Wendell's Photo Blog

Adding to my vintage collection

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:28:00 +0000

Last Saturday, Kamal (fellow photographer, my wife's ANU schoolmate and Malaysian) and I went to the Canberra Camera Collectors sale at the Irish Club here in Canberra. I have never been to one so naturally I was excited to see what was on sale. I had no intention to buy anything (because I am so poor) but limited myself to $20 if I did so. There were many vintage stuff and also some earlier DSLRs.

Price was very reasonable and I was tempted, plus an auction at the end of the sale was really good.

The auction

At the back of my head, I was thinking, "Where in Sabah will I get these kinds of cameras?" So, with my 20 bucks, here is what I got.

Got this from the auction for 5 bucks

And what I thought was a good buy was this 1961 Yashica J series in working condition.

$10 for this

The remaining $5 was spent on a vintage leather strap for my Minolta Hi-Matic G, which I bought at the Salvation Army Thrift store or Salvo's.

A few hours at the Floriade, Canberra

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:36:00 +0000

Floriade is the biggest flower festival in Australia, a spectacular celebration of spring, set in Canberra's Commonwealth Park.

We planned to go to the one-month event earlier but it had been raining and cold, so finally the weather was better yesterday. As for me, I have never really seen so many tulips in my life. I wanted to see some 'black tulips' which I read about when I was a kid. Creating a black tulip was the holy grail for the flower enthusiasts back in the days in Holland. As much as I could see, however, were no black tulips at the Floriade, just really dark maroon ones.

Here are a mix of family and Floriade pictures I took.

Starting my vintage camera collection

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:13:00 +0000

I started fooling around with photography around 1992-93 and had real gung-ho aspirations to be a photographer since then. I inherited an old Yashica SLR from my father and went shooting with my buddies Romeo, Disney and Kelly.

*Not the exact Yashica but a photo from Wikipedia

I remember we all had old cameras and mine would always jam up, and finally on a climb to Mt. Kinabalu, it finally gave up on me and the mirror never came down..it was stuck for good.

So I requested, I think for my birthday, for a camera from my sister, who gave me a 2nd hand Canon SLR.

*again, not the exact Canon. Mine had an all black body.

I think I only managed to use it once for a body-building competition at Kiulu, then the same problem happened, the mirror got jammed. This time it was sent to a technician to be fixed but it really conked out.

I was without a SLR camera for a long long time, till I got my first DSLR in 2008, a Nikon D200.

Coming to Australia has it downs for me, not being able to work in my chosen field of Photojournalism. The pros is, however, endless. I can now shoot without pressure to deliver to my editor or client.

I was chatting online with fellow Sabahan, Flanegan Bainon, who is in Melbourne studying Photography and he told he had started collecting vintage cameras. I found that really interesting and kept an eye out for old cameras at thrift stores and garage sales.

This is my first vintage camera I bought at the Salvation Army store. It cost me AUS$15.00. The Minolta Hi-Matic G was made in 1974, the year I was born, and still works. There was still a roll of film inside when I got it. I changed the battery and the meters went 'alive'! I think I got a good buy.

Family picnic at Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 12:06:00 +0000

Life here in Canberra is very different from the comfort zone we had in Sabah. It has changed dramatically from the weather to our lifestyle. Adjusting to a different climate, looking for jobs, re-tuning my ears from Malaysian English to Aussie English, re-tuning my accent so that locals can understand me and so forth.

The biggest challenge so far is looking for a job, whatever it is. Trixie and Kimo both go to school and I am doing my part by sending and picking them up. But still, I feel very weird not doing anything. I have applied, and still am applying, for all kinds of jobs here and there, but it seems it takes time to get reply, so now is just a waiting game.

Earlier today we had a brunch at Auntie Connie's house cos a Sabahan friend came by from Sydney so we Sabahans had a small get together. Enjoyed the curry and the roti canai.

Anyway, after last week's hospital stint, we felt we needed to chill out and go out for a picnic as a family. Trixie packed a small snack for us and off we went driving till we ended up seeing multitudes of people by Lake Burley Griffin (only found out the lake's name from the internet after we got home), so we also looked for a spot. The day was warm and we had time to take a family photo, something we always wanted to do since Kimo was born, actually these photos could be one of the best we had taken.

More picnic photos in my Facebook.

Kimo in hospital

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 03:52:00 +0000

After lunch last Saturday, Kimo suddenly started shivering uncontrollably. We rushed him to the emergency room at Calvary Hospital around 5 km away and he was diagnosed with pneumonia in his right lung. The doctor suggested to admit him into Canberra Hospital where they have a pediatric department for further treatment. Kimo was admitted there for 3 days and 2 nights and he was on an IV drip the whole time.

We, as parents and as international students in a new country and city, felt a kind of fear that we don't have any moral support from anyone in Canberra. But we were blessed with our Sabahan friend here, Auntie Connie Lupang, a Sabahan living here for the past 40 years, who came to the ER to give us support.

On the 2nd day there, the specialist said that the bacteria that caused Kimo's pneumonia had spread into his left lung, but he said that is normal and the antibiotics administered would take care of that. On the third day, Kimo was given the green light to go home as there was no more wheezing in either lungs.

We thank God, the doctors and nurses for helping Kimo get better in such a short time. Kimo is now at home, active as ever. However, we are still giving him his antibiotics and he has to use a puffer a few times a day.

From around Canberra

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:25:00 +0000

I took this photo on a road behind my area.

On my way out one day, spotted the nice clouds which was complimented by the winter branch.

A Month in Canberra

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:16:00 +0000

Its been a month since we moved to Canberra, but it feels longer, I dunno why. Well, we have settled in nicely and already have a schedule. Kimo goes to childcare/playschool 4 times a week while Trixie goes to school. I basically send them, do household chores while applying for jobs and waiting for their replies...soooo long. I have not been able to get around taking photos lately, apart from the ones posted, but next week, a good Malaysian friend and I are going to do some bushwalking photography.

Self Shadow Portrait

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 01:52:00 +0000

I think this is the picture of Australia I had in mind all this while. I had to take a picture of the red soil and the clear skies.

First hike in the Australian Bush

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 08:25:00 +0000

Its been around two weeks since we landed in Canberra, and I needed to go out and shoot before I forgot the functions on my camera. I went for a walk and found out that a nature park is right behind our apartment. The feeling is very different from what I am used to in the rainforest. It was a nice day and I saw my first in-the-wild kangaroos. They actually come around our place at night and poop, so banyak tai kangaroo everywhere, macam tai kambing. I took a photo too.

Tai kangaroo (ABOVE), by the way, we got to eat kangaroo meat the first week here, taste like payau lah

Kimo's Birthday Party at Tungaa, Kota Belud

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:57:00 +0000

This party was organized by my parents at our kampung for their only grandchild. As usual, Kimo's friends, cousins, aunts and uncles, grandaunts and granduncles attended the party. Trixie, again without fail, baked another Barney cheesecake for him. However, Kimo, by this time, has learned the art of blowing his three candles.

Happy 3rd Birthday Kimo!

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:04:00 +0000

This was Kimo's first birthday party for this week, celebrated at his maternal grandparents house in Tintap, Babagon. Trixie made a Barney cake for him, mango cheesecake flavor. Kimo is blessed with friends, cousins, uncles and aunties and grandparents and grandaunts and uncles that do not fail to come and party with him every year. Thanks everybody for coming!

2009 Sabah Dragon Boat Race

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:50:00 +0000

These are some photos taken during a photographers day out.

Fredoline and Nancy's Session

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:52:00 +0000

As promised, these are my pictures from my last pre-wed session before I leave to taste some kangaroo steak down under.

Another Trip to the playground

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:28:00 +0000

Kimo is getting very comfortable with the nearby playground, was just thinking how he will adjust to the new surroundings in Australia in a few weeks. My sis-in-law and I brought our cameras to document his joy at play. This was when he tripped and recovered.

*Wished his Auntie Flory was around to see him at this age

Last Pre-wedding Assignment before Australian Departure

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:23:00 +0000

Hi Everybody,

With our plans for our move to Australia comes closer, I resigned from my reporting job and supposedly am in packing and moving mode. Despite the busy schedule, I got a chance to take my last pre-wed photo in Tuaran when Rozita of Dylan Bridal called me for a session. Our client turned out to be my old classmate, Fredoline and his fiance, Nancy. We had fun shooting under the hot sun! I will be posting more photos later.

Balik Kampung (Kota Belud)

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Mon, 25 May 2009 19:41:00 +0000

Now that we are certain on going to Australia for Trixie's Phd, we have been taking every single chance to make sure Kimo meets his Kota Belud grandparents, who in turn are seldom in Kota Belud. These are some fun photos of Kimo with his paternal grandparents. It was also a very hot day, and he really wanted to go in the bucket filled with water. Nasip bawa poninggolonon (change of clothes).

PAPARAZI!

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:11:00 +0000

The Prime Minister was on one of his walkabouts in KK and I was assigned to cover the event. This was one of my first assignments where photographers and journalists were pushing each other in search for that newsworthy photo. Two of these photos made it to the front page of a local paper. :)

Next two photos made front page

Pocket Bikes at Likas

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 13:18:00 +0000

Hello guys, have not been posting for a while now, internet and camera problems..but I am back!

I was by the Likas Sports complex today and saw them pocket or coin bikes going faster than my Kancil. So I stopped by to test out my newly reconditioned camera.

I was very impressed that most of the bikers were young kids, some as young as 5 yrs old (my guess).

By the way, please forgive the watermark in smack in the middle of the photos. After a photographer-friend's photos got used illegally in other websites, we photo-bloggers are now putting the watermark in the middle, instead of on the side, to protect the copyright of our photos.

Enjoy!

Aloysius and Daniela's Reception Photos (Megallan & Tambunan)

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 07:20:00 +0000

Product Tasting at CoffeeBean & Tea Leaf, Waterfront

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:37:00 +0000

Late this afternoon, I got an invitation from Shan thru Jacquelin to come and sample some promotional products at the CoffeeBean and Tea Leaf (CBTL), Waterfront. Wah, the power of blogging, but truthfully, this could be my first time blogging about food on a personal level.

The food that was to be sampled was the Red Bean Ice-Blended and the Mandarin Orange Cheesecake. I am not a great critique of food, but a I am great eater. LOL....but I guess I qualify!

Red Bean Ice-Blended key ingredients are the red beans, yes, the kacang merah our wives, moms, moms-in-law and grandmothers use to make bubur with. Well, CBTL has it in the powdered form too, making the ice-blend even more kaw-kaw with red bean flavor.

I suggest having the ice-blend with whipped cream (who wouldn't). By the way, the availability of this drink last as long as the red beans and red bean powder is still in stock.

Drink faster Flan! You might be in time for a second round!

Next product to sample was the Mandarin Orange Cheesecake. Dang, ya'll gotta try this one. You can really taste the citrus! Kalah-kalah Cheesecake Factory bah!

I think one slice of this cake can feed two people, my size. LOL. Unless you don't wanna share, like me. Well, this cake will only be around till mid March 2009, so folks, better rush to get your taste of this fantastic cheesecake.

Now the management did not stop at feeding us only red beans drinks and cheesecakes, they also provided a light dinner of salads, pasta and sandwiches, to my delight of my carb driven diet/stomach/life.

Alice on a diet

I think I had some fun with other bloggers tonight, have never met some of them, and am hoping to see more of them in other functions like this one.

I also would like to thank the great management and staff, notably Andrew, Shan and Charles, of CoffeeBean and Tea Leaf, Waterfront, who also graciously gave me an extra slice of the cheesecake to take back to my wife (a baker), the real foodie (by the way, she finished the cake in less than 10 minutes).

D'Junction Miss Oriental contestant: Ms. Jessie Sham

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 05:09:00 +0000

D'Junction's Miss Oriental this year will start on January 23rd. Roy2lips invited me to take some photos of one of the contestants, Miss Jessie Sham. We had the photoshoot at Taman Rimba Tropika, Kota Kinabalu.

Early Rainy Morning at Bridge near Rasa Ria

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:12:00 +0000

So, on the 4th of January, I made plans with Beevy and Josie, who brought along Lola, to go to this bridge to take photos. After earlier advices from friends who have shot the sunrise there, they said I gotta be there before 5am to catch the sunrise. Well, we were there before 5am, but the sunrise came after 6am. To make matters even worst, it started to rain. So no sun, had to wait up for more than 2 hours, rain; and for me, sick till today. But still, I think I managed to catch some rare shots under the bridge. Made my day!

Stacy AF6 at D'Junction

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:04:00 +0000

We, the photographers, were invited by Intimate, thru D'Junction, to photograph Stacy, the winner of Akademi Fantasia Season 6 during her meet the fans session at the establishment. I stuck to one lens during this shoot, my 50mm 1.8

3rd New Year Off Road Challenge - Tamparuli

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:55:00 +0000

This year I managed to make it to this event. I missed last year's event for dunno what reason. It was a good reunion with old friends and also time to chill out from normal photo shoots. Enjoy the photos!

Down by the Riverside - Joseph and Diane's Kota Belud Wedding

wendellgingging@gmail.com (Wendell D. Gingging) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:47:00 +0000

Sorry Diane for the late entry on my blog, I have been sick for the past few days. Well, here is a teaser for you. I enjoyed this shoot because of the colors that the couple was wearing, and the wonderful location by the river. Enjoy!