A SMALL GUY IN BIG WORLD SERIES: THIS IS AFRICA! (PART II)

As the war of melancholic between the authors of this blog rages on (Wira kept tabs on who wrote more melancholic, of which I don't really understand why), I like to continue writing on my visit to South Africa, in particular the Apartheid Museum (as stated in earlier post as a tribute the great Nelson Mandela).

A self portrait at the entrance of the Apartheid Museum. Red bricks signifying a 'wall' separating
the whites and the colored.

So here goes. The second day of the visit, I was told that we were going to the Apartheid Museum, of which was built as a solemn reminder of the 'colorful past' of South Africa. When the color of ones' skin determined how they should live their lives, when being colored means that dogs were treated better and when the whites rules with supremacy. That was the time of Apartheid, hence the Apartheid Museum.

A series of Nelson Mandela's portrait. The faces of a man who inspired billions to fight against what they believe.

Though the museum was built as a reminder of the past, the designs weren't. It boast of modern arts and design in almost every corner of the place. Without the exhibits, one would think that this is a modern art museum. Most of the exhibits tell stories on the great Nelson Mandela, a story of him since he was young, as a teenager,  adulthood (where most of the fights took place), his life in prison and his presidency (after more than 30 years of waiting). A story of a man who change the history, a man who defied bigger power for what he believed in.

The museum's passageway. Decorated with mirrors of people strolling. A mixture of the whites and
the colored, sharing the space together.

The passageways of the museum was designed as maze, which took me on a little adventure through time. There were complete history of Apartheid with displays, manikins, photos and even a model of Nelson Mandela's cell in prison. The history portrayed how mankind treat one another without any sense of respect, and at one time my head started spinning, unable to compute and understand why we acted such ways. I took the time to thank Allah for the peace and unity in my homeland (Malaysia, I'm a Malaysian and proud to be one).

The Apartheid Museum, a solemn reminder.

Visiting the Apartheid Museum in a away reminds us of how fragile and dangerous the world of men is but yet the story of Nelson Mandela was so inspiring, leading me to believe there are still hope for mankind, hope for the world so that all of us can live in peace, enjoying the awesome place we all call home (yes, I'm talking about earth).

So I'll leave you guys with something to ponder, cheers!

" To know a place, one needs to understand its culture, food and most importantly its people. So take the time to get to know the locals as only then you'll understand the place."

Thanks.

Yours truly,

Kaz

26 Dec. 2013 

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A SMALL GUY IN A BIG WORLD SERIES: COPENHAGEN, DENMARK (PART II)

After a day of wondering alone in the Botanical Park and the King's Garden, the next day I decided to visit The Rundetarn (translated as The Round Tower). It was a walking distance from the hotel I was staying (Saint Peter's Hotel) right in the middle of central Copenhagen. So I took a morning stroll towards The Round Tower through some alleys and walkways (which was very elegant by the way). So after half an hour walking, there I was standing right in front of the magnificent tower (not like the gloomy ones you see in The Lord of The Ring). My first impression was 'Wow! it's so tall' (kind of funny coming from a short guy like me).

The Round Tower: Low ISO, high shutter speed and small aperture (large number) to capture the details. There was more than enough light to use small ISO. (Nikon D90, 18-55mm lens)

After paying the not so expensive (for European) entrance fee, I started my hike up the tower. I was expecting stairs, stairs and more stairs but I was wrong. The Round Tower was designed in such ways that you can actually ride a bicycle up the tower. It goes spiraling upwards! Amazing isn't it? The design allowed me to actually walk slowly with more than enough space to snap some photos.

The curve: I had to use high ISO as there was small amount of light coming from the two windows. I had also used large aperture (small number) to allow more light. (Nikon D90, 50mm prime lens)

So I took my time enjoying the details in the building. The natural lighting in the tower was fantastic with soft light coming from the window highlighting shadows of bricks and curves. The design was stunning with lots of photography opportunities along the way up. I had to stop a few times to snap some photos (while waiting some of the areas to be vacant), but it was worth the wait.

The girl with a camera: It was challenging shooting this photo. The girl was facing away from the light not to mention snapping this one without her permission. But I personally love this photo as the girl makes good subject with
story to tell. (Nikon D90, 50mm prime lens)

Apart from the old section of the tower, a new section housing modern art galleries was also built. It's interesting to have both the old and the new in the same building. The contrasting designs and built was fascinating. It's like alternating between the pass and the present (yup, somewhat I became a time traveler). The only problem was I'm a bit ignorant on understanding modern art. So I had a really hard time appreciating the display (if course it was easy to act by looking and occasionally nodding my head and scratching my chin as if I understand what is was all about).

The modern art: I used the wooded structure to frame this photo, centered around the window. It was quite hard to balance between the back light from the window and the room's existing lights. (Nikon D90, 18-55mm lens)

I was in for another surprise in the next level of the tower. There was a display of an original part of the tower with a small 'peeping hole' giving access to the particular view. It was stunning! There was a small arm chair facing a small window with beautiful sunlight streaming through it. The only thing missing was an old lady sitting on the armchair, knitting with a cup of steaming hot coffee by her side.

An empty chair: I had used high ISO and large aperture (small number) as the only source of light was from the small window. It was hard to compose this shot as I only had limited space (through the 'peeping hole').
(Nikon D90, 50mm prime lens)

A few minutes after, I was at the top of the tower. The view was so unforgettable (but I somehow manage to forget where the hell I saved the photos). I can see the whole of Copenhagen from the top of the tower. I stood there with awe as its stretches as far as the eye can see.

So that wraps up this post. Keep on traveling and taking photos. Do share it here in this blog by commenting on posts. Cheers!

Thanks.

Yours truly,
Kaz
16 Dec. 2013 

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A Small Guy In a Big World Series: Copenhagen, Denmark (Part I)

I've been writing on my recent visit to Sabah of late, so a change might make this blog more interesting. In this post, I'll be writing on my visit to Copenhagen, Denmark. Please note that it's not my recent trip, but a place I'd visited for quite some time now. As this blog is about my memoir, so I'll be writing about my pass visits as well. So please bare with me on this.

Now, lets see, Copenhagen is a very beautiful place with nice weather (especially for photographer, the light was just right). There are many interesting places to see and in this post I'll be sharing on some of the attractions I'd visited while I was there.

A reflection of calmness: I used a large aperture for this photo to highlight the details and low ISO. I'd also change the white balance to bring out the blue sky 

So here goes. If you ever plan on visiting Copenhagen, the Botanical Park (especially in summer/fall) is the place to see. The park is huge with many attractions and for an amateur photographer like myself, it's heaven! It's tranquility and calmness leads to me wondering alone, thinking, composing photos and mostly reflecting (it sounds melancholic but it's actually not). I really took my time here spending more than four hours wondering. The only things missing was my better half (the Lovely Kila Nordin) thus making me appreciate the phrase 'if only you were here'.

A butterfly's heaven: To create the 'bokeh' I used a smallest aperture possible

Nature is at its best here. Like I'd mention earlier there are a lot to see including hundreds species of butterflies, birds and the list goes on (seriously, there's that many). So I spent more time capturing the images of butterflies and birds and more wondering around the park (I really missed my wife at that time).

A bird's bath: In this photo, I used high shutter speed to capture the splashing water. By doing so I had to increase the ISO to allow more light

By noon, I decided to visits the King's Garden, another stunning attraction here in Copenhagen. The garden consists of several old castles, some beautifully well kept trails and fountains. For those who loves to read (like a scene in Notting Hill starring Julia Roberts), this is the place for you. One can bring your favorite novels (in my case it's Dan Brown, David Baldacci and a few others conspiracy/thriller authors), pick a nice looking wooden bench and read all day long (do remember to bring something to eat as well). I didn't bring any books to read, so I picked a bench and started FaceBooking (just to get the 'feel'. Feel me?)

Sitting on a bench: I played with the white balance on this photo to bring out the color. Low ISO as there was more than enough sunlight

After a few minutes without any responses from my FB friends (I realized then that I'm not that popular), I got bored and continued with my photo adventure. My trusted D90 nicely sling, equipped with a standard 18-55mm lens (I just bought the camera, now I have more lens ;p), I then embarked on my little adventure. I spent around two hours wondering and getting lost in the garden (yes, I'm literally lost, it's a King's Garden and it's huge). After half an hour, I finally found my way back to the hotel, smiling happily with some of the photos taken.

An old castle by the lake: Having a wide angle lens would really help with this photo. Nonetheless I used what I have and try to compose this photo to perfection (which obviously not that perfect)

On my way back, I was amazed by the night landscape as well the night life. Though shops closed early in Europe, the night was still 'alive' with people hanging out in some of the bars. I took the opportunity to snap away a few photos (but without tripod, it was hard to get decent photos as the D90's ISO ranged only up to 3200), so the photos taken was grainy. Nonetheless, I got a few decent shots. As the night grew colder, I felt lonelier (crap! This is turning into a love novel). So the best thing to do was to head back to the hotel and get some rest.

The archway: Without a tripod, I have to steadied my hands to capture this. I'd to use high ISO and slower shutter speed to allow enough light

Okay then. I'll have to stop here as the post is getting longer and I really don't know how to make this more interesting or funny or add some drama in it (when you're alone, you can't escape the melancholic feeling). I'll be writing about 'The Tower' (a wonderful architecture relics) in my next post. So until then, cheers!

Thanks

Yours truly,
Kaz
12 Dec. 2013

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