Author Archives: Steven Leong

was minding my own business until…

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… accidentally running into a demonstration.

Sometime this afternoon, I was casually driving towards Dataran Merdeka near the Masjid Negara (National Mosque) in downtown Kuala Lumpur… the opposite side of the road was clear, completely empty of vehicles and then suddenly, I saw a few people at first that looked like they were members of the press shooting while walking backwards.

And then came the crowd, chanting “Daulat Tuanku” and “Allah Akbar” with quite a large number of the crowd wearing T-shirts that marked “Anti-PPSMI”… yes, I stumbled upon a demonstration. Trapped in the car and had no where to go… I took out my camera phone and started snapping.

Was both exciting and felt dangerous… fully aware of the possible danger that the crowd might become violent. Fortunately, it was all pretty peaceful.

Well… what were they protesting against? Continue reading →

Rhythm of Spring by Chong Hwa KL Alumni Chinese Orchestra

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Was invited by an alumnus to shoot this performance by the Chong Hwa Kuala Lumpur Alumni Chinese Orchestra at Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, Sentul West.

Chong Hwa Kuala Lumpur Alumni Chinese Orchestra started in 1996 to provide an avenue for the alumni to continue to take part in a Chinese Orchestra even well after their graduation and a performance has become a yearly event to raise funds for the Orchestra to purchase and maintain instruments.

First time being able to get listen to a Chinese orchestra live, it was a revelation as how they’d really sound.

Eventhough I was only able to shoot the full-dress rehearsal, the orchestra sounded dynamic and young; surprising since most associate Chinese traditional music being for the old and generally more mature or reserved crowd. Continue reading →

Sheryl @ Putrajaya

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It rained… it rained and it rained… wasn’t really  expecting that and that is what I dread most about any outdoor shoots; planned so hard to avoid the potential of bad weather during the evening but alas, it still rained.

By the time me and Sheryl (the model) got to the location, it was all wet and miserable and we had to opt to shoot at an area with a roof which completely messed up my original plans to shoot the beautiful cityscape of Putrajaya in late evening light.

While it continued to rain outside, it was time for improvisation; the glass-wall, the metal-sheathed columns, the benches, the trees and even the shadows cast by the nasty down-lights were used. Conditions were certainly not ideal.

Luckily, we did come home with a couple of shots that we both liked.

p.s. Thank you to MMC for inspiring me on this series. Continue reading →