During the “Let there be Light” seminar we held last February, we raised RM13,121.31 for the National Cancer Society of Malaysia. The funds came from auctioning five of Joe McNally’s photographs and the mentoring lunch with Joe and I. The check was presented to NCSM honorary advisor, Dato Zuraidah and managing director, Rubi-Ain Dahlan on July 2. It was very meaningful to partner with NCSM and rally fellow photographers to bring some happiness to our community. Sorry about the rather blurry image taken with my iPhone. We are never very good at grab-and-grin kinda shots

We are always look to improve our team. To support our expansion plans, we would like to add a personal assistant/administrator to our talented team in Kota Kinabalu. You should be someone who possesses strong administrative skills, thrives on multitasking, works fast, great with details, stays calm when the going gets tough. Ideally, you have good experience in such position. You will be working with a team of energetic, creative and visionary people who will be total lost without you…and therefore you will be one of the most cherished member of our team. Still interested?

Please send your CV or resume to jasmine (at) louispang.com. We would love to chat with you!

CSI TV series fascinate me. I have been chasing CSI Las Vegas and NY since their pilot! Never thought that I would be called upon for the role of Archie, the tech specialist.

This afternoon, I was called upon for a “Royal Inquiry” into an allegedly doctored image involved Queen of England. Jeffery Wong from Kota Kinabalu claimed the Queen conferred him with the Knight Grand Cross (GBE) during her recent birthday. It’s a conferment that carries the title “Sir”. Congratulatory ads flooded the local press. Some however question the authenticity of Wong’s claim.

A reporter from Sin Chew Jit Poh sent me some images and asked for my professional input.

The image on the right was provided by Wong to support his award claim. Some claimed it was doctored from the image on the left. The man on the left is Ross Brawn, principal of Mercedes F1 racing team, receiving the Order of British Empire from the Queen on March 10, 2010. Which is real? Which is fake? Here is my reply to Sin Chew. Verbatim, in bold:

The picture on the left and right is EXACTLY the same, except for the picture of the recipient. The gestures of the Queen, the angle of which she bended her wrist, tilted her head, the position of her fingers, posture and creases on the Queen’s dress are EXACTLY the same in both photo. The distance of the Queen from the wall and background is also EXACTLY the same in both photos. In my professional opinion, it is impossible that a photographer could capture two separate images with so many elements of “sameness”, especially in a live award event. While the background is also EXACTY the same in both photo, it could be explained by the use of a tripod.

I prove my point by super imposing the photographs on top of each other. You can see the “sameness” clearly.

There are two logical explanations to these two photos. One, the Queen depicted here was a wax statue. Or two, one of the two pictures was doctored. Unless given the high resolution files of the two images, it is hard to tell which is original and which is fake.

New evidence surfaced an hour after I received the first images. Above is a higher resolution picture of Ross Brown on the Mercedes F1 blog. After reviewing Brawn’s image, I conclude that Jeffery’s image was doctored from that of the Mercedes supremo’s.

This event made an interesting Saturday afternoon for me. I’ve seen doctorate degrees bought from some banana republic and photographers lying about their credentials. One claimed to be a multiple WPPI award winner when he has only garnered two Accolades of Excellence, not any first, second or third place award. Big difference between earning an AE and winning an award don’t you think? Another said he was a judge for international photography competitions. But which competition, sir? No reply. A few years ago, a chap in KL claimed be on assignment for National Geographic. When a fellow photog called up NG, the magazine said they didn’t know him let alone commissioning him. As photographer, it is upsetting because one bad egg can stink up a whole basket of eggs.

It is a scary world out there. Can’t believe everything you read or see anymore. Truth however always prevail. Just take a closer look

This is hilarious. You MUST read right to the end to enjoy this.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.15am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Poster

Hi, 
I opened the screen door yesterday and my cat got out and has been missing since then so I was wondering if you are not to busy you could make a poster for me. It has to be A4 and I will photocopy it and put it around my suburb this afternoon.

This is the only photo of her I have she answers to the name Missy and is black and white and about 8 months old. missing on Harper street and my phone number.

Thanks Shan.


**********************************************************************************

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.26am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
That is shocking news.
Although I have two clients expecting completed work this afternoon, I will, of course, drop everything and do whatever it takes to facilitate the speedy return of Missy.

Regards, David.

**********************************************************************************

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.37am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Poster

yeah ok thanks. I know you dont like cats but I am really worried about mine. I have to leave at 1pm today.

**********************************************************************************

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.17am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,

I never said I don’t like cats. Attached poster as requested.

Regards, David.

**********************************************************************************

From: Shannon Walkley

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.24am

To: David Thorne

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah thats not what I was looking for at all. it looks like a movie and how come the photo of Missy is so small?

**********************************************************************************

From: David Thorne

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.28am

To: Shannon Walkley

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
It’s a design thing. The cat is lost in the negative space.


Regards, David.

**********************************************************************************

From: Shannon Walkley

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.33am

To: David Thorne

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Thats just stupid. Can you do it properly please? I am extremely emotional over this and was up all night in tears. you seem to think it is funny. Can you make the photo bigger please and fix the text and do it in colour please. Thanks.

**********************************************************************************

From: David Thorne

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.46am

To: Shannon Walkley

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,


Having worked with designers for a few years now, I would have assumed you understood, despite our vague suggestions otherwise, we do not welcome constructive criticism. I don’t come downstairs and tell you how to send text messages, log onto Facebook and look out of the window. I have amended and attached the poster as per your instructions.


Regards, David.


**********************************************************************************


From: Shannon Walkley

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.59am

To: David Thorne

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

This is worse than the other one. can you make it so it shows the whole photo of Missy and delete the stupid text that says missing missy off it? I just want it to say Lost.

**********************************************************************************


From: David Thorne

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.14am

To: Shannon Walkley

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

**********************************************************************************

From: Shannon Walkley

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.21am

To: David Thorne

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah can you do the poster or not? I just want a photo and the word lost and the telephone number and when and where she was lost and her name. Not like a movie poster or anything stupid. I have to leave early today. If it was your cat I would help you. Thanks.

**********************************************************************************


From: David Thorne

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.32am

To: Shannon Walkley

Subject: Awww

Dear Shannon,


I don’t have a cat. I once agreed to look after a friend’s cat for a week but after he dropped it off at my apartment and explained the concept of kitty litter. I have attached the amended version of your poster as per your detailed instructions.


Regards, David. 


**********************************************************************************

From: Shannon Walkley

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.47am

To: David Thorne

Subject: Re: Awww

Thats not my cat. where did you get that picture from? That cat is orange. I gave you a photo of my cat.

**********************************************************************************

From: David Thorne

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.58am

To: Shannon Walkley

Subject: Re: Re: Awww

I know, but that one is cute. As Missy has quite possibly met any one of several violent ends, it is possible you might get a better cat out of this. If anybody calls and says “I haven’t seen your orange cat but I did find a black and white one with its hind legs run over by a car, do you want it?” you can politely decline and save yourself a costly veterinarian bill.


Regards, David. 


**********************************************************************************

From: Shannon Walkley

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.07pm

To: David Thorne

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Please just use the photo I gave you.

**********************************************************************************
















From: David Thorne

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.22pm

To: Shannon Walkley

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww







**********************************************************************************

From: Shannon Walkley

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.34pm

To: David Thorne

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

I didnt say there was a reward. I dont have $2000 dollars. What did you even put that there for? Apart from that it is perfect can you please remove the reward bit. Thanks Shan.

**********************************************************************************


From: David Thorne

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.42pm

To: Shannon Walkley

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww







**********************************************************************************

From: Shannon Walkley

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.51pm

To: David Thorne

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Can you just please take the reward bit off altogether? I have to leave in ten minutes and I still have to make photocopies of it.

**********************************************************************************




From: David Thorne

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.56pm

To: Shannon Walkley

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

**********************************************************************************







From: Shannon Walkley

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 1.03pm

To: David Thorne

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Fine. That will have to do.

This is taken from 27b/6, a very humorous British blogsite.

Fancy working in Malaysia’s most awarded wedding photography studio where magic and new things happen weekly? We are a team of world beaters who are constantly looking for the next peak to climb. We love attempting the impossible, blazing a new trail rather than taking the beaten path. The only thing constant at Louis Pang Studio is change. Still interested? Read on…

Administrator
This is a full time position. We are looking for an administrative talent with some accounting background. You must be quick to accomplish your tasks because tomorrow waits for nobody. You are calm when everyone panics. You carry a smile even when the sky falls down. You have sharp eyes when it comes to details and figures. You enjoy organizing stuff because you are so resourceful that you can solve any problems. You have a good command of English…well, good enough to catch Louis’ lame jokes. You don’t have to be the smartest person alive but you must have a can-do attitude, teachable spirit and willingness to try. You are a team player. You are expected to carry out your duties at a standard that befits an international award-winning team.

Graphic Designer
We are expanding our design team. We are looking for the right talent for this position. You are familiar with Dreamweaver, Photoshop & Illustrator and have a great sense of design and style. You are a hard worker who meets deadline and a creative soul that cannot tolerate mediocrity. Experience with Lightroom will be a plus but not a necessity.

If you are still reading and you think you are up for a great challenge and adventure. Please send your CV and application to jasmine (at) louispang.com. We would love to add two world beaters to our team.