhat to the typing experience on a medium-sized typewriter. Whenever I type on the Hermes Baby, I sometimes find myself slightly preferring the typing feel of the Olympia Splendid 33. I don’t know what it is and I love my Hermes Baby typewriter. The Olympia Splendid 33 has a wonderful typing feel that feels really snappy and will compare to the bigger typewriter that are intended for desk and not travel.

I bought this typewriter off Facebook Marketplace from a person in South Australia. Upon its timely arrival, it was in a good condition that required quite a bit of cleaning and several sunbaking sessions to try and kill that mould smell. However, the back sections where the case connects has rusted. I feel like this typewriter must have gone through a flood or something similar. I figured the typewriter must have been in a standing position which is why the bottom part is the only section that’s rusted. It took me some time to clean the internal sections. Armed with a crappy paint brush with thick bristles, cotton buds, cloth and rubbing alcohol, I managed to get this to a good-looking condition. I have plans to try and remove some of that rust, but that will probably have to wait for the weekend.

The only other gripe I have with this typewriter as it would have been made it perfect is the missing ‘Z’ slug. The seller failed to mention this in the description. When I asked him about it, he said even he wasn’t aware of it as it had belonged to his mother. I think to myself, “Hey, at least it’s not one of the more popular letters.” I seldom use the letter word ‘z’ but it’s an inconvenience. I can’t type cool words like my name, jazz, zoo, zoomies, zipper, etc. I’ve learned to live with it but it has made me want to look for another same model. So far, I haven’t been able to come across a Splendid 33 with the same colour scheme. I should be happy with what I’ve got, right?

Type-à-tête - The Olympia Splendid 33 Typewriter

A jazzy preview of the new addition to my small but growing collection of typewriters - the Olympia Splendid 33.

Quirky QWERTY - My Non-QWERTY Hermes Baby Typewriter

Now I can’t recall what it is exactly that made me suddenly want to own one, but the idea came across my mind about a month ago. I knew it was the beginning of something beautiful. Three typewriters later, I am a happy bygone-era hunter and quite satisfied with my small and oh-so-ultraportable haul so far.

My favourite, by far, is my quirky non-QWERTY Hermes Baby typewriter. My version is from the mid-to-late 1950s. It boasts the beautiful sea-foam green keys and lovely mint-coloured crinkle paint. It comes with a cover that doubles as a carry-case with a handle. I had to fix the handle because the previous owner had patched up what looked like a broken handle but it was no longer resting straight once it was locked in place. Plus, the brown goo or whatever variant of glue used was not visually appealing at all. Something had to be done. It took a bit of time but I was able to re-break the handle but patch it up again with super glue. I did wipe off a bit of the colour so the area near the handles look a bit faded but not noticeable.

Initial inspection: The body was a bit dirty, probably from the hands smeared with ribbon ink and God-knows-what-else that handled this little baby over the years.

Initial inspection: Can you handle it? ‘Cause I don’t think it can.

Initial inspection: The keys are alright and will be easy to clean one-by-one.

This typewriter is also quite light and fairly easy to carry around - living up to its ultraportable name. I simply slide it into my backpack and it fits comfortably. Despite the dust, cobwebs, fluff and occasional hair I had to flush with air cleaner out of the interior from all the years of being tucked away in storage, the previous owner did a good job taking care of it over the years.

After: I think it cleaned up really nicely (and yes, they’re my sloth slippers, thank you).

My quirky typewriter has a Latvian alphabet, hence a QWERTZ keyboard. It’s an enjoyable difference to type with it. I have to be aware of where the letter ‘Z’ is positioned and that little warning flash alerts me to remind myself that ‘Z’ is where the ‘Y’ is at and that’s that. But you can't help it when you're on a roll and your fingers can’t keep up with your head. The ribbon doesn’t turn when the side latches holding the spools are locked down in place. It’s most likely blocked by the latch but I don't want to try fixing it in case I might exacerbate it. I think I'll leave it the way it is. Nothing wrong with giving that ribbon some breathing space. I like the short and sharp punchy thuck-thuck sound it makes when the typebar hits the paper. It’s short and sweet and reminds me to be concise with what I’m saying.

Oh, that beautiful sound.

Just imagine, the keyboard we use on our PC, laptop, tablet, and smartphone were all a culmination of the history of the typewriter. Thank you, Mr. Scholes and Glidden, for making the very first commercially successful typewriter. They are the founders of how written communication has evolved and changed the way we write, send, share and read information today. I would also like to thank Tom Hanks for introducing me to the Hermes typewriter brand. Thanks, Hanx!

May with Film - Logo-dentity

I’ve finally created my brand-spanking new logo for my website. Not only is it a logo, but it’s an animated one, too! While not perfect, it’s another step in the unveiling of my vision board. I wanted to put a lot of myself into the logo. I thought about revolving around the image of a camera. And that’s what I did for a long time. As I’ve given myself more time to explore, focus, observe, and dabble into what I see through the camera lens, the end-product is, really, my perspective of what and how I see things. It’s a unique view because it’s my own - and I’d like to think I'm a unique creature of this world.

How did I create my logo design? You know it. I went back to basics and put pencil to paper. While digital illustration’s opened up some many exciting new artistic ways to design, I can't but help that that genuine feel of pencil scratching on white drawing paper is a feeling that cannot be authentically and truly replicated. Technology can come close and our minds can tell us to think it is as good as the real thing. But it’s still not the same. Or at least I’m being a bit too old-school. Afterwards, I transferred the physical sketch to Procreate, the drawing application I use on an iPad Air (4th generation) with an Apple Pencil 2 (and a really cute pastel pink silicon case to protect the pencils super clean and dirt-magnetic exterior). I traced the sketch onto a screen-sized canvas. Once that was all done and I had my completed sketch converted digitally, I transformed my art with colour and animation.

During this part of the drawing process, I felt like I created over fifty layers for this small part of sketch for me to realise I wouldn't be able to get it to animate or move seamlessly enough. I think i went through this thought process at least twenty times. I know what I'll need to improve on next time - efficiency. The animation was particularly tricky to get the hang of because each part that you wanted to move had to be drawn in its own layer. Once that was done, I had to go through trial-and-error and see if it actually looked good translating to animation. The animation segment was straightforward as long as you got the layers right. This was the really fun part because it gave me the chance to really know what it’s like to draw simplified 2D animation. After a few settings were tweaked and, several adjustments and replays and more adjustments, I finally had a finished product. A really cool thing about the Procreate application. I use is that it automatically creates a time-lapse video of your progress, which allows you to watch your progress in the entire process. You can even save a copy for your unashamed replays. I’m really glad that I've the tools I need to be able to create and explore art through a device that's accessible and portable. Check it out in my brand-spanking new YouTube channel below:

Feature - Anybody got a sweet tooth? on BehindTheDarkroom

Anybody got a sweet tooth?

Oh my Mamiya! - Initial thoughts on the Mamiya M645

During lockdown, I was able to divert the money I used to spend on things like coffee, lunch, public transport and gym to other things - film cameras. I bought a total of three Mamiya M645, two of them were duds sadly. However, I was left with accessories in mint condition including three different prism finders, and two lenses - one of them a leaf shutter-type that I've yet to give a go. They say third time's the charm. My third attempt at buying a Mamiya M645 body from Japan was fully working. Finally, I had a complete medium-format camera. It’s not to say I haven't tried other medium-format cameras. I was just as in love with my TLRs but they had issues of skipping shots and just want economical with film use. I don’t have any intentions of selling my TLRs because they are great to use and work with as a whole.

I had my first test roll of 120 film developed and scanned. The the results are stunning. Not only does the CDS prism finder work accurately, the sharpness of the lens was oozing with creamy bokeh, something I have been trying to successful do in my film photography journey. This camera gives me the opportunity to do such a thing and I love it. I should also mention how pleasant it is to deal with sellers from Japan. I've purchased three cameras from eBay sellers located in Japan and have had not had any issues with anyone of them or the cameras. A working camera makes a happy photographer!

Now, what are some less than ideal things about this camera? Nothing much really. I have no qualms with the quality as this camera was built to last a long time. However, it is a weighty camera. It’s the heaviest camera in my collection and the heaviest when hand-held. When operating the camera hand-held, I feel as if I’m carefully weilding a cube-shaped contraption. Even with a shoulder strap, this would be pretty heavy on the neck. For now, I've ordered a hand strap to help with the operation and to prevent any drops. For now, I’ll have to deal with it being hand-held which I think shouldn't be too difficult to get used to. This camera wasn’t made for any rough journey anyway.

All but one shot where I accidentally pressed the shutter button while bringing out my camera from its bag were an absolute success. While I'll save them for later posts on Instagram, I'll include three of my favourite ones.

January with Film - Power-up with a Camera and Pencil

The year 2020 will be a year where everyone in the entire world experienced something collectively that’s challenged and changed our normal of today and tomorrow. Every single one in this world has had to go through more or less the same challenges in order to continue beating this virus - and we’re still trying to beat this.

Our stories are different but they've more or else been impacted by how we are choosing to fight the coronavirus. Some of the stories are heart-breaking but they're true. I’ve seen and heard it from family, friends, colleagues and stories shared around the world. People have lost their jobs. People were forced to close their businesses for good. People have had give up their homes. People have had to flee to areas where the virus has not impacted so much. What's most hurtful is that people have lost loved ones. This is all true.

While stories have been as sad and frustrating, I've read as many uplifting stories from people and their personal journeys of how they've fought this virus physically and mentally. It's inspiring to read and hear of the resilience of people and their courage to share their stories. People have learned to do more things and utilise their home space when they were under restrictions and lockdown rules. People have learned to stay active even within the space of their four walls. People started to get in touch with more people via video chats. For those businesses who kept going through, they learned to adapt and anticipate what people needed. Businesses also learned to trust their employees and started working from home. Most importantly, people started to give time for themselves and others.

My journey in 2020 has been one of gratitude, self-reflection and self-care. I was lucky to have been able to continue working throughout 2020. I was lucky that my company demonstrated care and quick response and had everyone working remotely within the first week of the restrictions back in March. I was lucky to have had a rough over my head throughout this period and had all the necessary tools and equipment to let me work from home. Basically, I pretty much got what I wanted which was to work from home. And I really enjoyed every minute of it.

Working from home gave me back precious and important time for myself. I think a lot of people went through a similar experience of reflecting on ourselves. For me, I wanted more time to devote to my creative endeavours in drawing and film photography. With stricter scheduling, I found myself drawing almost every night. Drawing was a wonderful outlet of my emotions and stress from work. Less spending allowed me to put some money into buying the cameras I wanted. I even bought myself a set of rather expensive colouring markers from Japan. I probably wouldn’t have bought the tools I wanted and needed had I not had more time to think about my creative endeavours.

Being cooped in the house for a long duration of time with barely any places to go unless you were exempt from the lockdown restrictions meant little movement. While my health has remained more or less the same, the same can’t be said for the weight gain. While others may feel bad, I think the weight gain has come with some more happiness injected in to my life. My health club had to close for majority of the year. I resorted to the online videos and exercises provided and researched more ways of working out at home. And trust me, there’s a lot of content out there! I found just as much stimulation and motivation that I normally would have when I was going to the gym. In fact, it taught to be fastidious to making sure that I reminded myself to keep physically and mentally fit regardless of what was going on around me. This resilience made me proud of myself. To add to this, I also realised the self-care I was previously giving myself like paying up to $50 bucks just to get my SNS nails done and tempted to buy clothes that I see others wearing was not the self-care I needed. In fact, I was doing this more so due to social desires of inclusion and a fear of being left out. What kind of self-care is that?? I taught myself how to apply SNS nail colour myself and invested in my own kit so that I can do it myself any time I wanted. I also started to buy more clothes that made me feel more comfortable in without the need to worry about whether it was the trend. I bought clothes for me and not for the sake of looking for others. Throughout all that’s happened, I never forgot to care for myself, first and foremost, and cared for others around me.

While we were all in lockdown, I experienced a form of liberation - a freedom to wear clothes as I wanted, a freedom to draw and see myself progress, a freedom to take more time in thinking about what I want to photograph. All of these things kept my mental well-being chugging healthily. I am fortunate to have had little disruption to work. I know others haven’t been as fortunate as I am, but you can be guaranteed that I am counting my blessings every day and will continue to have carry this mindset in to 2021. The fight is far from over. I want to use the resilience, care and creative hum that I now have to drive me through this brand new year. I won’t be setting myself any new years resolutions as I feel we set ourselves too unrealistic a goal to ultimately disappoint ourselves as we reach the end of the year. I’ll choose to be more realistic with my goals and will look at setting myself achievable ones that are in line with my creative and health goals.

Let’s look up to the sky with determination and new hope. It’s 2021!

7 Frames - The Grand Budapest Hotel

Why not eight? Why not six? Elizabeth Hurley throws the question back to Brendan Fraser’s character when he asks her why he only get seven wishes in the comedy Bedazzled. Why seven frames? In one of my previous posts, I had the extravagant idea of wanting to write a review as well as capture my favourite screenshots from all of Wes Anderson's movies. Why Wes Anderson, you ask? Coupled with genius cinematographer Robert David Yeoman, this duo creates some of the visually pleasing, perspective-tickling and angle-galore camera work and, yeah, cinematography. This is the kind of visual aesthetic I've aimed to capture in my own film photography. I’m so happy that I have an inspiring collection of works by these two geniuses to dive into and watch how they do it so well. Going back to my ambitious plan, I have to admit the writing part takes the longest. In another way, it doesn’t seem to align with what my website is all about and that's really showcasing my portfolio, achievements and visual aesthetics that inspire my work. Instead, my plan is to select seven of my favourite scenes from each Wes Anderson movie chosen in no particular order. More so chosen on which one is my favourite and working my way down the list. With those seven frames, I will aim to replicate those scenes in my own photography using things I see around me and nearby places. It will be an achievable and fun challenge where I can hopefully see myself improve. I will aim to set realistic but spaced deadlines for when they are started and finished. For the time being, let’s get started with The Grand Budapest Hotel.

The Grand Budapest Hotel is a visual treat for sweet-lovers. It is also a comedic tragedy that uses an alternate past, an establishment, and a few loveable characters to explore deeply emotion ideas in humanity. Any fan of Wes Anderson’s work will find all the distinct direction, style, cinematography and character development present in this film. However, The Grand Budapest Hotel takes it up a notch. It creates a fictional past that’s not so different from our historical past that makes it incredibly relatable and poignant. The main hero, M. Gustave H., is an incredibly admirable character that stays true to his principles from start to finish. I wonder if I will ever meet someone like M. Gustave H. in my lifetime.

The movie primarily takes place in, you named it, The Grand Budapest Hotel, a highly reputable institution filled with cultured guests of a certain privileged class who frequent the establishment. The story is told in a framed perspective by Zero who, in his late years, confides his story and the wonderful story that takes place at The Grand Budapest Hotel. When Zero takes up the new lobby role at the hotel, he is taken under tutelage of Monsieur Gustave H. who oversees the operations of hotels. They try and solve the murder mystery of one of the guests of the hotel, which leads to train rides, escaping from prison, a sled chase through snowy alps, and the theft of a rather expensive painting. It is the story of a story of a story, and it’s beautifully executed an almost nostalgic way as if you’ve known those characters in some way.

Note, I did write up almost half the review before realising I could go on and on for hours and write a critical analysis the selected film. I will make the choise of writing a succinct paragraph-long review of them or not at all. Let’s not be harsh on ourselves and roll on o the next paragraph.

The story is told by an older Zero, played by F. Murray Abraham, who oversees the narration of the story in an enchantingly bittersweet manner. The story is told to a young writer, aptly named the Author, and is played by Jude Law and later played by Tom Wilkinson. A much younger Zero by Tony Revolori, who start employment at The Grand Budapest Hotel as a lobby boy, is taken under the wing of Monsieur Gustave H. and becomes his confidante and accompanies him on all the adventures. Ralph Fiennes brings an effortless charm in his fantastic portrayal of Monsieur Gustave H., the renowned concierge of the Grand Budapest Hotel, meticulous in his work and anticipates the needs of guests before guests are even aware of it. Upon the mysterious death of the one of the hotel’s frequented guests, Madam D., son, Dimitri, played by Adrien Brody, a recurring cast member in several of Wes Anderson’s films, does whatever it takes to make sure that Monsieur Gustave H. has no part in the will with the assistance of Willem Defoe’s character Jopling, Dimitri’s hired assassin. Gustave and Zero’s adventures include the help of Zero’s love interest who is an apprentice at Mendl’s named Agatha, played by Saoirse Ronan, and has a distinct scar on her left cheek. Edward Norton, another regular name in Wes Anderson’s films, plays the police investigator of Madame D.’s murder as well as well as French actor Matthieu Amalric who plays the shifty butler of Madame. D. Other enjoyable cameos to see include Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Owen Wilson, and Léa Seydoux. The Grand Budapest Hotel is another star-studded group of talented actors, some of whom have recurring roles in Anderson’s other great films. While refreshing to see new faces and names on the silver screen, it’s also just as pleasing to see when a director continues to work with the same group of actors because something just seems to work and that translates and is evident in the end-product.

Watching the film is like opening a present only to find another present waiting inside, and when you unwrap that present you find yet another present. The story’s telling is unravelled in a similar manner and its execution is top-notch from a director’s already-great story-telling technique.

All screenshots are from the film The Grand Budapest Hotel, directed by Wes Anderson, Foxlight Search Picture, 2014.

Double Feature on FilmNeverDie #2

Another double feature!

Double Feature on FilmNeverDie

A kind double feature from my favourite film lab!

Being less serious and being a bit more brave to whip out my camera to capture a moment that connects with me has been the challenge I've given myself. I don’t know how many times I’ve reminded myself that while we live in a precarious time with limitations put in front of us, new opportunities open themselves. Some of these chances may not show themselves again so why not take a crazy chance? Mask on, camera check, a pair of comfy shoes and a bottle of sanitizer. Tick!

Feature - Me and My Shadow on FilmNeverDie

While the view is sparse and the things we do are limited, I find joy in observing closely and seeking the unordinary. Thinking before speaking. Watching before reacting. A little thought for the things that's not always given much attention can already give you sparks of ideas. Look closer.

Feature - Moses supposes his toeses are roses, but Moses supposes erroneously… On FilmNeverDie.

It's especially important that we continue to support local businesses and help boost our economy. Features like this mean a lot to a hobbyist like who many not have a fan base or anything near it. Getting this kind of support - even a random feature on social media like Instagram - already opens up plenty of networking opportunities and a chance to showcase my photos to FilmNeverDie’s large fan base. It's also a gesture of my work reaching a milestone where it is liked by other people and liked enough to be featured elsewhere. It's a kind gesture to local talent. This is why I continue to choose to support our local businesses like FilmNeverDie.