14 November 2013
// threepurs lookbook i
Model: Veena McCoole
Wardrobe: Threepurs
Photographer: Amanda Wong
Equipment: 5DMII + 85mm f/1.2L
Flickr: threepurs lookbook i
I remember when the Ler sisters contacted me way back in April to work with them on their first lookbook. Things cropped up and we ended up postponing the shoot all the way till June when we were all pumped to get started. You'd think: finally, after two months! But no, just when we reached the location, it started pouring. We tried to shoot some place else, but it didn't fit the concept that we'd discussed and planned in depth earlier. Then I left for Bangkok for almost the entire month of July, and then to Bali in the beginning of August. Just before I was to go abroad again mid-August, we finally agreed on a date that fit all our schedules. I was beginning to think we may not even shoot after all, but I'm so glad that we did after a good 4 months of waiting!
On that day, we were blessed with a cloudy day and a soft glow from the sun, and as usual, working with the ever-gorgeous Veena was an absolute breeze. I'm so happy with the end product of this shoot, especially since it's been a while that I've been feeling creatively stagnant. I know I need to push myself even harder and not be comfortable/complacent with the way I've been shooting and trust me, I'm trying!
Have a look at Threepurs' website if you haven't by the way. Completely loving their unique homepage!
***
So an update on my personal life/thoughts: Exams are coming up the end of this month and I've been way too busy in school trying to chase my aces (which - hi daddy, I know you're reading this closely - I don't know if I can). I have lots of photos sitting in my hard disk waiting for me to edit. Thankfully my paid backlog has been cleared but I'm dying to share the photos I took in Paris, July/August/September/October's iPhone snaps (has it been that long?!), some food photos, tests and even photos from my travels in 2012. Oh no... queen of procrastination, if you may. Definitely hoping to catch up on most of them before the year ends.
Until then, thanks for reading! :) x Labels: fashion
18 October 2013
// all would envy lookbook i
Model: Andrea Chong
Wardrobe: All Would Envy
Photographer: Amanda Wong
Equipment: 5DMII + 85mm f/1.2L
Flickr: all would envy lookbook i
After returning from Bangkok and Andrea from Tasmania in early August, we both headed abroad again, this time to collaborate with All Would Envy, The Tinsel Rack and Lollyrouge on their August lookbooks in Bali, Indonesia. This post will feature my shoot for the exclusive Dreachong x All Would Envy collection around the very beautiful villa we had the privilege to stay in for the night at Mahagiri Villas Sanur.
We experienced the most beautiful sunrise by the beach the next morning and everyone knows how much I love my golden light so I was clicking away non-stop! We also forged a wonderful sisterhood with Charlotte from All Would Envy (AWE) during this trip and now we're kinda inseparable, haha. ;) I'm still in love with this set today, and I attribute our success to the great chemistry Drea & I share and how we constantly push ourselves to achieve more. We always try to bring new ideas to the table for my photography, her blog and the clients that we work with together. It's been such a great journey and joy. For those who do look out for the photos I take on her blog, sadly you will not see them much anymore and I'll explain why briefly below!
***
Although I haven't publicly announced this yet, most of my clients and friends would have known by now that I have recently stopped shooting for the blogshop industry to explore other genres of photography. I'll be honest; it has been stifling my creativity and I feel like I could risk losing my passion if I were to continue and suffer a burn out in the end. I could continue with how important I think it is for artists to learn to say no and to take actions that would be healthier for them but I'll leave that for next time.
I'm deeply thankful to everyone who has ever given me the opportunity to work with them in my two years (has it been that long?!) in the industry. Having said that, I will be opening up limited slots in December but may not continue again in the new year. You are still welcome to send in enquiries ( enquiries@beautifuladieu.com) though! :)
With all the free time I have now, I have been focusing my energy on university work and my relationships with my (very awesome) boyfriend, family and friends. It has made me much happier and healthier emotionally. Despite that, I'm going through a state I can't express - like being stuck in limbo - before I find my direction in photography again. I've recently tried my hands at conceptual self portraiture as well as food styling and photography and I must say I love the feeling of being challenged.
I'll post photos of the food-stuff I took on the blog soon, but before that, I know I have been lagging behind on my iphoneography diaries. It takes me a couple of days to curate a month's worth of iPhone photos with the text and handwritten notes but I promise to get down to July's after my workload in school has lessened!
Ok, enough text for this post. I'll see you guys in the next! xx Labels: fashion, travel
08 October 2013
// penang buffet
So I'm back! This time with an set of yummy pictures I took a few weeks ago when Copthorne King's so kindly invited Drea & I over to try out their renowned Penang Buffet at Princess Terrace! Chef Lim prepared many of their popular Penang delights for us that day and the dishes kept coming one after another until our table was so full. Having been to Penang several times when I was younger, I sure miss the authentic and delicious food I had when I was there. Lucky for me, I got to taste many Penang favourites again!
Princess Terrace has been serving this Penang Buffet since 1970, and is still popular even today. The restaurant was full-house even on a weekday noon when we were there! Here are some of the yummy food we got to try:
Nasi Lemak
Curry Noodles "Penang Style"
Penang Laksa
Crayfish with Chilli; Grilled Hard Tail stuffed with Chilli
Penang Char Kway Teow
Cuttlefish with Kang Kong
Assorted Nyonya Kueh
Bang Chang Kueh (Pancake with Roasted Peanuts and Sesame Seeds); Hokkien Prawn Mee Soup
Apom Berkuah (Pancake with Banana Sauce)
We were also served some of their famous Penang desserts and we were already so full before we could even finish. Thankfully I go to the gym often so I don't have to worry about a sinful afternoon (thank you Copthorne King's!). :)
This month, King's is celebrating their 43rd birthday so you get to enjoy a 43% discount at Princess Terrace when you dine with two other paying adults. If you haven't already tried their Penang Buffet (named Top 3 Best Buffet Restaurant this year by the way), you should!
For reservations, you can call 6318 3168 or email princessterrace@millenniumhotels.com. :)
P/S: Today's exactly a year since I first met dreachong and we've come so far since! I'm so glad I have her to call a sister and a friend - someone who's always been around for me regardless of my bullsh*t. :') thank you for growing together with me and for taking both of us on adventures we never thought would be possible. You and I, we have such chemistry and we make the perfect combination in many ways... and now I sound like your boyfriend. Imran please don't get too jealous, she still loves you most! Love you bb, I treasure you the most! xo Labels: food
11 September 2013
// iphoneography: june 2013
The month of June through my iPhone - of skies, cityscape and happiness.
Older: May 2013 | Newer: July 2013
I remember June a little too clearly. It was a curious mix of anxiousness and anticipation for what was to come, and weeks of busying myself with shoots while nightmarish scenes stay all-too-vivid in my mind. This is one reason why I never like horror movies. I tend to remind myself of things I don't want to remember, and I can't seem to shake them off even if I wanted to. I coax myself over and over to forget the harsh days, telling myself that I can finally start life afresh. Just like how the skies cleared up for July, this would truly be a new beginning.
***
In the first few hours of June, I rushed to add finishing touches to the materials I'd prepared for my first ever workshop in the living room. A white butterfly had mysteriously fluttered in through the window and around me, ousting me from my study. At this hour and height of my apartment? I wondered what that meant, because surely it had to mean something. Well, everything has a meaning. I googled to learn that white butterflies can symbolize a number of things but I chose not to believe in any of them at that point. Looking back at how the month turned out, perhaps the closest interpretation would be rebirth, some sort of important change or transformation that was going to happen in my life. Metamorphosis, they say.
Funny how this should happen on the same day I would be giving a workshop for Montage who also had the theme 'Metamorphosis' for their photography competition. A coincidence maybe? I turned my attention to quickly finish my task at hand, excited for morning to come.
In the morning, my stomach was laced with butterflies. This year I was privileged to be chosen as one of the workshop instructors for Montage, an annual flagship affair held by the Photographic Society of NUS, alongside Melvin Lau from Multifolds and Lionel Lin from Fotosynthesis. I gave two three-hour sessions at the Canon Imaging Academy on "Fashion Photography using Natural Light" and the turnout genuinely surprised me. It was wonderful being able to share my knowledge with like-minded beings, people who love photography as much as I do.
Melvin gave a talk on Wedding Photography the following day, and it was refreshing seeing familiar faces and learning how he captures the rawest of emotions from the couples he photographs. I am grateful to the team from NUSPS for such a great opportunity and towards everyone who had signed up for the workshop. The whole experience has been nothing short of amazing, and I hope to do something similar in the near future.
It has already been weeks after our trip to Malaysia, but Drea's influence on my sleeping patterns still sticks with me. She sleeps and wakes early, making the fullest out of the daylight. When we were in Malaysia we would wake at sunrise, sometimes even before. This month, I find myself sleeping before midnight and waking before 8am most times, something rare for a night owl like myself.
For once, it felt good rising along with the sun. As I lay on my bed I would watch the golden rays fight the curtains that block its path, and every now and then I would lift the fabric so that I was temporarily bathed in the morning light. This warmth on my skin recharges my soul, and it made me readier for the day ahead. On days like these, I would sit on the couch with my iPad in one hand and a mug of hot tea in the other, basking in the silence that fills the room. Morning readings have never been any better.
Some days when we have shoots to go for in the morning, I would stay the night at Drea's where I sleep in a cosy corner of my own. It comforts me that Blondie (her cat) sometimes watches over me as I rest. One morning as we prepared to leave the house, she amused me by dipping her paw in my cup of water, before diving head-in to drink from it. My catship with Blondie has affirmed my liking for her kind; cool and independent creatures that I can identify with.
As I write about Blondie, I am reminded of dear Siri whom I dearly miss. I have so much love for this little cutie that no words can ever describe. It breaks my heart that I will no longer be able to see him because I have given up my right to do so. A few nights ago I dreamt of him, that he came to look for me. I wish he did, and I wish he could. I will always remember the last moments I had with you roaming the field and running towards me as we played catching. I miss you, my little bundle of joy.
Somewhere in the second week of June, I let myself go through an experience that is hard to forgive myself for. The night ended painfully, and it is difficult to even recount what happened. I cried long and hard in the morning, in the arms of my friends (N and A) as my they rushed to my rescue after I sent an SOS. We headed to N's place after breakfast, and I laid curled up in her bed, sick and exhausted from the night. Well, at least this time it would finally be a clean end to things.
To completely move on and forget about what happened would have been impossible at that point of time, and sometimes it still is. Some nights I have nightmares and flashbacks of what happened that night, and some days I would struggle to keep my anger out as his harsh words repeatedly echo at the back of my head. Despite all that, I give thanks more than anything. Getting out was something I'd so desperately wished and worked for, and there was now no more reason to be sad or angry over someone undeservingly so. I waste no time getting life back on track, and I became happier, healthier and busier (in a good way).
My personal crisis may have ended, but my country was now filled with acrid smoke that was blown over from uncontrollable forest fires. The PSI shot up to a record high of over 400, and buildings slowly disappeared from sight. I wondered to myself if Siri was doing ok.
If there was any positive thing about the terrible haze, it would be the amazing sunrises and sunsets that we experienced in that entire week. The skies were a canvas of evenly painted orange, and I would often stop and marvel at how beautiful it all looked. Since we were now driven indoors, it was a perfect time to make new friends and bond with my favourite bunch of people over a home cooked meal and a late night movie marathon.
The end of June approached quickly, and the haze slowly cleared away. Beautiful sun rays threatened to burst through clouds that have stolen their glory over the past week. Now that the skies were clear, shoots resumed and I spent the last week meeting old friends and having a quiet celebration for the second anniversary of beautifuladieu.
This month I hit a trough that has hurt me beyond measure. My phone was also smashed in the process of that rough night (and my camera has never been the same since, but I'll continue with mediocre iPhoneography till I get a new iPhone!). But you know that when you can't get any lower, the only way to go is up. And with that in mind, I welcomed the month of July with open arms.
Older: May 2013 | Newer: July 2013Labels: iphoneography, personal
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about: amandawxr / beautifuladieu
beautiful•adieu:
writing has never been my forte, and words just flow so much easier through photographs.
maybe i don't want to be called a photographer. i want to be a storyteller.
in 2010, i shared a tumblr account with a dear friend and we were inspired by all the images we saw. then we took tumblr-inspired images and were really active on the site, but everything came to a standstill after a few months. it's hard to explain how i ended up here, but photography was the only thing that was there for me when no one else was. in the summer of 2011, i picked up my camera again after 4 horribly uninspiring months. i started off with self portraits because i missed the familiarity of photographing what i used to, but found myself being really awkward in front of the camera. i later signed up for an account on modelmayhem and surprisingly got a few requests and emails which helped me kickstart my "photography career". while i thought my journey with photography ended after some personal problems in my life, it had really only just begun. i started a facebook page and in the next few months, i met so many great and supportive people whom i can now call friends. i was also blessed with a new camera, and i cannot be more thankful.
this year, i found myself in a close-knitted community of like-minded young artists and it makes me feel warm, and at home. it serves as a constant reminder to myself that there is nothing else i wish to do than to take photos. i shoot fashion and faces, and i want to capture all the beauty there is while we're all young and wild and free.
read more about me and my photography in a feature at obscured.sg
amanda•wxr:
i'd like to think i'm a bundle of personalities. i am a business student from smu, a watercolor painter, lover of siri, tiesto and thumper (pet birds and bunny) and all their other friends. i collect vintage working film cameras and my favorite is my canon ae-1 program (you will see some film photos on my blog every now and then!). people often describe me as a quirky and strange person, but i'd like to be known as the clown bringing smiles to people's faces.
you can always find me on my personal facebook, and if you wish to follow regular happenings in my life, please don't hesitate to send a request!
i am a dreamer. i wish we all would stay young and wild and free.
other accolades:
Workshop Instructor for the Photographic Society of NUS Photographic Event Montage 2013
Photography Exhibition at Noise Singapore 2012
Hidden Gem Finalist for Nuffnang Asia Pacific Blogger Awards 2011
Lost Freedom Issue #3
ObscuRed
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frequently asked questions
What camera and lenses do you use?
I use a Canon 5DMII, his name is Chase :) I usually use my EF 50mm f/1.4, and sometimes the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L. I also have a EF 100mm f/2.8 but I seldom ever use that. Most of my old shoots (up till the unfading summerdays series last October) were shot with my old camera, Canon 450D.
Do you use any lighting equipment?
Other than in the studio of course! I'm a strong lover of natural light and not a big fan of all the fancy light equipment (or artificial light for that matter), especially when I do more outdoor shoots. Although I recognise that this may reduce the "professionalism" of my photos to the eyes of 'techies', I'm determined to stick to my style for now. :)
How long have you been shooting?
Well, I had my first DSLR in 2008, but I never really took a lot of photos, till I got my EF 50mm f/1.8 and starting taking tumblr-inspired photos. I later stopped shooting anything for 4 months, and picked myself up after several issues in my personal life. So I think it's safe to say I started shooting "professionally" or knew that I wanted to shoot fashion and portraiture in May 2011. That's about 1 year now! You can read more about this in the "About Me" section among the navigation links above.
Which camera should I buy?
I'll help you with whatever I know, but honestly, I'm not up to date with the new cameras that are available in the market. Usually when people ask me, I'll just google, and compare the specifications (which I'm sure you can do as well) and give my judgement. But ultimately, I'll like to emphasize that it doesn't matter what camera you use - whether a simple point and shoot or an ultra-pro DSLR - what matters is your eye for photography, and your passion. It's always about the artist and not the camera. Unless your equipment is faulty of course, haha!
I love your curves, will you have more curves giveaway?
Haha thank you! I'll love to come up with more curves, but I think I may start selling them in future! For now, I think I'll hold curves giveaways when my Facebook page hits certain "likes milestones"! I'm also thinking of prints giveaway and some other things. I'm having a giveaway of two 4GB thumbdrives for beautifuladieu's first anniversary this 28 June!
Which program do you use to edit your photos with and what is your editing workflow?
I use Photoshop CS5. I'm still trying to get the hang of using Lightroom and Adobe Bridge. My editing workflow is simple: I flag photos which I think I may edit, then rate them accordingly. Ultimately I choose the top 20 photos or so that I'm happy with. I don't manipulate my images that much, I usually just do simple retouching, use a couple of layer adjustments and apply curves.
Who are you inspired by?
Oh wow, there's a whole list I can't even begin! But mainly artists around my age or younger than me who also shoot and believe in natural light: Nirrimi Hakanson and Ann He. There's also Wendy Liu, Caitlin Worthington, Claire Alice, Emily Tebbets, Alexandra Sophie, Kitty Gallannaugh... Seriously, the list is endless! They all take really beautiful photos and you should check out their works too!
Where do you take your photos? They don't look like they were taken in Singapore!
Haha! But they're mostly in Singapore, I just don't like to capture recognisable landmarks. Sometimes I travel abroad and arrange for shoots on my vacations. So far I've done shoots in Hong Kong and Taipei. If you have to ask for specific locations where I take my photos, I'll appreciate if you would come off being anonymous. Being in a small country with limited places to shoot, I think everyone should make the effort to do a bit of their own research. I know it's a sensitive topic to talk about, but I don't think it should be taken for granted.
Do you take requests? How much do you charge?
At the moment, I take limited requests. I may open up to more in future or completely stop, I've no idea yet! I prefer not to state my charges online, so please do drop me a mail if you're really keen. Please note that my charges for lookbooks, model's portfolio and requests are different, so it's best to send me an email!
I've compiled a list of questions people usually ask me, whether by email or in person, and I hope it clears up some of your doubts! If you want to submit an FAQ or ask a question, don't hesitate to leave a comment or email me at enquiries@beautifuladieu.com.
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14 November 2013
// threepurs lookbook i
Model: Veena McCoole
Wardrobe: Threepurs
Photographer: Amanda Wong
Equipment: 5DMII + 85mm f/1.2L
Flickr: threepurs lookbook i
I remember when the Ler sisters contacted me way back in April to work with them on their first lookbook. Things cropped up and we ended up postponing the shoot all the way till June when we were all pumped to get started. You'd think: finally, after two months! But no, just when we reached the location, it started pouring. We tried to shoot some place else, but it didn't fit the concept that we'd discussed and planned in depth earlier. Then I left for Bangkok for almost the entire month of July, and then to Bali in the beginning of August. Just before I was to go abroad again mid-August, we finally agreed on a date that fit all our schedules. I was beginning to think we may not even shoot after all, but I'm so glad that we did after a good 4 months of waiting!
On that day, we were blessed with a cloudy day and a soft glow from the sun, and as usual, working with the ever-gorgeous Veena was an absolute breeze. I'm so happy with the end product of this shoot, especially since it's been a while that I've been feeling creatively stagnant. I know I need to push myself even harder and not be comfortable/complacent with the way I've been shooting and trust me, I'm trying!
Have a look at Threepurs' website if you haven't by the way. Completely loving their unique homepage!
***
So an update on my personal life/thoughts: Exams are coming up the end of this month and I've been way too busy in school trying to chase my aces (which - hi daddy, I know you're reading this closely - I don't know if I can). I have lots of photos sitting in my hard disk waiting for me to edit. Thankfully my paid backlog has been cleared but I'm dying to share the photos I took in Paris, July/August/September/October's iPhone snaps (has it been that long?!), some food photos, tests and even photos from my travels in 2012. Oh no... queen of procrastination, if you may. Definitely hoping to catch up on most of them before the year ends.
Until then, thanks for reading! :) x Labels: fashion
18 October 2013
// all would envy lookbook i
Model: Andrea Chong
Wardrobe: All Would Envy
Photographer: Amanda Wong
Equipment: 5DMII + 85mm f/1.2L
Flickr: all would envy lookbook i
After returning from Bangkok and Andrea from Tasmania in early August, we both headed abroad again, this time to collaborate with All Would Envy, The Tinsel Rack and Lollyrouge on their August lookbooks in Bali, Indonesia. This post will feature my shoot for the exclusive Dreachong x All Would Envy collection around the very beautiful villa we had the privilege to stay in for the night at Mahagiri Villas Sanur.
We experienced the most beautiful sunrise by the beach the next morning and everyone knows how much I love my golden light so I was clicking away non-stop! We also forged a wonderful sisterhood with Charlotte from All Would Envy (AWE) during this trip and now we're kinda inseparable, haha. ;) I'm still in love with this set today, and I attribute our success to the great chemistry Drea & I share and how we constantly push ourselves to achieve more. We always try to bring new ideas to the table for my photography, her blog and the clients that we work with together. It's been such a great journey and joy. For those who do look out for the photos I take on her blog, sadly you will not see them much anymore and I'll explain why briefly below!
***
Although I haven't publicly announced this yet, most of my clients and friends would have known by now that I have recently stopped shooting for the blogshop industry to explore other genres of photography. I'll be honest; it has been stifling my creativity and I feel like I could risk losing my passion if I were to continue and suffer a burn out in the end. I could continue with how important I think it is for artists to learn to say no and to take actions that would be healthier for them but I'll leave that for next time.
I'm deeply thankful to everyone who has ever given me the opportunity to work with them in my two years (has it been that long?!) in the industry. Having said that, I will be opening up limited slots in December but may not continue again in the new year. You are still welcome to send in enquiries ( enquiries@beautifuladieu.com) though! :)
With all the free time I have now, I have been focusing my energy on university work and my relationships with my (very awesome) boyfriend, family and friends. It has made me much happier and healthier emotionally. Despite that, I'm going through a state I can't express - like being stuck in limbo - before I find my direction in photography again. I've recently tried my hands at conceptual self portraiture as well as food styling and photography and I must say I love the feeling of being challenged.
I'll post photos of the food-stuff I took on the blog soon, but before that, I know I have been lagging behind on my iphoneography diaries. It takes me a couple of days to curate a month's worth of iPhone photos with the text and handwritten notes but I promise to get down to July's after my workload in school has lessened!
Ok, enough text for this post. I'll see you guys in the next! xx Labels: fashion, travel
08 October 2013
// penang buffet
So I'm back! This time with an set of yummy pictures I took a few weeks ago when Copthorne King's so kindly invited Drea & I over to try out their renowned Penang Buffet at Princess Terrace! Chef Lim prepared many of their popular Penang delights for us that day and the dishes kept coming one after another until our table was so full. Having been to Penang several times when I was younger, I sure miss the authentic and delicious food I had when I was there. Lucky for me, I got to taste many Penang favourites again!
Princess Terrace has been serving this Penang Buffet since 1970, and is still popular even today. The restaurant was full-house even on a weekday noon when we were there! Here are some of the yummy food we got to try:
Nasi Lemak
Curry Noodles "Penang Style"
Penang Laksa
Crayfish with Chilli; Grilled Hard Tail stuffed with Chilli
Penang Char Kway Teow
Cuttlefish with Kang Kong
Assorted Nyonya Kueh
Bang Chang Kueh (Pancake with Roasted Peanuts and Sesame Seeds); Hokkien Prawn Mee Soup
Apom Berkuah (Pancake with Banana Sauce)
We were also served some of their famous Penang desserts and we were already so full before we could even finish. Thankfully I go to the gym often so I don't have to worry about a sinful afternoon (thank you Copthorne King's!). :)
This month, King's is celebrating their 43rd birthday so you get to enjoy a 43% discount at Princess Terrace when you dine with two other paying adults. If you haven't already tried their Penang Buffet (named Top 3 Best Buffet Restaurant this year by the way), you should!
For reservations, you can call 6318 3168 or email princessterrace@millenniumhotels.com. :)
P/S: Today's exactly a year since I first met dreachong and we've come so far since! I'm so glad I have her to call a sister and a friend - someone who's always been around for me regardless of my bullsh*t. :') thank you for growing together with me and for taking both of us on adventures we never thought would be possible. You and I, we have such chemistry and we make the perfect combination in many ways... and now I sound like your boyfriend. Imran please don't get too jealous, she still loves you most! Love you bb, I treasure you the most! xo Labels: food
11 September 2013
// iphoneography: june 2013
The month of June through my iPhone - of skies, cityscape and happiness.
Older: May 2013 | Newer: July 2013
I remember June a little too clearly. It was a curious mix of anxiousness and anticipation for what was to come, and weeks of busying myself with shoots while nightmarish scenes stay all-too-vivid in my mind. This is one reason why I never like horror movies. I tend to remind myself of things I don't want to remember, and I can't seem to shake them off even if I wanted to. I coax myself over and over to forget the harsh days, telling myself that I can finally start life afresh. Just like how the skies cleared up for July, this would truly be a new beginning.
***
In the first few hours of June, I rushed to add finishing touches to the materials I'd prepared for my first ever workshop in the living room. A white butterfly had mysteriously fluttered in through the window and around me, ousting me from my study. At this hour and height of my apartment? I wondered what that meant, because surely it had to mean something. Well, everything has a meaning. I googled to learn that white butterflies can symbolize a number of things but I chose not to believe in any of them at that point. Looking back at how the month turned out, perhaps the closest interpretation would be rebirth, some sort of important change or transformation that was going to happen in my life. Metamorphosis, they say.
Funny how this should happen on the same day I would be giving a workshop for Montage who also had the theme 'Metamorphosis' for their photography competition. A coincidence maybe? I turned my attention to quickly finish my task at hand, excited for morning to come.
In the morning, my stomach was laced with butterflies. This year I was privileged to be chosen as one of the workshop instructors for Montage, an annual flagship affair held by the Photographic Society of NUS, alongside Melvin Lau from Multifolds and Lionel Lin from Fotosynthesis. I gave two three-hour sessions at the Canon Imaging Academy on "Fashion Photography using Natural Light" and the turnout genuinely surprised me. It was wonderful being able to share my knowledge with like-minded beings, people who love photography as much as I do.
Melvin gave a talk on Wedding Photography the following day, and it was refreshing seeing familiar faces and learning how he captures the rawest of emotions from the couples he photographs. I am grateful to the team from NUSPS for such a great opportunity and towards everyone who had signed up for the workshop. The whole experience has been nothing short of amazing, and I hope to do something similar in the near future.
It has already been weeks after our trip to Malaysia, but Drea's influence on my sleeping patterns still sticks with me. She sleeps and wakes early, making the fullest out of the daylight. When we were in Malaysia we would wake at sunrise, sometimes even before. This month, I find myself sleeping before midnight and waking before 8am most times, something rare for a night owl like myself.
For once, it felt good rising along with the sun. As I lay on my bed I would watch the golden rays fight the curtains that block its path, and every now and then I would lift the fabric so that I was temporarily bathed in the morning light. This warmth on my skin recharges my soul, and it made me readier for the day ahead. On days like these, I would sit on the couch with my iPad in one hand and a mug of hot tea in the other, basking in the silence that fills the room. Morning readings have never been any better.
Some days when we have shoots to go for in the morning, I would stay the night at Drea's where I sleep in a cosy corner of my own. It comforts me that Blondie (her cat) sometimes watches over me as I rest. One morning as we prepared to leave the house, she amused me by dipping her paw in my cup of water, before diving head-in to drink from it. My catship with Blondie has affirmed my liking for her kind; cool and independent creatures that I can identify with.
As I write about Blondie, I am reminded of dear Siri whom I dearly miss. I have so much love for this little cutie that no words can ever describe. It breaks my heart that I will no longer be able to see him because I have given up my right to do so. A few nights ago I dreamt of him, that he came to look for me. I wish he did, and I wish he could. I will always remember the last moments I had with you roaming the field and running towards me as we played catching. I miss you, my little bundle of joy.
Somewhere in the second week of June, I let myself go through an experience that is hard to forgive myself for. The night ended painfully, and it is difficult to even recount what happened. I cried long and hard in the morning, in the arms of my friends (N and A) as my they rushed to my rescue after I sent an SOS. We headed to N's place after breakfast, and I laid curled up in her bed, sick and exhausted from the night. Well, at least this time it would finally be a clean end to things.
To completely move on and forget about what happened would have been impossible at that point of time, and sometimes it still is. Some nights I have nightmares and flashbacks of what happened that night, and some days I would struggle to keep my anger out as his harsh words repeatedly echo at the back of my head. Despite all that, I give thanks more than anything. Getting out was something I'd so desperately wished and worked for, and there was now no more reason to be sad or angry over someone undeservingly so. I waste no time getting life back on track, and I became happier, healthier and busier (in a good way).
My personal crisis may have ended, but my country was now filled with acrid smoke that was blown over from uncontrollable forest fires. The PSI shot up to a record high of over 400, and buildings slowly disappeared from sight. I wondered to myself if Siri was doing ok.
If there was any positive thing about the terrible haze, it would be the amazing sunrises and sunsets that we experienced in that entire week. The skies were a canvas of evenly painted orange, and I would often stop and marvel at how beautiful it all looked. Since we were now driven indoors, it was a perfect time to make new friends and bond with my favourite bunch of people over a home cooked meal and a late night movie marathon.
The end of June approached quickly, and the haze slowly cleared away. Beautiful sun rays threatened to burst through clouds that have stolen their glory over the past week. Now that the skies were clear, shoots resumed and I spent the last week meeting old friends and having a quiet celebration for the second anniversary of beautifuladieu.
This month I hit a trough that has hurt me beyond measure. My phone was also smashed in the process of that rough night (and my camera has never been the same since, but I'll continue with mediocre iPhoneography till I get a new iPhone!). But you know that when you can't get any lower, the only way to go is up. And with that in mind, I welcomed the month of July with open arms.
Older: May 2013 | Newer: July 2013Labels: iphoneography, personal
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about me
// amandawxr: i am twenty one, a
business student and an expressive fashion photographer based in singapore. i am a dreamer; a lover of nature, light and all the beauty there is on earth. i wish we would all stay young and wild and free.
if you wish to do a shoot or collaborate with me, please send me an email at enquiries@beautifuladieu.com!
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