Psst! Just a whisper to let you know I won’t be posting here for a while until I’ve cleared the massive backlog of recent wedding, commercial and event shoots. Occasionally, freelancing takes its toll and you discover you’re all alone because when it comes to artistic rendering, it’s a personal business—and no one can lend a helping hand. Instead, you can find some of my recent work at JAN SHIM PHOTOGRAPHY on Facebook or FOLLOW ME on Twitter for the oh-so-occasional updates.

The “GA” motif spells GAP in full not Giorgio Armani
Photo by Gavin at Lexus shoot in Jerudong, Brunei Darussalam

So I put my supposed blog-posting hiatus on hold for a good cause—to promote Noah Jackson’s art and his commitment to environmental conservation efforts through photography. I believe great photography inspires and changes lives in a positive and meaningful way and I’m privileged to have met the artist whose efforts I can identify in a small way with the PENAN greeting cards. Many thanks to Hans Dols of Panaga Natural History Society for the invite!

…. the money raised from your greeting cards has enabled us to get a Dell desktop for the three Penan girls we sponsored for `Diploma In Nursing’. They have to share one for their course work and we are trying to get another one for them. Thank you. — Violette Tan

Related posts: Lowest Hill to Big Hearts | Plight of the Penan | Green Speaker holds Lectures

Other great  photographers I’ve met in Brunei include Kris Boutillier and Don Gurewitz (2)

Noah Jackson, man on a mission at Panaga Club Teratai Room

Forest Voices provides tools and training for sensitive forest and agriculture communities, documenting  knowledge and management through photography, video and participatory methods. This gives communities a voice to create a future that reconciles differences and maintains hope and health to keep forests, farms and communities thriving. — Noah Jackson | Hope in Light

Early guests checking out Noah's fine art pieces

Noah Jackson reads out a testimony from an associate

An opportunity to own Noah's art pieces for a small fee, guests pick out their personal favourites

Photography enthusiast Leytzher Muro picks out 'The Elephant's Eye' while checking out more of Noah's work. He attended Louis Pang's Shoot Like A Pro workshop at the Empire Hotel earlier this year.

A picture of me and a guest captured by Gavin while Noah sets up his laptop for the presentation

About Forest Voices
Forest Voices is a new environmental NGO with a mission to document the ecological knowledge of communities living within and adjacent to primary forests. Our core team includes Noah Jackson, Photographer cum Forest Community Researcher; Lesly Leon Lee, Videographer and Visual Storyteller; and Mohala Santharamohana, Writer cum Projects Coordinator. Using participatory research methods and building trust, Forest Voices documents activities such as gathering and harvesting wild foods, and collecting plants and seedlings, to emphasize the value of the forest environments to the communities who use them. By respecting their local expertise on forest management, we provide a vehicle for communities to share their understanding of forest environments. In light of development and diminishing natural resources in Malaysia, Forest Voices is helping to document knowledge that will lead to a more sustainable use of the world resources.

Canon’s marketing slogan DELIGHTING YOU ALWAYS comes in all shapes and sizes and the interpretation of its meaning is often anything but in the literal sense. How’s how I see it a little differently. “De-” denotes removal or reversal so De-lighting means removal of light which means no Speedlite flash is needed. Because its high ISO performance is so brilliantly (pun intended) implemented, Canon “reverse” engineered light into your pictures without use of flash. Hence “Delighting You Always” remains true to its slogan!

Following the SEEING IS BELIEVING Photo Competition, Standard Chartered Bank Brunei is organizing a Seeing is Believing Fund Raising Event on Friday 6 November 2009 at 2.30 PM @ Manggis Mall Ballroom

Get closer to this cause as you learn about and experience a little of the many challenges a visually impaired person faces everyday. Come with a partner where one of you will be blindfolded while the other guides through the meal. Alternatively you can sponsor a visually impaired person and their guide to enjoy the event.

Tickets are priced at $20 per ticket (to be purchased in pairs) and can be purchased from Standard Chartered Bank Gadong, Manggis and Kuala Belait branch. All proceeds will go to the Seeing is Believing campaign. Find out more about how you can be part of this cause by calling 265-8000 or visit our website.

BLINDNESS IS PREVENTABLE | SEEING IS BELIEVING FUND RAISER

SCB SENDS INVITES FOR ‘SEEING IS BELIEVING’ EVENT↑ click on image for more information

This year Chung Ching Middle School celebrates its 71st anniversary and as early as a month and a half ago, Primary section supervisor asked if I would be available to handle photography of the event. I didn’t immediate given an answer because I had to juggle a number of prior engagements which hadn’t been confirmed. A week before the event, I invited Kantalensa, Gembo and Gavin to join me in an evening of fun after obtaining permission from the school to do so. Instead of giving my 100%, we gave our 400% and went home that evening completely justified and exhausted. Thanks guys for your time and contribution! [see also CCMS 69th Anniversary] I had to miss the 70th Anniversary celebration because it coincided with the Lexus Golf Tournament assignment.

Check out my FACEBOOK PHOTO GALLERY for other photos from the event

Read this story on BT online

The first item on the evening’s itinerary was the Board of Directors Group Photo which we pulled this off using two Speedlite 580EX flashes each fitted with a Lightsphere diffuser and Pocket Wizard Plus II trigger. With minimal post processing, I was able to get this result without the burden and associated risks of lugging and setting up large studio strobes and extension cords for A/C power etc. I could have just as easily mount a 580EX on the camera and be done with the shot but I had Kantalensa and Gembo hold one rig on each side of the group.

PocketWizard Plus II, Speedlite 580EX, Lightsphere II PJ diffuser

Choir ensemble performing the Brunei national anthem marking the start of the celebration

Guest of honour Pehin Bendahari China Dato Paduka Onn Siew Siong

Dancers backstage getting ready for their performance

A young violinist serenading the guests to kick off the evening

"Chung Ching Boleh!" she says when asked why she liked the school

"What a Wonderful World" handmime performance. Jewel is the face left of the letter U.

"Rhythm of India" performance one of my personal favourites coinciding with Diwali celebration