St Ignatius Church got talents

This is Part Two of the 25th SIC Anniversary Family Fiesta 2013.
Let's continue with what St Ignatius Church has to offer. Rough observation during the event, I would say SIC got plenty of talents.
I am glad that they showcase their talent during this beautiful event which marked the 25th year the existance of St Ignatius Church. Proud to say that SIC is my Church, my place of worship and fellowship.

Let's meet this wonderful talents that grace the event and entainment the Church as a whole.

All images taken with Olympus OM D E-M5 and lens 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3

Norah Khor, a freelance artist and she is also a part of our SIC Scripture Study Group.

25th SIC Anniversary Family Fiesta 2013

As the days come near for the 25th St Ignatius Church (SIC) Anniversary Family Fiesta 2013, I have to make a decision on the gear which I have to take the photograph during this special event. The choice is either Nikon D7000 and lens Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC which I have used during ALL my previous official Church events or company events OR make a change with my new Olympus OM D E-M5 with it's kit lens 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3.

Some of my friends said the OM D E-M5 kit lens is good but not good enough for official assignment. They suggest that I better get 12mm f/2.0 and 45mm f/1.8 for performance in low light and better image quality. I want to have those two awesome lens if I can but my pocket is very shallow and very tight on the budget. Beside I have finished off my 2013 budget for camera and lens.

I am a jungle man and a martial artist. Normally the limitation gives me a push to bring out my best in doing of what I have to do. That's why I opted for the Olympus OM D E-M5. It's a challenge.  In the midst of all these, I have a thought like "If Robin Wong can do it 90%, I can do it 10% is already very good."

The event was great and the shooting was fantastic but when I open the images on my Notebook that Sunday night, I am doomed. ALL the photographs that I have taken during the event were horrible.
I cried out, "Oh My God! I need help."
First thought come to my mind, first thing in the morning I have to contact Robin Wong for console or any help he can give to at least how to make this images look better. I prefer shooting right than editing later. My Church Web Editor will screw me and his confident on this Olympus OMD E-M5 will surely drop as I am promoting this tool to him. I could not sleep that night, worrying of what I have done for being so confident in this new tool.

But when Monday came, I uploaded the same images to my PC and this is what I get which I will share with you. Appreciate your comment on these images for my growth. Beside you may go to my Flickr to view the the Out Of Camera version.

All images taken with Olympus OM D E-M5 and lens 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 and no flash.

SIC2013 Form 5: Confirmation

On Saturday. April 27th a group of 114 Form 5 student had gone through the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Ignatius Church(SIC), Kelana Jaya with was celebrated by the Kuala Lumpur Archbishop Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam and assisted by SIC Parish Priest Father Lucas Ng.

Four photographers were alloacated for the event namely Ken Cham, Daniel Khong, Aaron and I. Daniel Khong and Aaron incharge of taking photos of those with the Archbishop and I am alone with Father Lucas Ng. While Ken Cham as our chief and Web-Editor keep an eye on us from some where.

Advantage of being alone is no double flash and you are in control of your shots. Disadvantage is you may missed the shot due to wrong camera setting or batery power run out. But I still like being alone and I treasure everyone of my shot. Most of the time I capture more than one shot at one scene and select the good one. I shoot in RAW format as a security of my image.

All images taken with Nikon D7000 and lens Tamron 17-500mm f/2.8 VC.

(Note: All of the photos had been uploaded to my John Ragai Flickr in ORIGINAL form so that ALL the confirmed can download their photos in their own time. )

Group Portrait with the Archbishop and the Parish Priest

Sacrament of Confirmation started with prayer by the Archbishop

Priestly Ordination at St John Cathedral

I am privilege to attend a Priestly Ordination at St John Cathedral, Bukit Nenas in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, January 24th, 2013. 

The theme for the Priestly Ordination was “All things to all men. 1 Cor 9:22”.

The four Deacons that were ordained on that special occasion were Deacon Augustine Lee, Deacon Gregory Chan, Deacon Chin Sin Wee and Deacon Peter Anthoney.

SIC Christmas Eve 2012

I am glad to here at St Ignatius Church to give a helping hand and a plus as it's my passion to shoot. But on the other hand I am sad as I not with my old parents and family back home in Sarawak. Actual I have replaced my Christmas holiday with a normal holiday back in October 2012. So i can not afford any more long annual leave.
In the beginning, I thought Agnes and I will be outstation maybe Tanjung Sepat Gold Beach. But my heart keep on telling me something else...Christmas at SIC.

Well, here I am. Late on 23rd December, my Church Website Editor ask me if I am available for the photo session on midnight or Christmas Eve mass. He knows my answer will be 'Ok'. Later on the 24th, he added with "Is it ok if you go solo?" That is not so good as I am planning to test my camera D7000 with ISO at 1000. Normally I am shooting at ISO 800 and the images look good but can be better. If two shooter, I am safe but solo I am asking for trouble.
What do you think I will do?
I am an adventure guy and I like challenge. I continue with my plan as I believe that Jesus will help me. Furthermore this is His Birthday. Well, Birthday Boy, here we go.

Wish you "MERRY CHRISTMAS". May the Spirit of Christ filled your heart and your life with joy, peace and loads of LOVE.

ALL images taken with Nikon D7000 and lens Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC with Flash SB910.

 This time, the Church gives me a name tag.

SIC Parish Assembly 2012

Last Saturday, St Ignatius Church Petaling Jaya held the Church Parish Assemly 2012. As usual, I am there to capture the moment. In other word, I have to cancel my planned weekly shutter therapy in Kuala Lumpur Street. Well, let's consider this as one of those shutter therapy session, the main point is I am still shooting.
Normally I am not posting an official photography session either for the St Ignatius Church or DKSH (the company I am attached to.) but I think it's more complete if I also post those with their respective Editor or Communication Manager's approval. Furthermore it still a shutter therapy for me.

You may further read on this event at the official website of St Ignatius Church.

These are the images that I captured during the event at St Ignatius Church.

All images taken with Nikon D7000, Tamron SF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II VC LD IF and Nikon Speedlight SB910.

 The Church Building: St Ignatius Church, Petaling Jaya.

SIC Altar Servers' Commission 2012

First of all, I would like to thanks God for giving me the opportunity to use my talent to help the Church to capture the special moment in the life of her parishioners.
I know I have lots to learn on photography either on camera function, camera setting, lighting, my eyes to see what to capture, photography techniques, photography as an art etc but that won't stop me from shooting anything or anybody that worth capturing on my camera.

Good Bye, Alda Evan Tan

As every Monday, I headed for St Ignatius Church, Kelana Jaya except today we were having a SIC Scripture Study facilitator meeting. I wonder why so many car at the church. Someone told me that there was a body in the parlour.
Wonder who?
As I took photos of the evening sunset and the flowers around the church, my friend Ignatius Massang came by with his beloved son. Actually we had been not seeing each other for few years. He mentioned that his beautiful wife is still at work.

Then he told me that his friend passed away. In my heart, I said if it's his friend then I should have known.
I do not ask him who was in the parlour but instead I went upstairs to do my meditation.

We started out meeting at around 8.00pm and the first thing our Chief Co-ordinator Mr Francis Khoo mentioned was the passing of our senior SIC member's son. He mentioned the name as Alda Tan.

I am curious as my heart pumped faster and I ask, "Is it Alda Evan Tan?"

He responded with, "Yes. He passed away at 4.45AM this morning."

Sadness overcome me as my soul pray in tongue.

I may not know him and never meet him personally but through my prayer since I first knew about him as in my blog , I am close to him in my soul.

During our SIC Scripture Study meeting, my heart was trouble and I can not wait to say good bye to the friend whom I never meet.

I rushed down to the parlour and the Charismatic Group was reciting the Rosary. Brother Richard Lai motioned with his hand to me to join them. My heart was really trouble and I prayed in tongue outside the parlour. When the rest of my group arrived, I joined them inside to recite the Rosary and Divine Mercy prayer.  I just lost my words and pray in the words I do not know.

After the prayer, I sprinkled the holy water on his photo and then moved to the coffin and through the glass, I saw him face to face. Laying peacefully in the coffin was our late brother Alda Evan Tan.

No words just a tingle in my heart said, "Good bye, my friend".

"Heavenly, our brother Alda Evan Tan's soul rest in peace. May his parents, his sister, his wife and children be comforted by your love and grace. Grant them the strength and courage to overcome the passing of their beloved one. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen."

Easter & Baptism 2012

Easter & Baptism 2012, a set on Flickr.

This a collection of photos during Easter Virgil, Lighting of Easter Candle, Baptism, Prayer Over during Confirmation, Annointing for confirmations, First Holy Communion for new Baptized, Group photos.
Photography:
Tools:
Camera: Nikon D7000
Lens: Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC LD Aspherical (IF)
Others: Good eyes
Camera Setting:
Exposure Program: Manual
Metering Mode: Matrix
Shutter Speed: 1/60s or 1/30s
Aperture: f/2.8 or 4
ISO: 800
Focal Length: Variables
Flash: None (Need $$ for Flash)

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday, a set on Flickr.