Monday, December 20, 2010

Walking Bukit Bintang

It was a pleasant 3 November evening with Leanne, Steph and Aloysius in the heart of KL. The weather was surprisingly fair and clear, and the roads (well, just one actually!) very walkable.

Leanne and I spent some time hanging out in Lot 10 while waiting for Steph and Aloysius. We visited the Apple and NG stores, and dropped by Guardian. YTL's presence was strongly felt, with their new 'YES' 3G/wireless service complementing the mall's Christmas décor.

We also visited Fahrenheit 88; it was my first time at the new place, which was once KL Plaza. Remember when it was called Mun Loong, anyone?


Next on National Geographic.


Fahrenheit 88.


Cabbie taking a shot of Fahrenheit 88.


The simple but elegant lobby at Hotel Piccolo.


Leanne and the Christmas tree, Piccolo lobby.


I'm not sure if every egg dreams of being cracked over a griddle, fried and flung into gastric juices, but it is extremely difficult to fault the McDonald's advertising campaigns!


Jalan Bukit Bintang.


Steph and Aloysius outside Tarbush, where we had dinner.


Breakdancers.


Breakdancers again.


The fire-swirling Mat Salleh.


The fire-swirling Mat Salleh in action.


1Malaysia and the photographer.


Steph and Leanne on the plaza outside the Pavilion.


* * *


It has occurred to me, over the first two weeks of December, that photography is a deviation from reality.

While photography encompasses 'realistic' styles like those employed for nature and journalism, as well as 'fantastic' styles like those used in lomography, pop art and some types of portraiture, the very elements used to achieve impact in photography deviate from how the eye perceives things.

I am talking about things like long exposures, shallow depth-of-field, creative flash and motion blur. These are some of many techniques used by photographers to convey emotions, and even truths, about the world around them.

But that's photography, isn't it? The usage of unrealistic methods to describe something realistically. I can't overquote John Sexton when he says, "It's so bizarre to me that I can show you a picture that's black-and-white and you somehow think it represents reality. When's the last time you opened a window and it was black and white outdoors?"

(The full interview here.)

1 comment:

suitlin said...

I love the taxi uncle shot!

You make me miss home so much, I can almost smell the air and hear the break dancers cheer and listen to the lala-music blasting from Sg Wang plaza.

And that familiar cross road, have you ever tried just standing in the middle (At the divider of cause) and closed your eyes and just listen? It's like standing on one of the many pulses of the city. :)