Is my blog moving? Hmm… well, after like a few months and promising that I’ll update my blog frequently, I did for awhile but only to neglect posting about Lhasa Tibet backpacking trip. Well, here is Daniel once again, in the middle of the street of Lhasa. Though it was about 4000m above sea level, it was also very hot.

Come to think of it, it was hot as the sun was shining so brightly. The breeze was there though, but I wouldn’t want to risk any sunburn on my own hand, so I got myself a sweater. Photographers would know that there’s something wrong with this picture though. Don’t you feel awkward?

Anyway it was one of the days in Lhasa and here in Lhasa, one of the famous place is Potala Palace (the place where the Dalai Lama used to be). Well, since I can’t go in the palace yet, I took a picture with the stone with writings. Can’t read them though. Strange how it feels. I feel so short compared to the rock.

I think during this time, I was already down by a kg. Yes, the constant walking and carrying my bag full of camera gears which consist of a Nikon D300, 55-200mm VR, 50mm f/1.4D and a Sigma 10-20mm. Not to mention the extra weight from the SB-800 which I think was only used once during my visit to Tibet. Flash units are kinda rarely used when one is traveling. Now enough of my photos, let’s see what the Potala Palace looks like.

On the left, the Potala Palace was built on the hill. The original hill was actually part of the road that you see now. Or rather the road was part of the hill before it was destroyed and now became a big main road. Well, now what do I want you all to focus on. The sky is indeed magnificent and yes, the whole view in Tibet is definitely somewhere any photographer would want to be.

The life here is pretty safe. I could just walk out at night and there would be police everywhere guarding the streets. Anyway since there is a lot of free time in Lhasa Tibet, the gang (me, Ek Wei and Kenny) walked towards the artificial pond or lake to take scenery shots. There are lots of shot taken over here but here I wanted to show 2 shots taken straight from the camera without using any HDR or any doctored job on the photos itself other than resizing and putting my blog link on it.

If you would love to see the EXIF of the picture, just right click and save and look at the properties of the photo. This is the setting I used to shoot this photo. Imagine how clear the sky was, how the clouds reflect itself on the water. But where’s the Potala Palace? Here’s the next photo.

Yes, Potala Palace is just around the corner. Why are we still here? Well, practically, a few of us are waiting for the sunset to capture the sunset scenery across the lake. How did it turn out though? Seemingly we have too many photos of the scenery that we find that we shouldn’t neglect ourselves.

Then we do what we do best. We pose to the extreme. Some of you might have seen this photo before though.

Now who can beat the top 3 posers.

Though if you have the chance to see the Potala Palace at night, it’s definitely a breathtaking sight. Well, that’s what we did and we walked at least 20 minutes from the hotel to reach the palace and took the photo……..

….. with me in it. Yes, it was this dark, and I just use the internal flash on the camera to shoot this. Then of course, that’s what you get for just using the internal flash and with not so “powderful” focus and setting. Now how about if you use long shutter and make it sharp and crispy.

The Full View of Potala Palace with it’s reflection

Why is there water? Well, it’s basically a water fountain show running at the same time. Just so happens that I got this shot when the water fountain stopped for awhile. Exposure time  is 13 seconds. Too bad the lights around it are giving the orange feel.

Finally it’s time to sleep and the following day, it’s finally the day to go up the Potala Palace itself. Now wait….. how much does it cost? It’s RMB100 or 100Yuan which is equivalent to RM50 in Malaysia. Ahhhhhh…….. this has better be good. It’s way way expensive compared to the other temples.

See the big blue square thingy. That’s where we roughly were when we took the photo of the 3 Heroes of Tibet. So now we’re entering Potala Palace. What is in there that are in store for us. Sad to say, didn’t really take any photos in the Palace as it’s FORBIDDEN at certain areas and also you need to pay photographer fee if you would want to take some internal pictures of the rooms and statues.

So what other things did we do there? I might say, that it’s good if it’s continued on the next post.

ps : I am back~~~~

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A few days back, I received an invitation from Wacoal regarding their Sensuala Calendar Girl 2010 event. After many months and days without attending any event, it’s finally time to attend one.

You must’ve wonder, lingerie? Yes, lingerie!! There are lots of crowd over there, though the only problem was, I didn’t bring my kit lens and all I got was my 55-200mm zoom lens with no fix aperture (my 50mm was under repair). So just have to stick with it and do some shooting the best I can. I still remember the last time I came here for an event was for the Malaysian Dream Girls function. It was a surprise to me though that the emcee for the night was none other than my favorite English Radio DJ, Serena C.

Hmmm.. when I saw her it was a total different makeover from the last event which was the Cleo’s Bachelor event in Year 2008. Still as wacky as ever and funny. Though at one time she did flash the Wacoal bra to the audience. (Sorry no pictures of this you people, even if there is, I’ll keep it LOL) So that’s all for today…….. *I’ll get killed for sure* So what are the people there waiting for? Since it’s Wacoal, it’s definitely a lingerie shot. Though first we were all introduced to the girls.

I have here only 2 notable ones (or rather cause all the photos taken, the photos did not turn out well).

Now tell me, who does the first picture resemble of? What about the second one?

Can’t think? Just put your mouse cursor on top the photo and you’ll find out the answer. How’s that for a change? One thing for sure, in an event like this, it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get perfect photos with all the flash coming from left, right and with heads blocking the camera view. Though I wonder, how come were they wearing town short jeans? *strange*

You never know how interesting this event is, until you see a familiar face amongst the crowd and spectators. Who is it? Or who were they?

Ta dah~~~~ Recognise anyone?

So let’s talk less about this. Here are the girls. NSFW.

(more…)

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You know after awhile, I find that maybe I just not that weird anymore. I just not that unique anymore. I have even thought of quitting blogging in this blog. Well, after I found out something, I felt that there’s no use for me to blog anymore. Every little thing also people will know. Sometimes people take shots of the time you weren’t ready. Sometimes people think you are doing something bad.

They even found out that I look like a total crap. Just for a candid shot, my face look fat, I don’t have a nice hairstyle, and yes I look fat on photos at certain angle. Yes, I am not your typical kind of guy. Heck even a bird looks much better than me that they could laugh.

See birds are so pretty, they stand out. This really got on my nerve. I feel that if I see that freaking bird again, I will make it into Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Serves The Bird Right!!!!!

I can’t stand it when I am taken for something I am not. I don’t look at things like that. When you try to do something, you’re being taken like you’ve got something to hide. Take an instance, the photo below. Some people have different perspective as to what the next photo portrays.

I wonder how long more till I am able to smile like this photo which was taken years back.

Not so much dark circles and a cheerful face. Is this what I was? Time to get some eye mask! Tomorrow I am hitting the gym, oh wait, I am hitting the gym on Friday!

So with all these in hand, should I actually quit blogging here? Maybe it’s time to start a new identity and be someone I am not. Someone who is more evil or someone who is much more quiet, anti social or maybe someone who goes out everywhere and joining a social group activity anytime he can find. I haven’t club properly in Malaysia, maybe I should be like that. Total 180 degrees change, you wouldn’t recognise me anymore as the same Daniel that once graze upon this blogging world.

ps : Woo hoo~~~ my first emo post in the year 2010???

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Officially back from Indonesia (Yogyakarta – Jakarta – Bali) just 2 days ago and since I am still doing some photo processing, here’s the group that went for the trip. It’s like a place I would love to go again for more photoshoots and relaxation.

Photos taken from AaronWoolala

Officially danielctw.com will still be around, but stay tune for another upcoming blog which shows a whole new different perspective of what I will be blogging about. Strange isn’t it? Why can’t I keep to one blog? Well, there’s a reason for it. I am going niche.

So be sure to keep an eye on more photos and group photos and more and more photos in this blog. Love the photo? Why not join us next time for other trips?

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Year of the Tiger doesn’t seem bad, though to most Chinese couples, the year of the Tiger is like a bad year to get married. All because of the sound ‘fu’, the Chinese sound for Tiger.

Though in all these while, people still dream of things even in this not so good year. I have a dream too. Considering that my Nikon D300 and my precious Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D lens are in bad condition, I am hoping that in this year, The TIGER year, I would be able to upgrade my gears towards Full Frame, let’s say a Nikon D3. Now how does it sound right now? Yes, A FULL FRAME FX CAMERA.

Being a frequent traveller, it’s good to take photos with it. That is to share my experiences in these travels with my friends and families and also to readers of my blog. Of course sometimes I can’t help doing an occasional self portrait. Seemingly, it helps to push me too in the direction of being a photographer for weddings, events, products more actively.

Daniel Chew Doing Self Shots

The dream is not only to own the camera, the gears, but in evitable fact is to begin shooting photos for business with a group of our own (yes, you know who you are).

Imagine the times when I was shooting with my Casio Exilim and I get blurred images. Then to move forward with a D40 and I get not so good ISO performance. The D300 did perform well though, but then it got cracked and I am feeling sad.

Seemingly though, I found out something today from Twitter. This tweet is twitted by NuffnangMY.

“Hey Nuffnangers, win RM8888 worth of dreams by running towards the Year of Tiger! (Only for Non-Muslim & 18yo above) http://bit.ly/7PYlLj”

Now what an opportunity, as this is not just any ordinary event, it’s a running event. Wooots…. I have taken my first run on 1st January 2010 for the Pacemakers 12km Network Run and this time it’s time to get my legs on for this event as it’s only limited to Nuffnangers and so far not so much Pacesetters which I have to run with.

Hehehe… what a chance, I wouldn’t want to let this chance run away. Of course there is another chance as this run is open only to Non-Muslims due to the nature of this run and this event is sponsored by Tiger Beer and Nuffnang.

So RM8,888 prize + RM1,888 running cash prize, please wait for me. At least it’s a small step to me getting my lovely Nikon D3 gear or at least a fund for my next trip to Philippines and Taiwan. Of course I want to join in for the party at Bar Madrid, Jaya One, PJ.

ROARS!!!!!!

ps : If I get to participate in this run, which should I choose? Putrajaya Night Run or a run which offers beer and rm8888? Try to guess it then!!

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