Louis Pang: International Destination Wedding Photographer » Uncategorized

Raising Funds for National Cancer Society of Malaysia

Louis — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 00:57:31 +0000

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

Personal Assistant WANTED

Louis — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:23:13 +0000

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!

A Royal Inquiry

Louis — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 09:00:19 +0000

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

You’ve Gotta Love Graphic Designers

Louis — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 05:38:57 +0000

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.

We Are Hiring: Administrator & Graphic Designer

Louis — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:59:08 +0000

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.

See You at Nikon Show!

Louis — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 23:11:22 +0000

Nikon Malaysia is organizing a huge event at Mid Valley MegaMall from Oct 14-18. I’ll be speaking on Oct 18, 7:30pm on “Let There Be Light: The Art of Strobing”. Very excited to share my latest work and experience working with remote flash. I’ll be showing some yet-to-be released images and walk you through my execution and thought process in creating the shots.

Rumours have it that D3s would be on display. Well, your guess is as good as mine. Jimin Lai is talking about Photojournalism & Kelvin Chan speaks on American Landscape. There’s free sensor cleaning facility as well. Hope to meet some of you cool people there. Cheers!

Malaysia’s 1-2-3 finish at WPPI Print Comp!

Louis — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:02:52 +0000

This has to be one of the best days for Malaysian wedding photographers. Shen, Jenny and I combined to win first, second and third place at the latest WPPI print competition! WOW! Here are the winning entries:

“Father’s Prayer” by Shen, 1st place Wedding Photojournalism

“Torch Bearers” by Louis, 2nd place Non-Wedding Photojournalism

“Mandy & Matt” by Jenny Sun, 3rd place Bride & Groom Together

This is such a fantastic news and encouragement for our photographers. Winning is nice. Winning together is so much nicer! Many also won Accolades of Excellence Awards in the same print competition: Kenneth Tan, Clement Lee, Malcolm Foo, Andy Chin, Qippy. Jasmine and I were jumping up and down for you all!

I am even prouder of your humility and gratitude. I appreciate the thank you notes…hey, don’t give me too much credit. You worked for it and you deserved it. Blessings everyone! Malaysia Boleh!

Patience Please

Louis — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:18:39 +0000

I am not known for being patient. Modern workplace demands us to be effecient & fast. To be forcibly held back really pushes patience to the limit. But how else are we going to learn patience? Sometimes, a delay can be a divine intervention as well. A few things have happened in the last few weeks:

1. I got rid of my website and run a blogsite now. I will be adding a few galleries to the blogsite in the weeks to come.

2. The entire site is moved to a VPS. It is noticeably faster and more responsive.

3. We experienced some outages in the last few days because the tech guys were configuring a few things on the server to comply with Pick Pic, our online proofing and shopping cart system. The system is 100% back online now. Quite a number of you tried to register for our workshops online and you ran right smack into the migration problems we had. We’ve contacted you individually today and you can complete the registration & payment process now.

The guys at Integricity were responsive the needs of the site. I am so grateful for that…especially the nocturnal bunch who worked on the issues way past midnight. Can’t imagine doing this without their help.

Now, it is full steam ahead for the online education portal. We have already extended our working hours to make this a reality. Just stay tune

Migrating to a BIG SERVER

Louis — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:24:29 +0000

In the next 48 hours, my friends at Integricity will be migrating my website to a Virtual Private Server (VPS). So what does this mean to my loyal visitors & clients?

1. Faster loading – instead of sharing a server with 1000 websites, I have my own VPS dedicated for the site
2. Responsive – if you use our shopping cart you will enjoy faster response because the processing power of the server is dedicated for our own use.

If none of this happen after the migration, then we’ll egg Integricity’s office! YAY!

I am really excited about this and the new online education website that I will be introducing very, very soon. I can’t say more…just ecstatic with this project that it can bless and help many photographers in our region.

I said “No” to WIMAX

Louis — Tue, 19 May 2009 07:34:33 +0000

Conducted a trial run of WIMAX (by Redtone) at my office this morning. Out of 3 bars (3 being strongest), the modem picked up 1 bar at my office in Likas Square. Downloading speed varied between 20kb/s to 70kb/s. Played a couple of Vimeo videos smoothly. Uploading speed was surprising fast at 80kb/s to 110kb/s. Overall, it was way more pleasant than Streamyx’s 1Mbps line.

When we moved the modem about 10 feet away from the office entrance, right next to our router, the modem failed to register a connection. It was disappointing. I was told that WIMAX works best if you could place the modem next to a window. So if like me, you have an office in the middle of a building WIMAX connectivity will suffer, a fact/myth which I find absurd! At the end, I found out that I can’t use WIMAX at the office. *SIGH*

DIGI’s broadband roll out was audacious and promising compared to its mediocre competitors out there. Judging from it simultaneous launch in Penang and KK, the company must have done its homework. Broadband in Kota Kinabalu is just woeful. If DIGI delivers as advertised, Maxis, Celcom & TM will lose a lot of business. Initial feedback on DIGI broadband has been very encouraging. Unfortunately it is not available in the Likas Bay area yet. I’ve filled out a service request form online to lobby for DIGI. If you live in this area, I suggest that you do the same so that we can finally enjoy decent broadband connection in the 21st century.

My search from Screamyx replacement continues.

WANTED: volunteering models

Louis — Thu, 14 May 2009 04:44:25 +0000

Calling for volunteering models. I will be running “Shoot Like a Pro” workshops in KL and Kota Kinabalu on 23 May & 20 June respectively. I will need at least two models for each of the workshops. You don’t have to be a professional models because I want to teach and demonstrate how I work with regular folks.

There are the perks & requirements for the volunteering models:
1. Good looks…not a requirement but it does not hurt if you look great.
2. Experience…not important. I will coach you how to look gorgeous in front of the camera.
3. Willing to be photographed in a class of 25 students.
4. You will get: 5 copies of 8×12 prints from me…these are rare fine art work personally printed in our studio
5. You will gain invaluable lessons on working with a professional photographer.
6. You will be photographed free of charge by *AHEM* Malaysia’s most awarded wedding & portrait photographer.

If this sounds cool to you and you would like to be part of this great experience. Drop me an email voon (at) louispang.com with the following:

1. Name, email, phone contact
2. Two recent photos of yourself

Cheerios!

Why I Left WPJA

Louis — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 11:22:01 +0000

Since leaving WPJA earlier this year, I’ve been asked many times the rationale behind my decision. I thought it is good to clear this on the blog. Not that I cared what people thought of my decision, but more to satisfy curious brides & grooms and to save myself from repeating the same story to my friends in the industry.

In 2005/06 I was accepted into WPJA. I was over the moon with the acceptance because WPJA provided me two opportunities:
1. exclusive membership to a club where only the bests are accepted (that’s what it claims). There were only two of us from Malaysia then.
2. listing on WPJA directory which can bring traffic to my website

In early 2009, I decided to not to renew the WPJA membership because what had served me well three years ago, are no longer helpful to me. First of all, while WPJA paints itself as a exclusive club for top wedding photographers, there are, in my view, many sub-standard photographers that are accepted into WPJA. Looking at the membership list, I was honestly a bit embarrassed to be a member.

At the same time, many highly acclaimed professionals left the organization. Huy Nguyen (WPJA photographer of 2005) & David Beckstead (WPJA photographer of 2002) left WPJA. In fact, Huy was booted out from WPJA. This debacle kicked up a hell of a debate in various forums (DWF & Open Source). To me, WPJA loses credibility.

There are many world class photographers who are not WPJA members: Yervant, Ghionis, David Williams, Cliff Mautner, Joe Buissink, Denis Reggie (father wedding photojournalism), Jessica Claire, Becker, Mike Colon…the list goes on. My point is that being a member does not automatically cements one as the top 5% of wedding photographers in the world. It is sad to see that so many photographers who believe this hype. I have great respect for certain members in WPJA, Kelvin Koh, Patrick Low, Greg Gibson, Dino Lara, Stephen Loh but the respect stems from the quality of their work rather than their WPJA membership.

I am all for image/print competitions because they push us (photographers) to work hard. Personally, I want to compete against photographers I admire (see the names listed in the previous paragraph). If I am a race driver, I want to race in the F1 Grand Prix against the likes of Hamilton, Raikkonen, Massa, Schumacher. Won’t it be sweet to be able to compete against these illustrious line up of talents?

As for web traffic from WPJA directory listing, I am not missing much. According to Google Analytics, referring traffic from WPJA ranked 39th.

Joining a professional body is not about slapping a logo on my website, though that’s what most photographers in my area like doing. How does the logo add any value to our clients and us as professionals? Does having some logos on our website make us a better photographer over night? Shouldn’t we allow our work do the talking instead of bragging about memberships? You don’t find a single logo on my website except that of my own. I join professional bodies like WPPI and AIPP because I want to network with other photographers, learn from the best minds in the industry and compete against the most talented wedding photographers of our time. That is why I attend the conventions. I walk away each year a better photographer, entrepreneur and person.

So why should I pay U$300 to WPJA brings me little web traffic, prestige and professional help? I rest my case.

This is my take of WPJA. Your experience with it may differ vastly from that of mine. If it serves your needs and makes you happy, there is no reason why you shouldn’t continue with it. There are no perfect organization. I just stick with the ones that serve my needs.

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, Brunei

Louis — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:51:35 +0000

The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is one of the most beautiful mosque in this region. Built in 1958, many photographs had been created of this mosque. In my maiden trip to Brunei, I could not pass up the chance to photograph it. The weather was excellent. A dry day with clear skies gave us a colourful sunset. With Barry & Shuk Chee as our guides, I manage to find a nice vantage point to photograph it.

I also did a time lapse movie of this place which I will share in the class tomorrow. I will blog about how to create time lapse shots in another post Good night people!

Day Trip to Penang

Louis — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 08:32:59 +0000

Today, I recorded my shortest trip to Penang. Got in at 10am and left at 3pm. It is taxing to jet in and out but it was all worth it. I am glad to meet up with so many enthusiastic photographers. It would be nice to be able to take a photo with everyone of you and to say hello but there were just too many people. My only hope is that the sessions I shared with you will in some ways contribute to your growth as a photographer.

I am equally please to catch up with my ex-students. Believe me, I treasure the 30-minute lunch I had with you. I would love to chat more but alas, boarding time beckoned. We must meet again because I want to catch up with your progress. Bless you!

New International Itinerary

Louis — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 02:01:28 +0000

I’ve just updated our international itinerary. If you reside in or near these cities that we are visiting, and you would like us to swing by to shoot a sassy engagement session or run our workshops, please drop me an email.

At the meantime, I am enjoying my first weekend at home in eight weeks. It is SOOOOOOOOO nice. I hope you have a fabulous weekend too.