Day 01 - Sea Games in Laos
D-day is today. I will be in Laos for a once in a lifetime experience to be at the Sea Games in Laos shooting with the Straits Times photographer after I won the ST-Canon Sea Games Photo Contest.
I reached the airport at 615am to meet with Dentsu agency staff , Alan and Fumi together with the other winner, Wee for our flight out to Vientianne via Ho Chi Minh. It was really a sweet gesture from Canon when I was handed some pocket money for the trip before the check in. Thank you Canon!!
It was only later in Ho Chi Minh, did we realize we still had to still transit via Pnom Penh before we reached Vientianne. It was a 5 hour long transit in Ho Chi Minh when we met with 2 other boxing official Mr D and Mr N.
We arrived at Vientianne at 530pm. We are running a little late for the opening ceremony and had to rush to the media centre for our media accreditation pass. Time flew and before we knew it, it was close to 7pm. We decided not to proceed to the stadium.
In the media centre lobby, there were staff watching the live telecast on tv
At one section, there were even several televisions as well showing the live telecast.
So this is how it looked like entering the media centre.
I was informed by my ‘mentor’ ST photographer, that there were only 3 passes issued to Singapore to cover the opening ceremony. Little wonder I bumped into him, instead of expecting him at the stadium.
Outside, there were media people having dinner.
We proceeded to dinner by the Mekong River upon recommendation from our driver. Even the diners were entertained by the live telecast of the Sea Games.
You have the choice to sit either on the floor or on the chair.
If you notice the lights in the background below, that is Thailand, separated by the Mekong River.
And I have to admit the fishes taste great for dinner. Thank you Dentsu!!
I do have to admit, I feel a little pressured to deliver during the coming days. So let’s see what comes up in the next few days. Jiayou Suhaimi!!!!
Club Med Bali Discovery Photography Contest
15 June 2009
25th May 2009, 1:02pm....a time that I will remember for the rest of my life when I received that one call from Eyeka informing me that I will be spending my next 6 days in Bali with 9 other photographers around the globe for the Club Med Bali Challenge.
A truly unexpected invitation. Really, me? Really?...Really? I guess words couldn't describe how happy I was to be one of the selected 10 photographers.
It was a very memorable 6 days in ClubMed. The challenge, the interviews, the free flow of food and drinks to complement the really beautiful ClubMed, the people, the outings and most of all the participants and the organisers for making this trip truly unforgettable. We had to juggle so many things for our stay there like this performer who performed for the ClubMed guests during one of the show nights.
A truly unexpected invitation. Really, me? Really?...Really? I guess words couldn't describe how happy I was to be one of the selected 10 photographers.
It was a very memorable 6 days in ClubMed. The challenge, the interviews, the free flow of food and drinks to complement the really beautiful ClubMed, the people, the outings and most of all the participants and the organisers for making this trip truly unforgettable. We had to juggle so many things for our stay there like this performer who performed for the ClubMed guests during one of the show nights.
It was supposed to be a challenge to find the best of the best among the 10 of us, but the moment the challenge was handed out each day, you could feel the wonderful sense of camaraderie and genuine friendship which allows each of us to discuss our challenge to bring out the best in each of us. Is this a competition after all? I guess this is what makes it truly memorable in the company of other photographers who is willing to share in a competitive environment which is scarce in todays' environment.
Kudos to John(Australian), Felix(Swiss), Min (Korea), Angela (Phillipines), Evangeline (China), CK (Malaysia), Fumie (Japan) and last but not least, my 'crazy' roomate Gary (Indonesia). You guys/gals rock!!!! These guys rock our night too on our first night together in Bali...heheheheh
Kudos to John(Australian), Felix(Swiss), Min (Korea), Angela (Phillipines), Evangeline (China), CK (Malaysia), Fumie (Japan) and last but not least, my 'crazy' roomate Gary (Indonesia). You guys/gals rock!!!! These guys rock our night too on our first night together in Bali...heheheheh
We had 3 challenges in all. One was an open theme where we were allowed to shoot anything under the sun outside the resort. The other 2 challenges had to be done within the resort. So, what was my photo challenge, you might ask? Well, I had to shoot the *%^$&#^% and &*^$%$^&......(beeeepppp .....you think I would tell you huh .. :) Lets not spoil the fun just yet. Be patient, ClubMed will unveil the official photo shoot in due course)
The biggest test in the challenge was not to feature any guest faces and yet bring out the beauty of Club Med Bali. Think, think, think, Suhaimi!! Think out of the box. So am I allowed to use the Barbie doll instead? lol
The biggest test in the challenge was not to feature any guest faces and yet bring out the beauty of Club Med Bali. Think, think, think, Suhaimi!! Think out of the box. So am I allowed to use the Barbie doll instead? lol
It has been a week after the ClubMed challenge and I am already missing the great company I had in ClubMed Bali. Thank you Eyeka, ClubMed and the rest of the gangs for making it a memorable trip for me. Do keep your eyes glued to Eyeka for the official release of the Club Med Bali Challenge !!! Ooops….I forgot to mention the bonus shots too…..stay tuned!!
26 August 2009
3 months on and the 9 contestants works were put up for viewing by ClubMed and also for voting for the people choice award. Hold on, the microsite is nowhere to be found now at Club Med Bali.
But wait, where are my bonus shots submission? It was never put up on the microsite, sigh. Not sure why it wasn't showcased. Oh well....
Nonetheless, I shall put it up here for viewing. I seriously think, that my bonus shots are way better than my 3 assignment theme. Happy viewing!!
But wait, where are my bonus shots submission? It was never put up on the microsite, sigh. Not sure why it wasn't showcased. Oh well....
Nonetheless, I shall put it up here for viewing. I seriously think, that my bonus shots are way better than my 3 assignment theme. Happy viewing!!
8 October 2009
The day the news started to trickle in. CK from Malaysia grabbed the BIG prize, a 10,000 USD contract to shoot for Club Med and the People's Choice award went to Evangeline from China. I had to concede defeat, sob sob. Nonetheless, I had given my best and pulled up all the tricks I had for this competition, so I have no regrets. I have given my best, but as with all things, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. That is part and parcel of life.
I am always never lucky when it comes to voting, perhaps I only have few friends...lol.
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