30/12/14

Although it’s become somewhat de rigueur now to review one’s work at the end of the year and re-publish or post some favourite images, we still feel it’s of significant value and a vital part of the creative process. It affords us the opportunity to cast a critical eye over our work for the past 12 months, and importantly helps identify not only what we did well, but also areas where we can improve. This then can help map our course and direction for the future.


The year was one of many firsts for us. We started 2014 with our first visit to Sri Lanka, where the highlight were not the serene landscapes or historic architecture, but the gentleness and the vibrancy of the people. This was followed by our first visit to Taiwan, and then back to Hong Kong where Alvin took his favourite travel image of the year.


February and March were taken up by our first large Photography Workshop. We had 20 participants, with all proceeds being donated to International Children’s Care Australia, to help fund medical equipment in Kandy. This was a 6 week course, with the highlight being the ongoing passion for photography that we hope was sparked by the workshop. We continue to hold regular field trips which are well attended.


We went chasing the Sakura in April. This was our first time in Japan during the Cherry Blossom season and you can read our review of the experience here.
A must do for any photographer, but as the timing is critical, some planning is required.


May saw us lead a photography tour to New Zealand, which has been a favourite landscape destination for us. It resulted in Alvin’s favourite landscape image and Andy’s favourite travel image.


Winter in Australia is relatively mild, but we took the opportunity this year to undertake our first serious winter shoot with Mike Edmondson. Walking to the peak of South Ramshead from Dead Horse Gap is not for the fainthearted, particularly if you have never worn snowshoes before, but certainly worth the effort:
Winter Landscapes Blog Entry.


We undertook our regular visit to Europe in September with landscape and travel images in Germany, Finland and Russia. The trip concluded with Alvin indulging in his passion for Motorsport Photography at the Singapore Formula 1 GP, where the highlight was watching Team Classic Lotus in action.









The year concluded with a number of field trips in Australia with some of our course attendees. This included visits to Minnamurra Falls, Newport Beach, Somersby Falls and Bateau Bay Beach on the Central Coast. We wish everyone a very Happy New Year, and hope that 2015 will bring you both peace and opportunity.









“Newport Blues” - Andy’s Favourite Landscape Image of the Year.
Moody interpretation of dawn at Newport Beach from Andy. Canon 6D, 16-35L f2.8II









“Sharing the Light” - Alvin’s Favourite Landscape Image of the Year.
The Wildlife appreciated the light as much as the photographer.
A slightly different night-time take on this much photographed tree. 20 stacked images. 80% moon. Canon 1dx, Zeiss 35mm f1.4 - 4 min exposures.









“Heaven and Earth III” - Andy’s Favourite Travel Image of the Year.









“Hong Kong – A Blended City” – Alvin’s Favourite Travel Image of the Year.
16 image stitched panorama.
City: 1dx, ISO 100, f14, 20 sec
Moon: 1dx ISO 100, f14, 1/30 97% Waxing Gibbous Moon.
Stars: 1dx ISO 1600, f2.8, 4 sec









“The Cloak of Invisibility” – Alvin’s Favourite Portrait of the Year.
Sri Lankan Tamil Tea Picker and worker in Central Province.
Sony A7R, Canon 70-200mm f2.8L IS @ 150mm, f2.8, 1/1000









"In his Element" – by Andy Ly
Image of Alvin at Glenorchy









“The Inner Circle” – by Alvin Ing
Image of Andy at Bateau Bay Beach.