Wedding Event - Kimmy & Chris

The Year 2011, 11th of November that is 11.11.11 is so special for most people who believe in the power of numbers. Do you believe in the power of numbers? It seems that people of all walk of life in Malaysia believe in the power of numbers. This can be justified by the thousand of Malaysian's couples took their vow "I Do" on that day which included our beloved friends, Kimmy Teaw and Chris Yap.

When I first got invited for their dinner wedding which was held at SSTwo Mall on 13th November 2011, my first reaction was, "Is it? Wow!! that's great!!"

When good friends get married it's a wonderful thing and we thanks them for inviting us to share their wonderful moment with us. I love those smiling faces and laughters during the event like this.

The next thing come to my mind was, "This is a good opportunity for me to take wedding photos but always remind myself of where I stand. Hired photographer comes first. Remember!!!" I think I can handle that.

On the afternoon of 13th November, I fully charged my camera battery. I took a waist pouch and packed my camera Nikon D7000 attached with my new lens Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G. It fitted nicely in my waist pouch. There will be alot of running around with this 50mm and carrying a waist helps my movement.
Then again I think, why not bring along another lens, Sigma DC 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3. It's a non-OS lens. I also packed in my waist pouch. How about speedlight? I need it for better lighting but just out of budget at the moment. Maybe next year budget.
When my wife and I entered a lift at the car park to the restaurant at SSTwo Mall, I am glad to see Kimmy, Chris and their hired photographer from micasa-bridal-house. It's just like being fixed that I should know this photographer better and yet till the end we never introduce ourselves. He is a good looking guy with a friendly smile. hope to know him one day. I thank him for the opportunity to get some critical shots.

The guest registration and angpows receiving table at the hall entrance.

Both couple received their friends.

Dedicated table for Kimmy and Chris' friend from DKSH. There are a few tables.

The couple entering the dinner hall.

The main table where the couple will be seated.

The couple seated at their table while their hired photographer captures 'the special moment' of Kimmy and his mother having a private conversation.

The couple learned to work as one family in cutting wedding cake.

Pouring two bottles of Champagne into one glass as one family.

 Kimmy and Chris new family taking a toast with their guests.

 Yum!!!! Seang!!!

And up it goes.....

Kimmy helps his wife Chris down the stage stairs.

Our Brother Law sings a lovely song for the couple.

Janet ask, "Did you capture their picture?"

Kimmy and his Biker's friends.

The wedding dinner is over and the guest head for the entrance.

I hope I got the right shots that make the event 'wedding dinner' and I will try to make it much better next wedding dinner event which will be this coming Sunday, November 20th, 2011.

You may also visit my Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnragai/sets/72157628140114290/

Appreciate your comment on this blog and it's images.

Peace and love to all.
John Ragai

My First Church Event Photograpghy

Finally I am back to my normal self but before I go for a Krabi Trip, I have promised Ken Cham who is an Editor at SIC Communication Ministry to give him the answer to his invitation to join his team. I think hard and pray to God who loves me.

I am a 'point and shot' camera person but I am too new to DSLR. My wife just bought our Nikon D7000 on August 30th, 2011. Eventhough I have enrolled myself in the online e-course on Photograpghy but I just completed the Basic Photograpghy. The Intermediate Photograghy will be next. I am stuck but then I remember what Ken Rockwell said in his website, "the way to learn photograpghy is focus on pictures and take pictures." Ok. I can do that furthermore I have given this camera for God's glory not mine.

I was attending a Christian Meditation Seminar at SIC on October 1st, 2011 and I informed Ken that I accept his invitation to be part of his team. In my heart, I hope they won't ask me to take any photo yet until I am ready. I said, "YES" because I trust God and depend on God to help me. Very naughty child of God.

With a joyful heart and confident I tell my Lord Jesus, "I am here for you, Lord."

So confident without knowing what lays ahead.

We finished the seminar around 3.30pm and at the evening mass the Church will have 11 special children baptism.

Sure this one is not for me to bother as I just said "Ok" a few hours ago doesn't meant that I have to work today also.

At 4.30pm, Ken called me and tell me that I have a duty. In nervous voice, I ask him back, "What duty?" Then he explained to me that one of SIC official photographer is having another appointment.

God is good!! He always gives me a surprise and yet He really takes good care of me.

When I said "I will do it" to Ken, I tell God that He gets me into this situation He has to help me as I am nervous and limited knowledge of Event Photography. What are their rule and etiquette in taking picture in the church?

In God I Trust.

I think even the priest is not inform of my presence as the Church Official Photographer but when we finished, Ken did mention to the Priest that I am part of his team. The priest just smiled.

Overall its a great experience and love to do it again.

These are some of the shots that I captured.

At the Entrance of the Church

 Followed by the anointing and pray over of the children before baptise...

Then comes the Baptism with water....

The new baptised offering...

The newly baptised first Holy Communion....

New baptised prayer then the group photo

 Last but not the least, the new baptised receive their certificate.

The photos are not good enough in many areas but I think I have covered most of the photos required.

Dear friends and visitor, I really need your comment on this event photography as I need to improve fast.
I am using Sigma Lens DC 18-200mm which is my only lens at the moment. (without VR/IS/VC)
I need your help as this will be my task for years to come as I promise my Lord.
Thank you for being here and may you have a great time.

Krabi - Day Three

Welcome back dear friends and visitors. 

May your days be filled with joy and may your nights be filled with peace. 

As promised I am here to journey back in time with you to the 3^rd Day of our Trip to Krabi, Thailand.

After having our Thai Massage last night, my wife and I decided not to follow the rest of the group for shopping at Krabi Town instead we decided to go for another island trip.

The tour packages available for us are:

1.       Phi Phi Island Tour

2.       Hong Island Tour

3.       James Bond Island

As we came down from our massage center, we came across this travel agent called Aonang Photo Travel and they offer us good bargain at 800 Bath per pax. 

The destination will be Phi Phi Islands. We grabbed the offer as a child grabs a toy. Normal price was 1800 bath per adult and 1200 bath per child.

Our planned destinations for the day:

1.       Bamboo Island – to explore the coral and it’s beach.

2.       Hin Klang – open sea snorkeling experience.

3.       Phi Phi Don – lunch at Restaurant

4.       Monkey Bay – sightseeing and photography

5.       Viking Cave – Sightseeing and photography

6.       Pileh Bay – Sightseeing a fantastic lagoon.

7.       Lohsamah Bay – Snorkeling

8.       Maya Bay – Hollywood film, ‘The Beach’ location.

That was our plan for the 3^rd day which depends on the weather and sea condition.

At 9.15am we arrived at the pier and took a two engine speedboat.



Small Island that we passed by.

 At 9.28am we stop at Centara Grand Beach Resort and Villa to fetch more members of our team.

At 9.32am we stop again at Railay Village Resort to fetch the last batch of our members which total to 23 members. 

By right this Two engine Speedboat can carry 25 passengers.

Only Agnes and I are Asian in our group while the rest are from United States, France, Spain, Italy and Australia. All of them know how to swim except my wife Agnes but nobody knows about it until we turn back due to rough sea.

At 10.25am we stop at our first Island which is Bamboo Island. Bamboo Island has a beautiful white beach, a good place for relaxing and sunbathing. 

Dark clouds are in the horizon which shows the rain is coming.

A good scenery for photography but bad for your sea journey as the waves are getting bigger and higher with strong winds coming our way.

I wish I could FLY..

As the sea is getting rougher and the winds are blowing stronger, we decided to have an early buffet lunch in a Restaurant at Phi Phi Don. 

According to our guide, Michelle, once this place had been washed by the tsunami and most of the buildings were newly build.

Now our plan seems to be doomed. By now the waves were too high and sometimes the water comes into our boat. We are going for a Roller Coaster ride in the big waves and strong wind.

At 12.41pm we stop by the Monkey Bay for a few minutes just for sightseeing and snap some photos. We do not go onto the sandy beach of this bay. According to plan we should be snorkeling here and play with the friendly monkeys.

We moved one and at around 12.45pm we stop by the Viking Cave bay for sightseeing and snap some photos. We can not do much as it’s raining and waves rocked our boat. I could not snap any pictures, I just could not gamble with my new Nikon D7000 in this weather.  According to our guide, Viking Cave is a place to collect bird’s nest and it is under private property. No one is allowed to enter the cave.

We drive on to our next destination in the rough sea and heavy rain.

[After coming back home, my wife told me that this sea adventure is the most interesting one for her. She really enjoyed this trip. ]

At 1.00pm we enter the Pileh Bay, a fantastic and beautiful lagoon. It’s just like a room surround by mountains with a small outlet to the open sea. Sea people would love this place for hiding from the rough sea. Here we have our snorkeling and swimming in the blue clear water with a bit of drizzling. The water is calm as the lake as compare to the rough sea outside.

 And I went underwater...

All back in the boat...

Then we drive on to our main destination which is Maya Bay which is surrounded by mountain and white sand. This is the location for the movie “The Beach.” 

Most of my group asked the driver to continue the journey despite the rough sea but due to the sea getting rougher and rougher and the waves getting higher which really rocked our big speedboat. And one of the young boys from Moorty family started to shout and cry. The boys are sitting in the front of the boat with their father. They moved the boy inside the boat with his mother. Water is splashing into our boat as we cut through the waves. Then we know that going forward is too dangerous for our life. We have no choice but to turn back. As we turned back, the waves hit us from the side and that time I thought it’s all over but God is merciful, we still manage to laugh in those critical times.

Then we head for our last destination for the day which is Lohsama Bay for snorkeling and swimming. We were in Lohsama Bay for only 30 minutes as the weather is not encouraging to stay longer.

 Time to go back to Ao Nang Beach....

And I ended the day with this image....and a nice aromatic massage.

And the next day, we head for home....""Bye, Bye, KIKI!!"

We can't wait to be home...

I hope you enjoy the rough journey and thank you for being here.

If you plan to have a vacation in Krabi, make it a week as 4 days 3 nights are just too short to enjoy what Krabi has to offer.

Hope to see you in Koh Samui next year.