Adib Noh Photography

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...

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...

 

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...

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...

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...

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...

   This photo can be considered cinematic, and here’s why. Cinematic photography doesn’t depend on expensive gear or movie sets — it’s about how a moment feels like a scene from a film. Let’s break it down by the main criteria: 🎬 1. Story and Emotion Cinematic photos tell a story or evoke curiosity — and yours does. The lone figure in red descending the escalator toward a crowd sets a narrative tension: Where is she going? What awaits her? It feels like the opening shot of a film about city life, solitude, and human rhythm. 💡 2. Composition Your composition is strong and deliberate: • The leading lines of the escalator draw the eye toward the center of the frame and the crowd beyond. • The single red hoodie acts as a visual anchor — immediately catching attention against the neutral urban tones. • The perspective from behind creates a sense of observation, as if the viewer is following the character’s journey. 🌆 3. Lighting and Color The soft ambient lighting, w...

The marshy landscape of Putrajaya Wetlands is a masterpiece of nature and design, where ecology, tranquility, and urban planning blend harmoniously. In the image, the still water mirrors the lush greenery — tall trees standing gracefully along the banks, aquatic reeds swaying lightly in the breeze, and layers of vegetation reflecting in soft tones of green and gold. The quiet surface of the wetland conceals an abundance of life: fish, amphibians, insects, and waterfowl thrive here, forming a living mosaic of biodiversity just minutes away from the heart of the city. The beauty of the wetlands lies not only in their visual serenity but also in their dynamic ecological function. The marshes filter sediments and pollutants naturally, acting as the kidneys of the environment. As rainwater flows from the city into the wetlands, suspended solids and contaminants are absorbed by aquatic plants, resulting in cleaner water entering the lakes and rivers beyond. These wetlands also serve as a car...

What is portrait photography? Portrait photography is the art of capturing a person’s expression, personality, mood, and presence. While the face is usually the main focus, a portrait can also include body posture, environment, and lighting to tell a story about the subject. Good portrait photography reveals something deeper — character, emotion, or a moment worth remembering. How to capture great portraits Here are practical guidelines you can apply immediately: 1. Focus on the eyes The eyes are often the emotional anchor of a portrait. Make sure they are sharp and well-lit — they naturally draw viewers in. 2. Use soft, flattering light Natural light from a window, shade outdoors, or soft indoor lighting can prevent harsh shadows. Soft light creates a gentle, pleasant atmosphere, especially for children. 3. Get the right background A clean or softly blurred background keeps attention on the subject. Avoid clutter or elements that compete for the viewer’s gaze. 4. Capture emotion and a...

My cafe culture began in September 2003 when my friend Awang Goneng and I went to Paris for a short holiday trip. He brought me to Latin Quarters and we ended up in Les Deux Magots. That was where I learned to sip my espresso and watch beautiful people walking the streets of Paris. As they say, the rest is history in the making. I am not qualified to articulate the cafe culture but I wish to share a few photos I took during my travels and living an ordinary life in Malaysia as a series of five photos per week. These photos were taken from all over the world(so to speak) over a period of more than twenty years. Here is the first one in the series.. In this posting, I am sharing photos taken in Paris, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Bharu, London and Utrecht in the Netherlands. What is cafe culture to me? Here is a short repertoire: Cafe culture as a lifestyle represents a way of living centered around social, creative, and contemplative activities in the relaxed and inviting environment of cafes. It...

Capturing the Essence of the Apple Store, TRX Kuala Lumpur When I visited the Apple Store in TRX Kuala Lumpur, I was struck by its architectural clarity — clean lines, open spaces, and the play of reflections that seem to merge people, glass, and light into one continuous visual experience. To capture its unique features, I chose to photograph the store from a distance, framing both floors within a single composition. This perspective allowed me to reveal the store’s transparent design — a hallmark of Apple’s architectural philosophy that celebrates openness and interaction. The large illuminated Apple logo became the focal point, glowing like a beacon in the center, while the human activity inside — customers exploring, learning, and engaging — brought the image to life. The two-level view shows the seamless flow between the spaces: the upper floor where people sit and learn, and the lower floor where others explore and connect. By using black and white, I aimed to emphasize the geome...

  Standing before a field of tulips in Keukenhof is like stepping into a living painting—one that breathes, sways, and radiates colour with every shift of light. Your photograph captures that magic perfectly. The tulips rise in layers, a harmonious chaos of pinks, reds, whites, corals, and deep purples, each bloom carrying its own personality yet contributing to a unified symphony of colour. At the centre of the frame, a single magenta tulip stands proudly—slightly taller, slightly bolder, as if aware of its moment in front of your Fujifilm X100T. This flower becomes the visual anchor, drawing the eye before letting it wander gently across the surrounding sea of petals. Every tulip seems to glow softly from within, its translucent petals catching the cool Dutch light in the way only tulips in early May can. Keukenhof itself has a way of slowing time. In this image, you can almost feel the crisp spring air, the scent of damp earth, and the quiet rustle of leaves as visitors walk pas...

  Today, I took part and walked solo around Bandar Baru Bangi. The assignment was to walk in your place from 8am to 9.02am. It is entitled 626262 WALK. 

No camera is suitable for every occasion. Here is a simple comparison. Both have their own strengths and weaknesses, and I love both. When I go photowalking with friends, I use more smartphones than the Fujifilm XT20. FUJIFILM XT20 iPhone 14 Pro Max (Smartphone) vs Fujifilm X-T20 (Mirrorless) – Image Quality Breakdown IPHONE 14 PRO MAX 1. Sensor & Processing iPhone 14 Pro Max Uses a 48 MP quad-pixel sensor that down-samples to 12 MP by default; ProRAW unlocks full 48 MP output   . Features Apple’s “Photonic Engine” that enhances detail, color, and low-light performance via computational photography  . Produces excellent detail, color accuracy, and dynamic range—especially in daylight; however, images sometimes show over-sharpening on foliage/glossy textures  . DXOMARK cites strengths like vivid color, wide dynamic range, sharp detail, and low noise; potential drawbacks include clipping highlights and noise indoors  . Fujifilm X-T20 Features a...