Happy 2nd Birthday Xianxian + Last sunset of the year!

Xianxian 2nd birthday at Grandma's place, blessed for family time!

How God is amazing to sustain us despite of us. All glory and honor to the King of Kings.

Thank God for the year, blessed thankful challenging yet I don't deserve it..

Smoke

Malachi 1:11

For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.

Ever since I've my flash, I wanted to do smoke photograph but I couldn't find a dark place to do it. However today it pop-out to my head that I could do it in the bathroom since there is an exhaust fan.

I read a couple of article how to do it and it does work!

One of the thing I enjoyed here is when I look at each picture I can imagine a image, each person has his own imagination.

You may see my set up below, a flash & light stand, 1 small back illustration board, 2 huge one, 3 incenses (depend on how many you want) and a tripod. 

If your wondering how I did it, 1st exposure and focus (use focus lock) with anything you can find. 2nd light up the incenses and 3rd close the light and tadaah enjoy! 

It much creative to edit the colors in anyway you like, I'd edit the color in lightroom.

Christmas 2013

We celebrate not the birth of Christ but His Death and Resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:1-3

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures...

On the Christmas day, I went to my grandma and went to service in St. Stephen Parish Church. I really like the Anglican Church for I can kneel and pray. Before it does mean anything to me at all, but kneel make me humble know that there is this huge eternal God.

I found out after the service with two of my Auntie and cousins. We ate lunch by the bay, enjoying each other's company. Thanking God for all His goodness, grace and trials.

What a day to spent Christmas, it was unexpected but enjoyable.

Self Portrait

Last night, I wanted to make a self portrait. Unfortunately it didn't turn out good. As slept late, I woke up at 11am and saw this beautiful soft window light. I took the tripod and start shooting myself. 

Thank God for the creativity He gave me. 1st the background as I wanted a black background, I couldn't find a huge black cloth, instead I took 4 piece of clothes & pants and hang them behind me.

Background set and I wanted to fill the shadows, I'd put on the reflector on my left hold on by 2 electric fans. I was always wanted to do a back-light kind of shoot, so I took my led light and light stand behind me. 

There so much to learn about light! Moving around with a mirror helped me to see where the shadow was falling, thank the Lord for the joy of seeing light and shadow.

Testing the exposure

Test shoot looks good

broad lighting

Added a reflector

Added a light behind

Perfect!

The Hegar Family

My sister's family the Hegars! 

This was my very 1st family portrait. To be honest I've completely no idea what to pose for them! Thank God it turn out great. The location they've chosen was an awesome one, adding to the greatness.