{Guess which one is the groom}

I know we photojournalists are supposed to be good at summarizing one good story in one picture. However, sometimes, a sequence of photos can tell as much, if not more. It gives some dynamism to the visuals and enhance the story-telling qualities of the documentary.




Venue; Goodwood Park

{Economy}
I wonder if anyone, like me, has noticed that prices in Singapore have risen faster than what the government would like us to believe.

I mean, beside wedding day photography rates, the prices of petrol, bread, flats, ERP charges, noodle soup, utility bills, rentals, advertising fees, raw otah from Malaysia, peanuts, pork and many other items who have yet to directly hit my wallet or that has escaped my attention.

Some items have risen more than 50% (like some choice apartments which seem increasingly likely to remain a dream) and my daily bread has suddenly jumped from 60cents to 70 (that's more than 15%). Things are getting really expensive and with the threat of global inflation looming, the consequences of a suspected US rate cut is certainly a worrying and myopic measure.

{Transport}
Singapore drivers are a pain in the ass (if you are reading this and if you drive, but if you are also my friend, then I am referring to you). They think they are good drivers, by speeding recklessly, but what distinguish them from a Hamilton is Lewis knows when to apply the brakes.

They don't like to signal. You know sometimes a lane can be a right-turn lane as well as a forward lane (where they have 2 arrows), and some cars just stop at the red light and never signal their intention to turn right only after the traffic light turns green. I, being the foolish one (for being behind this car because I am going straight) will get stranded until the guy in front turns right. I think it's basic courtesy to signal early so that other drivers are forewarned early.

When they signal their attention to filter into my lane during tight situations, I will let them in in front of me (depending on my mood). Many many many of them thought that it was their skills that enabled them to filter in because I never never ever get a "thank you" gesture from them. That really turns me off and it makes me not wanting to give way in future and thus a vicious cycle ensues. We are simply not gracious enough to even say a Thank You.

Enough complaints.

I want to share another slideshow. This set of pictures are old but at that time, my post-processing skills weren't polished. After some new treatment and given a different interpretation, I love the effect of it. New wine from an old bottle can taste just as good, if not better!

Wedding Slideshow of Jodi & Christian

Thanks to Eiklin (my old friend from since Secondary School), I have finally caught up with the rest of the world by knowing how to upload videos/slideshows onto my blog. A little indulgence: a slideshow of some family snapshots taken over the last 20 months.


My Family Album

Wedding Slideshow of Vivienne & Ee Chong

I must admit I am not a very tech-savvy person (which seems to be quite rare among photographers).

After much ado, I have finally added a slideshow feature on my website (www.greymatterphotography.com). Future weddings will be added to that section in the form of a multimedia show.

Next, to figure out how to link the shows on my blog. That'll probably take another couple of months.....

Maybe some of you might remember Karen, Thios and Cookie.
They have come to me sometime back for a "family" photo and I have posted some pictures of them having fun at the beach.

This time round, they have a new member to the family......a baby of some sort.
Yes, the cute little bug.

{Gabriel}

It was my 1st time shooting at the Armenian Church along Hill Street.
A historical building surrounded by very quaint and nice greenery/cemetery. The church itself is very small, and space is a premium. However, the size works in Vivienne and Ee Chong's favour because it gives a very intimate and small-town feel, like a chapel wedding somewhere in the American midwest.

Fortunately, the morning rain stopped just at the right time, and for a long enough time for the couple to have an unforgettable wedding ceremony.

Another favourite subject of mine: children!
I like to do post-wedding photography. It gives me a lot of pleasure to know that clients still think of my photography years after they get married. Being part of people's lives seems too much a "responsibility" on my part, but if I can add value to them, it becomes an honour.

Yijie is the 20-month-old son of Victor and Mong Yen, who got married X years ago. One of my earliest clients, and I am thrilled to shoot little Yijie because he is such a talkative boy. The moment he hopped onto my car, he babbled non-stop, to the time he alighted the car and said "Uncle zai-jian!"

Troy & Yoko live and work in LA and they came back to Singapore for their traditional tea ceremony and banquet (Raffles Hotel).

It was a pretty relaxing affair as the couple themselves were relaxed. It was also my 1st time shooting a Japanese bride. The kimono looked gorgeous (of course the bride too) and it took Yoko and her mother 2 hours to put it on. Man!

I had the pleasure to photograph Aik Boon and Janice's wedding last Friday.
It started very early in the morning, but we were blessed with nice sunlight later on. Wedding was held in Marriott's and the couple spent 2 weeks doing a crash course in ball room dancing to put on a nice show for their guests.

The Wedding Photographers Network, WPN has done it again!
A few months ago, WPJA and Brides magazine (an internationally-circulated US bridal magazine) held a joint photo contest for WPJA members. Greymatter Photography is fortunate to come in 6th in one of the categories. The only other 2 top-ten winning photographers from Singapore are also WPN members: Kelvin Koh (Lightedpixels) and George Wong (A Photo Story). Congrats guys! Let's keep up the good work and keep the WPN flag flying.

KC Wong - Award Winning Singapore Wedding Photography



The only issue with the judges' comment is that this image is really a lucky snapshot. Good light, beautiful and spontaneous couple, one chance. There's nothing deper, really. I just snapped it when it happened.

"There has long been an adage that it isn't what you know that's important for getting ahead in the business world, it's who you know. Now it appears that what really counts is what you look like. According to research by US economists, the more time you soend combing your hair and polishing your shoes in the morning, the more money you are likely to earn once you finally make it intot he office."

I read this article in last Thursday's (Oct 4) Business Times, where by it is worryingly observed that "people are shallow in their judgements, they value showmanship over ability, and they are creating a culture of narcissism, in which the vain triumph over the worthy".

The findings sort of back up an increasing body of work that confirms that the better looking you are, the more successful you will be.

So, in a way, I am quite comforted that most clients' decisions are based on what they see on the photographers' websites (or really?). The thing about meeting up to gauge chemistry is not so relevant for me because 1. many clients book via email/or 3rd party; 2. I am a documentary photographer who stays behind the scenes and record the beautiful moments, not to create them and be part of them. We can be friends, but after the wedding.

It just surprisingly tied up well with my earlier posts about me being the faceless chef who cook up a nice feast to reward my customers. I wish we can have more discerning clients, otherwise, I'd have to invest in a better haircut.

I am sure it's old news by now, that there is a new wedding destination on the block, right in one of the most exclusive enclave in Singapore----Sentosa Cove.

The recently officially-launched One degree Fifteen Marina has positioned itself as a beautiful wedding venue by the sea. It's not difficult to see why: with million dollars yachts, blue waters and skies in the horizon serving as a backdrop, it gives other similar venues like Rasa Sentosa, The Sentosa (Beaufort), and The Amara Sanctuary a good run for the money. When the Integrated Resorts are completed, I expect more exciting wedding venues with different themes to spruce up on our little island and make Singapore one of THE wedding destinations in the region.

I was responsible for the photographs in the wedding brochure that the Marina is marketing to couples. It was done together with The Wedding Butler and the florist Secret Garden.

It was an interesting project. My only gripe is that the end product did not quite match up with the quality of the setup because the colours were unexpectedly muted. But then again....it's not my personal project, what can i say?

Clowning Around....

courtesy of Yu Wen's mum.

Some couples have asked me:"What can you do in 2 hours?"
They are referring to the number of hours I quote for pre-wedding shoots.
You see, I usually tell them I am not in favour of a full day shoot because I feel that
1. I will get tired, you will get tired, and tired faces don't make good pictures.

2. We can focus on just 1 nice location with a few possibilities. I can concentrate on getting quality shots and not be bothered by the logistics. Location-hopping will tend to result in shooting the formulaic and tried and tested because you have to...er, location-hop? In 1 location, I can observe and study the light and the elements there, to bring out the best, the unexpected, and thus make every session as unique as possible.

3. I can choose the best 2 hours of the day to shoot, usually near sunset, when there is excellent light. If couples can wake up early, I don't mind doing it at sunrise. :)

4. I will get tired, you will get....have I mentioned that already?

These are some of the pictures taken over a 2-hour period. I am very happy with the results. So do Alex and Amanda [I think. Haha (nervous laughter)].

Yu Wen also attends a 50-minute gym class at The Little Gym, which is at Forum. To my understanding, it's a mini-workout for kids that train them to be self-confident and agile. Of course, it's another opportunity for thm to interact with one another. The instructors there believe in not forcing the child to do what the child doesn't want to, but by slowly exposing them to the activities, the child will eventually accept them and enjoy them.

That's why you will see many children running around the gym like busy bees while the instructor is barking instructions to the care-givers. There are definitely merits to this system, as I personally won't want to force Yu Wen to do something against her wishes.

I am also worried that she might lose the ability to adapt herself to an Asian society and does not understand the meaning of teamwork, discipline and a moderate level of "conformity". If it's time to sleep, she should be sleeping. When it's time to bathe, she should bathe.

What's important is to strike a balance between western liberal style of education and asian style of discipline. I think Schoolhouse By The Bay can provide this. We shall see.....and today's a good start:Her 1st day in a school uniform.

I was told by the Justice of the Peace (JP) that Andy and Alice were the 8th couple out of the nine he had to solemnise on 29 September 2007. I actually didn't know it was such a hot date until then. Apparently, Alice didn't know it too when she picked the date.

Might as well, for it was a small and intimate dinner held at Halia Restaurant in the Botanical Gardens, far away from the maddening crowd in the city. I bet there was surely a jam when everyone reversed their cars to leave the banquet halls at the same time.

Finally, Yu Wen is in school---albeit a "playgroup" where nothing "academic" or "serious" are taught. We have mixed opinions on whether it is too early to send her to a school, but finally, we agreed that because she is the only child at home, we are afraid that she will not understand the concept of sharing and socialising (besides talking to adults).

It's a 3-hour session at Schoolhouse By The Bay (SBTB), located at Kampong Arang Rd. It was Gabriel Mendes who first introduced me to the school (See, we photographers share more than photo tips. His children go to Learning Ladder, which is the parent of SBTB).

I also did some research and found out that it is indeed well-received. Even though it is a bit far from where we live now, we decided to go for it because we will be moving house next year and it'll be much nearer. By enroling her there now and not after we move also ensure that Yu Wen need not make any adjustment.

1st Oct was her 1st day in the school and I was tasked with accompanying her for her 1st 3 hours. The next day, I left her alone in class after 30 mins and to my surprise, she didn't blink an eyelid, much less cry. I even saw her hold her classmates' hands when walking from one place to another, and that's something to cheer about because all along she never let anyone other than immediate family members hold her hands.

Even though it's still early days, seeing her adjusting so well despite my absence brings mixed feelings: she's taking yet another step towards independence, and she is taking one small step away from relying too much on daddy. I swear I felt a tear in my eyes.

Looking Lost...


Is she asking "Why? Daddy, why?"

Going to the canteen for some snacks

Dream weddings are well, weddings that most people dream about and hopefully also ones that can be realised. Many times, there are many constraints, be they budgetary, families, or logistics. Not many people are lucky enough to have all elements falling in place and working together for couples.

However, every couple deserves a good photographer who can document the best elements of their weddings. Every wedding is unique and special in some ways. The common thing is every wedding is a dream come true for couples in love.