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j133ycçš„ä¸»é http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:57 EST Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:57 EST Zorpia.com A long forgotten friend http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1820810 It has been a long while since my last post and I have forgotten how my blogging started since the early days of Zorpia.I have done a lot since last year. Many would see a time wasting exercise but alternating my landscape photography style isn't easy. Inspired by friends around, I finally beginning to grasp a new style.I don't know when my next visit will be but see you all my friends in Zoripa.<img src="http://org82.zorpia.com/0/4527/28976264.4fe8c7.jpg" align="middle" border="2" hspace="0" vspace="0" /> Good day  Personal http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1820810 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:19 EST Pentax K10D GP Test http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1714656 <img vspace="0" hspace="0" border="0" align="bottom" src="http://web.mac.com/j133yc/iWeb/j133yc/_Pentax%20GP%20Test_files/IMGP0056.jpg" /> Pentax K10D GP, 1/60 F5.6 -0.5ev ISO 200. Taken in Pentax RAW I have been lucky this year.  Not only I won $200 at a casino in Canada, I also just won a prize of my dream (at least one of them), a Pentax Grand Prix!  I was seriously thinking of buying it as it is a limited edition DSLR released by Pentax to commemorate the K10D, which won the illustrious Camera Grand Prix 2007 in Japan. A total of 5000 unit will be produced and distributed worldwide this month. In the UK, only 150 units will be available. Initially I placed a reservation with one of the Pentax Dealers in UK.  They told me I could have 0859 (A unique serial number on the body).  I was over the moon.  Then the next day, something extraordinary happened.  Well... to cut the long story short, I sent a photo of mine hoping I could get it published in next monthâ€™s release.  Yet, during the process of registration, I also automatically entered a prize draw.  I ignored it of course, I never won anything like this.  The the miracle happened.  I actually won first prize (not the special prize - Canon EOS 1D MK III !!!), which is the Pentax Grand Prix 0839!!! I collected it on Saturday and couldnâ€™t wait to open it.  The packaging was rather nice although nothing when compared to Leicaâ€™s packaging.  Yet, itâ€™s special enough to know itâ€™s a special edition.  I also received a rather â€˜rubbishâ€™ lens too.  Yet, it took decent pictures (as you can see in some of my test shots later). When I first held the camera, it didnâ€™t give me the substantial feeling like my Canon EOS 5D nor as heavy.  However, itâ€™s rather nice and fitted into my palm just fine.  Unlike any other entry level DSLRs, the likes of Canon 400D, Nikon D40, it is heavy enough to make me feel as it was designed for enthusiasts or semi-professionals. Despite a non-professional camera, itâ€™s very well put together. After I scrolled through the electronic menu, I discovered a host of features, not far behind my 5D.  The big advantage of the body was its weather seals. Something I complainted about my Canon since I bought it.  I thought everything was perfect apart from itâ€™s weatherproofness. Most of my lenses now are sealed and yet my body isnâ€™t.  I didnâ€™t want to splash out too much in buying the heavy and bulky Canon EOS 1Ds MKII. Already feeling extremely heavy when travelling, I didnâ€™t want to add extra weight to my shoulder.  The Pentax GP seems to be the perfect solution. Most Pentax lenses were rather small and compact, which made it ideal for travel photography. I recently acquired a Pentax SMC 135mm F3.5 M manual lens. Its size shocked me and even my Helio 48mm felt heavier and bigger. I tested the camera on Sunday with Susan and what surprised me was its handling.  Personally I prefer the Canon EOS layout but itâ€™s easy enough to feel comfortable in minutes. Despite some negative comments on the K10D online and in magazine about its characteristic to produce â€˜softâ€™ jpeg images, I found it rather sharp, even with the standard 18-55mm DA lens, though, at wide aperture and wide angle, chromatic aberration and resolution fall behind other professional lenses. Yet the overall result produces a more film-like approach which I personally quite fond with. Itâ€™s 22-bit engine is good however, when RAW images are taken, and developed through Adobe Camera RAW (ACR) or Pentaxâ€™s PhotoLab, the results are very impressive. Yet, I couldnâ€™t get Apple Aperture to work properly with Pentaxâ€™s RAW format yet, despite Appleâ€™s claim for Apertureâ€™s compatibility. Having 22-bit is a big bonus for colour reproduction and yet the dynamic range isnâ€™t as wide as the Nikons. Noise level is rather sever when ISO is set higher than 400. Perhaps I am used to the award winning Canon CMOS, noise is very low even at ISO 800. Overall, I am impressed with the K10D, especially with this limited edition, just the extra logos and colour scheme made it look and feel special.  Handling was superb and images are definitely upto my expectation (though still cannot match my 5D). Perhaps I need to test the latest DA* lenses to see if the K10D can produce something as special as my Canon. One final comment though, I like the Pentax because it can take all the old K-mount lenses!!!! Thatâ€™s cool. Why canâ€™t Canon do that? Jimmy Photography & Art http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1714656 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 04:48 EST My trip to Toronto http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1704378 <div align="center"><img vspace="0" hspace="0" border="0" align="bottom" src="http://web.mac.com/j133yc/iWeb/j133yc/_toronto07_files/Toronto07%20%20045.jpg" alt="Niagara Falls" />This can easily be the longest blog I have ever written.  It can also be one of the most memorable ones in recent years. <div align="center">~ TWO WEEKS AGO ~ </div> I was looking forward to my trip to Toronto.  My thoughts never wondered far from my imagined gathering with my relatives there.  For many, it had been a while since we last met, thirteen long years to be exact. Barely slept the night before travel, I stared at the ceiling imagining grandmotherâ€™s face.  Knowing she had a stroke that paralysed part of her body a few years ago, I just could not think further. As a keen photographer, I can never part with my cameras.  I took my digital SLR with a couple of lenses in my Billingham case.  It was my first time to take this case out for such a long trip and it didnâ€™t disappoint.  Despite a little heavy, after I literally stuffed everything into the bag: SLR body, two heavy lenses, a flash gun, batteries, backup drive, filters, iPod, NDS, BIG headphones, 15inch G4 Powerbook and a latest copy of National Geographic magazine.  It had at least 10 to 12 kg if not more. The eight-hour flight was virtually a torture to me.  Not only the seat was a little tight for my height, but the onboard entertainment system also did not function properly and forced me to watch the same movie repeatedly.  Bored after an hour, I turned my attention to my note and started studying again.  Then I felt asleep... When I opened my eyes, I already saw the ground of Toronto.  My excitement fueled my entire body like caffeine in my coffee, waking me instantly. As soon as we stepped out of the sliding doors after the luggage collection, we saw two familiar faces - my cousin Albert and uncle Alan. I could not describe the bond between Albert and I.  This special brother/best friend-like bond started when we were only a few years-old.  We shared many if not all interests and hobbies and I could easily write a book just for the two of us. (Please... we are not gay!) Heâ€™s now married with a beautiful wife, Shirley. We quickly hired a car and started driving to grandmotherâ€™s care centre.  The journey took us about one hour. As we approached the centre, I could sense the eagerness of my mother. She had not seen her mother for over six years and anyone could understand the feeling of missing your own mother after a long parting. It was already late.  Did not want to wake granny, we decided to go for a quick dinner. My mother woke up really early the next day, she quickly got ready and rushed up to see her mother.  I followed.  Grand mother was smiling! We did not believe she remembered my mother nor myself that well but I knew that deep inside her memory, she knew the person before her wheelchair. I was touched. Uncle Alan arrived shortly. He brought along another uncle that I had not seen for nearly 15 years, my motherâ€™s elder brother - uncle Thomas. It was a moment that my grandmother was looking forward to all this time. She missed her son so much that uncle Alan told us that she kept asking about Thomas every nights as soon as she learned about his visit. My mother was full of emotions, I could not help myself but to take a few gathering pictures.  We had a wonderful time. That same evening, we celebrated her 90th birthday at a Chinese restaurant.  It was the first big gathering since we arrived.  It was the first time I saw Debbie, my second youngest cousin, and aunt Iris in 13 years.  As always, they looked lovely.  Laughters filled the entire restaurant and for a very long time, I saw my mother laughed so much. I would never forget these moments. We had identical routines for the next few days and we took grandmother out to lunch with us.  My free time came at night time when grandmother was back at the care centre.  Albert took me to his favourite place - Winners.  (Donâ€™t ask me why but I started to understand towards the end... ) The ice formed by years of separation melted after the first couple of nights, all of us started to gel better.  Especially Debbie, who I remembered as a little girl when I last saw her, is now a pretty woman.  We had dinner together in Downtown.  It was probably the first proper chat we had.  She was ever so funny and intelligent.  The venue was unique in many ways and an unforgettable experience indeed. We met up with Albert, Shirley, Cindy and Max, Cindyâ€™s boyfriend and made our way to a club at the Dock. Like any club, it was crowded like a bee nest. A different experience to ones I visited in London but I could easily say that the venue was far better looking and bigger than the UK equivalents. On Saturday, after lunching with grandmother, I met up with my cousins again and headed our way to Downtown once again.  To celebrate Albertâ€™s 23rd birthday (the opposite), Cindy booked a table at Ruth Chris Steak House in the basement of Hilton Hotel. The decoration did not disappoint, it looked posh yet traditionally dressed.  Wooden panel walls surrounded the restaurant with brass lamp holders attaching on every other panel. Waiters were uniformed and polite. The â€˜Wowâ€™ factors came when our ordered steaks arrived.  It might look ordinary but the smell was terrific.  The char-grilled fume evaporated slowly from meat which was constantly warmed by the sizzling enamel plate at the bottom.  Only a little force was required to cut it.  When I put a small piece in my mouth, my heart melted like ice-cream on a hot plate. I nearly screamed, just like the Japanese cartoon. The flavour was strong yet pleasing.  The juice was evenly stored between the tinny fat tissues between the muscles.  The overall experience was unbelievable or should I say untouchable?  It had to be one of the best I had ever tried. After the delicious meat dishes, the secret dark chocolate cake arrived.  We sang the birthday song and ended our celebration with happiness. Albert also organised a karaoke party after dinner and we all had a good time. Canada Day Sunday was pretty relaxing, sleeping, lunching with grandmother, shopping, eating (sushi), sleeping. Monday was bank holiday so nothing was opened.  I would like to thank Cindy for organising a lunch at the CN Tower for me.  The food was obviously less intriguing as the meal at Ruth Chris. Nonetheless, the breathtaking view made up the missing elements. Thanks Max for the souvenir photos though, I had it hanged up already!  After lunch, we quickly drove around Downtown for a quick visit. At night, we went back to Maxâ€™s home for a BBQ.  God almighty, the amount of food shocked me!  We ate non-stop for a good three four hours before we were stuffed. Tuesday was my last day in Toronto and uncle Alan took us to Niagara Falls. My limited recollection of it prevented my expectation but I certainly felt the â€˜forceâ€™ as we approached the area.  The town was changed, not sure it was better or worst.  It became very commercial and even a brand new casino was built.  I could not wait but to walked down to feel the falls. We did not stay long and I only had a few mintues to take a few â€˜snapsâ€™ before my camera was flooded by the spray caused by the phenomenal force of the falls.  It did not satisfy my hunger for photography. (I will be back!) We quickly returned to the Casino for a quick â€˜gameâ€™ and accidentally, I won $200!  It was not a bad day at all. Aunt Peggy was so excited about my winning at the casino and she even found a red-bag envelop that had four â€˜money bagsâ€™ printed on it (just liked the winning combination I had with the slot machine).  Thanks! Last day, no lunching with granny and we felt the sadness of parting once again. She buried her emotions as always and did not show a drop of tear when we said â€˜good byeâ€™. She was a strong woman with a will made of steel.  An inspiring person that showed us what life and love were, silently.  Grandma, we love you always. Our return journey was equally painful but I was ready to be home.  I missed Susan and could not wait to tell her about grandma and my cousins and relatives. Have a good day! J PS: Thanks Debbie for the chocolate and crisps (chips :D) </div> Personal http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1704378 Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:06 EST Dying Seafront - Margate http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1692934 <img vspace="0" hspace="0" border="0" align="bottom" alt="Donkey" src="http://web.mac.com/j133yc/iWeb/j133yc/Blog/C8601717-E0E8-441D-B268-8C12BE5C2C15_files/Margate05-filtered.jpg" />  Canon EOS v, 70-200mm F2.8 IS USM: Av -0.3ev at F5.6, Fuji Reala 100 It would be difficult to imagine Margate, a seafront and a popular holiday maker location, became a deserted town.  Personally I did not witness the glorious time it enjoyed all the way back in the 60â€™s and through to the late 80â€™s.  I recalled my last visit to Margate was way back in 1995 when my friend organised a BBQ somewhere not far from the beach.  Not only it took a long time find a space to park,  the streets were also packed with tourists.  A scene you would not forget easily. However, air travel became more affordable during the airline revolution led by the budget airliners.  Students liked myself and lower-income family were no longer restricted to local beaches and cities.  They could fly around Europe and explore other cultures at reasonable prices. The growing UK economy and high standard of living contributed to the death of these once-popular places.   Complex as it sounded but spending a weekend in Margate could cost you just about the same as you would traveling to France, well possibly slightly less depends on what you do.  Many local counties did not realise their fates would be like this but the fact was almost all of these holiday spots had declining businesses, in this case in Margate, closures for most.  Like what Susan told me, a very popular local sweet shop once a must for souvenir sweets, were forced to close due to lack of support from tourist spending.  Theme parks and amusement acades became derelict for similar reasons.  What remain are local residents once enjoyed thrived local economy driven by foreigners. A picture of the sleeping donkey may look cute but its expression reflects much sadness it experienced over the years of service on the beach.  I was excited to see them still cheer kids and babies or attract passersby, like myself.  I could imagine during Margateâ€™s peak, people would have to queue for the donkey ride.  The beach would have filled with sun bathers and sea covered with swimmers.  What a scene I was expecting and yet it turned out to be an opposite. I cannot imagine what will happen in years to come but I hope it will be better in my next visit.  The chances are remote but if you want to travel around Europe, just think, â€œHave you finish seeing your own country yet?â€ Help saving these cute and beautiful places :) Have a good day. Jimmy Personal http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1692934 Thu, 14 Jun 2007 06:57 EST Colourful Sunday http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1676136 Update >>>A colour full day...<div id="id1" style="height: 31px; left: 145px; position: absolute; top: 411px; width: 410px; z-index: 1;" class="graphic_generic_title_textbox_style_default"><div><div class="Normal"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="tinyText" style="height: 1px; line-height: 1px;"> </div> <div style="line-height: 20px; padding-top: 0pt;" class="paragraph Body">It was a lovely Sunday.  Decorated with fluffy clouds, the sky was sapphire blue and yet the temperature was a pleasant 20 degree.  I thought it would be a good day to take my camera out for a walk.  It was a tough decision for which camera I should take... among my collection, the obvious choice would be either the 5D or the 1v.</div> <div style="line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" class="paragraph Body"> </div> <div style="line-height: 20px;" class="paragraph Body">The decision came as soon as I discovered an expired Velvia in my 1v!  Yes... itâ€™s been there for nearly 11 months and only 7 shots were taken.  Then without hesitation, I took it out and attached my 70-200mm lens, my choice of the day.  I brought along a roll of Fuji Reala 100 but never had the chance to use it.</div> <div style="line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" class="paragraph Body"> </div> <div style="line-height: 20px;" class="paragraph Body">First we went to the Farmerâ€™s Market in Islington.  I thought the colourful fruits will provide me with good photo opportunities and it didnâ€™t disappoint.  The punchy colour came from Velvia was not a surprise, couple with the harsh shadows cast by the noon sun, the highly saturated and high contrast images were not difficult to capture.</div> <div style="line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" class="paragraph Body"> </div> <div style="line-height: 20px;" class="paragraph Body">After, I went pass a small park behind the local church where I took another shot of the little puppy flowers.</div> <div style="line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" class="paragraph Body"> </div> <div style="line-height: 20px;" class="paragraph Body">Finally, we arrived at the Islington central park where we sat for a little while to consume my remaining frames.  I was eager to see the result (something that I am not so used to since the day I started digital photography... wait??)  Yes, I sent my Velvia to Happy Snap (yes.. a high street store) to develop and a scan CD.  The development was ok but the CD was the biggest disappointment of the day. The photos were horrible. Initially I thought it was my expired Velvia that caused the problem but eventually, after careful inspection, I knew the slide was ok and it was just a bad scan.  I took the CD back to the shop but the shop said â€œif you need better scan, you need to pay more Â£Â£â€  Stupid I thought.</div> <div style="line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" class="paragraph Body"> </div> <div style="line-height: 20px;" class="paragraph Body">I couldnâ€™t resist but started looking to buy a film scanner.  I wouldnâ€™t mind to buy one as I am still a film user and also have a stock pile of negatives and positives in my loft.  Eventually, I found a good secondhand Nikon Coolscan V ED. The result was excellent!  As you can see in my album :)</div> <div style="line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" class="paragraph Body"> </div> <div style="line-height: 20px;" class="paragraph Body">Enjoy the colour and hope to have another good weekend.</div> <div style="line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" class="paragraph Body"> </div> <div style="line-height: 20px;" class="paragraph Body">Jimmy</div>  <img vspace="0" hspace="0" border="0" align="bottom" src="http://web.mac.com/j133yc/iWeb/j133yc/_Colourful%20Sunday_files/BottlesL.jpg" alt="JuiceBottle" /> <div style="line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" class="paragraph Body"> </div> <a style="font-family: 'Arial-BoldMT','Arial','sans-serif'; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1;" title="../_Colourful%20Sunday.html" href="http://web.mac.com/j133yc/iWeb/j133yc/_Colourful%20Sunday.html" target="_blank">Click to view my Colourful Sunday album</a>  Personal http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1676136 Thu, 03 May 2007 05:49 EST Missing my bro http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1667747 >>> Update I miss my brother, although itâ€™s less than a week since I last saw my brother.  We were always close since we were young despite our â€˜veryâ€™ different personalities.  After all these years, we havenâ€™t changed.  I still love active sports while my brother fonds with music and literatures.  Nonetheless, in recent years, we discovered a new common interest, Sponge Bob and photography! As we grew older and especially after I left my hometown, Hong Kong, to pursuit my studies, we had less and less time to meet or to talk.  Only until the last few years, as technology improved, we communicated more often via emails and, more recently, internet telephony. During my last trip to Hong Kong last week, I revisited a place that I had not been for over 15 years, a place that we used to hang out together.  A shopping centre in Tsuen Wan.  As soon as I got off the MTR, my feeling grew stronger, a familiar eagerness wanted to rush out of my body.  â€œIt had been years since I last visited here... what will it be like now?â€  A question I asked myself quietly.  Exited the station entrance, the pedestrian bridge immediate before us and instantly I knew where I was.  However, when I inspected closer, something changed.  In fact, everything was changed.  The centre building was a lot older now, the Chinese restaurant where we spent most of our lunch time during school days was gone,  the small news agent where we bought our comics moved and the glamour once the centre imposed to its visitors diminished.  The new shopping centre I remembered no longer existed, what before my eyes was an old and tarnished building.  I could not express my feeling in words but to think, â€œthe good old days are gone, what I see is a soulless memory of the past.â€  A sad way to think but that was how I felt. We spent a while went around the building but could not find anything interesting so we left. On my last day before I flew home, we went to some old camera places where my brother spent some time rediscovering the goodness of analogue photography.  He bought a lens from David (pictured) at his shop.  It was a good German Rollei 50mm F1.4 and David also provided us with an adaptor so my brother could try it on my 5D.  The result was amazing.  It produced some of the sharpest images I ever saw and I was stunned by the result. Hope to see more cool photos from my brother. Good on him, I better do some more too! Jimmy <img vspace="0" hspace="0" border="0" align="bottom" src="http://web.mac.com/j133yc/iWeb/j133yc/_Travel_files/IMG_0087.jpg" /> Personal http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1667747 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 11:57 EST Update from Me!!! http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1656030 Update >>>It has been a long while since I last updated my Zorpia blog.  It's simple, I have been travelling a lot these days and my business has taken me a lot of my time.  However, I have set up my new site and I also host a blog there with latest photos I took, you are all free to browse around and leave me comments :  <a href="www.blue-print.me.uk" target="_blank" title="Blue Print Photography">http://www.blue-print.me.uk</a>I kind of miss Zorpia and all my friends here but I just don't have time to check here on a daily basis.I am actually preparing a new project for 2007 and, in time, I will give more details and perhaps show some of my works here.I have attached a new album with some travel shots I took in recent months, you can find some of them in my group too at <a href="www.zorpia.com/group/canondigigroup" target="_blank" title="Canon Photo School">http://www.zorpia.com/group/canondigigroup</a>Enjoy and will update here soon!JC   Personal http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1656030 Tue, 13 Mar 2007 17:10 EST Kung Hei Fat Choi!!!! http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1646486 HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!! HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL YEAR OF PIG!!!!!!! LOVE YOU ALL, JIMMY Personal http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1646486 Sat, 17 Feb 2007 15:26 EST Susan's birthday http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1637802 <img width="266" vspace="0" hspace="0" height="398" border="0" align="middle" src="http://nor.zorpia.com/0/2703/17300401.a641e8.jpg" /> <div style="line-height: 20px; padding-top: 0pt;" class="paragraph Body">Today is Susanâ€™s birthday and excited I am. The weather has been kind to us today with bright sunshines yet the â€˜breezeâ€™ is a little too strong for a good day of portrait session. Nonetheless, I still managed to finish a roll of 36.</div> <div style="line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" class="paragraph Body"> </div> <div style="line-height: 20px;" class="paragraph Body"> <img width="139" vspace="0" hspace="0" height="199" border="5" align="left" src="http://nor.zorpia.com/0/2703/17300400.043dd1.jpg" /><div id="id2" class="graphic_shape_style_default" style="margin: 12px 12px 12px 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; clear: left; float: left; height: 117px; width: 80px;"><div class="tinyText" style="height: 0px; line-height: 0px;"> </div></div>Today I used my Nikon FM3a with 45mm F2.8 P lens. My choice of film is the famous portrait colour negative - Kodak 160c. I tested these films against the Fuji 160nc and I did prefer the â€˜grainâ€™ in the Kodak. What surprised me was the result when I shot <div id="id3" class="graphic_shape_style_default" style="margin: 12px 0px 12px 12px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; clear: right; float: right; height: 120px; width: 89px;"><div class="tinyText" style="height: 0px; line-height: 0px;"> </div></div><>landscape (see above tree picture, 45mm F8 1/250 +0.5EV). The sharpness was amazing.<> Haa... sorry in getting technical but I just couldnâ€™t help myself whenever I talk about photography. </></><><>The day was just lovely. We spent an hour walking around Danson Park taking photos. When we covered half the park, Susan and I decided to leave the park due to this â€˜sharpâ€™ breeze and made our way back to the car.</></><div style="line-height: 20px;" class="paragraph Body">Our hands were frozen but as soon as I turned the ignition key of <img width="206" vspace="0" hspace="0" height="304" border="5" align="right" src="http://nor.zorpia.com/0/2703/17300403.9f1cce.jpg" /> my car, we both felt the instant warmth, well... mentally.  We headed towards Blue Water shopping centre for a little while where we sat down for some nice hot drinks.</div> <div style="line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" class="paragraph Body"> </div> <div style="line-height: 20px;" class="paragraph Body">â€œWhat a drink... I had never tasted anything so... good before..â€ I thought.  <div id="id5" class="graphic_shape_style_default" style="margin: 12px 0px 12px 12px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; clear: right; float: right; height: 142px; width: 100px;"><div class="tinyText" style="height: 0px; line-height: 0px;"> </div></div> </div></div> <div style="line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" class="paragraph Body"> </div> <div style="line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" class="paragraph Body"> </div> <div style="line-height: 20px;" class="paragraph Body"><div id="id5" class="graphic_shape_style_default" style="margin: 12px 0px 12px 12px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; clear: right; float: right; height: 142px; width: 100px;"><div class="tinyText" style="height: 0px; line-height: 0px;"> </div></div>Well, a good company and love made up the perfect recipe for such a good feeling.</div> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: right; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" class="paragraph Body"> </div> <div style="line-height: 20px;" class="paragraph Body">We â€˜windowâ€™ shopped a while and started making our way to my surprise dinner that I booked in London - the OXO Tower.</div> <div style="line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" class="paragraph Body"> </div> <div style="line-height: 20px;" class="paragraph Body">We had a good time at the restaurant, the food and service was second to none. The night view of London was simply stunning. The strong wind that we complaint earlier had turned out to be an advantage for the evening, the sky and London landscape are crystal clear. What an evening.</div> <div style="line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" class="paragraph Body"> </div> <div style="line-height: 20px;" class="paragraph Body">We finished our birthday celebration by watching a late-evening movie at Greenwich Odeon. The chosen film was Mel Gibsonâ€™s Apocolypto. Susan was skeptical about the movie but it turned out to be one of the best we had seen this year. </div> <div style="line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" class="paragraph Body"> </div> <div style="line-height: 20px;" class="paragraph Body">Happy Birthday my dearest. I am already looking forward to our next celebration :)</div> <div style="line-height: 20px; padding-bottom: 0pt; text-decoration: none;" class="paragraph Body"> </div> Personal http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1637802 Tue, 23 Jan 2007 19:22 EST I am back @v@ http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1629855 Update >>>Man, just look at my last journal.  It has been 2 months since my last update here in Zorpia.   I must apologise for not keeping my only blog alive and updated :P  I must admit that these two months have been busy like no others.  All I can sum up are:1. Working 7 days a week from 10am to 10 or 11pm.2. Did 5 fashion photo shoots plus other engagements for my businesses.3. Three web projects and 4 publication projects.So... busy means good huh?  Yes of course but look at the aftermath... I have to attend meetings virtually everyday at least 2 to 3 times, each meeting last around 2 to 3 hours... yes, that's around 6 to 9 hours a day just in meetings.The worst thing is that what about my own work??? Like paperwork, administration... etc??? Well, I have no time of course.. so they are piling up on my desk.My very important Powerbook G4 and my only buddy that sees me more than anyone else on this planet has been working overtime too.  I hope the HD will last longer than my last one.  It is already showing signs of 'decrease in speed'.What about my photos?  Well, that's even worst, on top of shooting in films, I do a lot of digital work these days.  I only use RAW when I do my work so these 'gigantic' files are hogging up all my storage.  I will soon need another 500Gb HD :(  I do achive each project after I finish them but time is another issue!!  It takes around 1 to 2 hours to achive each project! Arhh... sounds like a complaint.Each project uses around 5 to 10 Gb of space and my current equipment already inadequate for my work.  Not only I found my Powerbook lack in speed, storage is the main problem.  I have 100Gb in my laptop, another 250Gb external, chain up with another 40Gb iPod and 80Gb photobank...  I am producing around 2 project backups a day.  I think I need another machine just to do back-ups :PI have updated my photo studio and my current equipment have been extended:Camera Bodies:Canon Powershot G5, EOS 1v + Booster, EOS 5D plus vertical grip, Zenit ES x 2, Zenit 12. Accessories:Canon 550EX flash,  Battery pack G3, LowePro Rover AWII, LowePro Slingshot 200, Various backpacks.  Manfrotto 190D tripod, mono pod, 145 head.  Sekona light Meter, DigitMate III 80g photobank. Zoom lenses:Sigma 15-30mm F3.5-5.6 EX, 50-500mm F4 - 6.3 APO HSM EXCanon 24-70mm F2.8 L USM, 28-135mm F3.5-5.6 USM,Fixed lenses:Zenit 45mm F1.8 x 3, 300mm Tair F3.5 x 3Canon 35mm F2.0, 50mm F1.8 Mk I, 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Man... I didn't even know I have so many after I counted them this morning.My daily pack comprises of 5D, 550EX, 100mm, 24-70mm, 50mm and they weight a total of 6 Kg!!!!!My back is getting stronger if I work miles everyday with these.Anyway, I will update with some photos I took recently and share with you :DEnjoy!!!! Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!! May all your wishes come true in the new year!LOLJimmy Personal http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1629855 Sat, 30 Dec 2006 10:50 EST Halloween!!!!! http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1606692 Update >>>What a day, what a night, what a bunch of crazy people haaaaaahaha.Finally we had our halloween special this year.  Saturday, 28 Oct 2006, the night when all the superheroes and super villains gathered at Mei's house for a secret meeting.  Each one was the representatives from everywhere you could imagine. They included Darth Vader, Power Ranger, Ironman, Robin girl, Superman and Superwoman, Dracula, Witch, Death, Skeleton, Storm, Catwoman, Starship Captain, Austin Power just to name a few.The conclusion of the meeting was to get all the sweets they could in the evening.  However, even with the power of our superheroes and villains, the result was null.  Yet, we discovered another business idea...<div align="center"> <img vspace="0" hspace="0" border="0" align="bottom" src="http://ll52.zorpia.com/lrg/0/2434/15581952.9bfb3b.jpg" /><div align="left">It's worth a try right? haaThen the war began... started with Superwoman vs Robin Girl...<img vspace="0" hspace="0" border="0" align="bottom" src="http://ll51.zorpia.com/lrg/0/2434/15582051.a4e76e.jpg" />And our superman saved an innocent child...<img vspace="0" hspace="0" border="0" align="bottom" src="http://ll01.zorpia.com/lrg/0/2434/15582401.a5ea00.jpg" /> </div></div>The fight became more scary... they started to danced together???  All gone crazy after a few Earth drinks... man, they just couldn't handle our precious alcohols!!<img vspace="0" hspace="0" border="0" align="bottom" src="http://ll17.zorpia.com/lrg/0/2434/15582617.d15e13.jpg" />Want to see the result?? Check the album lar :Dh ehheheheheeMe??? The starship captain could not resist the female attractions... even they were from outer space...Have a good day.JC Personal http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1606692 Mon, 30 Oct 2006 08:11 EST Chessington Starwars Special! http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1604784 Update >>>Wow, what a week.  Having been ill for 2 days this week, I am finally able to crawl out of my bed and do some proper work.  But how can I forget Zorpia?  I just put my Chessington pictures up here.  They were fun and hope you like them.I was so impressed with the theme.  Chessington is more a kiddy's place but as an grown-up ummm.. *cough* I wouldn't normally enjoy as much as I did.  The Starwar theme did make it different.  When we arrived at the park entrance, I could hear the Starwar music.  It was very welcoming and each cell of my body wanted to move and all of the sudden, I felt the FORCE!!!!!<img vspace="0" hspace="0" border="0" align="bottom" src="http://ll56.zorpia.com/lrg/0/2420/15489956.3b3b50.jpg" /> I couldn't help but to search for Stormtroopers and Darth Vader. All of us took the rides whenever we saw one, even the merry-go-round.  We were all excited and laughed non-stop.  Until we got arrested by the Stormtrooper and Jango-Fed - the Bounty Hunter heee...<div align="center"><img vspace="0" hspace="0" border="0" align="bottom" src="http://ll70.zorpia.com/lrg/0/2420/15490070.468519.jpg" /></div>My boss is Darth Vader!!!! <img vspace="0" hspace="0" border="0" align="bottom" src="http://ll12.zorpia.com/lrg/0/2420/15490112.45afe4.jpg" />  <div align="center">Still no sign of Darth... oh.. I could hear his breathing noise!!!! <img vspace="0" hspace="0" border="0" align="middle" src="http://ll48.zorpia.com/lrg/0/2420/15489948.7de3f6.jpg" /> </div> man he's so big and tall!!!!I couldn't resist the Dark Side... and turned against the Jedi...<div align="center"><img vspace="0" hspace="0" border="0" align="bottom" src="http://ll00.zorpia.com/lrg/0/2420/15490000.0af135.jpg" /> </div> *Breathing....*hahahhaWe had fun but so exhausted at the end... wooo... Enjoy and have a good day! JC   Personal http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1604784 Thu, 26 Oct 2006 12:48 EST Busy busy life http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1601289 Update >>> Man, I can't breath. I am up to my neck! On top of my normal day-to-day business, my photography has taken most of my spare time too! This month alone, I have done one 2-day wedding, 1 Fashion photoshoot, 2 more are coming... damn! I don't have time to process all of them!!!! My HD is filling up, my time is filling up, my life is filling up but my wallet isn't!!! arhhhhhhhh... Right, the fact is that fashion shoot is a fairly new expansion to my business. I used to do portraits and wedding but fashion has just started and in the right direction. The good thing is that shooting fashion means you can get passes to some premium stages, meet nice and good-looking models, chat to designers... etc. Ok, enough business talk and my personal life? Well, normal but good. Some may know that I am a big Starwar fan and there's a special event being held at Chesington Adventure Park this month!! I can't wait to see it. It's part of the Halloween celebration event but as a fan of SW, I must go to see the stormtroopers, Darth Vader and the X-Wing Fighter!!!! If I go and take photos, you won't miss them here :D ehee Gotta go, take care and have a good day! J C Personal http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1601289 Tue, 17 Oct 2006 11:00 EST My birthday :) http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1595947 Update >>> Hey, it's an early celebratioin.  It has to be one of the happiest days this year so far.  This year has been kind to me.  I have met many new friends and, of course, my girl friend have been great and our relationship has never been stronger now.  I am the luckiest man on earth. Of course, I am as eager as usual for my career and wishing all the successes to become real.  Well, I will just keep working on it :)  So... no rest for me for a while. Anyhow, I celebrated my birthday a week earlier owing to my mate's wedding.  It may be a usual affair for everyone who knows me.  It's a karaoke night, an opportunity to showcase my beautiful voice, hahahahahaa.  You can see how happy I am in my album (every picture of me was a smiling one :P) I am so grateful to have so many good friends and most of them turned up at my birthday karaoke that was held in Chinatown.  I was really surprised that just under 40 people scramped into a room. I also received a birthday cake together with a few very thoughtful and cute pressies.  Man... am I that predictable???  hahaa... well, everyone knows that I am a Starwars fan and it's no surprise to see people buy me Starwars toys :D haaa.. I got a few potato head - Mr Ta Ta hahaaaa..  I also received a wine stopper and a colone :)  ohh... nearly forgot the ice cream maker!!!! haaa.... everything is what I like normally :) So thanks guys!!!!! I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hurrayyyyy!!!!! JC Personal http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1595947 Mon, 02 Oct 2006 18:17 EST Busy busy http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1591892 Update >>>This has been a busy month for me. I have been working non-stop.Well, never mind. Here's one photo I took when I was in Prague (I know I know.. I haven't posted anything but even I hadn't had a chance to go through the photos myself.) But I thought this is a meaningful image.<img vspace="0" hspace="0" border="2" align="bottom" src="http://jimmycheng.smugmug.com/photos/96699961-M.jpg" />I took this when I was cross the famous Charles Bridge at around12am. There were many beggers on the bridge but he was the one that I thought whom would create the most impact. The passers-by all ignored him. I captured this by setting a slow shutter. His motionless and sadness instantly transferred to this image. One shot, I only had one shot at this. The darkness, the motions from passers-by and his motionless body... tell us all. Everyone has a story...Have a lovely day. JCPS: I will upload my Prague pics as soon as I process them :) Personal http://hk.zorpia.com/j133yc/journal/1591892 Wed, 20 Sep 2006 11:09 EST