Sleepy in Singapore

Still on our sleepy theme, here is a photo I took for an upcoming book (I'm not allowed to reveal too much at this point in time). The photo was shot in Chinatown, Singapore, earlier this year. To be honest, it's hard to find inspiration when photographing in my own backyard, but this assignment surprised me in more ways than one. There are gems if you’re willing to open your eyes and mind.

Sleepy in Chiang Mai

This picture was taken in Chiang Mai, early 2007. I don’t know what was in the air that lazy afternoon, but I saw quite a few sleepyheads dozing off behind shop counters, catching a few winks in tuks tuks etc. Any guess what the man in the background is dreaming of? Northern Thai hill tribe girls like the pretty dolls in the foreground perhaps?

Model Monk

This novice monk not only has a pretty face, he sure knows how to strike a pose (Tyra Banks would definitely approve!). I shot this at Punakha Dzong in Punakha, Western Bhutan.

Punakha is about 72 km away from the capital Thimphu. At 1200m above sea level, Punakha has a subtropical climate – warm in winter and hot in summer. The two main rivers of Bhutan, the Pho Chu and Mo Chu, run along Punakha Dzong, making it one of the most photogenic landmarks in the Himalayan Mountain Kingdom.

Stormy Weather

One of the most photographed landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City is the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee or Hotel de Ville as it was formerly known. The French colonial style building was built between 1901 and 1908, and is unfortunately not opened to the public.

I took this picture in August 2007 just before the heavens opened up and rained down on the streets of Saigon. The ominous clouds not only add drama and tension to the picture, they are also a stark reminder of the city’s early turbulent years.

Khmer Waitress

If you are an art and coffee lover, you can enjoy the best of both worlds at Java Cafe and Gallery, Phnom Penh. The hip café is housed in a colonial building overlooking Sihanouk Boulevard. I ‘happened’ to take this picture while having lunch there earlier this year. I saw a pretty waitress taking orders from a Japanese family (yes, the café attracts a cosmopolitan crowd). I think her silhouette against the window is placidly beautiful, don’t you agree?

Monk Crossing

This is one of my favourite photos which did not make it on my website limchih.com. It was shot in Luang Prabang, Laos. What I like about the picture is the unique signpost which shows a woman in traditional Laotian dress crossing the road. Juxtaposed with a monk in saffron robe and you get a very interesting photo!

Over the next few days, I will be featuring some of my personal favourites on my blog. I hope you will enjoy them.

Magelang Gemilang 3

These images were shot at Selogriyo about 30 minutes drive from Borobudur. Virtually free of tourists, the village has sprawling rice terraces (gives the rice terraces at Ubud Bali a run for their money), flora and fauna that are one of a kind, and the nicest (and most chatty) people I’ve ever met.

If you ask me which is better – Borobudur or Selogriyo, I would have to say “Selogriyo wins hands down”!

Chamcar Bei – A Visit that Warms the Heart

Since we’re on the subject of goodwill, I thought I’d share some photos (my personal favorites) I took of a school in a rural village near Kep, Cambodia. The school, part of the Hand in Hand Cambodia program, is co-funded by NGOs, Friends of the Rainbow Schools and Bridges Across Borders.

I visited the school with Joan and Mei in January this year. The lovely ladies brought many presents consisting of clothes, stationery, flutes and cash donations from Singapore to give to the needy children and their families. It always warms my heart to see such kindness and compassion. And seeing the kids’ happy faces (and their simple lives) reminds me to count my blessings and be thankful for what I have.

I believe that regardless of race, language and religion, we should help one another to make this world a better place for all. Everyone deserves a chance in life.

P.S. The Hand in Hand Cambodia program is the brainchild of Jef Moons and Boris Vervoordt, the Belgian founders of Knai Bang Chatt, a chic resort in Kep.

An Evening of Kirtan with Edo Kahn

My friend Mei once travelled two hours from San Diego to Los Angeles just to hear Krishna Das perform Kirtan. Last evening at International Yoga Centre (IYC), fans of Kirtan were treated to a special performance by Edo Kahn of Kahn Brothers, a popular band from Australia. Mei unfortunately had an important meeting on, so she missed the mini concert.

I volunteered to shoot pictures for the event (doing my part for charity). It was quite a challenge as there was insufficient lighting in the studio (all the windows were shut and the lights were not switched on). I had brought along my Canon Speedlite 580EX II flash, but decided it was best to shoot in low light for a softer ambience.

All profits from the concert will go towards the Gift of Life program by the Beloved Narayani Foundation. Namaste.

Magelang Gemilang 2

Here are more portrait shots from my latest collection, Magelang Gemilang.

The villagers in Magelang are really wonderful people. Goodwill is all around. I told my guide: “You can’t find such warmth and friendliness in my country. Almost everyone there seems so uptight. Point a camera at them and they will either give a dirty look or walk away. But here, the people are so approachable and genuine!” My guide replied: “We believe in making more friends and less enemies. That’s our culture.” Cool! If you’re looking for a place without strangers, Magelang is definitely it.

The Real Taste of Java

We call it coffee, the Americans call it java. It’s actually quite apt as coffee was widely cultivated in Java (part of the Dutch East Indies) in the 17th century. Today Java's remaining colonial-era plantations provide just a fraction of the coffee grown on the island. And I dropped in at one of these, Losari Coffee Plantation (which is now a 26-suite boutique hotel and spa with a working coffee plantation on site) for a cuppa. I must say it’s one of the best coffee (100% organically grown) I’ve ever had!

P.S. This post is dedicated to my former classmate, Dr Leslie Tay, blogger extraordinaire of ieatishootipost.sg.

The Mountain of Fire

Another iconic site in Central Java is Mount Merapi or Gunung Merapi (Mountain of Fire). It is located on the border between Central Java and Yogyakarta, and is the most active volcano in the country. Its last eruption was in 2006. I shot this picture while I was on my way to the airport in the early morning when the lighting was at its best. The two-hour drive from Borobudur to Solo is one of the most picturesque I have ever experienced…

Amanjiwo - The Other Awe-Inspiring Site in Magelang

Only five minutes (by car) from Borobudur is the equally spectacular Amanjiwo. Designed by world renowned architect, Ed Tuttle, Amanjiwo is undoubtedly your best accommodation option in Magelang. But only if you can afford it.

I had the privilege to shoot pictures of the hotel when I was in Magelang. The architecture bears a striking resemblance to Borobudur, which from the lobby you can see the mystical temple in the distance. It almost feels as if Amanjiwo is an annex of Borobudur!

Says Rohini Nordmann, General Manager, Aman Sales and Reservations, who has seen my pictures: “You may not be a painter, but you have a painterly eye for detail and an artist’s love of beauty, form and balance.”

The Mistique of Borobudur

The area surrounding Borobudor is shrouded in mist every morning. It adds an air of mystery to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, where millions from around the world visit each year.

As the weather was mostly cloudy during the four days I was there, I couldn’t capture a sunrise shot of Borobudur. And it was difficult to shoot with many tourists hovering around. I felt like I was in Disneyland…

Magelang Gemilang

I just got back from Magelang, Central Java today. Magelang is famous for the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Borobudur, known to be the largest Buddhist monument in the world and perhaps the most photographed tourist attraction in the whole of Java.

The weather was not too kind while I was there over the weekend. Most of the time, it was cloudy and hazy. The sun was nowhere in sight (it magically appeared today just when I was leaving!). So a visit to Borobudur at dawn on Sunday was a big letdown. “What? I woke up at 4am to see clouds?” My guide told me to try again the next day. But going by my gut feeling, I decided to give it a miss. And thank goodness I did – it was even cloudier on Monday!

As I did not manage to get good shots of Borobudur, I went to the villages instead to shoot pictures of the local folks and kids at work and play. I must say I’m very pleased with the results. Here are some portraits from my new collection titled Magelang Gemilang (Glorious Magelang).

The Dawn of a New Day

While 08.08.08 is an important day for many – the Beijing Olympics opening and The Straits Times’ new look, today is especially significant for me. It not only marks the birth of my new website limchih.com, it is also the start of a new chapter in my life.

My website has been more than three years in the making. What started as a hobby became a calling while I was on a trip to Bhutan. I discovered that photography gives me a whole new perspective (and purpose) in life. Not only does it connect me to the world, teaching me to better understand and appreciate each country’s unique culture and beliefs, it also ignites my imagination, giving me the freedom to express myself creatively.

Selecting the pictures for my website turned out to be a longer than expected process. I have in my collection more than 200 editorial-worthy images. But I can only fit 88 of these pictures into my website. So it took me many rounds of editing (and a heavy heart) before I finally decided which made the final cut. It’s so hard to say “no” to your babies…

I would like to take this opportunity to thank IdealWorks Design for creating a super slick and sexy website. My designers, David and Gevin, have been working overtime the past week to put the finishing touches (I made their job harder by making many last minute changes… sorry guys). This website would not be possible without their ingenuity and drive.

My sincere thanks also go to Joan of IYC for her generosity and kindness, Mei aka Imelda for her “big sisterly” advice and encouragement, Teow Li for her prayers, Anan of Keys to Bhutan for showing me the true Bhutan, Jasmine of Semco for our longtime collaboration and last but not least, my wonderful family for their love and support. This website is dedicated to my late mother, Adriana Foo Mier Joon.

Countdown to 08.08.08

LimChih Photography website and blog will be officially launched on 08.08.08.