Steven Leong’s Blog

It has been quite some time since I have last written anything because I was moved or touched but today is rather unusual if not special.

Last night, a friend commented, “Photography is no fun at all, because you always have to bring along so many things then go out early in the morning and come back at midnight” (quote modified from typical IM-style English) and not so long ago, I found a suitable reply for my friend’s comment in some stories I read.

These are stories that we (as photographers) never want to read about or hear but sadly (or fortunately, depends on how you look at it) we tend to be involved in them. (continue reading…)

Nearly 2 months ago, I had the privilege of being employed by Aaron and Marianne for their wedding. It was a very different wedding with a meticulously planned flight-themed dinner at Hotel Istana and I was very lucky indeed to have the chance to shoot such an elaborate, well-planned and well-executed wedding.

Now… on with the photos. (continue reading…)

Another rather happy day for me… yes, I don’t normally read the In-Tech pull-out of The Star newspaper, the largest English daily newspaper in Malaysia but it was one of those days that I did not have any assignments in the morning nor the previous night, so I got up really early and started flipping through the newspaper page by page and to my suprise, my face and name was on The Star~!

Featured along side Mr. Ng Kok Leong, the photo editor of The Star, a 25-yr veteran photographer, it was a real honored to be mentioned in the same breath as Mr. Ng and of course, to be standing on the same stage with him.

As Mr. Ng said, “It is nice always nice to be recognized for your work.”; I was beginning to think that I am destined have my work unrecognized and unnoticed, receiving this recognition will be a real driving force for me to achieve more and work even harder.

Now… its time to process more photos.

Story Featured on The Star

Today (20 October 2009) wasn’t any other day for me. I was selected by Canon Malaysia as one of the first nine to be initiated into the Canon EOS Hall of Fame.

Canon’s EOS Hall of Fame is a new exclusive and elite circle for established photographers who are masters of their craft and who have been users of Canon equipment. The photographers initiated into this circle are active in the media and are drawn from different facets of photography.

I am deeply honored that Canon, a household name for photography equipment and the leading equipment provider to professional photographers have chosen me to be part of the first nine.

It was both humbling as well as exciting to be sharing the stage today together with such names as Allan Chai, renowned commercial photographer; Ng Kok Leong, veteran photographer and photo editor of the largest English newspaper in Malaysia, The Star; Yau Choon Hiam, veteran photojournalist with the leading Chinese daily, Nanyang Siang Pau; Zung, from The Photoz, one of the leading wedding photographers in Malaysia… as well as many others.

Sometimes, in one’s career, you reach a milestone and today, I have reached one of my own and would strive to be better so that I may reach another soon.

Note : Photos courtesy of Norman Hiu

Story Featured on The Star

p.s. please excuse the pose… not too good at posing on stage

20 October 2009 – KL Hilton, Kuala Lumpur… this was no ordinary day at least for photographers, professionals and amateurs alike. Canon Inc. the largest supplier of photographic equipment have arranged for a concurrent worldwide launch of its new flagship model.

Everything was hush-hush and kept quiet until the actual launch itself.

Canon Malaysia, opted to do it in KL Hilton, one of the most prestigious hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. And they wanted the launch to be big, carry a huge impact as well as conducted with utmost respect for their latest flagship as it seen by the attendance of Mr. Melvyn Ho, a Vice-President from Canon’s regional office as well as the full event attendance as well of Mr. Liew Sip Choon, Canon Malaysia’s President & CEO.

The launch marked the launch of the Canon EOS Hall of Fame as well to applaud local photographers. An inaugural nine was initiated into the Canon EOS Hall of Fame and these nine were chosen for their dedication, dedication and experience.

(Ahem…. I am proud to be one of the nine inaugural initiations to the Canon EOS Hall of Fame… more on that in THIS POST )

After all the festivities and customary speeches, at 12pm sharp, the EOS 1D Mark IV was unveiled with a beautiful model walking down the catwalk with it followed by the recently announced EOS 7D and EOS 5D Mark II.

Photos : Courtesy of Norman Hiu