I went to my first photo outing yesterday. And it wasn’t just any outing, it was to the elusive waterfall. The Great Waterfall of Penang.
Many have been to the Botanical Gardens but few have seen the majestic Penang Waterfall. The waterfall has been closed to the public since 1960’s as it is the main source of water for the reservoir.
So when my photo class managed to get a special permit for us to go in and photograph the waterfall – I jumped at the opportunity.
To get to the waterfall, we have to go through the reservoir at the Botanical Gardens. I was very surprised to see that the reservoir is not as big as I had imagined. Hahaha..i was expecting something like the Air Itam, Mengkuang or Teluk Bahang dam. But it looked more like a pool to me..hahaha
From the reservoir, we have to take a 15 minute hike up to the waterfall. I am again reminded on how un-fit I am. The short hike through the hill is enuf to cause me some minor muscular aches today. But luckily, I need not have to stop to catch my breaths. Some of the photokakis did, though they claim that they were just admiring the scenery… (hahahaha…look at what? Tree branches ah?).
And finally, here is the majestic waterfall…
And how do I feel?
Disappointed!
Not with the waterfall. But with my photos. I took many many photos, but most of it really not up to standard. Not even my amateur standard. I will not share more cause I am disappointed with what I have taken.
Just look at some photos that my fellow classmates have taken….SOOOOO NICE!!!! And this is just some of them. I am sure many other nice photos that they or others have taken. I can’t wait to see more of them.
Being my first photo outing,…I was really lacking in inspiration. Should have done more homework prior to the outing. I was still fumbling with the buttons on my camera on that day.
I should have focused on more different areas of the waterfall to experiment with the milky effect of the waters.
After yesterday’s outing, I have a lot of appreciation for nature photography. It was really not easy to photograph nature. If I want to get the milky water texture, I need to use a slower shutter speed. But sunlight reflects the light off the waters. So a slower speed will cause my photos to be overexposed! So many things outside our control. Very difficult leh…
Practice makes perfect….so how?
Go take sommo waterfall shots….Next stop… Lata Kijang waterfall in Ipoh…Next week..
(hubb doesn’t know abt this one yet. I just got the invite today. He’s gonna kill me when he hears abt this. hubb dear, pls let me go ok)
But before that…need to get a ND Filter and a good tripod. (Gonna get lecture fr him on this one also)
HAHAHAHA the world of photography … an expensive yet ppl still get hooked onto it! Actually the two pictures not bad leh, the 2nd water fall picture has that milky effect worrr! For starters can la!!! what do you expect from a first outing wor … but again … it is recommended to get some inspiration prior to the trip, know where to look ma!
Shooi: Yalor, so expensive. Guess who “poisoned” me into this???
Woww..your shots consider very good lorr…still not satisfy meh? Very nice wat!
Shooi: No lar…definitely not the effect I wanted. Yay, just heard fr sifu that i can borrow the CPL filter..can’t wait for the next opportunity to shoot again.
Is this the right time for all these??? hehehe
I was a photography student and I owned my first SLR when I was just 18… Nikon somemore…. and guess what happen to it now? My brother trying to lelong it on lelong.com! kakakaka
I’m happy with my digicam now… hassle free!
Shooi: For me, it’s the right time. DSLR is getting more affordable (the body at least). I thought of waiting for the price to drop further but that means missing out on beautiful photos of my children as well. Furthermore, i got sifu to help me with my camera. So, no regrets on my investment at the moment.