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Category: Places

Sunset, Ao Nang Beach, Krabi, 03 Jan 2011.

Published February 6, 2011

Sunset Ao Nang Beach 20110103-2014

My first encounter with Ao Nang was in November last year. I was there because I had promise myself a vacation since starting A.i Andessen Imagery in the beginning of 2010. All I want is to experience rock climbing and kayaking in Krabi.

The area I went to is Ao Nang and I was there for five days. Strangely, it was only on the third day that I really get to see Aonang Beach. How so? You see, as there was only one flight every day from Singapore to Krabi by Tiger Airways, it was already 5PM by the time the only bus service from Krabi Airport dropped me off at the Bed & Breakfast. Tired and hungry, all I did was get dinner, a massage, and some light shopping along the incandescent lit streets before heading to bed on the first night.

On the second day, I was up early for breakfast at 7AM before the rock climbing guide picked us up at 8AM and brought us to Railay for a full day of physical and mental ‘torture’. As my buddy and I ended our challenging outing at the rocks, we were back in our rooms exhausted and missed the sunset again.

The third day’s routine was similar except that we were back from ‘A Day in the Islands’ earlier than expected where we sunbathed in beautiful secluded island beaches on the Andaman Sea, paddled a kayak around a lagoon, and tried snorkeling in the waters of a relaxing white sandy beach. At the end of the day, after a brief rest back in our room, my buddy even had the energy to tag me for a run. That was when the stunning sunset of Ao Nang Beach caught my attention. As we ran along the short beach road, the golden lights and stark shadows created by the sunset delighted my soul.

From there onwards, I knew I had to go back, only this time with my camera ready to capture the delightful sight.

What about the fourth and fifth day you asked? Well, it was Loy Krathong festival on the fourth day and the place is packed while on the fifth, I was already on the plane back to Singapore when the only sunset I saw was that at Changi Airport.

And with intent to be back in Ao Nang to capture what I fell in love with; the result is as shown. I hope you like it as much as I do.

Photography Andy Post-Process Andy Words Andy

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Sutopo pottery throwing

Published December 22, 2010

Sutopo working his craft at Jalan Bahar Clay Studios.

Do you know that JBCS hold ceramics classes every first Saturday of the month? Yes, they do. I am attending the next one, and you’re most welcome to join.

Come get your hands dirty and your mind clear.

Photography Andy Post-Process Andy Words Andy

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The circle of life

Published December 18, 2010

Round and round the wheel turns; the artist breathes life into clay. It is the circle of life.

Photography Andy Post-Process Andy Words Andy

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Smoking pot?

Published December 16, 2010

 

This week I took the morning away from my usual office environment to join my ceramics artist friend, Sutopo at Jalan Bahar Clay Studios. It was a treat (for the mosquitoes). Where’s my Mopiko?

As I work on images from my laptop, Sutopo gets busy turning the wheel and crafting his pieces. After the second one, both of us took a break, and he asked me to take a photo of him.

Earlier that morning, I had worked on my thoughts about Black and White photography by tweaking the settings on the camera as well as revising post processing techniques on the macbook, so I showed him what my alchemy can create.

So what do you think of Sutopo “smoking pot”?

Photography Andy Post-Process Andy Words Andy

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The islands of Andaman Sea, Krabi, Thailand.

Published December 10, 2010

It is difficult to describe how I felt during my one day tour in the islands. I can only say that it is pure sensory pleasure; all five of them, and if you believe in a sixth.

I can only show you at this moment through what I do best; my imagery – Andessen imagery.

This was captured during the longtail boat ride en route from the pier at Nopparat Thara Beach to the numerous islands. Only a handful of these islands have beaches. They are secluded, small, and private (it depends actually, because you are sharing the beautiful beach with fellow island goers. My experience was a good one. According to my guide, it was considered quiet. I make out a figure of just about more than twenty of us enjoying the morning sun).

My guide pointed out and named many islands along the way. I couldn’t help but be amazed, however my memory does not allow me to remember all of them, and not to mention pin pointing their exact geographical locations. I do recall one, and it is Chicken Island. It is easy because it has a large rock formation that resembles a chicken head. No image here though as we were not headed its way. He told me about Chicken Island as I queried him of a sand bar path that connects one island to the other when it is low tide. I had seen it on television. Now I shall make a big note to go there on another occasion. It will be interesting.

There are still plenty to explore at this beautiful place, which I will now term ‘my paradise’. It is not only the beauty of the islands. There are also places along and inshore of Krabi to visit which I believe is rich in culture. This provides much variety to the small town. I also love the hospitality of its people, having already made a few friends there.

Coming back, I constantly think about the place I never wanted to leave. It feels home to me for many reasons. And I have now plans to make it my home. More details to follow in the coming days and months. I want to share this love of mine with you through photography.

Come and join me on this journey. Let me show you in real and imagery. Make it a part of your plan in 2011.

Photography Andy Post-Process Andy Words Andy

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Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand.

Published November 26, 2010

The open sea and the vast blue sky is what I love most about the Andaman Sea.

I’m on a Longtail Boat, departed from the pier at Nopparat Thara Beach. There are only four people on the boat. It’s just our guide, the boatman, my buddy, and me.

We’re headed to the islands outside of Ao Nang for a day. There, we would sun bathe on the small secluded beaches and kayak about Hong Island exploring the limestone formations and wild life. Some light snorkeling follows after a picnic lunch. It feels good to swim among the fishes and I would like to apologize to one of them as I was curious and had stalk it around for awhile.

I must have been born in the wrong place I thought as I do not feel like a tourist here. It feels like home.

I feel free. This is me. And I am one with nature.

Photography Andy Post-Process Andy Words Andy

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Kandahar Street

Published October 22, 2010

Kandahar street is a place within Kampong Glam, Singapore. Kampong meaning Settlement, and Glam referring to a variety of eucalyptus which grew in the area, it is a heritage site in Singapore. The land was allocated to the Malays and Muslim immigrants when Singapore was under the British colony back in the nineteenth century.

Kandahar street lies at the back of Sultan Mosque, which is a major landmark for the Singapore Muslim community.

I was there on one of the evenings during the Muslim Fasting Month as there was a food bazaar along the road for Muslims to buy their food for breakfast. It was already late so the stores have mostly closed and the crowd dissipated as the lights dimmed.

What caught my eye as my friend and I rested our feet by the side of the road was the corner provision shop. I like the contrast of the white light coming from the shop within the ambient incandescent lit environment. There were vehicles to frame the subject and two men by the side so the picture doesn’t look lonely. And as I was adjusting the camera for exposure, another man cycled by and that was the perfect moment to capture the shot.

Photography Andy Post-Process Andy Words Andy

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