stockie
10-24-2007, 11:53 AM
Pulau Kapas is heaven.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/161/405230917_cf60cdddaa.jpg
Imagine this. Your bare-naked foot sank into fine white sandy beach. Your face is wiped and caressed by South China Sea breeze. A glance at the sky, you see fluffy clouds with perfect blue sky in the background. Grazing to the sea, you saw fish swimming freely in the clear emerald water. Nothing else matter now. Only you and the camera, happily snapping away!
Perfect as weekend getaway from hustle bustle city life. It’s located only 6 km or 15-20 minutes from Marang by boat.
If you are driving from Kuala Lumpur, take the East Coast Expressway. Upon reaching Kuantan, follow the coastal road to Marang. The whole journey is about 4-5 hours, depending on the traffics.
At Marang jetty area, there are few tour agents’ stalls, eagerly to assist you: from arranging boat transfer, room bookings and add-on tour like island tour, snorkeling, diving, kayaking etc. and information especially on lodging and facilities. Test your negotiation skills to get the best deal on package(s).
While waiting for the boat, use the opportunity to snap some street photos. Makciks selling “pulut bakar”, tour agent ushering visitors for business or just the market view can be nice subjects to shoot.
Don’t forget to buy drinking water if you are unwilling to pay more than usual at the island.
Pulau Kapas is made up of two islands, Pulau Gemia and Pulau Kapas. It is a small island, just over 2km long and 1km at its widest point.
Generally, the main activity on this island is just to laze and sink into the enjoyment of doing plain nothing! However, to those who wish to explore more, you may swim, or find delight in snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking, boating or fishing.
It is said that, for advanced snorkelers, a dip into the coral gardens is a delight especially on nights when it is full moon . The entire scene is a transformation from what is normally seen during the day.
One key attraction on this island is the World War II shipwreck. The outer reefs on her seaward side are good diving spots as well.
If you seek adventure on the land, there is a rough track through the middle of the island towards the eastern side. A 45-minute trek through untamed jungle will take you to the uninhabited side of the island.
To photographers, any activity is a photo opportunity. Once you reach the island, take your time to scout around to identify locations and angles to shoot. Immersed yourself into its beauty and appreciate Mother Nature. In no time you’ll be inspired to compose and shoot.
During a clear day, you will be spoilt with a glorious view of the sunrise and sunset — an opportunity not to be missed for photo shooting. With that in mind, plan for an overnight stay at the island instead of the common day-trips due to its close distance from Marang.
There are several options for places to stay, ranging from dormitories to chalets.
Would I visit Pulau Kapas again? Definitely.
Sideline
http://mynatureasia.nomenous.com/uploads/img471eb69b6e425.jpg
Marang
What to shoot?
Market | Stalls | Lifestyle | People
Lens: standard (or zoom) lens – 18mm to 70mm
What to look-out for?
-Yummy “pulut bakar” on the smoky grill
-Business transactions at the stalls
-Portraits of children or the elderly
-Landmarks -- jetty administration office with background of boats
Jetty
http://mynatureasia.nomenous.com/uploads/img471eb6c11e1f6.jpg
What to shoot?
-Fishermen boats
-Passengers going in and out of boat
Lens: wide-angle to zoom lens – 18mm to 200mm
What to look-out for?
-Passengers standing up, excited to get into the boat
-Boat approaching the jetty
-Patterns of boats docking
-Zoom at fisherman in the boat – repairing net or just doing some chores like cleaning
-View of tetra pod-breakwater (to block waves)
On the boat
http://mynatureasia.nomenous.com/uploads/img471eb6b12ad01.jpg
What to shoot?
Boats | Jetty | Closer view of tetra pod-breakwater | Horizon of sea and sky | Pulau Kapas
Lens: standard (or zoom) lens – 18mm to 70mm
What to look-out for?
-Lifebuoys hanging in the boat
-Touristy portrait shots of you and your friends
-Pulau Kapas and Pulau Gemia
Notes:
Shooting from inside the boat can be tricky due to several reasons:
1. Under and overexposed exposure
Exposure lock on the sky
Shoot inside the boat with flash on, preferably cutting down the flash power just enough to brighten up the subject
2. Blur photo due to shake
Faster shutter priority mode
Increase ISO even though under bright day light
Sunset at Pulau Kapas
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/125/403567539_c8c3be6ed5.jpg
Before sunset — the sun is still bright.
Exposure lock at the outer-ring of the sun.
Compose and shoot
Generally, I prefer to handheld and using low ISO. If required, for a shot like this, I’ll put the camera on a tripod.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/405204187_8ce0b48b1c.jpg
During sunset — the sun started fading . It is perfect for silhouette.
Exposure lock at mid-tone brightness.
Enhance the golden moment with sunset filter (or apply filter during post –processing
Compose and shoot
For better composition for moving subject, increase the ISO.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/134/405203844_695cb6686f.jpg
After sunset — what’s left was the golden ray of the sun. I love this moment to create silhouettes or portraits of friends with minimal burst of flash to bring out some details on the face.
Exposure lock at mid-tone brightness.
Enhance the golden moment with sunset filter (or apply filter during post –processing
Compose and shoot
Tripod is pretty much necessary to avoid handshakes.
Clear day at Pulau Kapas
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/144/403019469_56b10ff4f4.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/56/405203591_075e91a08d.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/405230915_a75c96ee22.jpg
Directory
Kapas Island Resorts
09 631 6468
Duta Puri Island Resort
09 624 6090
Zaki Beach Chalet
019 956 0513
Makcik Gemok Beach Resort
09 624 5120
Gems Wellness Spa & Island Resort
09 624 5110
Terengganu Tourism Office
09 622 1433/1893
Ideas of what to shoot
Jetty, beach, boats
Sunrise and sunsets
Chalets and resorts
Night photography of the chalet, resorts or jetty
People swimming, snorkeling, kayaking
Coconut tree with beach and sea as backdrops
Fluffy clouds
Romantic moments — as a lot of young couples and honeymoon trip
Kids and family at the beach
Macro of sand, empty shells, flowers or insects
Long exposure of star trails
Text and photos by -stockie-
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/161/405230917_cf60cdddaa.jpg
Imagine this. Your bare-naked foot sank into fine white sandy beach. Your face is wiped and caressed by South China Sea breeze. A glance at the sky, you see fluffy clouds with perfect blue sky in the background. Grazing to the sea, you saw fish swimming freely in the clear emerald water. Nothing else matter now. Only you and the camera, happily snapping away!
Perfect as weekend getaway from hustle bustle city life. It’s located only 6 km or 15-20 minutes from Marang by boat.
If you are driving from Kuala Lumpur, take the East Coast Expressway. Upon reaching Kuantan, follow the coastal road to Marang. The whole journey is about 4-5 hours, depending on the traffics.
At Marang jetty area, there are few tour agents’ stalls, eagerly to assist you: from arranging boat transfer, room bookings and add-on tour like island tour, snorkeling, diving, kayaking etc. and information especially on lodging and facilities. Test your negotiation skills to get the best deal on package(s).
While waiting for the boat, use the opportunity to snap some street photos. Makciks selling “pulut bakar”, tour agent ushering visitors for business or just the market view can be nice subjects to shoot.
Don’t forget to buy drinking water if you are unwilling to pay more than usual at the island.
Pulau Kapas is made up of two islands, Pulau Gemia and Pulau Kapas. It is a small island, just over 2km long and 1km at its widest point.
Generally, the main activity on this island is just to laze and sink into the enjoyment of doing plain nothing! However, to those who wish to explore more, you may swim, or find delight in snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking, boating or fishing.
It is said that, for advanced snorkelers, a dip into the coral gardens is a delight especially on nights when it is full moon . The entire scene is a transformation from what is normally seen during the day.
One key attraction on this island is the World War II shipwreck. The outer reefs on her seaward side are good diving spots as well.
If you seek adventure on the land, there is a rough track through the middle of the island towards the eastern side. A 45-minute trek through untamed jungle will take you to the uninhabited side of the island.
To photographers, any activity is a photo opportunity. Once you reach the island, take your time to scout around to identify locations and angles to shoot. Immersed yourself into its beauty and appreciate Mother Nature. In no time you’ll be inspired to compose and shoot.
During a clear day, you will be spoilt with a glorious view of the sunrise and sunset — an opportunity not to be missed for photo shooting. With that in mind, plan for an overnight stay at the island instead of the common day-trips due to its close distance from Marang.
There are several options for places to stay, ranging from dormitories to chalets.
Would I visit Pulau Kapas again? Definitely.
Sideline
http://mynatureasia.nomenous.com/uploads/img471eb69b6e425.jpg
Marang
What to shoot?
Market | Stalls | Lifestyle | People
Lens: standard (or zoom) lens – 18mm to 70mm
What to look-out for?
-Yummy “pulut bakar” on the smoky grill
-Business transactions at the stalls
-Portraits of children or the elderly
-Landmarks -- jetty administration office with background of boats
Jetty
http://mynatureasia.nomenous.com/uploads/img471eb6c11e1f6.jpg
What to shoot?
-Fishermen boats
-Passengers going in and out of boat
Lens: wide-angle to zoom lens – 18mm to 200mm
What to look-out for?
-Passengers standing up, excited to get into the boat
-Boat approaching the jetty
-Patterns of boats docking
-Zoom at fisherman in the boat – repairing net or just doing some chores like cleaning
-View of tetra pod-breakwater (to block waves)
On the boat
http://mynatureasia.nomenous.com/uploads/img471eb6b12ad01.jpg
What to shoot?
Boats | Jetty | Closer view of tetra pod-breakwater | Horizon of sea and sky | Pulau Kapas
Lens: standard (or zoom) lens – 18mm to 70mm
What to look-out for?
-Lifebuoys hanging in the boat
-Touristy portrait shots of you and your friends
-Pulau Kapas and Pulau Gemia
Notes:
Shooting from inside the boat can be tricky due to several reasons:
1. Under and overexposed exposure
Exposure lock on the sky
Shoot inside the boat with flash on, preferably cutting down the flash power just enough to brighten up the subject
2. Blur photo due to shake
Faster shutter priority mode
Increase ISO even though under bright day light
Sunset at Pulau Kapas
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/125/403567539_c8c3be6ed5.jpg
Before sunset — the sun is still bright.
Exposure lock at the outer-ring of the sun.
Compose and shoot
Generally, I prefer to handheld and using low ISO. If required, for a shot like this, I’ll put the camera on a tripod.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/405204187_8ce0b48b1c.jpg
During sunset — the sun started fading . It is perfect for silhouette.
Exposure lock at mid-tone brightness.
Enhance the golden moment with sunset filter (or apply filter during post –processing
Compose and shoot
For better composition for moving subject, increase the ISO.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/134/405203844_695cb6686f.jpg
After sunset — what’s left was the golden ray of the sun. I love this moment to create silhouettes or portraits of friends with minimal burst of flash to bring out some details on the face.
Exposure lock at mid-tone brightness.
Enhance the golden moment with sunset filter (or apply filter during post –processing
Compose and shoot
Tripod is pretty much necessary to avoid handshakes.
Clear day at Pulau Kapas
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/144/403019469_56b10ff4f4.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/56/405203591_075e91a08d.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/405230915_a75c96ee22.jpg
Directory
Kapas Island Resorts
09 631 6468
Duta Puri Island Resort
09 624 6090
Zaki Beach Chalet
019 956 0513
Makcik Gemok Beach Resort
09 624 5120
Gems Wellness Spa & Island Resort
09 624 5110
Terengganu Tourism Office
09 622 1433/1893
Ideas of what to shoot
Jetty, beach, boats
Sunrise and sunsets
Chalets and resorts
Night photography of the chalet, resorts or jetty
People swimming, snorkeling, kayaking
Coconut tree with beach and sea as backdrops
Fluffy clouds
Romantic moments — as a lot of young couples and honeymoon trip
Kids and family at the beach
Macro of sand, empty shells, flowers or insects
Long exposure of star trails
Text and photos by -stockie-