Adib Noh Photography

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...

Night transforms Kuala Lumpur into a different city. The heat softens, shadows lengthen, and the streets begin to tell stories that daylight often misses. The above photograph captures one such moment—an ordinary alley illuminated by lanterns, neon lights, and the quiet movements of people sharing the same space, yet living different narratives. At first glance, the scene feels festive. Rows of glowing lanterns hang overhead, casting a warm, almost nostalgic light. They hint at culture, celebration, and tradition. But beneath this visual charm lies a layered social reality. People walk past one another without interaction—some absorbed in their phones, others strolling casually, a few pausing briefly before moving on. Together, they form a rhythm of urban night life that is calm, routine, and unglamorous. This is not the nightlife often marketed to tourists—no loud music, no spectacle, no performance. Instead, it is everyday nightlife. Workers ending their shifts. Visitors exploring un...