WPJA Contest Win

[Louis Pang]

Hi folks,

I finished 11th in the Details category (http://www.wpja.com/wedding_photography_galleries/contest/07/q1/05-11.htm) of the recent WPJA quarterly contest. The winning pix is attached below. See the winning pix and judges' comment via this LINK (http://www.wpja.com/wedding_photography_galleries/contest/07/q1/05-11.htm).

http://www.louispang.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/louis_wppi_03.jpg

[ShaolinTiger]

Very nice, well done Louis.

I hope you can get higher places in the future.

[noordin]

Congratulations! Well done. :)

[Louis Pang]

Mucho gracias! I am aiming for the sky!

[andretong]

nice...like the detail and color.
Congratulation Louis. Hope you do even better next round. :partyon:

[Louis Pang]

The story behind the shot…It was Kevin & Joni’s destination wedding (http://www.louispang.com/shows/joni_kevin/) in Shangri-la Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu Sabah. They flew in from Hong Kong together friends and relatives from around the world. Joni put on this gorgeous red colour chinese gown and Sheila the make-up artist was putting on the final touches on Joni’s lip. Joni was seated about 5 to 7 feet from a large window. The red glossy lips, accentuated by the side light coming from the left, and the stunning red dress just drew my eyes towards the lips. I chose to shoot it without the eyes of the bride to create a sense of sexiness, mystery and simplicity. The final picture was further cropped for a panoramic finish. The picture is a very common scene in most Chinese weddings. I am especially please that my first WPJA-winning shot came from my own backyard, not some exotic locales. Again it is not where we look but what we see that matters.

[chuah406]

Excellent job! :thumbs_up:

[andretong]

the series is even better ! It reminded me of my wedding days.
You really captured the moment well.
:thumbs_up:

[tcmnc]

Cool LP. Available light is always your expertise. :rock:

[Louis Pang]

Cool LP. Available light is always your expertise. :rock:

I would love to think that I am pretty good with artificial lighting as well :rasta:

[ShaolinTiger]

It's nice to see a focus on details, in a somewhat abstract matter.

I'm bored of Malaysia Wedding Photographers and their pictures of shoes and teddy bears on the front of cars.

Please..there are other details to focus on.

This is an excellent example, good concept and great execution, really vivid colours.

[noruazumi]

I'm bored of Malaysia Wedding Photographers and their pictures of shoes and teddy bears on the front of cars.
i couldn't agree more!! so bored with the same typical shots. :P

[jayhan]

congrats lovely details indeed

[blur]

Congrats, Louis! You are indeed a very talented wedding photog.

I remember asking for your quot last year :D and hoping so much I could afford your services :redface: But even up till today, I still go to your blog and I really enjoy seeing your pics :). I'm glad to see you going places and carving a name for yourself.

Congrats again.

[Fishhook]

congrats man..very nice pic:D

[mon-fro]

WPJA is more towards USA. Hence the focus would be western.
If the viewer seen the shots on WPJA website. The top ten has no Asian theme.:mad:

At eleven placing...you will notice the "red-ness" in otherwise or toned down coloured shots ranked 1st to 10th position. Black and white dominated almost 1/3 of the top ten shot. These type of competition will not show the full capacity of your talent unless you comply to a particular "westernised style" .

[alancheong7]

Congratulations!
Perhaps, mon-fro has a point, since I personally find the reds a bit overwhelming.
But the concept, the composition, story :thumbs_up:

[HenryLow]

Nice... Congratulation...
Wish you can get higher places...

[UncleWong]

Congrats!!

You have made Malaysia proud!!:partyon:

[ShaolinTiger]

WPJA is more towards USA. Hence the focus would be western.
If the viewer seen the shots on WPJA website. The top ten has no Asian theme.:mad:

At eleven placing...you will notice the "red-ness" in otherwise or toned down coloured shots ranked 1st to 10th position. Black and white dominated almost 1/3 of the top ten shot. These type of competition will not show the full capacity of your talent unless you comply to a particular "westernised style" .

I have to disagree somewhat, if you look at first place for Toasting category, it's very much an Asian wedding.

http://www.wpja.com/wedding_photography_galleries/contest/07/q1/images/buffy_goodman_photo_10_01.jpg

Picture by Buffy Goodman.

I'm interesting to know what this "Western Style" is?

Isn't it just taking good pictures?

[dtbh]

Western-style or otherwise, it is nice to see winning pictures. Way to go, LP. Hope you do better next time. :partyon:

[mon-fro]

The asian theme refers to the following examples, for particular catagory.i,e detail.

Malay : Bunga Telur,Kompang, etc
Indian : The thali on the bride and groom, the candles etc,
Chinese : The red "hei" (meaning happiness), tea ceremony, etc
Western :
refer to top-ten placing WPJA detail section.
1.The bride embraces groom with live band playing in the background (not karaoke).
2. The emphasis on a white wedding gown and necktie (not golden/green kebaya, nor gold stiched sari).
3. The emphasis on wine glasses (not chinese tea cups, Indian Stainless steel cups )

I cannot classify western or eastern styles in photography but the "subject" has distinguish differences, hence the term "westerned style (wedding)" In short, if you shoot more western wedding you may get into top 10 perhaps??
I do agree the composition and the exposure are vital in taking good picture. However in this region, not many (with exceptions) like excessive black and white dominated pictures in a wedding (i.e chinese wedding frown on them).

Hope this clear my initial comment.:)

[ShaolinTiger]

Ah ok, I understand.

Well to be honest I think if pictures of high quality involving any of themes were entered I believe they could win just like any others.

Your point about B&W is valid too.

It just happens the vast majority of WPJA members are from US/Europe, if you check the listings.

Those WPJA accredited photographers in Asia is quite a small list.

So it's just a factor of numbers, it's hard to say if any of the Asian members other than Louis even submits their pics.

Anyhow lets not hijack Louis's thread any more :)

[mon-fro]

One moment....I forgot to congratulate LP for his entry.
Congrats.
:D:partyon:

[Louis Pang]

Western or Eastern??? It doesn't matter. I think we should encourage M'sians photographers to be more global minded. By participating in international competition and international body like WPJA & WPPI, we take part in the larger community, getting to know fellow professionals in other countries and seeing the level of work that is coming in from all over the world. This is very important to widening our vision & elevating our standards. Otherwise we become frogs in the well.

We might think Asians might lose out in a western competition because ppl don't understand our context. I see it otherwise...with so many photographs taken in "Western setting", a picture in an oriental setting have a better chance of standing out :)

[ShaolinTiger]

I agree with Louis, better to be positive.

All the ang ang red can definitely stand out with the subdued black and white tones of Western weddings.

Think global, think big!

Compete on the global playing field and you will improve.

That's why it makes me proud to see people like Dr Teh winning accolades on Better Photo and now Louis on WPJA.

Who's next?

[kenntsc]

Again, Louis did place 1st in the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) the most prestigious wedding photography contest in the world ( the same "Red Lips" pic that finished 11th in WPJA a week ago.)

Congratulations! :partyon::partyon:

[sunnysan]

Louis.. Malaysia boleh !!!

[tcmnc]

We are loving you LP! Good job and good show for fellow Asians!:thumbs_up: