Series: While I wait for takeoff ...

S27R: Hong Kong International Airport
Nikon D80

Let's Get Some Shade: Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Nikon Coolpix 7900

Pin's off now: Tan Son Nhat International, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Nikon Coolpix 7900

Work's done: Hong Kong International Airport
Nikon D80

Cleared for takeoff ! Hanoi International Airport

Nikon D80

Goodbye ! Narita International Airport, Japan
Nikon D80

Traveling as much as I do, I do spend a lot of time gazing out of the window in ever shrinking economy class seats in airplanes.

All that tarmac time has resulted in a modest collection of photos capturing the work that goes on in ensuring all of us gets to take off. There is an amazing amount of support work that goes into preparing every flight for takeoff. Here, the lens captures some of the work that goes into making sure we're all good to go.

There's nothing technical at all to share in this series, just some notes on the photos themselves.

"Let's Get Some Shade" shows a refuelling personnel taking refuge from the hot midday sun in KLIA, while waiting for refuelling to complete. Airplanes take a lot more time than F1 cars to refuel !

Planes do not have reverse gears, so they are pushed out by little tow trucks. Once in position, the tow trucks will have to be released, and this is done by removing a certain pin. Once the pin's removed, the engineer will stand and show the pin to the pilot.

This is where you get the waving in the photo "Cleared for takeoff ! ".

In "Pin's off now", the engineer is seen walking away from the plane after removing the pin. I meant to take a photo of the engineer waving, but the point and shoot I had wasn't responsive enough to photograph the quick wave the engineer gave the pilot.

In "Goodbye !", the engineer is waving, while support staffs give the traditional bow. I love this photograph for what it reminds me of Japanese society.

My personal favorite in this series is "Work's Done". The composition just feels right to me !

Series: Bali Sunset

While going I was doing some housekeeping and posts migration, I came across my collection of Bali photos from my 2005 Bali vacation.

That was one of the defining moments in my photography journey, a point in time when I came to discover my passion for taking photos. Some of the photos which I took looked really impressive then.

Looking back now, with a little more technical knowledge, I realised that I've unknowingly taken some 'technical' photos with my trusty ol' Nikon Coolpix 7900.

In a change from the other photos on this blog, there will be no technical information. Just enjoy the series here on Bali's famous sunset.

Curtain Call

Moz's notes: Taken at Seminyak beach (also known as the beach next to Kuta) on the final night in Bali, this photo was deliberately taken to counter balance the clouds and the sea. I was really timing it so that the waves at the bottom and the clouds would balance each other. It took a few tries, but the result was worth the extra shutter clicks.




Tanah Lot Sunset

Moz's notes: The famous Tanah Lot is probably the most photographed spot in Bali. A temple built on a small rocky outcrop just off the beach, it is inaccessible during high tide. The sunset from this place is really hypnotic, but most tourists see it from west of the temple, where they just see the sun setting into the sea. I'm sure it's nice, but nowhere as dramatic as this - seeing the the sun setting with the silhouette of the majestic temple. To get a good spot, I waited there for a good 2 hours ! Talk about patience !

Play time !

Moz's notes: A bunch of children having a good time. What better subject for a sunset photo?

Gazing at Beauty

Moz's notes: The previous few days at Bali, the sun sets were spectacular, yes, but the skies were devoid of clouds, which really adds a lot of drama to the sunset. So, I was really hoping for a little bit of cloud on my last evening in Bali. My wishes came true, and a most beautiful sunset came about. No wonder people can't help but gaze at the beautiful end to a most happy day !

Bliss

Moz's notes: I have unknowingly applied the rule of thirds here - both horizontally and vertically. Looking back at the archives, this is the first time I've done that - my previous photos were mostly center aligned. Back in the days when you can only take 36 photos per roll of film, I guess it was more important to align your pictures properly so that everything is centered. Digital had allowed the freedom of experimentation which gives rise to 'creative' shots.

Kuta, Legian and Seminyak may not be the best beaches in the world, but gazing at the sunset, they are second to none, and I miss Bali lots just looking at these photos. I'll be back !

Place: Ayutthaya

Chedi
f/8, 1/400s, Nikon Coolpix 7900

Ayutthaya is one of my favorite destinations in Thailand. Cut out Pattaya. No Phuket for me. Ayutthaya is the place to be in.

It's the capital of the old kingdom of Siam before it was looted and sacked by the Burmese after a long drawn siege. The old ruins reminds one of the times past, and the whole place just has a very peaceful air to it now. Walking in Ayutthaya is just like taking steps back in time, with plenty of ruins to savor, and plenty of good food around as well.

This is a picture taken at the Phukao Tong, also known as the Central Chedi, which is an Thai tower built on a Burmese foundation. It's a little out of the way, so it doesn't get as crowded as some of the other ruins do.

It was here that I learnt just how important light is in photography. The tower has 4 faces just like this, but the other 3 are no well lighted by the setting sun. So, I walked around to this face which was facing the setting sun to take this picture. The bonus is the great sky in the background.

There are few shots that remind me of Ayutthaya on its own. This is one of them.