Vivid Sydney

It was Vivid Sydney; Sydney Opera House Light Show. The opera house's sail shaped roof became like a huge white canvas as it turned into different colorful patterns, looked more like drawings. It changed every few minutes. The projections came from the cruise ship wharf @ quay just opposite the opera house.

There were a lot of people around, despite the very cold weather. However, it was not as crowded as during weekends I reckoned. We easily got a parking space close by without any hassle. I purposely chose to go during weekdays.

As we walked along, cameras and tripods lined the shore, with photographers waiting for the best moment to capture the scene. Boats and ferries passing by. Lights from the sky scrappers nearby, with the clear night sky and a full moon, all added up into making it a perfect night to take some memorable photos.

Aiman

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Now take a look at the colours of the Sydney Opera House:

The Rocks, the earliest settlement area in Sydney

Night scene of the City of Sydney

Some tips on taking pictures at night I want to share :
-use tripod as often as possible
-try using the Auto Exposure Bracketing function in your camera. Set up to the max point and see the difference
-using the shutter mode, set a longer shutter time, up to maybe 15sec or more for landscape photos
-to take portrait photos without using the flash, try to find a lamp post or flood lights and ask the subject to stand behind it so the face gets a bit of light. 1/10sec of shutter speed should produce a satisfactory result.
-if the background has enough lighting, you might use the flash to highlight your subject
-always review your photos. You might need to take another shot
I'm sure all the pros out there know better.

Postgrad Day 2009

Buat kesekian kalinya, Malaysian Postgraduate Students' Association (MyPSA NSW) mengadakan 'Postgrad Day'. Program berlangsung minggu lepas, 31 May 2009. Kali ini yang ketiga, dan sekali lagi di Centennial Park. Mentang2lah park ni besar, selagi tak habis tapak Centennial Park diteroka, agaknya takde peluang park-park yang lain 'terpilih' sebagai lokasi Postgrad Day.

Sekitar Program Postgrad Day 2009

Antara tujuan program ini adalah berkenalan dan merapatkan ukhuwah antara pelajar lama dan baru. Acara sukaneka kanak-kanak dan dewasa memenuhi program, selain hidangan makanan yang tak putus, ditambah dengan BBQ yang sedaaaap. Ini antara masa yang para pelajar berjumpa beramah mesra, selain dari Hari Raya. Memang, ada kenalan yang rasanya dah berbulan tak jumpa.

Aiman seperti biasa, seronok berlari sana sini. Mujur kawasan kali ni lapang, tidak padat dengan manusia atau pokok2. Mudah memerhatikan Aiman bermain dengan rakan2 sebayanya. Hmm, cepat sungguh budak ni besar. Rasanya tahun lepas masih berdukung.

Wajah-wajah Aiman

Ramai juga yang hadir, baru dan lama. Cuaca pagi agak baik. Menjelang tengah hari, awan hitam mula memasuki gelanggang. Hujan renyai sesekali turun, memberi isyarat supaya pulang ke rumah dan sambung kerja, hehe.