Am having friends lamented that they don't understand my photos in my first photobook (空のキャンバス / Sora no Canvas), despite they enjoy those photos. Since I am not able to reprint previous edition so I guess I make explanation or lore behind those photos as a blog and share it as supplement for those who owned the book. Alright, let's go!
A lone crow/raven on cloudy sky, a good cover to carry the meaning of 'sky' as canvas. When I picked up camera again in 2023 (didn't have extra money for photography gears prior to this), my photography journey was quite lonely so I guess I projected it on this bird. To me, photography is akin to illustration, but with existing dots, lines, forms and colors. Film, frame and light sensor is the canvas.
Morning sun ray as I was heading back home. If there is something you feel is off for this photo as compare to the rest, yes, this is the only photo that is not photographed in Penang (but Sabah).
Built during 1970s, this footbridge of Penang in front of island's ferry jetty was the oldest footbridge in Penang. It was banged by lorry in 2014 but the bridge was still safe for crossing after repair but it was not lucky for second crash by lorry again in 2020. Due to the damage caused has ruined main structure to the point that it was no longer safe for usage, city council/MBPP decided to dismantle and remove it. (1970 - Jul 2024)
Who doesn't know those cannons at Fort Cornwallis? Fun fact, they were not used as intended ever since they were installed so you'd say they are decorative?
Clock tower of Wisma Kastam or Malayan Railway Building. Built in 1909, now defunct as compare to its peer, Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower which is still functioning since 1897.
Flood lights served as flag post for koinobori (鯉のぼり) or carp streamer designed to symbolized Children's Day in Japanese culture. Obon in Penang started since 1970s by expatriate and was only stopped during Movement Control Order (due to COVID pandemic). It happens annually in Penang. This photo was arranged in this position to be read along with following 2 photos, to serve as framing/semantic of "tradition" or "faith".
Radio tower of TM at Jalan Burma. Not sure since when it was built but it always remind me of Tokyo Tower unknowingly. Perhaps I always wanted to travel to Japan? Color wise, dualistic basic color is catchy, too. This photo is placed in between of "tradition", "faith" to represent contrast of "technology" (God vs human).
Tower crossing of St George Church Penang. Built on 1818, it seems to be the oldest Protestant church in South East Asia according to Bishop Saw. Putting it on the right frame of 3 photos series since well, God is always right (I am a Protestant Christian).
How often can you find torii (鳥居) in Penang? Time to look up when you're exploring streets of George Town. This is located on top of Teh Clan Association Building at Hutton Lane. There is a Japanese restaurant (Koyote) at ground level, thus I believed that the ex-owner, the Japanese had closed relationship with building owner that he wanted to worship his deity at his convenience. If you notice the roof carefully, it is actually a mixture of Japanese and China architectures. This photo was added as another piece for "faith" series on previous page.
A random landscape took during a random stroll at Karpal Singh Drive (dusk). Chose this piece due to its warm and soft pastel tones and we can see Penang Bridge at the background, with mysterious vibe formed by the clouds and mists.
Sungai Satu outfall, Batu Feringgi. It was quiet when I discovered this place by accident. Now, it is packed with cafe (in containers format), people and litter. I wonder how the local residents think about this development?
Random clouds in the mid day at Fort Cornwallis. I was attending an exhibition at this historical site before it is closed for restoration funded by Think City. The weather was rather warm during that period of time so I decided to use this to represent the warm season in Penang.
Another one that reminds me of Tokyo Tower! Well, this time, is those lines of Sungai Pinang bridge I pass it almost every time I go out. It was built on 2008, to replace its previous version which was built on 1907. I am glad that MBPP chose this composite design from the proposals they received back in 2003 (they received 3 proposals).
More low cost housing is raising in Macallum! Malaysia is booming, it seems. While I was attracted to these cranes due to color scheme against the sky (yellow-blue), suddenly there was a crow flew into my frame (as they said, birds are friends for urban street photographers). It elevated my composition because suddenly, there is an implicit contradiction of "freedom-safety", for those house owners who are going to stay in their new houses, are they sacrificing their freedom over the safety (house loan)?
More flats, just in front of my window. It looks like a giraffe moving in our urban steel forests where clouds were softening the harshness of city. Together with previous 2 photos, this series represented "restructured Penang" when you are flipping to these pages.
A pigeon looked at the bustling of humans at little corner of Upper Penang Road. Though not as smart as crow, perhaps it may laugh at the vanity of human at its own pleasure and freedom.
Typical Malaysian work flow: 1 doing the actual work, 1 instructing and the other 1 watching/supervising. They were repairing roof of Southern Hotel, Muntri Street. Their tops were a nice color palettes (dual basic analogous colors). They are part of "restructured Penang" serires.
Nature vs Technology. Should Penang move towards digitalization (and more surveillance/data collection) while sacrificing its original green policy? We shall see. This is at the traffic light in front of 1st Avenue Mall, the heart of George Town. The mall got its name from the street where it is located, Magazine Road in local Hokkien dialect, is referred as the "1st/primary avenue/road".
Broken windows frames of old house at Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling before it was renovated as another new China restaurant. Those glasses blocked beautiful sky view behind them so I was thinking metaphorically, "when there is too much moderation and correctness, are we missing the truth?"
Lighthouse dome of Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal building. The cloud behind it, coupled with the dome shape, made an interesting composition of torch alike photo, as if the tower was a burning torch, smoking at dusk hours.
Hawker scene at Lebuh Presgrave during dusk, where the last few beams of lights, casting golden linings among the clouds. I started a satay stall with my dad back in 2003 when I left Agape Counselling Centre Malaysia due to burnout. Our stall is still thriving.
Moon shots, indeed, for iPhone. iPhone 15 Pro Max can photograph moon with its 120mm focal length and sometimes, -2 EV exposure compensation (depending on natural light conditions at the point of photography). Give it a shot if you're using iPhone 15 Pro or later models.
The most favorite photo in my collection selected by my audience. It was an accidental composition whereby I was not even aware that I was holding that rainbow umbrella. There were double rainbows during that day (you can see the second arc on top of the visible one in this photo). I was walking home after swimming at Summer Place condominium. Seeing that there were 2 rainbows, I was talking some photos, just like any other joggers at Karpal Singh Drive. Suddenly, there was a child pointing on at my umbrella and said, "pelangi (rainbow in Malay)" and his dad replied with English counterpart. Quickly, I opened my umbrella and composed this photo (3 rainbows in total). Keeping this photo as last photo for this book because there is a symbolic meaning of "a promise to see you" in Japanese (虹の方へ) and Chinese (彩虹的約定).
So, would I see you again?
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