ON PADI FIELD As a kampung (village) boy in the 1950s, padi field was one of my 'playing grounds". The fun was catching fish and 'swimming' in the muddy water. My sons grew up in cities of Alor Setar and Kuala Lumpur. They only see padi fields from inside my car. Their feet never get wet or bitten by any leeches. Today, I saw my friend shared photos of paintings of padi field. They look serene and beautiful and it brings back memories of my childhood. I hope to learn to paint padi fields in watercolours.
Bokeh Blur LIGHT AND SHADOWS Bokeh is the aesthetic quality of the out-of-focus areas in a photograph, typically seen as soft, blurred circles of light in the background. It enhances subject isolation and adds a dreamy or artistic feel to images. How to Create Bokeh: 1. Use a Wide Aperture (Low f-number) – A wider aperture (e.g., f/1.8, f/2.8) creates a shallower depth of field, making the background blurrier. 2. Increase Subject-Background Distance – The farther your subject is from the background, the stronger the blur effect. 3. Use a Longer Focal Length – Telephoto lenses (e.g., 85mm, 135mm, or 200mm) naturally compress the background, enhancing bokeh. 4. Choose the Right Background – Small, bright light sources (like fairy lights or city lights) produce beautiful bokeh shapes. 5. Position the Subject Close to the Camera – The closer your subject is to the lens, the more pronounced the background blur. 6. Use a Fast Prime Lens – Lenses with wide maximum aperture...