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Title: Camrie & Cindy
Date: 3rd Mar 2008

Presenting two very talented models from SGXFaces. (However, do pardon my odd styling: the office wear concept was for an Australian tele-communication company's shoot, while the jeweleries were slapped on to give a KL jeweler a shoot idea.)

Cindy:


Camrie:

Title: Eva's Macro Beauty shoot
Date: 22nd Feb 2008

Done by Joe Loon, our new Nikon Pro Trainer.
And guess what? Done using Nikon D40. And 2 Nikon SB600 on CLS mode.
Who says D40 cannot do kick-ass macro beauty???!!! Nah, in your face!

by me... using Nikon D300, using 3 SB600 on CLS.

Title: Debbie + Latte = Sweet!
Date: 17th Feb 2008

Debbie and Latte...

Title: The Liew Sisters, Part II...
Date: 17th Feb 2008

Ashley:

Jessie:

Title: The Liew Sisters...
Date: 17th Feb 2008

Introducing Jessie (R) and Ashley (L). Sisters.
Two new models signing up exclusive with SGXFaces.

Photo credit: Ben Lim using Nikon D300

Title: Debbie Chan (and D300 vs D80)
Date: 18th Feb 2008

Taken with Nikon D300 (on 5650 Kelvin):

Taken with Nikon D80 (on 5500 Kelvin; the best value we can make do, since D80 does not have a fine kelvin increment as a D300):

Both cameras identical settings (except on a little kelvin difference) and exact same lighting power values... Who says it's the same, eh?
But the consistencies of these Nikon products, are still amazing, ain't it?!

Title: Latte
Date: 18th Feb 2008

Yes, two dogs in the house... Latte, she's Michelle's new dog.
Shots are taken with Nikon D300... I can't help loving its silvery tone when the exposure is just right!

Title: Eva
Date: 4th Feb 2008

The definition of sophistication. Taken at Palate Palette restaurant in Jalan Mesui.

Title: My scary dreams!
Date: 22nd Jan 2008

On the way back from our Nikon Johor workshop, Sean, Haidar and I exchanged spooky stories.
I told them about how my dreams of people dying come true. I told them about my dad-in-law dream.

Monday:
My SMS to Sean: "Russel Crowe committed suicide."
SMS from Sean: "FUCK ME! Let me google it!"
My SMS to Sean: "I dreamt he commited suicide! Gotcha!"
SMS from Sean: "Fucker! You have to stop doing this!"

Wednesday:
My SMS to Sean: "Heath Ledger commited suicide!"
Call from Sean: "Yeah, sure, he did! Yes, let me play along this time... *ho hum*"
Me: "No, he really did! I heard a little of it over the radio news."
SMS from Sean: "FUCK ME! You are right, he's DEAD! He, like Russel Crowe, is an Australian actor! You have gotta stop dreaming before we run out of fine Hollywood actors!"

Scary....

Anyhow, farewell, to one of the finest actors on the rise. Found dead in his four-storey New York apartment bedroom, naked, at 3.30pm today.
Sleeping pills next to the bed. Suspected suicide.

Title: Funny caption contest!
Date: 10th Jan 2008

Sean took this photo during our last seminar in Johor Bahru.
Funny shot, Sean... *haha*.

Now, here's the deal:
Put on a funny caption to what I say, and win yourself a Nikon CLS Class courtesy, of Nikonian Academy (class will be held in Mac 2008).
This class is worth RM390.00!

All submission must be sent to andrew@boeyandrew.com before 25th Feb 2008.

This contest is brought to you by Nikonian Academy Sdn Bhd.
Note: Prize not redeemable as cash.

Title: One whole week of beauty shoots...
Date: 4th Jan 2008

Ok,... enough already of beauty and swimsuit shoots.
Spent the whole week auditioning and shoot comp photos for SGX Faces' 2008 new models.
Proud to sign a few up exclusive.... and I really need a break from posing models... *phew*

Let's now build and position their career path.

Can't wait to get back to theoritical photography with Nikon's seminar in JB this Sunday.
See you all in JB.

Title: Introducing Wendy
Date: 3rd Jan 2008

SGX Faces' new swimsuit model. That amazing Japanese race queen look. Her first comp shoot. SGX Faces is proud to sign her exclusive.

Title: Princess QiQi
Date: 3rd Jan 2008

Presenting our new model of SGX Faces...

Title: Nude and lingerie photography
Date: 29th Dec 2007

Did some nude and lingerie photography with Nancy. A fabulous model with flawless skins and posture. She's almost six feet tall and has the most beautiful derriere anyone has ever seen before! Nancy's specializes in swimsuit and bikini modeling.

But one aspect of her career that makes her very much in demand is that she's a buttocks model! Yup, no kidding. A very specialized area in modeling that sets Nancy apart from the many models in the world.

Click here to see some of the less provoking photos here (sorry, I cannot post nude photos in Malaysia).

Anyone keen to have a photo-session with Nancy, kindly contact her modeling agency at: SGX Faces.

Title: SGX Faces new models
Date: 27th Dec 2007

Did a series of photoshoot for SGX Faces' new models. Very talented models. Introducing, Nancy and Farnaz...


Nancy


Farnaz

Title: Congratulations, Pappa Kopitiam!
Date: 23rd Dec 2007

Our client, Pappa Kopitiam opens their 3rd outlet. This time, the outlet is located in Kota Damansara.

Pappa Kopitiam, early this year, embarked on a national re-branding strategy. Their goal is to convert their F&B business to a franchise.

SGX was hired to create a new branding strategy, which involves the whole bring-to-market campaign:

- new franchise identity design (new logo and new corporate color)
- Pappa Kopitiam's internet web presence
- new marketing collaterals
- new look for all franchise stationeries (menu, namecards, order chits, receipts, etc)
- booth design and decoration for Pappa Kopitiam's franchise expo
- SGX was also involved in the the outlets' interior design, working collaboratively with the interior designers, to give Pappa that new out.

Look at their 3rd outlet now, we can only say this: Welldone!

Photos taken during the new outlet launch:

Title: Here it is....
Date: 19th Dec 2007

Our Nikon D300 pro review is out!
Read it all from this website...

The review is split into two parts, Sean's part first, and mine, next week onwards.
His review covered how the D300 fairs on casual shooting and mine, on commercial shooting.

Go on, and read what we think about this camera.

Title: Nikon D300 pro review.
Date: 23rd Nov 2007

Got hold of the Nikon D300 from Nikon Malaysia last Friday for a full 'what-the-pros-think' review. One of the first few to arrive in Malaysia the day before. Spent 3 full days (errr... yes, Sat, Sun and Monday) using it to shoot our commercial assignment, beauty photography and also a trip down south with Sean Liew.

Check back soon, and read what we think of the D300.

In the meantime, look at the photo below, of Sangeeta, one of SGX Faces' latest model portfolio addition.
Don't you just love her classy stares.

And honestly, she's a gem of a talent,... brimming with patience and stamina. If you ask me, beauty shoots are the most physically demanding of all modeling assignments. And the photo below, taken brilliantly with the Nikon D300, is a result of Sangeeta teaching me a thing or two of what I sometimes forget,.... NOT GIVING UP.

Make-up by: Eunice Phang (I just love Eunice's passion to explore and experiment)

Title: What about this guy? Donny Osmond...
Date: 18th Nov 2007

What about this guy? Remember him?
Well, let's be honest,... if you are born after 1979, don't bother asking,...

We practically grew up watching these on TV:
- 6 Million Dollar Man
- The Gemini Man
- Mission Impossible (Yes,... when Tom Cruise was still yet to enter Junior High)
- Bionic Woman
- Combat
- Man From Atlantis (what is Josh Duhamel now, was to us back then, Patrick Duffy)
- and yes,... Donny and Marie...



Go visit Donny Osmond's website at www.donnyosmond.com ; you would be surprised with his voice! This dude still has it, I tellsya!
Have you seen his son?


Photos courtesy of www.corbis.com (one of them coolest stock photo website!)

Mark Harris (yup, Patrick Duffy)... The guy who can breathe under-water. Don't you all just love his sub? He's a survivor of the ancient city of Atlantis, yknow?

Title: Staphanie Mun
Date: 11th Nov 2007

Remember her?
Pretty and intelligent pharmacist; not to mention a Faces model too :)

Shots done in Bukit Damansara, at Dentsu's foyer... And guess what? It was done using the Auto mode of a Nikon P5000 prosumer.
I just realized what to teach in my Nikon Academy classes in future to make the students catch up faster; To let em shoot auto first to capture the Framing, Angles, Color and Tilting correctly,... the basics of beginners photography is to get them to realize how important FACT is (yup, it stands for: Framing, Angles, Color and Tilting)

Framing:
To know what to include in the picture and what not to. Notice for picture no 2, I did not include all the cars on the left and right of her, otherwise it will make her look as if she's a parking attendant.

Angle:
You should almost always take your photos from 'seldom-seen-before' angle.
What is the fun if you always stand straight, put the camera infront of your face and shoot. The angles that you get will be, ho hum, oh-so-common, done-to-death.
My tip: for shooting portraiture, you will never get it wrong if you shoot the subject up to waist level, with you at a lower angle than the subject. You should almost always never be taller than the subject... this will make her look 'dwarfy'. Beware!
Note: Look at Staphanie's picture on the bottom left (yes, above picture)...

Color:
Remember what we taught in class about using complimentary color?
It's to know what color to put in the picture so that it gives that visual excitement.
Note how I put a orange frame on picture no 2 of Staphanie? It brings your attention to this picture, doesn't it?
Also note what the off-green windows-sign did to picture No 1 of Staphanie's portrait above.

Tilting:
You will realize that most of my photos are tilted, some almost as much as close to 40 degrees. But be warn, avoid anything more than that, really. I have seen one too many over-zealous beginners tilting their photos to the extend you can't tell if it's shot as a portrait or a landscape.
Note: Look at the picture above; the bottom right picture of Staphanie, you will notice that the venetian blinds played witness to how much I had tilted the shot.

You see, with a simple camera like this, you cannot get to mess with ISO, Aperture, White Balance, Shutter settings, thus it compels you to only concentrate on using FACT to make your picture stunning, which is more important for beginners. Many of them want to see their photos turn out nice, to begin with.

Title: Commercial Shoots in The Gym
Date: 10th Nov 2007

What we have been doing...

Title: First interview in 7 years,... and he has to look like one of my favorite models
Date: 10th Nov 2007

MJ:

Eva Wong:

You tell me! Sorry Eva,... I just can't help but to notice it! I did not say you LOOK like him, it's the other way round...

Title: And it's time for a COMBO-BLOG!
Date: 21st Oct 2007

Cheryl blogs Andrew:

"You are very funny. And your bald hair now is nice to touch! Thanks for showing me 'Habbo Hotel' and 'City of Heroes'. I am invincible... I am Ice Crystal!"

Andrew blogs Cheryl:

"Your hair is nicer when you part them in the middle. And I shall see you in City Of Heroes, and let's go kick some bad butts!"

Title: iMac is ONE year old
Date: 12th Oct 2007

Happy Birthday 1 year old, iMac.
He celebrated his birthday today. Michelle treated him to:
-a piece of cake (yes, with 1 little candle on top)
-a fried drumstick (he loves the bone-bone)
-his favorite fruit, apple

Happy Birthday, and many more to come, MacMac...

Title: Nikon D40 and D40x seminar in Penang
Date: 6th Oct 2007

Thank you, to all those who attended today's seminar in Penang.
The pleasure has been ours, to have been able to teach such a participative class. The turn out was good (40 eager participants).

This is the ONLY seminar that everyone was ON time, and we did our record-breaking 'start-at-9.00am-sharp' seminar today. Happy :)


Describing the various Focusing techniques, I bet this must be about Half Shuttering... (I like this photo very much, SL)


Sean teaching how to use Nikon's Capture NX. Boy, it was going for RM299 during the seminar! Grab it, dudes, i KID you not!


She's happy to see that her photos turned out so well! I am happy to see her shooting such great shots! Proud of you, lady!


Cellphones OFF,... cameras ON... really!


The greatest joy: Seeing more and more female photographers going for Nikon DSLRs. Keep it up, girls!


Nicole, Botak, Sean and Amy. Nicole and Amy, the models for this seminar. Don't you just love Vivid mode setting in shooting portraits?
Sean's milestone discovery,... bravo!


Nicole never fail to amaze me with her endless creative poses. One of the best pro models any pro photographer can wish to work with. Effortless!


Yes, he can touch me bald head ANYTIME,... one of the best pro photographers to work with: my partner, my business-soul-mate, my fellow Nikon Evangelist, and most importantly, my best pal,... Sean Liew.


Whoever who took this shot,... Great Shot! It tells so much of a story. That's the strap on my Nikon FM2.
Nikon Professional Services is a global priority service to Nikon pros. It's like the passport to 'queue-jumping services' worldwide.
You flaunt this strap, and your camera servicing gets top priority attention, in any Nikon service centers, worldwide.

Well, if you are a full-time pro and provide your services globally, you might want to check this cool, by-invitation-only membership out: NPS

Title: Andrew the Botak
Date: 25th Sept 2007

Have you ever shaved your head bald?
Well, trust you me on this, it's a strange feeling.
Your head, that has not been exposed to any 'touch' sensation is now just so exposed.
And touching your head, gives off such funny and tingling sensation.

And many people say that not everyone can look good being bald. My question to you,.. "Do I look better being bald?"
Hahahaha... you tell me... but too late anyway.

Photos by Emily and Matthew. Great portrait works, gang!

Title: Christiane's Macro Beauty shots
Date: 9nd Sept 2007

Christiane, my model for macro beauty. She's from Germany. Thanks, for modeling for my exhibition; and may you have a safe flight back to Stuttgart. We shall meet again, I am sure...

Title: Macro Beauty, like you have never seen before!
Date: 2nd Sept 2007

Macro Beauty, nailed beautifully using only Nikon CLS (5 SB flashes) and 2 Nikon D80s.
A primer of some of our submissions to Kuala Lumpur Photo Festival exhibition and public forum.

I specialize in Macro Beauty photography.

Macro Beauty is a method of photography that is a subset of Beauty photography.
Beauty photography is photography where the subjects are beautifully and perfectly made-up and accessorized.
The models or the subjects have to be super beautiful and possess flawless features.
This kind of photography are normally used by professional commercial clients such as cosmetic companies, jewelers, and the beauty related industry.
Macro Beauty, is an even tougher class of Beauty photography. This approach of photography concentrates on close-up shots of beauty, such as focusing only on a pair of perfectly drawn lips, flawlessly made-up pair of eyes.
The make-up has to be FLAWLESS, the model has to possess smooth skin, and the jeweleries have to be clear and sharp.

Because of the stringent demand in quality and such a niche method of shooting, only a handful of photographers world-wide specialize in Macro Beauty. I doubt there's anyone else in Malaysia doing Macro Beauty, apart from my partner Sean Liew.

In our version, we decided since day one to make things even tougher. We demand ZERO touch-up on all our photos. That's our requirement to everyone: the models, the lighting crew, the make-up artists, the post-pro team and the photographers. DO NOTE the pores on the skin, strongly showing off the none touch-up approach we took.

(Some photos below do, however, go thru some 5% contrast and level adjustments, THAT'S IT. Nothing else.
No cropping, no sharpening, no touch-up, no cloning, no masking, no blurring, no tilting, Nothing of those sort.
Honestly, making those level adjustments are already shameful by our standards... but let's make an exception THIS time, since I need to display them on computer screens.)

As such, we only managed to pull around 12 shots in 12 hours (some photos take more than 1 hour to prepare).

Thank you to:
-Nikon Malaysia (for sponsoring this production shoot)
-Sean Liew (his mother of all shot below,... breath-taking)
-Sue (our SB900, Happy Birthday! It's her birthday today!)
-Mag (model from Faces)
-Sabrina Q (model from Faces)
-Nicole Ong (model from Faces)
-Cheryl (child-model from Faces)
-Elle (our pro make-up artist)
-Eunice (our pro make-up artist)
-Ariff (production shots)
-Michelle (studio management)
-Shireen Ng (for the expensive-a$$ jeweleries)

SEE YOU ALL IN TIMES SQUARE (6th floor) ON THE 15TH OF SEPTEMBER 2007, during this exhibition. (yup, my birthday!)

Sean's mother-of-all shots! Only post production = increase contrast by 5%. Too good to believe, ain't it?






This, I call RainBlow

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