Saturday, December 31, 2011

Shoot for Life

Some of my pictures during the Shoot for Life for the victims of Typhoon Sendong, Philippines. Not much to say.. just enjoy the pictures guys.. more pictures will be available soon in my flickr or facebook.. ehhehehehe..

"Fire" - Francine

"Earth" - Vanina

"Wind" - Justine

with the model Wind-Justine; Fire-Francine & Earh-Vanina
Thanks to Team Creation and Concepts as the organiser.
Make-up Artist: Leo Fernandez of Magic Touch Saloon
Fashion Designer: Celso Dahil

the Photographer group that join the session are: DPSC, School Boyz, QPSQ, Nikonista Qatar, The Cathers of Light Qatar and WARP.. I actually don't realize that there are so many photography groups in Doha.. We also have Malaysian Photographers of Qatar.. but this group is less active.. hehehehe..

Till next posting.. c u guys.. 

Monday, December 26, 2011

Shoot for a cause for the victims of Typhoon Sendong, Philippines.

This outing was organize by a Photography group i.e. The Catchers of Light Qatar (TCLQ) to collect fund for the victims of Typhoon Sendong in Philippines. Other group that also join this outing are: Team Creation; Doha Pinoy Shooters Club (DPSC) and Nikonista Qatar.. 

For this session, it was done at the Junkyard of Doha, near the Industrial Area. With the “RESCUE” concept, 5 female models and 5 male models join this session.. which allows the photographers to have ample time to take pictures of all of the models.. for about every 15 minutes we switch the models.. each group have 1 male & 1 female models for the subject.. the only tricky about this is the session was start around 2pm afternoon which the lighting was very harsh.. however.. it was a great outing with friends.. we have fun & also we manage to collect some donation for the victim of typhoon sendong.. 

I receive an email from my friend in Philippines saying that he is one of the victim of the devastated area of the recent flood. He wasn’t able to salvage things from that incident coz the water rose abruptly that includes his Nikon D200 that he bought from me back in end 2009. I am so sorry bro coz cannot help much from here.. normally the camera & lenses is consider total lost.. or if you can sent it to the Nikon Service Centre, they might suggest you how to do about it. Most of electrical items if it is on power even the power is off but have battery attached to it will short circuit.. try to open the camera body & lenses.. do some cleaning.. opern the body.. brush all the dirt & sand out.. use hair dryer to dry the camera off.. then re-assemble it back.. & try to on it again.. if it doesn’t short circuit at the first time.. it can be used back.. hopefully bro.. so sorry again about your camera.. 

As of what I heard more than 600 people are reported death and hundreds are still missing.. my deepest sympathy to all victims of TYPHOON SENDONG. 



This is my version of the "Rescue" concept

Another shoot for a cause is also organize by my friend - The Team Creation. The detail are as below.


teAM Creation and Concepts invites ALL Photography Enthusiast regardless DSLR, POINT-and-SHOOT, or Cellphone Camera users to support the charity Photoshoot which will benefit the Family Victims of Typhoon Sendong.

"SHOOT for LIFE" is a glam and conceptual photoshoot with 3 Top Models. An opportunity to build and expand your portfolio and enhance your photographic creativity at the same time helping and saving lives of Filipinos who suffered from Typhoon Sendong.

WHAT: SHOOT for LIFE
WHEN: December 30, 2011 FRIDAY
WHERE: DOHA FOREST (GUBAT) AL RAYYAN, near Philippine School Doha
TIME: 1100 - 1300PM
Minimum Donation: QAR 60.00/ base or minumum

NOTE: ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO IMMEDIATELY TO SAGIP KAPAMILYA.

KINDLY confirm attendance for interested participants in our event calendar for our reference...

For more information, please contact any of the Team CC's member or call Nur Emir 66046202, Ritche Recometa 77977967, Pete Mandin 55987611 

So guys out there in Doha, lets support this event by joining them this coming 30th December 2011. 

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Asinqs & Ghost Protocol

Ghost Protocol is the December release new movie. most people are waiting for it.. including me.. ngeeeee :D.. We (Imran the owner of www.kulim.net and also my previous colleague here in Doha) had a chance to watch it since I have transport now to move around.. We go to Villagio coz there is the only place that have 13 screens.. & we sure that we will get the seating even we have not book it early.. We arrive in Villagio I think around 9pm. Straight away to the ticketing counter.. checking the timings available.. only 2 show is available that is 11pm (IMAX) & 12am (normal screen). We grab the 11pm show coz the timing is not so late even though its in IMAX not 3D for this.. Ticket cost for watching movie in Doha is very expensive if compare to Malaysia.. which QR35 for normal screens & QR55 for IMAX.. but coz we know that this movie will give us lots of action.. plus the timing is not late.. we decided to go ahead with the IMAX.. 

IMAX in my view is a bout 3-5 storey height of curve screen which is damn huge.. you can know about IMAX HERE. Its really great for 3D movie and 2D movie as well.. with the IMAX techonology.. you will feel that you are part of the movie.. you can feel the adrenalin and the intense of the film.. really nice & really great cinema.. you guys should try it too.. & if you want to feel the action of GHOST PROTOCOL.. go to IMAX.. hehehhee..

My review on this movie is 5 star.. I'm enjoying it so much.. sampai rasa seriau ngan peluh2 tangan watching Ethan Hunt climbing Burj Khalifa.. hehhehehee.. u guys should experience it your self.. hehehe...


its me imitating to be Ethan Hunt.. its Asinqs Hunt uols.. hehehe

as usual.. must have picture with the poster

Red April


Thursday, December 22, 2011

The Fog in Doha

Pepagi nie on the way gi site lebih kurang kul 7.30++ pagi banyak lak kabus.. Lama dah x tgk camni since balik dari Doha May 2010 dulu.. Hehehe.. Even one of my doha foggy picture was published in the Rueters website (your view section)..

Below are some of the pictures taken using my ipon.. Hehehehee

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Featured in Nikon Club

Nikon Club, Malaysia -  a club set-up by Nikon Malaysia for all Nikon user throughout Malaysia.. Before the Nikon Club was setup, I think.. Canon has started it first, they called their club an "EOS Buddy Club" only for the canon user.. actually, I was a bit jealous when I found out in one of the photography exhibition that Canon has already have their own club and can be join only by the Canon user.. hehehehe.. and Nikon doesn't have..  I am glad to know that Nikon now have one two for their Nikon user.. I know, the Nikon user out there also glad to be one of the member... hehehhehee.. 

What you can do or what does Nikon Club can offer to you? Please read inside the website itself.. http://www.nikonclub.com.my .. lots of activity planned by Nikon such as Events & Workshops, Photography Competition, Featured Nikon Club Photographer and etc.. 

Inside this website, you will have your own profile.. you can upload your pictures inside here.. or link it to your flickr (let the club website grab your picture from the flickr).. your pictures also can be viewed by other members and also can be commented by them.. its all about photography by the way.. so just post your pictures here as well.. you might get a chance to win some competition as well.. I think, each month, the judges from Nikon Club will select & vote for the pictures that been posted there.. so try to get a good picture that will draw the judges attention & voted on yours as well.. 

I manage to get featured as one of the Nikon Club Photographer inside the Nikon Club website. Please follow the link to have a view on it => http://www.nikonclub.com.my/pages/Insight.aspx?id=82 .. thanks to all who are always support me in my working.. 



remember this guys.. practice makes perfect.. whenever you go out from you house.. bring your camera along.. its either an outing with your family.. or outing with your friends.. or even when you go for outstation for your work.. try to capture everything that you might think interesting.. soon.. you will be better than yesterday.. do some readings in magazine.. try to improve your shots.. imitate what does the pro's does.. insyaallah.. your images will turn out to be better and better.. "rajin.. usaha.. & tawakkal" insyaallah.. hehehhee.. 

best regards,
ASINQS
Doha, Qatar

Friday, December 16, 2011

Weekend in Doha

Weekends.. The definition of weekends is for the non-working in a week which comprises the two traditional non-working days in the seven-day week.. which is normally Saturday & Sunday.. whereas for some countries/states that applies the Islamic law, they will use Friday & Saturday as their weekends.. I think most of Arabs / GCC countries is using Friday & Saturday as their weekends.. same goes to some states in Malaysia such as Kelantan and Terengganu.. In the early days, other states like Johor & Kedah is using Friday & Saturday as well for the weekends.. 

Lets talk about Qatar, the weekends for Qatar is also Friday & Saturday.. normally 2 days off.. but it depends also with what company you are working with and the policy of the company.. its either the government or the private sector.. for me.. I’m working with a Contractor.. Contractor normally will work 6 days a week at site especially.. only in HQ they will sometimes work 5 ½ days.. so.. to utilise the manpower & catch-up with the work, they will hire & contract the staff to work 6 days a week.. even sometimes when it is needed.. you are required as well to work on your weekends.. for the benefit of the project lah.. is that so.. or is that for the juice that you are entitle to.. hehehehee.. 

What will I do on my day off? Hmm for the guys with bachelor status like me.. most of the time.. we will just sit at home.. resting.. sleeping.. playing computer games / ps3 perhaps.. and just stick to the computer, chatting and facebook all days.. connecting with people all around the world & to your home country that is thousands of miles across the globe.. 

weekends activity;

We do this coz we only have that particular day to rest yes.. taking all the opportunity to rest recover all the tiring weekdays working hours.. hehehehee.. but the truth is.. we can’t go out to the mall.. coz its restricted only for the family.. for those without family.. better stay out.. or you will just waste your time going there.. go the other days except weekends should be better.. & less people.. the only place is without the family day restrictions are Landmark & Lulu Hypermarket… hehehhee.. even Souq Waqif have that restrictions.. tell you the trick to go to Souq Waqif without being chase out by the police.. drive your car & park there.. wear something smart and casual.. makes you look like a tourist.. they will not prevent you to go in.. coz Souq Waqif is one of the tourist attraction place.. hehehehhee… 

sometimes.. we the “bachelors” go out as well.. go to places that we have not been before.. visiting the places that’s something interesting to have a look on.. or out for taking street photos.. capturing what is happening around you and around Doha.. specially for this coming National Day.. hehehhee.. 

tonight I will go out and survey the best possible location of taking the fireworks on this coming 18th which is two days more from today.. hopefully I get lucky to capture those.. insyaallah.. 

guys/gals be my follower.. hehehe.. will bring more updates on what is happening in Qatar from time to time insyaallah.. see you soon in my next posting.. 

best regards, 
asinqs, 
doha, qatar 



Thursday, December 15, 2011

Qatar National Day 2011

Qatar National Day In commemoration of the historic day in 1878 when Shaikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani - the founder of the State of Qatar - succeeded his father, Shaikh Mohammed bin Thani, as the ruler and led the country toward unity, Qatar celebrates its National Day on December 18 every year. Qatar National Day emphasizes the identity and history of the esteemed country, embodies the ideals and visionary aspirations that this country was founded on and pays tribute to the great men and women who participated in building their nation.

December 18 is the day Qatar remembers how their national unity was achieved and how they became a distinct and respected nation out of a society torn apart by conflicting tribal loyalties, devoid of security and order, and overrun by invaders. On that day, the deepest expressions of affection and gratitude are conveyed to the people of Qatar who cooperated in solidarity and vowed sincere allegiance and obedience to Shaikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, trusting him as a father, brother, leader, and Imam. In him they found a man who had already distinguished himself in his youth as a pious, brave, self-sacrificing, as well as a wise leader. He successfully unified the Qatari Peninsula and safeguarded the interests of its people in the darkest of times ever witnessed by this part of the world.



Source: Wikipedia

Image Source: Wikipedia - Fireworks on Qatar National Day 2010 - a good location

In this coming 18th of December as well Qatar will celebrate once again their National Day / Independence Day. I will be part of it as well.. not really taking part of the parade or something.. but taking part of celebrating it as well.. treasure the peacefulness that we have here not like other neighboring country.. syukur alhamdulillah.. 

18th morning there will be a parade at Corniche area.. I will go there to do some street shot with a 50mm lens & DSLR borrowed from Konan, thanks bro hehehe.. whereas at night, there will be a fireworks at Corniche as well per the above picture.. hopefully I can get some shot like that as well.. hopefully i am lucky.. hehehehee.. 

You might be asking me why, with only 50mm lens.. it is just because that is the only lens available from Konan for now.. hahahahaa.. and it will be a challenge for me to get a good pictures with a limitation of equipment.. actually 50mm lens is a good lens for you to do a street shooting.. coz it is small & lightweight.. you can also get a bokehlicous pictures as well coz of the big aperture.. I also come across a video on youtube which my friend posted a link on facebook earlier on "5 Reason Why You Need a 50mm Lens". Have a view on the video below & let me know what you think about it..



I will try to make a video as well on my findings this coming 18th December 2011 for the Qatar National Day Celebration.. 

Take care now folks.. will see you guys on next posting.. 

Best regards,
Asinqs
Doha, Qatar

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Hi-Tea with YTM Raja Nazrin Shah

Got a chance to attend a Hi-Tea Reception with YTM Raja Nazrin Shah in Holiday Villa, Doha, Qatar.







Sunday, December 11, 2011

Good Morning Doha

..السلامعليكم & good morning Doha.. 

the below picture was taken using my iPhone 3Gs while driving this morning.. the sun was very big maybe coz last night there is a lunar eclipse.. its maybe.. hehehee.. but it is normal for me here in Doha, you will always see big sun during sunset or sunrise.. the sky is also very clear with light clouds spread all over.. a calm scenery early morning in Doha near Umm Slal Mohammed.. grab my iPhone & take few snaps out of it.. then I further enhance it in Photoshop.. ngeeee.... 

“Apabila telah ditunaikan solat, maka bertebaranlah kamu di muka bumi; dan carilah kurnia Allah dan ingatlah Allah banyak-banyak supaya kamu beruntung” (al-Jum’ah: 10)

Cheer up & always think positif.. face up all challenges in front of you.. take it & do it.. yes.. you can do it.. ehhhh.. tibeeeerrr... kekekekeke.. apapun.. selamat bekerja.. pada semua umat di muka bumi Allah.. 

Wassalam,
Asinqs
Doha, Qatar

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Opening Ceremony of Pan Arab Games 2011 - Doha, Qatar

The Arab Games 2011 is currently held in Doha, Qatar from 06 to 23 December 2011 with the marking of Opening Ceremony on 09th December 2011 and Closing Ceremony on the 23rd December 2011.



Source: Wikipedia
The 12th quadrennial Pan Arab Games will be held December 6-23, 2011 in Doha, Qatar. It is the first time the multi-sport event is held in Qatar.

Qatar was awarded rights to organise the games beating Lebanon in the bidding process. Arab Federation for Sports secretary general Othman al-Saad said that Qatar's hosting of the Pan-Arab Games would give the event "more momentum and significance in light of the huge capabilities and world-class sports facilities which Qatar owns."

The Games Mascot: Wathnan was selected as the mascot for the Games. It's a white horse, which is very important in Arbaian culture.



Letih lah nak tulis omputih nie.. entry ni aku tulis campor2 k.. hahhahaa..

Memula sebenarnya nak gi Pasar Malam yg di organize oleh MAQ (Malaysian Association of Qatar) at Hyatt Plaza. pehtu yang paling best.. boleh pulak salah masa.. adeh.. sengal tul lah.. tu ler asik duk layan movie kat rumah aaannnn... hmmm kes parah nie.. berat.. beraaattt.... kekekeke.. nasib masih ada rezeki.. terserempak ngan lina & the geng.. & thanks jugak kasik nasi lemak tu eeekkk.. berisi jugak perut ni... hehee.. save duit tak yah beli dinner.. kekekekee..

Memula masa on the way to Hyatt Plaza tu.. quite surprise gak.. napalah banyak sangat kete arini.. hmmm.. mesti ada something big happen around Aspire Zone.. hmm.. dah agak dah.. rupanya ada Opening Ceremony Pan Arab Games arini.. ingatkan semalam.. sebab dari semalam lagi.. jalan sikit nyer jem macam hazab dari tengahari kat kawasan ni.. nasib lah tadi masa nak kuar rumah aku sambar kamera kecik aku ngan tripod sekali.. cadangnya memula nak amik gambar sekitar pasar malam.. dah pasar malamnya habis.. sudah salah masa.. jadi.. dari hyatt.. aku jalan kaki jer ke arah Aspire Zone.. lebih specific.. Khalifa Stadium & Aspire Tower (The Torch Tower)..

Lokasi Aspire Zone dekat jer sebelah Villagio.. & Villagio ni jugak dekat jer.. sebelah ngan Hyatt Plaza.. so.. dari satu keje nak gi carik parking ngan kete yg hazab punya banyak kat Villagio tu.. baik aku jalan kaki jer.. sebab Dodge tu dah parking sikit nyer baik kat Hyatt.. kekekekee.. 

Torch Tower is just beside Villagio
Boleh di lihat dari gambar di atas lokasi Torch Tower tersebut yang hanya bersebelahan dengan Villagio.. Dari Villagio ni juga ada covered walkway yang menyambungkan Torch Tower dan Villagio.. Kalau tak silap aku... Torch Tower / Aspire Tower ni dibina masa Sukan Asia Doha tahun 2006 dulu.. Sekarang dalam Torch Tower ni ada Restoran Berputar.. yang macam ada kat KL Tower tu.. They called the Restoran as 360 Restaurant.. hmmm.. insyaallah satu hari nanti aku akan naik kat restoran nie.. tapi buat masa sekarang lum lagi.. sebab takkan lah nak naik situ makan sorang2 kan.. mana syok maaa.. kena lar ada teman.. insan yang istimewa tu pulak takde kat sisi aku sekarang.. nuunnn jauh beribu batu kat KL tu.. nanti kalau ada rezeki & umur panjang.. insyaallah when my wife is here.. i'll bring her here to enjoy the food & the view as well... insyaallah...

Below are some other pictures of the Aspire Tower and Khalifa Stadium during the Opening Ceremony of Pan Arab Games 2011..

Left: The Torch     Right: Khalifa Stadium

One of the landmark of Aspire Zone

taken from the area below the picture above of what is happening inside the Khalifa Stadium.. wah ada bunga api kat dalam tu..

Panorama View of Aspire Zone

from the other angle showing the Stadium & the Torch
I was standing quite near to the Khalifa Stadium.. aiming my camera as the above picture & hoping that the fireworks will be fired from the Aspire Park area behind the stadium from my point of view here.. As you can see.. there is a Police officer sitting on the above picture & there is also a man lift/bridge lift behind him.. kawasan di belakang pegawai polis tu berpagar.. kat belakang man lift tu jugak leh nampak macam a miniature of al-fana tower.. huhuhu.. aku yang duk kat luar ni.. tak tahu apa yang jadik kat belakang tu.. & untuk apa miniature al-fana tower tu.. huhuhu.. tak lama lepas tu polis tu datang kat aku.. & suruh aku beredar kebelakang sikit.. aku ingatkan pasal apa kaann.. 

pastu.. boleh dilihat obor pun sudah dinyalakan.. boleh nampak dari tempat aku berdiri.. obor tu macam menjalar di sekeliling al-fana tower tu hingga ke puncak.. & menandakan Pan Arab Games 2011 dengan rasminya dibuka.. tiba2..

tak lama lepas tu.. BOOM!!! bunga api tu meletup betul2 kat kawasan yang berpagar tu.. terkejut & kelam kabut aku nak amik gambar.. hahahaha.. nie jer yang aku dapat amik memula tu.. then the fireworks stop..

aku ingat dah habis dah bunga api tu.. aku pun beredar sikit.. untuk amik gambar dari sudut yang lain Khalifa Stadium & Obor tersebut seperti gambar di bawah..

different angle of the Khalifa Stadium with the torch light up at the top of "al-fana tower"

they started the fireworks again.. & I get lucky to capture this image.. 

they started the fireworks show again.. semua bunga api tu duk meletup atas kepala aku.. terkejut aku.. pastu lak camera Olympus Pen E-P1 nie lak.. lepas amik long exposure.. dia proses lambat untuk aku amik gambar seterusnya.. decided then to change it to video format & record it from there per video below uploaded in you-tube.. just ignore the background voice haaa.. duk seronok sendiri sorang2.. wakakkakaa.. bila dengar balik macam org bengong pun ada gak.. wakkakakaka...




below are another video posted by someone from inside the stadium.. as you can see its sync with the music inside the stadium.. really wonderful show.. thumbs up to Doha.. hehehehehe






overall view of Aspire Park after the Opening Cermony of Pan Arab Games 2011 ends


k guys.. that's all for now.. will write soon insyallah.. hehehee.. enjoy the pictures & video posted here... wassalam...

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Doha - 2010 and Current

Not many changes I've seen in Doha since I left it in May 2010. I'm back here again in Doha since 9th October 2010 attached to a new company. Hopefully this time can achieve my target insyaAllah.. That is why I call it a new beginning lah.. hehehehee.. 

Ok to cut it short, lets have a look in this few picture below showing about Doha.

west bay doha, 29 January 2010

This is Doha taken on 29th January 2010, showing of the West Bay area where it held all the high rise building of Doha. The above picture is taken around morning 6.48am during one of the morning sunrise outing with friends. The above picture is taken using Nikon D3s + 24-70mm f/2.8 lens at ISO100, f/22, 1/4sec with one single shot at maximum zoom of 70mm.

Whereas below picture are taken using Olympus Pen E-P1 with kit lens 14-42mm with maximum zoom at 42mm. It is taken section by section from right to left of camera then later post process it in Photoshop CS5 to stitch it to make panorama of West Bay. Further enhancement have been done, crop & re-size it to make it just nice for the header of this travel log lah.. hhehehehehee..

Doha, West Bay

These 2 location are not from the same angle, as you can see from the 2nd picture, there is more high rise building coming up & fill up the area of West Bay.. Maybe next time, I should try it from the same angle roughly that I could remember from the 1st picture. 

The 2nd picture was taken during the 3rd day of Eid Al-Adha 8th November 2011. It was a very clear sunny & breezing day. I was hanging out at Corniche from around 10am until 2pm enjoying the scenery & take a look of peoples behavior. Will tell you guys later of the some rules and regulations here in Doha. Which I think does not in favor for the "bachelor" (its either you are single means single or you are here alone - single package, without your family) here.. Ok.. lets see some night scenery as well that I took previously when I was here in 2010.

a view from al-bida

The above picture is in HDR (High Dynamic Range) converted from a single RAW file using photomatix. Just ignore my old logo. I have a new logo by the way, which carry the new identity of the company to avoid conflict or misunderstanding between me & my past story. Alright.. shall we continue with the night scenery picture.. hehehee..

a view from al-bida 1

Both night scenery picture above was taken from the 40th floor of the Al-Bida Tower at West Bay. The 1st night scene is showing the road near Corniche (on the left) and some part of Rumaila Park and some construction site. Whereas the 2nd night scene picture showing more towards the city inside area, where you can see Ezdan Tower on your right & the Khalifa Tennis Stadium on the left & one football stadium near the centre. Both picture are HDR generated from one single RAW file converted using Photomatix. If I get the opportunity again, I will try to take from the same angle of this shot or take some few shots & stitch it to make it as panorama so that we can have a better view of the area here.. Will try to search my old hard disk of the original picture, maybe can find some of the picture taken section by section to make it a better Panorama.

That's all for tonight, my eyes is getting tired.. hehehehe.. signing off for tonight, good night, sweet dreams to all.. Good night Doha and all over the world.. Good morning Kuala Lumpur.. rise & shine.. 

Asinqs,
Doha, Qatar