Experimenting Photoshop

All these while, I thought all those nice photos were achieved from photographing using super cool DSLR cameras. Oh boy I was so naive! Yes, we will get nice sharp photos from DSLR, but those super cool effects were actually born through post processing! There are tons of post processing tutorials online, which I find very useful and also an eye opening, haha. Welcome to the power of Photoshop! While I prefer originality, I can't deny the magic of Photoshop, even if its just a pinch only yet photos will definitely look different.

Here's what I've achieved as a starter. Left: original photo, right: after Photoshop. Photos were taken around my condo at night.

Notice how mood of photo is totally changed! The rows of swings? (no idea what they are called) seems so peaceful, like resting for the night after children were playing with them during the day.

I don't know why but I really like B&W photos! B&W is so classic and I will never get bored looking at B&W photos! Minimal in colors, yet so powerful and unique.

I'm just attracted to the bench beside the lamp post, and reflection of lights against the tree.

Peeking through the leaves! I love those lines! Me weird huh? :)

 

Chasing your dreams

Today's Breakfast Talk was an inspiring one, and I guess the timing is just nice for me. Presented by Sharon, she shared a story about Walt Disney, whom against all odds and difficulties, emerged as one of the most successful and well known person. Walt Disney believed and chased his dream!

4Cs that I've learned from today's session were:
- Curiosity
- Courage
- Confidence
- Constant

We have dreams, sometimes crazy ones because we're curious. When we're curious, we need to have courage to start or chase what we're looking for. Coupled with confidence and constant, we could, (hopefully) achieve our dreams! Like how Walt Disney put it:
All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.

So, I shall pursue my dreams! Slowly but surely!

Life is short. With the recent earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan, they triggered me of how fragile life could be. My heart ached and my eyes were teary watching footage and photos of the disaster, tearing apart homes, buildings, roads, etc. We never know what will happen tomorrow. Thus, I shall start living and must live life to the fullest! I must start doing things for myself!

I wish the people of New Zealand and Japan to continue stay strong throughout these hardships. I admire and salute the courage shown. God bless!

My little dream

Last Saturday, my 'sifu' asked me if I'm interested to take over a flower shop in Kota Damansara. The owner is labeling the price at a whopping RM45,000! I'm not sure if that's the market price, but that figure is pretty HUGE for me. The shop is half of a shop lot, monthly rental RM2,500, with 2 fridges, air-conditioners and basic stuff for running a flower shop. Sounds good to be true, I don't think I have the guts to take and run a shop on my own yet.... not now....... not that soon.

Yes.... my dream is to own a flower shop, running my little business out of my passion. The saying says: If we're doing things that we like and passionate about, we won't feel it's a work. I also have this crazy dream of having a flower shop like in a countryside setting, say like New Zealand or Perth, where the weather is so different from here, have huge area filled with lovely grass against a crystal clear blue sky! Aahhh..... I can smell the lovely scent of grass and flowers filling the air! Bliss!

I hope I can really own a flower shop one day, say in 5 years or more down the road. My plan now is to work as a florist, learning as much as I can and gaining the necessary skills. I hope I can meet a good boss who will teach and guide me on becoming a successful florist, or perhaps become business partners ha!

By the way, read an article in The Star last week, baker and floral assistant are among the few popular jobs for retiree. Wow! I never knew this..... but lucky enough I have interest in these 2 jobs!

This year will be a year where I need to fulfill things that I wanted to do and try for so long. Besides finishing my flower course soon, I'm eyeing on baking (special interest on bread) and photography classes as well. Ahhh, not to forget to watch my spending – need to save for Perth trip coming October. Ohh, can I just stay on in Perth and no need to fly back? How I wish I can do so!