garage

garage, originally uploaded by lesleykng.

I have rediscovered my flickr addiction.

I thought I was 'intermediate' with photoshop use until I bought a book which was centered on Photoshop use specifically for photography.

Wow. I'm hooked again.

** photo taken in the garage with 1 long exposure. Flashlight for the letters. Photoshop to 'color' the lights.

Tour Down Under 2008

Intermediate Sprint, originally uploaded by lesleykng.

Today was the opening of the Tour Down Under, cycling's first and only non-european UCI accredited event.

Okay. So maybe its not the Tour de France... in fact, I wouldn't even compare it to the Tour de France. You may not have had the big-name cyclists participating but the spectators didn't really care to be honest.

The streets of glenelg were transformed into a racing circuit for 110+ professional cyclists doing a 2.0 km loop x 25 laps. All kilometers were lined (packed) by spectators on both sides of the road cheering cyclists every time they would lap. Many didn't even know who these people were or what the mechanics of the race was all about (like my wife...) but they nonetheless enjoyed the festive atmosphere.

Kudos to the organizers. Lets hope this event stays and grows in the coming years.

Boys and their toys...

Singlespeed, originally uploaded by lesleykng.

Now that the cold days have moved out and the weather is once again cycling friendly, it is noteable that more cyclists are on the road commuting to work.

Cycle-commuting is quite a new concept to me as one would never think of doing so in the unfriendly environment in Metro Manila. My parents would probably have thrown me into a mental ayslum had I even considered it.

Adelaide, on the other hand is different. The weather is certanly permissive. The air still fresh, and the pathways friendlier. My workplace has a steel bike cage to park you bike and a locker room with proper shower facilities.

In other words, there was more than enough reason to cycling to work.

The final problem was that I had 2 bikes. A roadie and a dual-suspension MTB. Both of which were too pricey to commute with and leave chained... even in a steel cage.

The solution... build a new bike.

Considering that I had 2 bikes in the garage, and my missus was not really into cycling, I'm sure she had a hard time comprehending the need for a third one. I didn't have to explain anything because I purchased the parts online and had kept the bike parts in the garage... which was really privy and off limits to her anyway. She'd only find out when the whole bike was well complete.

Parts were individually selected and bidded for on ebay. Those that had to be new were purchased online. Once I had enough for a complete bike, took a day off and voila! I have my singlespeed commuter.

No gears meant less parts. Less parts less maintenance.
Also, less gears = more effort = more exercise.

The Slide

the slide, originally uploaded by lesleykng.

This is a sculpture found in the middle of busy Rundle Street. For some reason, after a long shift at work (which ended at 23:00) I still found enough energy to walkabout and take a few photos.

Actually, my friend KK and I felt like we needed a nice greasy McDonalds burger as comfort food. On my way to Mcdonalds, I saw the Victoria Square fountain lights open. I had always wanted to photograph the fountain at night but somehow whenever I'd pass, the lights, and the fountain was turned off. (Something which could probably happen only in Adelaide) Unfortunately, by the time we were done with our Mc-ers... the fountain lights were once again off. Sigh. (ooooonly in Adelaide....)

Thinking I'd lose sleep at the thought of the missed opportunity, I went to Rundle Mall anyway. The emptiness of a normally busy shopping mall was exactly what I needed. I had all the time to shoot what I wanted... and without the embarassment too.

The Pinnacle

The Pinnacle, originally uploaded by lesleykng.

It was an awesome 3 day trip to the Grampians. Went on a road trip with Tom West.

Port Elliot

Port Elliot, originally uploaded by lesleykng.

I have always been fascinated by the waves at Port Elliot, SA. I usually just pick a rock, sit down, feel the wind blowing against my face and the minutes just fly by.

Anit

Anit, originally uploaded by lesleykng.

I'd love to be able to do portraits.

My work brings me face-to-face with countless nameless faces and expressions which I'd love to shoot with my camera. But hey, that wouldn't be ethical in my situation.

Anit here is a friend I had brekky with a couple of days back. Good thing he was more than willing to smile for the shot.