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MARTIN PARR 1952-2025

A beautiful tribute to the late Martin Parr's works is best when the photo reflects his visual language while still staying true to your voice as a street, urban, and documentary photographer. Here are three strong types of photos you can share, and why each fits as a tribute: 1.⁠ ⁠A Colourful, Everyday-Malaysia Candid — with humour or irony Martin Parr loved the ordinary moments of daily life, especially those with: • Bright colours • Ordinary people doing ordinary things • A touch of irony or humour • Quirky human behavior What to choose: A street photo you’ve taken that captures Malaysian life in a colourful, slightly humorous or unexpected way — maybe someone eating durian in a funny position, vibrant beach scenes, markets, or people interacting with consumer culture. Why this works: It echoes Parr’s playful critique of modern life. 2.⁠ ⁠A Close-Up Details Shot — bold, saturated, slightly exaggerated Parr was famous for tight close-ups of food, hands, objects, a...
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Steel Space Frames in Modern Railway Stations

The Beauty of Structural Logic: Steel Space Frames in Modern Railway Stations {By an engineer who loves architecture and photography} Railway stations have always fascinated me—not only as transportation hubs, but as places where engineering, architecture, and human movement intersect. Whenever I travel, I make it a point to study the roof structures of major stations. These roofs are more than shelters; they are statements of engineering ingenuity. The steel space frames in the stations of England, Holland, and Malaysia are excellent examples of how a single structural concept can be adapted across cultures and continents. Why Space Frames? An Engineer’s Appreciation Steel space frames became popular for long-span roofs because they solve a fundamental engineering challenge: How do you cover a vast open area without internal supports obstructing movement? A space frame answers this with elegance. By interlocking steel members into a three-dimensional lattice, the structure distributes...

B&W PHOTOGRAPHY INSIDE PUTRA BRIDGE

 

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS ARE SELF PORTRAITS

The phrase “All photographs are self-portraits” doesn’t mean your face appears in the frame.It means that who you are quietly appears in every photograph you choose to make. Your values, your training, your personality, your curiosities — they all leak into the image. In the context of your photo, taken as an engineer who loves architecture, the saying becomes even more meaningful: What this photo reveals about you — even without showing you 1.⁠ ⁠Your engineer’s eye for structure You were drawn to the mall’s undulating ceiling — a complex, rhythmic structure that most people would simply walk under without noticing. The fact that you noticed it, lined it up, and made it the dominant feature already says something about you: You appreciate design integrity, load distribution, repeating patterns, and the elegance of engineered solutions. 2.⁠ ⁠Your love of architecture shows in your visual priorities Most people photograph malls at eye-level, focusing on shops or events. You went for a hi...

EXPLORING SOCIAL DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY

Sharing a photo as shown above, which meets the criteria of social documentary photography. Here are the explanations:  1.⁠ ⁠It records real people in a real social activity Social documentary photography focuses on everyday life, social issues, culture, and communities. This image captures a genuine monthly public walk organised by a civic body (Putrajaya Corporation). The people are not posing; they are participating naturally in a community-driven activity. 2.⁠ ⁠It documents a social initiative and its purpose The walk promotes healthy living, community bonding, and public wellness. These are meaningful social themes. Social documentary often highlights initiatives that reflect societal values, behaviour, or change. 3.⁠ ⁠It provides context and narrative The architectural elements (the boulevard, the lamp posts, the Putrajaya design aesthetics) give clues to the place and the social environment. The group movement, attire, and formation suggest organisation, unity, and shared pu...

URBAN PHOTOGRAPHY :ON LAYERS

As I walk in the city of Kuala Lumpur… There are moments when the city reveals itself not through grand architecture or sweeping skylines, but through the quiet layers that unfold as you simply walk. Today, in the heart of Bukit Bintang, I found myself drawn to a scene that felt familiar yet strangely cinematic — a corridor of towering digital billboards glowing above a slow-moving crowd. At first glance, it seemed like just another branded corner of the city. Bright lights, luxury storefronts, the pulse of consumerism. But as I paused, I realised something deeper was happening here. The image in front of me wasn’t flat — it was layered, textured, almost like the city was telling a story through depth rather than words. The first layer was impossible to miss: a massive sports advertisement stretched across the walkway, capturing an athlete mid-kick, suspended in perfect form. The colours were loud, confident, energetic. It felt like a command — Look here. See this. Want this. But behin...

A Reflective Essay: Smartphones vs Cameras in My Artistic Journey

My artistic journey has always been shaped by the way I observe the world — quietly, patiently, and often from a distance. Whether I am sketching African lilies with a Lamy pen, painting wetlands in watercolor, or capturing fleeting street moments in Kuala Lumpur or Leiden, my tools evolve, but my intention remains the same: to see deeply, to feel the moment, and to preserve what speaks to my soul. Over the years, I’ve travelled with two companions — the smartphone in my pocket and the camera slung over my shoulder. Each has shaped my creative path in different ways, and together they have taught me that artistry is never about the tool; it is about the way we choose to see. Smartphones: The Art of Being Present My smartphones — whether the Samsung Galaxy Note10 Lite or the iPhone 14 Pro Max — have become extensions of my everyday life. They allow me to capture moments exactly as I encounter them: a sudden splash of light on a sidewalk, a stranger’s gesture, a quiet reflection on a hot...