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HERITAGE • JUN 2024 This is most probably the coolest place that I have shot in Malaysia this year. Imagine buying a land to plant durians only to discover that the entire hill is covered by layers of rocks after clearing off the undergrowth. That's the story of this site. Now instead of just another durian plantation, it looks like the country is getting a new, surreal-looking natural wonder that reminds me of Mulu National Park.
HERITAGE • MAY 2024 This is Chui Chak, Perak. While Sekinchan may be the first place that comes to mind when we talk about the Chinese rice farming community in Malaysia, there's an equally charming town in Perak that may be worth a trip up north for.Second only to Sekinchan in terms of size, Chui Chak is only just now emerging from its strictly agricultural roots as they open their doors to welcoming tourists with the setting up of the town's first cafe and homestay Haako Haako. I can't wait to see how the story of Chui Chak unfolds. See you there.
URBAN EXPLORING/AERIAL • MAY 2024 GURNEY BAY HK has Victoria Bay, Shanghai has the Bund, and Malaysia is inching closer towards a postcard-worthy urban waterfront. This eagerly-awaited iconic coastal playground cost a whopping RM58mil, and after the 2022 groundbreaking, Phase 1 finally opened its door to visitors this year.
URBAN EXPLORING • FEB 2024 THEAN HOU TEMPLE That customary destination to capture the best festive vibes of Chinese New Year in Kuala Lumpur, of course we have to drop by this place year after year.
HERITAGE • OCT 2023 And our adventures in the Malaysian fishing villages continue. This bite-sized town of Perak is just full of stories to document. Loving how warm the locals are, and the abundance of good food round-the-clock.
HERITAGE • SEP 2023 MINI AMAZON KAMPUNG BENG Definitely one of my top local travel experiences of the year, this boat cruise from Kampung Beng is worth every minute of that three-hour drive from KL. Abang Lan who runs the Mini Amazon tour gave us a great insight into the lake ecosystem of the Sungai Perak dam, the lotus lake being the highlight of the trip.
HERITAGE • OCT 2023 KURAU BEACH HOMESTAY This charming homestay by the beach was another highlight of our Kuala Kurau trip. Tucked away on a secluded beach far from the bustling town center, the place gave a more laid-back vibe that we also appreciate. Would be a great getaway in the company of a bunch of besties.
HERITAGE/ PORTRAITS • AUG 2023 After a rather memorable show in Georgetown, Penang, our favourite childhood comic character is back, this time in the company of his oldtime beau Miss Chan. And there is no better place in Kuala Lumpur with such strong heritage atmosphere as Pudu.
STREET • SEP 2023 OTHER WORLD IMMERSIVE ART GALLERY The coolest thing to arrive at the KL art scene in awhile, Rexperience's debut exhibition is finally here. This immersive digital art experience is titled “OTHER WORLD” and features three different stunningly crafted alternate realities from cosmic vistas to urban abstraction. See you there.
STREET/ PRODUCT • SEP 2023 Who would have thought 1478 pieces of LEGO bricks in different colours and shapes can be combined into something so beautiful and so convincingly realistic. I certainly didn’t also know I had it in me to dedicate an entire weekend into assembling this. But the results made it all worth it. My street shoot has always been about introducing different types of props into the scene, and this LEGO iconic sport bike is one of the coolest ones that I have used so far.
HERITAGE • APR 2023 MALAYSIA HERITAGE STUDIOS The younger generations may not have heard of Mini Malaysia. This culture and heritage-centric themepark in Melaka used to bring in throngs of crowd. In an effort to stay relevant and to generate fresh interest, the place is now rebranded as Malaysia Heritage Studios, and this series of made-for-the-gram installations is just the beginning. Looking forward to seeing more cool stuff here.
SPACES/ HERITAGE • JUN 2023 THETA @ BALAI SENI NEGARA Lost in a cotton candy dream. Bono Stellar's psychedelic installation is one mesmerizing collection of shifting shapes and colors. Come witness the magic for yourself before it ends on 24 July 2023
URBAN EXPLORING/ PORTRAITS • APR 2023 AFIQ IN SULTAN SALAHUDDIN ABDUL AZIZ MOSQUE Our Ramadhan/Raya themed shoot this year brought us to the famous Blue Mosque of Shah Alam. Completed in 1988, this beautiful piece of architecture has held the title of one of the prettiest mosque in the country, and I can clearly see why. The mosque is opened to public according to the visiting hours.
HERITAGE/ STREET/ PORTRAITS • JAN 2023 OLD MASTER Q We are reliving some seriously vivid childhood memories here, those long afternoons spent while accompanying our moms to the hair saloons. This comic was popular from the 1960s through 1980s, and there is no better backdrop to bring the character back to life than our favourite heritage city, Georgetown. Special thanks to my model Wei Jian, for braving the constant attention the entire morning to complete this shoot.
STREET/ AERIAL/ SPACES • JUL 2022 RAZAK CITY RESIDENCES Finding Hong Kong in Kuala Lumpur. We really don't need to travel far anymore to find the high-density, neatly-packed urban dwelling aesthetics that are synonymous with Hong Kong. Razak City is a development that features a series of 48-storey towers packing a total of 5748 units within the 22-acre land it's sitting on. Perhaps an impressive sight for urban explorers, and not so much if you're waiting for the elevators.
HERITAGE • JAN 2023 CHINESE NEW YEAR 2023 The lantern-lined street along Jonker has been a regular feature during the Chinese New Year, but this year's deco seemed to have been elevated to greater heights, thanks to bigger lantern sizes and a tighter arrangement. I just had to see it with my own eyes.
HERITAGE/ URBAN EXPLORING • OCT 2022 PANTAI MEK MAS This beautiful expanse of sand dunes at Pantai Mek Mas is giving us Ghibli vibes. It's been on my to-do list for awhile and am happy to arrive in the company of a sweet couple on a beautiful sunny and windy evening. The dunes may be what people come here for, but I thought the overgrown vegetation added a new level of surrealism to the place.
URBAN EXPLORING/ PORTRAITS • OCT 2022 SUBANG JAYA The bustling commercial center of Subang Jaya has always been known for its food and other conveniences, but we challenged ourselves to uncover its photogenic side too this morning. That adventure brought us to Subang Ria Park, the SJCC Property Gallery, and a few pretty cafes and retail outlets nearby.
URBAN EXPLORING • AUG 2022 MERDEKA 2022 FEATURE This year, we brought our light-painting Merdeka celebration adventures to greater heights, thanks to a very special collaboration with Petronas Twin Towers who allowed us access to the higher floors landing area to capture some rare vantage points.
HERITAGE/ STREET • OCT 2022 There’s a new hiking trail in town named KL East Park, and it’s set within KL East’s 153-acre urban integrated township. It's indulged in a calming natural backdrop of Klang Gates Quartz Ridge, the longest quartz ridge in the world.
URBAN EXPLORING • AUG 2022 Chinatown is currently enjoying this seemingly unstoppable wave of urban rejuvenation, Pudu remains its humble, unassuming neighbour, though still buzzing with the heritage hum that has been going on for decades. This busy, vintage time capsule of a neighbourhood is a cacophony of wet market, charming eateries and street side food vendors, temples, oldschool bakeries and more. Come on a sunny morning and feel the authentic buzz.
URBAN EXPLORING • AUG 2022 'RESONATING MICROCOSMS' All the years of rushing overseas to experience teamlab's mesmerizing installations, and now they are finally here in KL. Titled ‘Resonating Microcosms’, this installation will be open to public at the Lalaport BBCC Central Rooftop Garden from 4 Aug to 30 Nov. See you there.
STREET/ HERITAGE/ URBAN EXPLORING • MAR 2022 Among the many charming places that are a convenient hour-long drive away from the city, Bentong comes up pretty high on my list of heritage towns that are just buzzing with local activities. One may be tempted to detour to some other more touristy spots in the vicinity, but this day trip was all about grounded, honest, small-town vibes around kopitiams and wet markets and small talks with locals.
URBAN EXPLORING • FEB 2022 TRAPPED IN A VIDEO GAME Mall got creative with the temporary hoarding of a vacant lot, and we had a fun half an hour or so reinterpreting the colorful space into a dizzying game of 3D tetris. Give us more of that please.
URBAN EXPLORING/ PORTRAITS • FEB 2022 WAN YU Breaking the mould of your usual Chinese New Year-themed deco, this installation by Carlsberg over at REXKL is a fun reimagination of your usual routine during those cheerful relative and friend gatherings, from playing mahjong to downing beer over conservations about your first travel destinations once covid is over.
HERITAGE/ URBAN EXPLORING • OCT 2021 Just a short stopover on the way to Taiping, but a rewarding one nevertheless. One day I will be back to document down the stories of this town more.
URBAN EXPLORING • UPDATED MAR 2022 PETALING STREET/ Finally graduating to a new set of photos for KL's most interesting heritage neighbourhood. Gentrification pushes on as new hipster joints replace sleepy stores, and instagrammers on the lookout for photo inspirations replace seedy characters searching for cheap thrills.
URBAN EXPLORING • FEB 2022 THEAN HOU TEMPLE FESTIVE DECORATIONS It's becoming really quite a tradition to drop by Thean Hou Temple every Chinese New Year to admire their CNY decorations, even more so during this pandemic times when international borders are still pretty tight.
AERIAL/ URBAN EXPLORING • JAN 2022 SALOMA LINK LIGHT UP 65 landmarks, 23 nations, all uniting for a common cause, to raise awareness of NTDs (World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day). I'm honoured to once again be a part of this event.
URBAN EXPLORING • JAN 2022 SETIA SPICE CONVENTION CENTER Completed in 2017, this beautiful modern archi landmark in Penang has attracted quite some attention in the social media space, and I'm happy to be finally able to explore it in the company of my friend Cheng Yih. Got our attention focused on the porte cochere, this flowing 113m-long curved structure roof that looks the most marvellous on a sunny evening. Hope to be back for the other spots in this sprawling site.
SPACES/ URBAN EXPLORING • DEC 2021 CFF (CROPS OF THE FUTURE) RESEARCH CENTER One may be forgiven for being reminded by our mum's favourite plasticwear - the colorful dish covers, but these curious-looking structures rising from an otherwise common-looking landscape do beg to be given a second look. We got to know later of their original intention but the state of things from what we saw somehow gave the indication that it's being under-utilised now.
URBAN EXPLORING • NOV 2021 KAYU BAKAU PASIR PANJANG This apocalyptic scene of a vast expanse of dead mongrove trees on the beach against the setting sun was both mesmerizing and saddening. We wonder what happened here. While you're visiting, the Tua Pek Kong temple at the same spot makes for an interesting stopover as well.
URBAN EXPLORING • NOV 2021 Completed in 1885, this classic site on the heritage town trail of Malaysia still captivates visitors, especially when it is lit up at night. Hoping to be back during the Chinese New Year to see a sea of lanterns handing in the square.
URBAN EXPLORING • OCT 2021 ABANDONED LRT TRAIN CARS Excited to have spotted this dystopian scene after an hour’s drive around vegetable farms and serene ponds. We are happy to report that there were no zombies in sight. But let’s still try to keep all the doors shut. On a serious note, as the various news coverage may have mentioned, the ownership of these trains have been transferred from Prasarana to another company years ago. This location is meant to be a temporary storage while the new owners work on plans to repurpose the train cars.
URBAN EXPLORING • OCT 2021 A mere 5mins’ drive away from the abandoned LRT train cars scene is a spot that couldn’t be any further apart. This small serene pond with interesting circular patches of grass had us wishing we brought our picnic basket and some sandwiches.
URBAN EXPLORING • OCT 2021 JONATHAN CHEAH It was a fun morning teasing all the cool parkour moves out of Jonathan. This extreme park may be a little tired looking but it’s still a cool venue for some serious poses.
SPACES/ URBAN EXPLORING • NOV 2021 Kota Bridge is the first double-decked bridge in Malaysia, and while the bustle of the city that it's in is a far cry from a few decades ago, the bridge stands sturdy and is still a good location for some street photography.
URBAN EXPLORING • AUG 2021 PANGGUNG BANDARAYA DBKL Located at the junction of Jalan Tun Perak and Jalan Raja, this historical theatre is definitely one of KL's most underrated building, perhaps its close proximity to the Sultan Abdul Samad building means the latter may have taken most of the attention away. For the longest time, the back portion of the building was off-limit due to ongoing restoration work, but the recent removal of barricades at the entrance revealed a charmingly restored walkway that gave access to a beautiful back facade. Looking forward to seeing what other magic is coming this way.
URBAN EXPLORING • SEP 2021 BLUE BOY MANSION An urban discovery of this level of charm happens only once in a while, but that is enough to keep me going. Despite having been around since 1962, this seven-storey apartment block that was once home to KL's wealthy chinese families has somehow eluded me and my street adventures. But I'm glad to have made contact now, even though many decades since its fall from glory. While the heydays are gone, there is a certain charm that remains. It helps to have really friendly residents who are taking reasonably good care of the space as well.
URBAN EXPLORING/AERIAL • 2019 ONWARDS KUALA LUMPUR: One of the most important aspect of urban life is public transportation, and no documentation of the city will be complete without this angle. I hope to be able to continue building on the collection here.
URBAN EXPLORING/ SPACES • MAY 2021 ASIA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS Further to the opening of AICB Center of Excellence, the hip neighbourhood of Jalan Dato Onn is blessed once again with a second work of architecture wonder that is Asia School of Business. GDP Architects is once again the creative mind behind, collaborating with Moore Ruble Yudell to give the city another gorgeous space to explore.
URBAN EXPLORING • APR 2021 Empire City has been in the making for the past few years. While work seems to have intensified lately, this neighbourhood is certainly not short of half-constructed buildings and infrastructures, and this morning we had the opportunity to explore one stretch of a new flyover that features a cool backdrop of the gleaming buildings behind. Woke up extra early to catch the magic that was the rising sun being reflected on the glass panels.
URBAN EXPLORING • JAN 2021 HOLES IN THE WALL Perhaps my favourite hidden architecture spot in Georgetown, Penang, this series of punctured walls on the ground floor of Penang's tallest tower may look dated, but the opportunities for quirky and fun shoots here are limitless. Come find your own interpretation of this space.
SPACES/ URBAN EXPLORING • APR 2021 BOOKXCESS The bookstore that is as much for the bookworm as it is for the instagrammer in us has done it again. BookXcess Big Box's massive outlet is the largest in the Southern region. If their million-strong titles does not impress you, the floor-to-ceiling shelves will prove to be quite the visual feast to take in.
URBAN EXPLORING • DEC 2020 A cosy getaway in between the pandemic lockdown phases to my favourite heritage town in Malaysia. This edition features some lightpainting work at the clan jetties.
URBAN EXPLORING • APR 2021 WHAT YOU ARE THE WORLD IS: Andrew Pok’s emotionally charged installation sums up the past year of our life in a surreal visual experience titled What you are the world is. Are you ready to relive the past twelve months? Head over to The Godown for more information on this event.
URBAN EXPLORING/ PORTRAITS • MAR 2021 No coverage of the Malaysian spring phenomenon is complete without some portraits, and I'm happy to have Vivi posing for me again, this time in her floral print yukata and traditional umbrella. Among the locations covered include Air Panas field and basketball court, Plaza Tol Gombak and Danau Kota flats.
URBAN EXPLORING • DEC 2020 MACALLUM APARTMENT tidy, repeating lines of Macallum Apartment intrigue me. There are so many ways to admire them by, especially while observing the interplay of light and shadow as the sun shifts from morning to evening.
AERIAL/ URBAN EXPLORING • JAN 2021 KL TOWER The other contender for everyone's favourite architecture in KL, KL Tower makes frequent appearances in the urban explorers' work. Here's and compilation of some aerial shots done of this beauty.
SPACES/ URBAN EXPLORING • JAN 2021 1 UTAMA The Year 2021 could risk having its chinese new year celebrations stripped, amidst the raging pandemic still chalking up aggressive numbers on new covid infections. Not all malls are ready to let this dampen their festive spirits though. Against all odds, 1 Utama, in particular, gave us the most impressive set up that I have seen, a good-sized pagoda in a garden of plum blossoms, surrounded by a ring of covered walkway that covers the entire length and breath of the podium. The visual impact is immediately arresting. Combined that with a longing for exotic overseas locations that have eluded us for a year now, and we have got a hit.
URBAN EXPLORING • JAN 2021 CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY: the longest time I was reluctant to go into lightpainting, the chore of having to lug a tripod and extra gears around was more than enough to hold me back. But the last year or so of me finally taking up the challenge was the single reason I could now elevate my work to the next level, and it was definitely worth every bit of trouble I took to research and prepare for the shoot. Special thanks to Fotorgear for the key gear used and my tireless assistant Wei Jian for all your help.
GUIDES • UPDATED JAN 2021 37 KUALA LUMPUR Kuala Lumpur may not have the most glitzy modern architecture, but the interplay of old versus new is very much alive here as urban decay gives way to towering skyscrapers. If you look hard enough, lying just slightly off the radar of most urban explorers are plenty of gorgeous spots that will make your venturing off the beaten track worth the time and effort.
URBAN EXPLORING • DEC 2020 The entire urban chaos that is Genting Highlands, it exudes a certain poetic charm for those who cared to look closely, especially on a foggy evening. If only I had the chance to spend an entire week here.
PORTRAITS/ URBAN EXPLORING • NOV 2020 KEITH IN KEDAI KL Kedai is an artisanal marketplace that was carved out from a block over at MAHSA Avenue to create this airy, artsy space for a curated retail and lifestyle experience. This recent facelift gave the center court an even more interesting set of patterns and colors.
URBAN EXPLORING • OCT 2020 Here's an album dedicated to the urban landmark of it all, the twin towers that have been so quintessentially Kuala Lumpur that despite decades since their completion, they continue to outshine every other buildings that come even after it. Words can't fully describe our love for these two architectural marvel, and so we pointed our cameras and, more recently, drones at them.
PORTRAITS/ URBAN EXPLORING • SEP 2020 Our next adventure with Owen Yap brought us to the historical city of Melaka. While I have lost count of the number of times I've been here, the evolving city has proven to still have the ability to keep us entertained as we uncovered new sights to shoot in, especially along the river.
TRAVEL/ URBAN EXPLORING • JUL 2020 PANTAI MANGKUK I must admit that I have quite given the East Coast a cold shoulder until now. And it took a virus the scale of COVID19 for me to get my first taste of Terengganu. And gosh it was one of the most idyllic places that I have been! Narrow roads lined with coconut tree, in a tight, almost deserted peninsula sandwiched between a river and the sea, and three glorious days of sunny weather. We were spoilt.
URBAN EXPLORING • JUN 2020 ASIA STREET FOOD CLUB A vintage museum moonlighting as a restaurant, you could almost believe this tale - that is the impressive array of beautifully preserved tokens from yesteryear on display here. Visitors to Kwai Chai Hong should not miss dropping by the upper floor of this place for a trip down memory lane.
URBAN EXPLORING • APR 2020 #HEARTANDTHECITY: Album 4! Tying up the loose ends of newly-discovered spots and the usual tourist spots and everything in between.
URBAN EXPLORING • DEC 2019 Seri Selangor may pass as any regular-looking low-cost apartment blocks from far, but a closer inspection reveals a futsal field that has been given a playful coat of orange and yellow colors, best appreciated from an aerial view. And then there is the set of semicircular monkey bar structure that I thought was charmingly reminiscent of the good old childhood days.
URBAN EXPLORING • FEB 2020 TROPICANA GARDENS MALL It's not everyday that we get a new but perfectly empty mall to play in. Clean lines and clear spaces interrupted only by the occasional cleaner or guard will satisfy the most OCD of urban explorer.
PORTRAITS/ URBAN EXPLORING • OCT 2019 KAI IN Must admit that I have never thought much of our national art gallery but oh gosh how wrong was I. The past weekday morning exploring its various interactive exhibits in the company of Kai was one of the most fun art gallery experiences that I have had in the recent months.
PORTRAITS/ URBAN EXPLORING • OCT 2019 KAI IN Our National Bank complex may be famous for its spiral staircase, which rightfully is one of the most grand-looking one around, but the museum and art gallery here house quite a few insta-worthy spots that should not be missed during the visit. I especially love the giant flipping newspaper installation that took up quite some of our time to milk dry all the fun ideas that came up.
AERIAL/ URBAN HERITAGE • AUG 2018 It's the northern most part of peninsula Malaysia that I've been and I'm glad heartdrone came along to take some shots of the pretty looking Alor Setar Tower during sunset. One day I'll be back to cover more of the town's other charming angles.
SPACES/ URBAN EXPLORING • JUL 2018 YTL LAND Spread across a million square feet of forgotten land is a collection of lost memories from the not so distant past that are begging to be documented down. So as a spin-off to the wide shots in the main album, here's a collection of the finer details that hopefully will continue to share a piece of the depot's future.
URBAN EXPLORING • JUL 2018 PANGSAPURI SERI INDAH Our quest for uncovering more oldschool urban exploring gems now expands our coverage outwards to include the other older neigbourhoods further from the center of KL. Loving the long narrow airway of these two decades-old blocks.
URBAN EXPLORING • JUN 2018 Mammoth Empire may have big dreams for their flagship development, but Empire City Damansara has taken on a life of its own as urban folk tries to make do with life in this half-constructed limbo land where deserted carpark levels and bare concrete podiums co-exist with struggling retail spaces. There are plenty of nooks and crannies for the urban explorers to spend a day uncovering.
URBAN HERITAGE • APR 2018 PANGSAPURI SS8 KELANA JAYA Another hidden gem of the oldschool apartment type lies in SS8, Kelana Jaya. These two blocks of flat features exposed stairways on each end that links the left and right side together, affording a beautiful view against the sweeping neighbourhood below.
URBAN HERITAGE • MAR 2018 Three months since the first instameet, and I finally found time to organise the next urban heritage street walk. Happy to see that the interest to explore and uncover the city's hidden sights is still strong, and I'm truly blessed to have met a few more passionate and enthusiastic urban explorers. This round we covered the charming neighbourhood of Chow Kit, focusing mainly on two vintage flats, namely Selayang Flat for its mind-boggling square spiral staircase, and the Tiong Nam flat for its oldschool vibe and the zig-zag interlinking stairways. The bonus find was this set of fire escape spirals not far away that has been cleaned up pretty nicely, allowing more charming spots to be used for our shoots.
AERIAL/ URBAN HERITAGE/ SPACES • THROUGHOUT 2018 #HEARTANDTHECITY: The adventure continues as I bring the trusty DJI Mavic Pro along for more flights around the city I called home. Still feeling the high from soaring above the usual street-level viewpoints, going where no camera has gone before, to discover fresh perspectives of which to experience the city by.
URBAN HERITAGE • APR 2016 ONWARDS #HEARTANDTHECITY: I'm a city boy at heart. The bustle of the urban jungle excites me, its various dizzying interplay of architectural elements and their inhabitants sprawled out like a treasure throve of pleasant discoveries, keeping my wandering mind entertained. While fancy new developments may be giving the urban skyline its newfound sparkle, I hold a special place in my heart for the city's countless public and low-cost housing estates. The often fuss-free, functional blocks may stand bare and unattractive among the modern skyscrapers, but the current minimalism movement has finally start to show how these seemingly boring architecture can hold such startling beauty, if only we care to take time to explore and uncover them. So follow me as I embark on this exploration, one apartment at a time.
PORTRAITS/ HERITAGE • NOV 2017 PEOPLE 157: This album is pretty fated. If not for us being in Tangkak for an overnight trip and Ekku for being back in hometown that same weekend, we wouldn't have had the chance to meet up for this very last minute adhoc shoot in a charming old town. We have facebook to thank too for bringing us together of course. Been awhile since I last did such a spontaneous, carefree, lifestyle album, no preplanning, no frantic research, just going where my heart leads me. Kinda reminds me of how I started it all.
URBAN HERITAGE • DEC 2016 PETALING STREET, I may still be hanging out in Chinatown once in awhile but that's mostly for cafe-hopping nowadays, so it's nice to once again bring my gears along for another round of street photography, this time in the company of a fellow photography enthusiast by the name of Ivan.
Heartpatrick's cuti-cuti Malaysia kicks off in Year 2016 with a drop-in to my favourite Malaysian town for an ex-colleague's wedding. Still charming as ever, and the discovery of newly opened homestays and other f&b establishments mean more reasons to be back, hopefully soon.
One of the most vivid experience of a recent short weekend getaway to Ipoh was the discovery of Waller Courts, a collection of low-cost flats built in the 1960s of which remaining residents are mostly a handful of senior folks still quietly going about their daily lives. If you have an old folk waiting for you somewhere, it's time to go home.
The ongoing visit to this charming town has resulted in the need to do a set 2, focusing mainly on the visit to Sekeping Victoria, and the famous wall murals, of course.
URBAN HERITAGE • 2010 THROUGH 2012 GEORGETOWN, PENANG: After all the exploring and camwhoring overseas, finally here comes a travel album right from our beloved homeland. Penang has always been held close to my heart, with its vintage collecton of old shophouses and an excellent line-up of mouth-watering hawker fare round just about every corner. For a photographer who's into the old-school charms and quaint neighbourhoods, I guess I can never go wrong with Georgetown. :)
It's so fun to be able to shoot in bright sunlight again, with no constant drizzle and moody skies like those from central Vietnam or The Hague to worry about. Raub wasn't as old and weary as I have expected it to be, but like any other small towns, it's got its fair share of stories to tell and people's lives to document down. And I'm glad to have done that in the good company of my fellow photo gang. Having just been with me for one proper shoot, the Canon 10-22mm UWA now replaces the Tamron 17-50mm as my all-time favourite lens with its interesting rendition of perspective that definitely helped to dramatise my little Raub tale. :">
From a weekend in JB during a recent wed AD coverage comes this little collection of urban shots of this forgotten jewel, the southern most tip of the asian continent, though most people refers to this city as the backyard of Singapore. Well it's not without its charms definitely, and oh the food! I didn't know JB packs such a gastronomical experience. At least that was a pleasant surprise. :)
Doing a groupie walkabout shoot in my beloved city with my fellow photog friends, that's an overdue activity that I have set aside for far too long.So it's nice to finally be able to pick up the darn camera and chuck all my models aside so I can concentrate on capturing the spirit of our urban life. 817pm is the first album in this series, and what better place to start this off than our charming Petaling Street on a busy Friday night. The shots shown here are done entirely on a Sigma 50mm f1.4. Also participating in this shoot are Steven Goh, Gene Kok, Peter, Josh Chua, and Miaow Miaow
What better way to celebrate our National day than to publish another set of photos from the urban heritage series, this time from Brickfields. Recent redevelopment activities, coupled with the bustling KL Sentral hub has unfortunately stripped this neighbourhood of alot of its charms, but it was nevertheless a fun experience with fellow photokakis. :)
VINTAGE SELANGOR: SUNGAI BESAR, KUALA KUBU BARU The state of Selangor brings about images of hectic city living, swanky modern neighbourhoods, squeaky new malls, and the likes of urban developments. Yet just a little venture off the beatan highways brings us to sleepy little towns where charming chinese coffee shops, rusty mechanic outlets and old indian barbers still thrive. This is a collection of photos from our recent exploration into these quaint towns forgotten by the wave of modernity. If you're into photography, don't just wait for the next flight out to warm your cameras up. Go embark on a heart-warming discovery that is just a short drive away from KL, and discover for yourself this warm bunch of sweet oldtown folks that are always willing to stop, smile and pose for you, and share a little joke or story, or two.
OTHERS • MAR 2013 HEARTPATRICK Having a full-size SLR and lenses hanging on the neck all the time is an idea entertained by only the most avid of photographers, and for the rest of us,we are happy enough to work within the fairly decent capabilities of the smartphones' built-in cameras. That is where Instagram comes in to fill the gap. Here's a small collection of my most well-received Instagram postings since the day I joined this trigger-happy community.
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URBAN EXPLORING/ AERIAL • JAN 2024 This is the reason to miss the wet season in KL. You'll never know what pleasant surprise awaits your drone on a misty morning when the city is shrouded in low-hanging clouds.
URBAN EXPLORING • JUN 2024 ABANDONED HOTEL PROJECT Not sure what's the story behind this seemingly abandoned hotel project in Ipoh oldtown, but I could not stop admiring its beautiful facade everytime I pass by.
HERITAGE • DEC 2023 TULLYNAW GLAMPING Waking up to Akinabalu. There must be quite a handful of cool accommodation options affording views of the majestic Mount Kinabalu around the Nabalu/ Kundasang region but I’m glad we chose this one. This is definitely the most memorable glamping spots that I have stayed in. That direct, unobstructed view of the highest peak of Borneo, it is definitely worth cold showers (yes no water heaters) and the inconvenience of having the electricity supply cut off at 10pm.
HERITAGE • SEP 2023 The town that was forgotten by time. The ex-mining town of Papan may have been left behind by the currents of urbanisation, but its legacy certainly has not been forgotten. Every now and then, the town continues to attract visitors who are here to soak up the nostalgia of yesteryears. We are all waiting for the revival of this charming place.
HERITAGE/SPACES • OCT 2023 IKAN KURAU HOMESTAY Watching the start of a beautiful day while hanging out at the riverside deck of Ikan Kurau Homestay, that’s currently in my top three travel experiences of 2023. Located right at the heart of Kuala Kurau, we probably can't find another place better to observe the buzz of the activities in this fishing town.
SPACES/AERIAL/STREET • AUG 2023 MAIWP BUILDING @ CHOW KIT Conjuring images of a particular common electrical household appliance, this new multi-tiered beauty in Chow Kit is best documented against a dreamy sunset. Can't wait for the interior lights to be on.
URBAN EXPLORING • JUL 2023 TAMAN TASIK TITIWANGSA Opened in Dec 2019 after more than a year of upgrading work, the refurbished Titiwangsa Park now features a few interesting spots that are begging to be the playground of your next exploration out in town. My top picks include the black torii gate, which is really a series of square metalwork frames lining a walkway, a cocoon-like bird nest structure nearby, and an activity area drawn with a series of curvy lines on the floor, also not far away. Come on a weekday morning to avoid the crowd, and do pray for a sunny day.
AERIAL/ URBAN EXPLORING • MAY 2023 KEMENSAH - KLANG GATES DAM HIKING The view of KL from the Klang Gates Dam must be one of my top spots for the prettiest vantage point of the city. And I finally got a chance to to see this view with my own eyes, or technically through the aerial eyes. Definitely worth the 1.5-hour hike in from the trailhead.
SPACES/ URBAN EXPLORING • MAR 2023 We are not sure exactly how Batu Pahat ended up with such a cool collection of cafes all packed in the town center, but this particular one is especially deserving of a special mention. The founder's idea behind the cafe's name is that 9% of our day should be filled with moments of drinking coffee. It's definitely a good number to start with, though I suspect it will quickly increase especially when there are so many other cool cafes to check out here.
SPACES/ URBAN EXPLORING • MAR 2023 MRT PUTRAJAYA LINE After much anticipation, and rounds of delays, the MRT Putrajaya Line finally opened on the March 16th, adding a string of new stations and a quicker mode of transportation to the country's administrative capital Putrajaya. We spent an afternoon scouting each of the new stations for potentially cool instagram angles, and here is what we got. Personally I love Chan Sow Lin and Conlay stations the most.
HERITAGE/ STREET • JAN 2023 CHINESE NEW YEAR 2023 The charming village of Machap has been making headlines in the past few years for their beautiful new year decorations, so this time around, we made sure to travel down to capture the festive vibe. And it was definitely worth the journey.
AERIAL/ HERITAGE • JAN 2023 MALAYSIAN HAN STUDIES Officially opened in Feb 2016, this majestic, spaceship-like building draws inspiration from the Hakka tulou, and is home to the Malaysian Han Studies, a non-profit, private educational institution in Malaysia. I'd look forward to the opportunity of exploring the interiors one day.
HERITAGE/ STREET • JAN 2022 We now have our local version of the famous uncle from Akihabara. The shopfront of this kitchenware shop, choked to the brim with your mum's favourite cooking tools, should be a tourist attraction of its own. Come say hi to the friendly owner the next time you're in town. Google for Soon Woh Kitchenware Enterprise.
SPACES/ URBAN EXPLORING • OCT 2022 BANDAR SERENIA Tucked away in Sepang is a new township founded upon the inspiration from tea leaves. I had a fun time documenting the mesmerising kinetic sculpture, together with a few other interesting installations around the 105-acre neighbourhood.
URBAN EXPLORING • AUG 2022 BEYOND THE MOONLIT DOOR: It’s the time of the year for lanterns, mooncakes and celebrations. And admiring Kwai Chai Hong’s art installations is fast becoming the tradition too. They’re back with a colorful visual feast titled “Beyond the Moonlit Door”, featuring “Endless Frames” by Poh Sin Studio, a giant moon and sets of oriental doorway to complete the look. See you there.
URBAN EXPLORING • FEB 2022 My collection of visual stories from my favourite heritage state of Malaysia has finally entered a double-digit running number, and will be going strong still while I continue to check off existing pins and discover new ones along the way. So the love story continues.
URBAN EXPLORING • JUN 2022 LIGHTNING DURING THUNDERSTORM We arrived at Taman Bukit Utama to take some lightpainting shots against the evening vibes of the city center from this vantage point. But Mother Nature seemed to have a more dramatic lightshow prepared for us, in the form of an ultra crazy thunderstorm. I have never experienced this amount of lightning unravelled in such a short span of time before, and that got us jumping in delight as we caught bolts of these electric flashes one after another.
SPACES/ URBAN EXPLORING • JUN 2022 OHO MOOKATA & BAR It’s always a plus point when a restaurant gives you not just good food but also some great photo opportunities. We all agreed that their food sent us up to cloud nine, or in this case a strange new blue planet.
SPACES/ URBAN EXPLORING • MAY 2022 It's been more than 20 years since KL Sentral opened its doors for the first time, but KL's premiere transit-oriented hub has continued to transform the city's skyline and the public transportation experience of its urban dwellers until today. While my most visited spot here in this 290000 square meters of space has been the pedestrian crossing of Nu Sentral to Brickfields, this collaboration with MRCB Land has allowed me to really spend some quality time exploring its every nook and cranny.
HERITAGE • APR 2022 CHERANDONG DAM WATERFALL It’s hard to believe that such a sight exists right at the doorsteps of Klang Valley. Yet here it is in its full glory, bathed in the warm morning sun. The Cherandong Dam is an old structure left behind from the British era, and while it may have now fallen out of use, the sight of it is as captivating as ever.
URBAN EXPLORING • MAR 2021 ELMINA RAINBOW BRIDGE And another impossibly instagrammable colorful spot emerges in the Klang Valley, this time in the form of a set of bridges, built by Sime Darby as part of the infrastructure in its new township Elmina City. This place is best appreciated on a sunny day when the shadows of the colorful overhanging rainbow strips above add another layer of pattern on the walkway below.
URBAN EXPLORING • MAR 2022 PUTRAJAYA It's sometimes hard to believe that country's administrative capital has been around for 20 years. Carved out from a sprawling 5000 hectares of mostly palm plantations, this city is not short on cool photography spots, thanks to the ability to plan things out from scratch. While you most probably already know the top photo spots around here, there are also quite a number of lesser-known ones that are equally interesting. Here is a list of spots that have captured our imagination in the last few years
SPACES/ PORTRAITS/ URBAN EXPLORING • FEB 2022 This repurposed oldschool cinema in the city's charming Chinatown district has seen a number of interesting set up in the past, and BookXcess' charming reintepretation of the space is perhaps the most exciting that I have seen. Multi-storey-high bookcases extended the space vertically as giants steps retained from the cinema hall completed the 3D maze. This fortress of a playground is just begging to be explored.
URBAN EXPLORING • JAN 2022 KAMPUNG AGONG SharingIf you can't decide between spending time in a coconut grove or the paddy fields, Kampung Agong is your answer. Situated in Penaga, Pulau Pinang, this countryside “Agro Themed Park” has been hot on the instragrammer to-do list for awhile now, and I'm so glad to have dropped by on a beautiful, sunny morning. Will definitely time my second visit to coincide with the golden harvest season next.
URBAN EXPLORING • DEC 2021 STAR/KL LIGHT INSTALLATION Still recovering from the regrets of having missed his epic 2015 work in Butterworth, I knew i just have to rush over and check out Jun Ong's next chapter in his STAR series, happening right now at the Godown.
URBAN EXPLORING • NOV 2021 Mirrors make for some cool visual effects, and this dizzyingly gorgeous installation at The Parc has all the mirrors we will ever need for our insta games. If you’re planning to do a little sprint in this maze, please watch your steps carefully, and don’t trust ur eyes entirely.
URBAN EXPLORING • NOV 2021 TAIPING LAKE GARDENS Finally got another key sight checked off my Malaysian heritage sites list. Staying true to being the wettest place in the country, it was absolutely wet throughout most of our shoot in this 140yo ex-mining ground wonder, but that just added to the magical, misty, dreamy mood of the shots. And given Taiping folk's love of their rainbow umbrella, there's no other more appropriate prop that we should showcase.
URBAN EXPLORING • NOV 2021 A recent commercial work for an upcoming upscale highrise residential development in Damansara Heights for E&O brought us on a more focused documentation of this charming neighbourhood, from its thriving cafe and bar scene at Plaza Damansara to the tree-lined roads and nearby golf courses. Can you spot any of your favourite haunt in this set of photos?
SPACES/ URBAN EXPLORING • OCT 2021 The city’s latest playground is here, and it’s at Book Xcess' newest store at My Town Shopping Center.
SPACES/ URBAN EXPLORING • OCT 2021 ENLIGHTENED HEART BUDDHIST TEMPLE Hidden deep within the limestone hills of Tambun is a Tibetan temple with a pagoda boasting an interior architecture so mind-blowing I had to stop every other step just to take the whole scene in. The 13 levels of hanging balconies and curved stairways may be unsettling for acrophobics but this enlightening experience to the Buddha statue on top will be remembered for a long time to come.
URBAN EXPLORING • JUN 2021 BERJAYA TIMES SQUARE There's something about the desolate, forgotten world of Berjaya Times Square that makes it appealing - those dystopian scenes of deserted chinese new year deco and empty food streets make for a strangely beautiful urban backdrop during these trying times. Let's hope for things to return to normal once the dust settles.
URBAN EXPLORING/ AERIAL • SEP 2021 RIVER OF LIFE/ MASJID JAMEK The story of Kuala Lumpur, told in one frame. We can't get any closer than with the image of Masjid Jamek sitting at the confluence of Gombak river and Klang River. And the River of Life project elevated the dramatic scene further with dreamy blue perimeter lightingd and the intermittent mist that magically transform the mosque into one that is seemingly floating in the clouds. This is one spot that has to be seen with one's own eyes, and sometimes one's drone.
URBAN EXPLORING • MAY 2021 KAPUR TREES MASTING The Kapur trees, or Dryobalanops aromatica as they are scientifically called, is a species of critically endangered plant in the family Dipterocarpaceae. Sometimes affectionately referred to as the broccoli forest, the large collection of these trees along the Rawang Bypass is why the highway was built to shape like such, to snake its way around the trees and therefore minimizing the impact of construction. Once every few years, the phenomenon of mast seeding, also called masting, occurs. It refers to the synchronous production of large numbers of seeds or fruit by a population of plants. The resulting sea of yellow was quite a sight to behold, and I was lucky enough to have caught this beautiful sight with my drone before a fresh wave of COVID restrictions came into play.
URBAN EXPLORING/ PORTRAITS • MAY 2021 NOEY IN The KLCC area may boast quite a few popular attractions within the vicinity of the Twin Towers, but this beautiful mosque has eluded me all these while, until this Ramadhan month, where I had the honour of marvelling at its architecture from a close distance, in the company of my friend Noey.
URBAN EXPLORING • APR 2021 APARTMENT PUTRA RIA Back in the embrace of one of the earliest apartment complexes that I explored when I started this urban exploring series. And I'm glad to report that it's charming as ever. Still as blown away by the tightly-packed lines that are so reminiscent of Hong Kong, a place that seems too far away in this strange time.
URBAN EXPLORING • APR 2021 TAMAN BAYU TEBRAU Launched in 1999, Taman Bayu Tebrau was a residential project that was expected to complete in 2005. It subsequently stalled after the developer got hit by a financial crisis. This ill-fated project remains uncompleted despite a more recent effort by the government to revive it. The abandoned site joins the numerous other constructions in the city that suffered the same outcome.
URBAN EXPLORING • MAR 2021 PARA PARA TECOMA: Spring is here, and we may still be trapped with no international travel. While we may miss the sights of sakura overseas, our local malaysian sakura trees, or tecoma, has put up a beautiful surprise for us city folk this year, launching into a simultaneous display of full blooms, in colors of white and pink. The extreme hot weather earlier has triggered the trees to produce more flowers during this flowering season, the resulting sights are this surreal, glorious views that are not unlike the hanami experience from Japan. Locations covered include Taman Batu Muda, and Flat Danau Kota.
URBAN EXPLRING/ STREET • MAR 2021 MURAL WITH TRX EXCHANGE 108 VANTAGE POINT There's a sidelane off Jalan Nagasari, specifically Jalan Angsoka, that offers a cool vantage point of one of the city's most prominent tower, TRX's Exchange 108. And if the beautiful contrast of seedy sidelane and modern skyscraper alone was not impressive enough, the walls of the buildings lining this street have now been dressed with beautiful murals by local artist Akid One, as part the DBKL's effort to rejuvenate the entertainment district of Changkat Bukit Bintang. Come on a sunny noon and let the blue skies transition into the cheerful blue hues of the mural. And don't miss the spot where you will be able to align the mural with Exchange 108.
URBAN EXPLRING/ STREET • MAR 2021 IMBI PLAZA CARPARK VANTAGE POINT The old IT marketplace of the city may have lost its place in our hearts, but the very existence of this building right in the bustling center means we continue to get an excellent vantage point to observe the city from. The carpark on the upper levels gives some wonderful views, especially of the monorail and Berjaya Times Square, before opening up towards Tun Razak Exchange.
URBAN EXPLORING • JAN 2021 SAFARI LAGOON: The story of Safari Lagoon, Klang Valley's first roof top water themepark, has fascinated many. It was the go-to destination when it first opened its door back in 1998. While many of the city folk still reminisce about the wonderful memories created there, and wondered about how things are looking everytime they pass by this building while driving along MRR2, hopefully this set of images will help.
URBAN EXPLORING • JAN 2021 The orderly, tightly packed set of office blocks at the Horizon at Bangsar South is your perfect dose of medicine if you're missing a similar urban lookup of big cities like Hong Kong, or more specifically the China Hong Kong City, minus the gold tint. You may find quite a few ways of playing with this interesting perspective while fighting the urge of playing a plane right in the middle.
PORTRAITS/ URBAN EXPLORING • NOV 2020 VIVI TAN IN Surrounded by conventional-looking apartments, the PV Park's european-inspired pavilion and maze garden stood out like a surreal dream. The locals may not think much of it, but with the right treatment this location can be a fun morning portrait spot.
URBAN EXPLORING • OCT 2020 MENARA TA ONE: For decades the Petronas Twin Towers graced the KL skyline, and it's towering height a beacon of the country's march towards a developed nation. It's no wonder that we are so fascinated with catching them in our photos. Menara TA One sits right opposite the road from this landmark, and it's open-air top level of the carpark section presents the perfect opportunity to capture the twin towers from a very close, and higher vantage point than the usual street-level spots that you may find around this area. Come on a wet evening, and the extensive puddles on the floor will complete the magic.
PORTRAITS/ URBAN EXPLORING • OCT 2020 ANGEL TAN It's been easily two years since my last portrait session here, and I'm glad to see Taman Weng Lock still holding up to the title of the most charming neighbourhood in KL. This round I'm accompanied by Angel Tan who wanted a set of photos to commemorate her 40th birthday. Among some of the cool spots to check out around here are Sekeping Tenggiri, Kurau Library, Kebun-kebun Bangsar, and the row of quaint fb outlets along Lorong Kurau.
URBAN EXPLORING • SEP 2020 MERDEKA 2020: I may have lost count of the number of years spent combing the streets of KL searching for my next photo story, but I do know as a fact that I have never really given much thought to documenting the Merdeka mood around the city come August and September every year. 2020 is definitely not the best year for that, as we continue to practise social distancing and avoid large-scale celebrations. But the pandemic gave me the opportunity and determination to still try. Special thanks to Fotorgear for making the wonderful Magilight lightpainting stick, for without it, I would not have been as effective in injecting some patriotic themes to some of the locations that I covered.
URBAN EXPLORING/ PORTRAITS • AUG 2020 OWEN YAP This is definitely one of the major highlights of our Kuala Sepetang trip. The town's line-up of charcoal factories boast a collection of some really wonderful photo opportunities, from the transportation of mangrove tree trunks through canals to the manufacturing process. Pray that you get a sunny morning because the sight of light rays filtering down from the roof alone will be worth the trip here.
URBAN EXPLORING • JUL 2020 Over two decades since their completion, the Petronas Twin Towers continue to be the most recognisable landmark of the city. While we are never short of a cool vantage point of the gleaming structures, the adjoining park offers one of the best spots in town to admire the towers, given its close promixity and varied installations.
PORTRAITS/ URBAN EXPLORING • JUN 2020 CHENG YIH Who would have thought that a long, straight staircase off the side of a dam could be this photogenic, but that's how photography reinterprets spaces, and I'm glad I managed to pull along my Penang friend, Cheng Yih, to pose.
SPACES/ URBAN EXPLORING • MAR 2020 SALOMA LINK BRIDGE Finally, after all these years of waiting, the city center received a strong addition to the list of iconic structures in town, one that is breath-taking and most certainly prominent enough to complement the Petronas Twin Towers. This RM31mil, futuristic-looking archi wonder is best appreciated in the evening and at night, when it's lit by a combination of 4100 LED lights for a mesmerising color-shifting display.
URBAN EXPLORING • MAR 2020 INTELLIGENTSIA BOOK STATION They don't make bookstores like these anymore. Nestled among a row of old shophouses along Jalan Tun Tan Siew Sin is this 20yo one-of-a-kind gem that may once be the haunt of bookworms, but as the Information age sweeps in, the keen-eyed instagrammers should find themselves with a space that is as messy as it is charming. Owner is very kind to allow photography, so do be the gracious guest and help support their business by bringing back some books with you for those me time moments at the beach.
URBAN EXPLORING • FEB 2020 NU SENTRAL ROOFTOP addition to the magnificient overhead pedestrian crossing, Nu Sentral Mall has a second architectural wonder hidden in plain sight since its opening. It is in the form of a glass pyramid structure sitting on its rooftop, a spot that has until now been off limits to the general public. With the opening of new f&b outlets there, this space is finally opened and ready to be explored.
URBAN EXPLORING/ SPACES • FEB 2020 MASJID TNB BANGSAR
URBAN EXPLORING • FEB 2020 GOOD MORNING MR GEORGE It's been my dream to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Penang, and I finally got the opportunity to do so this year. If Georgetown was already charming on usual days, the touches of red deco added another layer of magic to the visual feast. I only wish that I had enough time to stay on till the Jade Emperor celebrations. That's something to look foward to next year then.
URBAN EXPLORING • JAN 2020 COLORFUL UMBRELLA Empire Damansara has an open secret that's been around since it launched many years ago. I've been slow in covering this spot but it is a gorgeous one nevertheless. So glad that I brought my prop along, turned out that it was the exact same umbrella as those hanging in rows above.
SPACES/ URBEX • DEC 2019 BOOKXCESS, SUNSURIA FORUM Not all bookstores are created equal, and in the case of the latest BookXcess outlet in Sunsuria Forum, the interior architectural game has been upped by elevating a book store to the status of an instagram hotspot, perhaps having sought inspiration from similar cool bookstores and libraries in China and Korea.
SPACES/STREET • OCT 2019 WOLO KUALA LUMPUR A new, bold WOLO is here, fresh from a complete makeover a few years in the making. Bukit Bintang deserves a new hip hotel, and we have got it. It helps that the handsome brick facade has been retained too, giving the busy Bukit Bintang-Sultan Ismail intersection another beautiful angle.
URBAN EXPLORING • OCT 2019 JALAN ALOR STREET ART The Jalan Alor and surrounding area in Bukit Bintang may be famous for its stretch of local food stalls, but thanks to some recent art installations by the local council, the neighbourhood is giving urban explorer another exciting reason to drop by. Dingy alleys and filthy sidewalks are now home to colorful murals and light installations, begging to be the backdrop of hipsters hungry for their next OOTD shots.
URBAN EXPLORING • SEP 2019 At first there was a struggle but the explosion of instagrammable spots in Kuala Lumpur is thankfully not showing signs of slowing down, with a growing list of strong contenders vying for a spot in the list of the most colorful locations in the city. And the Linc is packed with them! This art-centric mall holds a winning combo of nature, food and creative retail, all housed in a structure dotted with backdrops that will slow down the most demanding instagrammer. The adventurous few that are able to make their way to the vast color block roof above will be in for a pleasant surprise.
PORTRAITS/ URBAN EXPLORING • AUG 2019 SHIRLEY AT EURO FUN PARK A funfair like this is hard to come by nowadays, so I have Euro Fun Park to thank for giving me the opportunity to reminisce about my childhood and those carefree years of growing up. And of course no visits would be complete without the company of a model.
URBAN EXPLORING • AUG 2019 SIN SZE SI YA TEMPLE I may have lost count of the number of chinese temple that I have visited here in Kuala Lumpur, but there is nothing quite like Sin Sze Si Ya Temple. Befitting of its title as the oldest Taoist temple in the city, it was built by Yap Ah Loy in 1883, and has since stood at its location till this day. The surreal atmosphere of the temple is best appreciated on a sunny afternoon, where shafts of light streaming down from its age-old windows in the courtyard come to life against the rising incense smoke from the altars below.
URBAN EXPLORING/ STREET • FEB 2019 #HEARTANDTHECITY: Is Kuala Lumpur getting more pretty by the day, or am I just trying harder now to uncover its beauty? The urban explorer in me continue to build momentum as I spend more time being out and about and digging deeper into what my beloved city has to offer.
URBAN HERITAGE • SEP 2017 ONWARDS #HEARTANDTHECITY: While shooting architecture may be what drives me primarily in the recent year or so, nothing can replace the thrill of general street photography, the need to tell the city dwellers' stories against the dizzying array of colorful urban backdrop is so addictively pressing that I could continue to do this for a very long time. This album has been updated with the recently launched Canon/Uber Hidden Cities campaign shots.
SPACES/ URBAN EXPLORING • JUL 2018 YTL LAND Lovingly referred to as Kellie's Castle, this brick structure has eluded all attempts at photographying it for the past decade or so, so imagine my fulfillment of being able to spent all the time that I want now to document its facade and every nook and cranny.
URBAN HERITAGE • DEC 2017 RIFLE RANGE FLATS Completed in the early 1970's, the Rifle Range Flats development is one of Penang's earliest low-cost housing project, and was once the tallest buildings in the island. Many of the generations who have called this place home may have passed on or moved out, but the collective memories of these nine blocks of apartments add on to the charms of the place. The nine blocks of apartment complexes have just recently been given a fresh coat of paint as part of the upgrading works done here, so there could not be a more apt time to come explore this beautiful oldschool architectural wonder.
AERIAL/ URBAN HERITAGE • NOV 2017 Tangkak may not be the most spectacular of towns but its charms kept me occupied nevertheless for a few hours as I took my Mavic Pro for a spin around its heritage landmarks.
URBAN EXPLORING • APR 2017 OLYMPUS EM10 MARK II The trusty camera continues to be this very convenient option for the casual occasions when my heavy fullframe gears prefer to stick at home for abit.
URBAN HERITAGE • DEC 2016 #HEARTANDTHECITY: The U-shaped 17-storey tall pkns flat in Kerinchi may have graced the neighbourhood skyline for the last four decades, yet it now stand like a dwarf among its other spanking new neighbours, oblivious, or perhaps defiant to the wave of rapid urban development that is bringing vast changes to Kerinchi. I've been wanting to explore this place for the longest time, so am glad that I finally found time during a stretch of holidays to tease some memories out from the charming structure.
URBAN HERITAGE • JUN 2016 After having spent a few hurried weekends here and there and then leaving the city each time with a heavy heart that I had once again only scratched the surface of its true potential, it's truly a blessing to have the opporturnity of spending one full week in my favourite heritage town of Malaysia. It was definitely time well spent, to be able to slowly uncover, digest and document its every charming nook and cranny, perhaps a new-found peculiarity here and there, or to strike off that cafe on my ever-growing list of must-see, just allowing myself to fall in love all over again with Georgetown, I simply couldn't have asked for more.
URBAN HERITAGE • OCT 2016 Pulau Ketam's glory days as a major fishing village hub may be fading, but beyond its piers lies a collection of colourful houses that are quite the attraction themselves. Was invited here for a weekend getaway to document the charming urban story in conjunction with the upcoming Art Festival. So I shall let the photos speak for themselves then.
URBAN HERITAGE • JUL 2015 JONKERJOY SET 2: As the fading trades lose in limelight to new hipster cafes, chic homestays and other artsy establishments, the revival of the Jonker neighbourhood marches on as I start a second set on one of my favourite Malaysian cities.
And the infatuation continues.
GEORGETOWN, PENANG: I'm increasingly interested to consider this charming town as the place to retire in. :">
OTHERS • MAR 2016 OLYMPUS EM10 MARK II My first month with the new mirrorless baby and this showcase of a series of random shots done on it is finally due. Am delighted by the results that I got so far, especially when shot on the m.zuiko prime lenses.
The Taiping experience is not complete without a visit to its charming lake district.
Often over-shadowed by her big sister, Bukit Mertajam may not come with a UNESNO heritage site tag, but the folks leading their everyday life here are just as genuine, and the experience just as fulfilling.
FRIENDSHIP PORTRAITS: SEHATI SEREMBAN Seremban is not your usual weekend getaway, but in the company of fellow buddies, anywhere can be a location for some great camwhore session. :">
The momentum has gathered among the photog kakis for our urban walkabout shoot, so this weekend finds ourselves among the last minute Raya shoppers at the bustling Jalan TAR areas. Absolutely enjoyed myself soaking in the festive moods and the antics of happy people. :)
GOOD MORNING MR GEORGE: And as with most of my recent travel album, it won't be complete without a collection of fun portrait photos of my camwhoring travel buddies. :)
The sleepy town of Sungai Lembing hums with the constant reverie of a distant past, one dominated by the tin-mining activities many decades ago. As the last of the miners rolled out of town, live goes on for the remaining folks, amidst shophouses that are now permanently shut, automobiles left to rust and houses that crumble into piles of rubble. Yet there is a certain nostalgia in the air that just refuses to be shut off. It swirls with the little whirlwind of dusty leaves in the deserted roads, accompanies bored-looking seniors whose main activity includes sitting around the front of their ever-welcoming homes waiting for time to past, and it tickles the handful of kids who call the stream and the main street their playgrounds. And so the story of this quaint little town lives on.
OTHERS • MAY 2013 THE TAMARIND WINDOWS: COLLECTION 2 It's been six sweet years at The Tamarind, and I still vividly remember my first visit to this unit, and how I couldn't take my eyes off the view from its windows that afternoon. This is a collection of snapshots made from the window these recent few years, views that have accompanied me through the ups and downs of life, of which memories will stay as vivid as they are in the photos.
OTHERS • APR 2008 Published early April 2008 is a consolidation of the shots taken from the window of my condo as we celebrate our first year here at the Tamarind, the perfect reminder of just how awestriken I was with the breath-taking views when I first stepped foot into this place.
OTHERS • SEP 2016 OLYMPUS EM10 MARK II The adventure continues on the OMD as I find myself more likely to bring the baby out for casual outings than the clunky SLR.
SPACES/ OTHERS • JUL 2016 OLYMPUS EM10 MARK II Entering my third month into the neckache-free mirrorless camera experience, I continue to gather more shots on this cool baby as the number of lenses in my gear line-up expanded courtesy of Olympus Malaysia. This collection of work gathers the casual shots done during those lazy afternoon visits to cafes around town.
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HERITAGE • SEP 2024 GUNUNG LARI TEMBAKAU MOSSY FOREST Finally a mossy forest that doesn’t take a few hours of driving to get to from KL. Located in Genting Highlands, on a hill just behind the skypark, this 30min trail is too good to be true.
URBAN EXPLORING • JUL 2024 EMPIRE CITY MALL This long overdue mall may look like it's still under construction, but our exploration already found many interesting angles that are giving strong liminal space vibes, perfect for night shoots when all is quiet, but the lights are still on.
HERITAGE • MAY 2024 SUNGAI PINANG VILLAGE There's something about the Malaysian fishing villages that I could never get enough of. Our adventure this time round brought us to Sungai Pinang in Pangkor Island, where residents are currently facing an uncertain future due to a series of development plans that may threaten to displace the villagers.
HERITAGE • JUN 2024 Finally set foot in the longest cave in Peninsula Malaysia, after all the years of procrastination. This 400-million-year-old wonder exceeded all my expectations, and I haven’t even done the wet tour yet. Need to return with waterproof gears for our next adventure.
SPACES/URBAN EXPLORING • APR 2024 VOYAGE RETREAT Perhaps the most charming place to stay in Pangkor. This bright, airy retreat, nestled in between the rainforest on one side and the fishing town on the other, is high enough to have the sweeping seaview outside the room window yet close enough for a short walk to town for our kopitiam favourites and my street shoot adventures.
URBAN EXPLORING • APR 2024 DBKL ABANDONED VEHICLES DEPOT And we are still on the search for Bumblebee. This apocalytic world cross heavy metal music video set is not for the fait-hearted, though understandably it's usually tucked away from public view with high fencing and a clever choice of site.
HERITAGE • DEC 2023 Finally found time to check out the New Zealand of Malaysia. Sitting at the foot of Mount Kinabalu, this beautiful town has been on the travel hitlist of locals and foreingers alike for its charming setting. This set also features our train ride to Beaufort.
HERITAGE • JAN 2024 BUKIT BATU PUTIH This scenic route to the peak of a 200-million-year-old quartz ridge via the seaside cliff was definitely worth overcoming my acrophobia for! Didn't realise the Strait of Malacca can be this pretty before today.
HERITAGE • OCT 2023 The state capital of Sarawak has been on my to-do list for the longest time, so it's only fitting that I finally document the stories of the city, especially the Borneo Cultures Musuem.
URBAN EXPLORING • AUG 2023 MERDEKA 2023 FIREWORKS Yes we can't get enough of the glorious views of fireworks agains the city's iconic landmark, and one of the best time to witness this would be during the country's merdeka celebration. This series was shot from our condo at the Tamarind using the 70-300mm telephoto lens.
HERITAGE • FEB 2024 SI THIAN GONG TEMPLE We are back in one of Malaysia's most elaborated Chinese temple for our Chinese New Year 2024 coverage. The temple has upped upped their game for the year of the Dragon with this mesmerising plum blossom garden.
HERITAGE • DEC 2023 This idyllic retreat at the foothill of Mount Santubong features 14 rooms set amidst the lush tropical gardens, and just a stone's throw from the beach.
HERITAGE/AERIAL • OCT 2023 As with all our recent trips, no documentation of a charming fishing town is complete without the viewpoint from above. Shot on the DJI Mavic Air 2s.
HERITAGE • SEP 2023 While the Mini Amazon adventure was really the reason why we went to Lenggong, I must admit that the town definitely has its own charms as well. It's even the site of one of the few UNESCO heritage sites in Malaysia. Need to head back for more.
HERITAGE • AUG 2023 LUNA LIGHTS WONDERLAND Lost in a trippy cosmic dreamscape. The Luna Lights Wonderland is now in Seremban, all five themes and all 850,000 blinking leds of it. Spread across the sprawling Taman Malaysia park are five themes of installation waiting to be explored. We are glad to have caught this on the first few days of opening.
HERITAGE • SEP 2023 KWAI CHAI HONG MIDAUTUMN 2023 INSTALLATION: Drama on the night of the dragon and the moon. My two midautumn lovebirds reunite for another themed shoot at Kwai Chai Hong, this time going all out for the martial arts set, against the backdrop of unrealitykai’s beautiful reimagination of the cultural themes surrounding the dragon and the full moon. Themed The Moonlit Dragon, this latest art installation starts 25 Aug and will go on until 8 Oct. Mark your calendars.
HERITAGE • MAY 2023 The harvest season is almost here in Sekinchan again. Twice a year, the rice bowl of Selangor turns into this breathtaking expanse of golden fields. It's been seven years since my last visit. This time around, there's a new vantage point to the entire unfolding drama, in the form of a swallow birdhouse-turned-homestay called Sekinchan Padi Sentral. And my drone of course added some perspective that I could never have obtained without it.
AERIAL/ URBAN EXPLORING • APR 2023 This curious-looking structure in the morning mist is the perfect excuse for me to conquer my acrophobia. It was almost three years ago when the FRIM Forest Skywalk opened during the pandemic, I’m glad I finally made the trip to see this beauty up close.
HERITAGE • JAN 2023 Our Chinese New Year content trip brought us to this charming town in Negeri Sembilan, and I fell in love with its laid-back vibe and close proximity to nature. That beautiful misty morning helped as well of course.
HERITAGE/URBAN EXPLORING • FEB 2023 UNIVERSITI MALAYA I may have left this place officially since graduating many years ago, but to return with a fresh pair of eyes was all I needed to finally see it for what a beauty it actually is.
HERITAGE • JAN 2023 SI THIAN GONG TEMPLE This relatively new temple in Kuala Pilah has now become one of the country's most majestic looking one. In conjunction with Chinese New Year 2023, we made a trip over to Kuala Pilah to check out the place for ourselves.
URBAN EXPLORING • NOV 2022 IMMERSIO MENGUKIR 2022 The fourth edition of Filamen's digital art festival has gone even bigger after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, having found a new home in Muzium Telekom. We had a great time exploring the 12 immersive installations, among which are Pamela Tan's Tatu, Tristan Lo's Tending To the Garden of Infinity and Pangrok Sulap's Marine Life.
SPACES • OCT 2022 PETRONAS TWIN TOWERS Kuala Lumpur is obssessed with its Petronas Twin Towers, this landmark that has been at the centerstage of the city's identity since 1996 continues to charm us till today. This is my compilation of all the images done of the towers this year.
SPACES/ URBAN EXPLORING • OCT 2022 It's hard to put a finger on what Bear & Bad is, this series of surreal spaces that are reminiscent of teamlab's breathtaking experience are usually only found in glitzy, modern cities, yet here we are, in a small town in Johor, staring at almost the same thing. The entrance fee may be a little steep, but it was certainly worth it. I had the time of my life here, shooting to our hearts' content on a quiet weekday afternoon with the whole place to ourselves.
URBAN EXPLORING • JUL 2022 JOMIS OLD JETTY Our exploration of hidden gems in Johor brought us to this abandoned jetty at Sungai Rengit, a town in Kota Tinggi, Johor. The curious sight of the long stretch of concrete pillars extending towards the sea is strangely reminiscent of some ancient relics. We decided to go for a night shoot to enhance the mysterious mood of this space, using the landing lights from my drone to light up the structures at various spots.
URBAN EXPLORING • MAY 2022 BANDAR AINSDALE Within the mature enclave of Bandar Ainsdale comes a fresh new outdoor space with the kind of focus on aesthetics that you can expect from Sime Darby. This Lake Park features a beautiful pavilion in striking shades of red, a two-storey-high slide, pavements with colorful shapes and a host of other fun installations guaranteed to make every minute of your hour-long drive from KL worth it.
URBAN EXPLORING • MAR 2022 SUNGAI LIMA There may be no other place as near to the city yet as detached from city life than Sungai Lima. Sharing the same island as its more popular neighbour, Pulau Ketam, this fishing village is famous for its production of dried shrimps. While the volume of this industry has been shrinking due to the migration of the village population to the city, we still managed to catch glimpses of the whole process, and had a pleasant time observing and documenting the daily life of the locals.
URBAN EXPLORING/ SPACES • JAN 2022 MITSUI LALAPORT BBCC It's quite a few years in the making, but Mitsui's transformation of this plot of land that was once Pudu Jail made it all worth the wait. Touted as the first Lalaport Mall in Southeast Asia, this place is definitely not short of cool architecture angles, both inside and out. We may have only brushed the surface of its total potential but that just mean that we will continue to have interesting things to look forward to as occupancy increases.
URBAN HERITAGE • 2012 THROUGH 2022 GOOD AFTERNOON One day very soon, any visit to Ipoh will not be complete without checking in to Sekeping Kong Heng, this absolutely charming little retreat nestled in a quiet corner of the bustling oldtown center.
URBAN EXPLORING • DEC 2021 VIVI AND WEI JIAN Before all the fuss with Squid Game finally fizzles away, we decided to take the series-inspired attire for a spin at this cool location. Completed in 2014, Encorp's Strand Garden office features 14 blocks of shop-offices that are connected by this hanging walkway structure that looks cool either observed from ground level or from the walkway itself.
SPACES • NOV 2021 Did a quick passthrough this part of Perak, mainly to drop by the Sunflower Garden, and fell in love with the idyllic villages nestled among coconut plantations. Hope to be back for more exploration.
SPACES/ URBAN EXPLORING • NOV 2021 ECO GRANDEUR Nestled in Puncak Alam is Ecoworld's signature township, Eco Grandeur. This 1400-acre development may have been launched way back in 2016, but it was only recently that I had the opportunity to explore this part of Selangor, unveiling some pretty insta-worthy features here that are begging to be documented more properly. This includes the signature roundabout that doubles as a perfectly symmetrical park, the dragonfly-shaped lake and a very charming playground.
URBAN EXPLORING • OCT 2021 Nestled within the limestone caves of Ipoh is the oldest chinese temple here called Sam Poh Caves Temple. Surrounded by towering hills, the red-roofed structure in the middle gives it a mystical feel that is impressive from both ground and aerial view.
URBAN EXPLORING • OCT 2021 ILLUMINATING SHADOWS: Lights, camera, illusion! Kwai Chai Hong’s latest art installation is a trippy, psychedelic journey of twisting colors and shifting shadows, having drawn inspiration from the materials used to make traditional wireframe lanterns and the playful way light travels through them.
URBAN EXPLORING • OCT 2021 Depending on which side of the KL/PJ border the forest is sitting on, Bukit Kerinchi or Bukit Gasing is a pretty easy hike, yet I have waited until now to explore this trail. Happy to have found time to document it though. I need to be back to complete the other sections too.
URBAN EXPLORING • SEP 2021 PJKITA COMMUNITY CENTER The PJKita community space was first announced in year 2017, touted as the go-to place for especially the youths in the surrounding communities. Fast forward to four years later, we managed to explore this location again to check on its current state, and are both amazed by this cool industrial, wavy structure that we found, and disappointed by the lack of activities here. Not sure if the current pandemic was the reason for work being halted, or if some other issues have arisen. Am hoping that the relevant planners will continue the effort to allow the full potential of this space to be realised.
SPACE/ URBAN EXPLORING • SEP 2021 TSLAW TOWER Dubbed as Malaysia's first ever 360 LED building facade display, the magic that has transformed many of China's city skylines has finally arrived here in Malaysia. TSLaw Tower may be dwarfed by Exchange 106, but it certainly has enough tricks up its sleeve to catch your attention. Can't wait to see what else is coming.
URBAN EXPLORINS • APR 2021 CAMPBELL COMPLEX VANTAGE POINT FOR Campbell Complex may have lost its lustre within the city center's aging heritage core, but the rooftop level of its parking floors hides a pretty interesting secret - a vantage point that unlocks a pretty impressive view of the streets below it, especially when it's the month of Ramadhan. We fell in love with how the colorful street-lined stalls compliments the bright neon signages.
URBAN EXPLORING/ SPACES • APR 2021 AICB CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE Nestled among the hilly enclave of Jalan Dato Onn is GDP Architects' spanking new structure that looks poised to be the city's next cool archi playground. My favourite spot of the development is the five-storey podium, its interlinked bridges and hanging meeting rooms offers a space that can be experienced and observed from different vantage points.
URBAN EXPLORING/ AERIAL • APR 2021 ABANDONED VEHICLE DEPOT What was supposed to be a quick brunch stopover during a work trip down south turned out to be our coolest urban decay find in the recent months. This sprawling visual feast got me jumping in delight at its sheer vastness and potential. Wish we had the whole day here.
URBAN EXPLORING • APR 2021 KWAI CHAI HONG ART INSTALLATION: Kwai Chai Hong's latest art installation marries the traditional chinese floral design with fabric-dye factory display, creating a living, breathing artpiece that comes alive with the breeze. I had a fun blue hour shoot with Javier Chor, one of the co-founder of Kwai Chai Hong, using some backlit flashes to add some additional lighting drama into the shots.
URBAN EXPLORING • MAR 2021 KL IN SYMMETRY: Twice a year, at the popular lookout point of Changkat Tunku, a visual feast awaits those willing to sacrifice their morning slumber. I have been guilty of missing these opportunities year after year, but am grateful that I finally found the determination to catch it once and for all this round. The sight of the sun rising right in between the Petronas Twin Towers was pure magic. I believe I am now hocked on bearing witness to this feast for years to come.
PORTRAITS/ URBAN EXPLORING • JAN 2021 CYRUS & VIVI TAN In addition to 1 Utama, KL East Mall decided that their Chinese New Year decorations, its first since the mall's opening, cannot be a hurried affair, and so commissioned for an elaborate set up to bring in some festive cheer. Two giant majestic peacock fishes perch at the oriental aquarium that welcomes visitors as their enter the Main Atrium. Remember to pose at the half-moon gates at both sides of the installation which give the best angle of the space.
SPACES/ URBAN EXPLORING • JAN 2021 PETRONAS TWIN TOWERS: Reminiscing about the time when I could shoot the city's most handsome landmark right from home. Those seven years spent at the Tamarind at Sentul East was perhaps every urban photographer's dream come true, especially if you're the type who also cannot seem to get enough of shooting the marvellous twins at every given opportunity.
URBAN EXPLORING • JAN 2021 COLORFUL BACKLANE Brickfields may be just a stone's throw away from KL Sentral, but the city's major transporation hub's modern touches have long eluded this stepchild of urban redevelopment. Thus, this unexpectedly clean, organised and colorful backlane along Jalan Thambipillay seems worlds away from its former filthy, rodent-infested self. Kudos to DBKL for a year's worth of negotation and coordination with the locals for this wonderful transformation.
URBAN EXPLORING • DEC 2020 Bukit Seri Bintang feels worlds away from the urban chaos of the city but yet close enough for you to gasp at the sprawling city skyline confronting you as you complete the upward hike to Peak 1. This piece of green haven is a favourite exercise spot among the locals and hides a few cool photoworthy locations including the really cool 'desert'.
URBAN EXPLORING • NOV 2020 Putrajaya's Alamanda Mall has a secret, and it's this impossibly colorful installation on a series of steps going down from the mall to the lake. This sprawling series of interlocked tri-color patterns is a cool backdrop that can be admired from multiple vantage points and perspectives. I'll be back for some aerials.
URBAN EXPLORING • OCT 2020 CHIN SWEE CAVES TEMPLE On the way up to Resorts World Genting is a photo stop that many miss. While the top promises round-the-clock entertainment, the serenity that is Chin Swee Caves Temple is worlds away. I had a fun time working on a few night shots that have been in my mind for awhile. Armed with a speedlite on a tripod, and a drone with lumecube lights, they finally came to fruition.
URBAN EXPLORING • JAN 2020 OVERHEAD PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE Sentral has a not-so-well-kept secret, and it's the absolutely handsome looking pedestrian bridge linking Nu Sentral Mall with the Monorail station and Brickfields. Built by GDP Architects, this piece of architectural marvel soothes the symmetry-obsessed instagrammers looking for a shot that tells the story of modernity versus heritage. It's used by an estimated 10,000 pedestrians on a daily basis, so you will not be short of interesting subjects to use as focal points for this gorgeous backdrop.
SPACES/ URBAN EXPLORING • OCT 2020 LIGHT CAPTURE CAFE It's not an everyday event that a cafe opening generates this much buzz, yet Light Capture Cafe by Hon deserves every bit of the attention thrown its way. Situated among the collection of old pre-war shophouses in the heart of Chinatown, owner Hon carved out this gem of a cafe interior from two adjoining lots that were previously damaged by fire. The result of an airy, sunlit interior that retains charming architectural elements from its previous life yet boasts plenty of cosy, modern touches fit for the most demanding of cafehoppers.
URBAN EXPLORING • SEP 2020 JUNK BOOKSTORE Nestled in an old shophouse nearby KL Chinatown is the city's longest-running secondhand bookstore. Packed to the brim in this three-storey treasure trove are literary gems, comics and even LPs. If the collection itself fails to impress you, the interior architecture of the space will. The charming circular airwell in the middle helps open up the space and reduce the claustrophobic feeling when navigating the low ceiling and tight walkways on the uppor floor.
PORTRAITS/ URBAN EXPLORING • SEP 2020 OWEN YAP It was one of the most gorgeous evening that I have witnessed locally, and I had the honour of spending that at this charming instagram spot in Melaka, in the company of Owen. The Klebang sand dunes shot to fame a few years ago, and by not being here sooner due to the scare of heatstroke, I have unfortunately lost the breathtaking sight of a vast stretch of sand dunes and nothing else. Nevertheless, the set of trees lining the edges now added an hint of tropical wilderness to contrast the setting. It's the perfect reason for the early-visitors to come explore again.
PORTRAITS/ URBAN EXPLORING • SEP 2020 In the underwater world of Aquaria, the predominantly blue hues are punctuated with red tones from my fotorgear pocket light, adding a tinge of highlights that sets the model apart from his surrounding. It's not an everyday thing to have the whole place to ourselves, so I had Tian Chad to thank for this opportunity.
URBAN EXPLORING/ PORTRAITS • AUG 2020 OWEN YAP The thriving fishing town of Kuala Sepetang, once known by its english name Port Weld, may have shaken off its earlier role as an important part in the tin mine production in nearby Taiping, but its tight-knit community is a treasure trove of charming local cultures and practices. In addition to fishing and its related industries, the huge expanse of mangrove forest surrounding the town helps support the charcoal production here, and gave the town another reason for tourists on a heritage trail hunt. Among other fun activities to do here include taking a boat ride out for dolphin watching, eagle-feeding and a visit to Kuala Sangga.
URBAN EXPLORING/ PORTRAITS • JUL 2020 JVENE Laman Perdana is most probably Perdana Botanical Park's most instagrammable spot. Completed in 2014 by GDP Architects, this canopy adopts a form that mimics its green surroundings, and is best admired on a sunny day when filtered light creates a mesmering pattern on the floor.
URBAN EXPLORING • JUN 2020 Yet another fulfilling week-long trip to Penang, with fresh places and spots to explore, despite me having lost count of the number of times I have visited this heritage city. Georgetown continues to stay vibrant and interesting, and we'll definitely be back again when the hawkerfare starts calling our names.
URBAN EXPLORING/ PORTRAITS • JUN 2020 There's no better time to pull off the abandoned themepark theme that I've always wanted to do than now, when entertainment centers remain closed as we recover from covid19. So I grabbed Kev Chong over to I-City one beautiful evening. We couldn't have caught a more glorious day.
URBAN EXPLORING • JUN 2020 PPR SERI CEMPAKA Delivered as part of the Sayangi Rumahku campaign, with help from volunteers from EdgeProp, Paramount Property and Nippon Paint Malaysia, the outdoor sports court of this PPR has been given a much-deserved upgrade with splashes of colors now greeting futsal games and other types of activities here. This vivid spot may also be begging to be your next OOTD backdrop.
URBAN EXPLORING/ SPACES • FEB 2020 ARTEPLUS This is your instagram selfie museum on steroids, except that you can also bring your luggage in for a night's stay or more. Nusmetro's strong emphasis on meeting the demands of the throngs of instagrammers searching for a new playground in town has paid off. ArtePlus Jalan Ampang packs a dizzying array of visually-interesting spots for your OOTD and light saber low-light photography and everything in between. Most of these facilities are accessible by condo residents and guests only, so do book your stay through one of those vacation rentals vendors out there for your all-access pass.
URBAN EXPLORING • MAR 2020 There may be tens of new stations that have sprung up all over the city as part of the MRT project in the recent two years or so, but none is quite like the Maluri station. The color block design of the facade is a refreshing change from the conservative design of other stations, and is rather hard to miss even from a distance.
URBAN EXPLORING • FEB 2020 A SPIRAL STAIRCASE Had the opportunity of exploring this spot as part of a recce trip with a location manager, definitely one of the most surreal urban spots that I have been. I have been asked to keep the location details private unfortunately. Enjoy the visuals.
SPACES/ URBAN EXPLORING • MAR 2020 It was a quick afternoon spent at KL's latest and hippiest addition to the line-up of chic hotel around town, and it's easy to see why this place been garnering so much attention since its opening earlier this year. A quick tour of two of the designer lofts did not do justice to all the work spent on creating these spaces, they all deserve a good day or two spent within its walls just to soak in the atmosphere. I will definitely be back for more.
URBAN EXPLORING/ AERIAL • JAN 2020 PENANG BRIDGE To soar above Penang's iconic bridge and document its beauty upclose, that was perhaps one of the earliest motivation of the purchase of my drone. I just didn't know that this dream will only come true two years after finally owning one, but it was better late than never. And what a visual feast it was.
URBAN EXPLORING/ SPACES • DEC 2019 ICONIC BRIDGE & The City of Elmina has done it again. Right after blessing the Klang Valley with the rainbow bridge instagram spot, a new sight has now been completed, called the Iconic Bridge, located right next to Elmina Central Park. Do remember to check out the similarly striking red lookout point within the park as well.
URBAN EXPLORING/ SPACES • DEC 2019 PPR PERKASA Not all low-cost flats are built the same. In the case of PPR Perkasa, the town-planning folks seemed to have spent a little more time here on creating a color scheme that will turn heads. I'm loving how the seemingly rigid, repetitive design come alives as the color blocks interplay to create new patterns at different angles and perspectives. We should have more PPRs like these!
URBAN EXPLORING • NOV 2019 Batu Caves may have been a key tourist destination for visitors to Kuala Lumpur for the longest time, but it is really its recent makeover that are pulling in the throngs of instagrammers eager to capture its impossibly vibrant stairs in full colors. Come over to avoid the crowd.
URBAN EXPLORING • OCT 2019 SPIRAL STAIRCASE And so my obsession with the beautiful geometric formations that are spiral staircases continues with the addition of this vintage set from a rather forgotten building somewhere off Jalan Ampang. Loving the contrast of the striking blue railings against the faded mosaic tiles. It's a space that is begging to be given a fresh spin on the perspective game. One day I will find time to be back for more.
SPACES/ URBAN EXPLORING • SEP 2019 TAMARIND SQUARE Brutalist architecture is very much alive and kicking at this popular photography spot in Cyberjaya, and it's easy to see why. Beautiful concrete formworks combined with a keen sense of art from the hanging gardens designed by Seksan right down to the creative signages deliver an integrated development that has so many instagrammable nooks and crannies it takes a while to just take everything in. This is a place I will come back again and again and still find fresh angles to interpret.
URBAN EXPLORING • AUG 2019 Taman Melati has a hidden secret, two impossibly colorful courts tucked quietly between blocks of low-cost flats. And I'm so glad that to have the company of Shuang Yi while exploring this, as I wouldn't be able to do much magic myself without his presence in my shots. The rainbow-colored facade of the flats is post-processed, but still, the courts themselves were already worth the visit.
URBAN EXPLORING/ STREET • JUL 2019 #HEARTANDTHECITY: My love story with Kuala Lumpur city continues into this third compilation of flats, and malls, and everything in between.
SPACES/ STREET • APR 2019 RAINBOW WALKWAY This is perhaps Pusat Sain Negara's most impressive exhibit, and it's free. The rainbow walkway is the result of the sunlight filtering in from the rainbow cladding enveloping the circular building, and the good thing is, this breathtaking effect is visible all day long, as long as we have the sun. To get to this service lane, drive around the building until you see an external staircase leading up from the ground floor to the upper floors. Take that and you're there. Remember to greet the friendly guards who are sometimes seen around the walkway entrance.
HERITAGE • FEB 2019 I waited like 4 years before publishing another collection of shots from Jonker. What a hectic few years it must have been. I thought I had fallen out of love with this place but it looks like the recent trip there helped spark a new-found admiration all over again. And that's always a good thing.
SPACES/ URBAN EXPLORING • JUL 2018 Ten years since I got shooed by the guards when attempting to steal some shots of the gorgeous KTM Train Depot and surrounding complexes in Sentul Park. I'm back in this familiar ground again, as the official photographer to document the transformation of KL's next hipster playground. This is going down as perhaps the most memorable assignment of all time, truly an honor to be given the opportunity to explore one of KL's best kept secrets.
AERIAL/ URBAN HERITAGE • APR 2018 #HeartDrone finally got a taste of the old town of Ipoh in this short assignment trip up north, and we're in for a sweet treat of charming vintage architecture from the state mosque to public housing. Am definitely not done yet, so till we are back again.
URBAN HERITAGE • DEC 2017 ONWARDS GOOD MORNING MR GEORGE The recent string of wedding assignments up north afforded me the opportunity to continue exploring my favourite city. I'm ever thankful that we have this heritage gem, for Malaysia will not be the same without it.
SPACES/ URBAN HERITAGE • MAR 2017 TILL CURRENT #HEARTANDTHECITY: My search for a fresh new perspective on the growing set of urban architectural photography has finally pushed me now to unfamiliar grounds. The fear of heights proved to be no deterrance in turning me into a pilot of the cute little yet powerful flying machine we call the Mavic Pro. With drone photography came videography as well since stills alone are no justive to the grand view from above. And so the past month proved to be a month of new learnings and experiences. And I'm looking forward to experiencing the city in a new light.
URBAN HERITAGE • DEC 2017 What's more fun than taking your camera out for some exploration of a city you call home? Exploring it in the company of a bunch of like-minded instagrammers and urban explorers, of course! And so I put a few us together and we started the first Instameet, with the location being one of my favourite apartment in KL. I could now finally do some of the group shots that required a higher headcount to work, and also get multiple angles of the same shot for a more complete coverage. Stay tuned to more fun outings at our instagram page here.
URBAN HERITAGE • AUG 2016 Kampar's revival from a sleepy ex tin-mining town to its current thriving self is definitely a tale envied by many. The setting up of TAR College in 2003 and subsequently UTAR brought with it a fresh breath of development and buzz driven by the growing undergrads population. This short weekend getaway was mainly to capture some family snapshots for a cousin whose daughter attended the convocation at the university. I took the chance of course to explore the old town area as well, of which highlights included the old bus station and apartment complex nearby.
URBAN HERITAGE • JUN 2016 ONWARDS #HEARTANDTHECITY: As I continue my venture away from the touristy path, the exploration of the charming island opens up new possibilities as I put on my urban explorer hat to go deep into Penang's set of low-cost apartments. And for those who dare to take the ascent, the high floors of these easily accessible housing units also hold a rather sweet reward - the most gorgeous seaview best admired during the golden hours of sunset.
URBAN HERITAGE • MAY 2016 Due to the lack of proper planning in my previous few trips, I was consistently out of luck for catching Sekinchan during its most beautiful season, so this trip was carefully planned to time with the golden harvest, of which sights certainly did not disappoint. The pleasant discovery of a new charming homestay called Farm Ville added to the surreal experience that Selangor is capable of this magical trip despite the place being just roughly an hour's drive from the city center.
Another return to the colourful chinatown of Kuala Lumpur with my favourite photo gang. Shot to death, indeed, yet I still manage to find a fresh perspective to document down on every visit, be it a portrait shoot or a walkabout journalistic one. Petaling Street never disappoints. :)
Continuing my recent's infatuation to explore, uncover and document charming urban stories from different Malaysian cities and towns, the journey in December 2010 brought me to Muar, a place well-known for its hawker delights such as otak-otak and "or-jian" and decades-old shophouses.
OTHERS • MAY 2008 Published on the first day of May 2008 is a short series of photos shoot during a lazy afternoon in Lake Gardens. I was dragged there by Mum, who insisted that I produce some colourful photos to grace the walls at the living area, apparently all the black and white stuff I have right now are bad for feng sui. :S
OTHERS • JUN 2007
OTHERS • JUL 2013 HEARTPATRICK CHILDHOOD PICS: HEARTBABY It's only now that I realise how lucky I have been to havea cousin brother who's an avid photographer back when I was growing up, otherwise I would not have ended up with a good set of pics that I can revisit again and again, and have fun with recreating, such as in this set.
PASAR BESAR This marvellously muhibbah market is the perfect place for beginners to practise their street photography skills.
From the Heartpatrick's urban heritage series comes this second collection of snapshots, this time right from the clutter of the Pudu wet market on buzzing Sunday morning. Gosh if you need to practise your photography skills, you can't go wrong here! Not only are the vendors friendly, they're truly not camera-shy at all! Don't be surprised if you find some dying to pose for you (even though you don't want them to), and striking conversations with you to find out more about your shoot.Heck I even got to distribute all my namecards to the folks. God bless all you kind people. :)
KLPAC: Here's an album that celebrates the invigorated senses I feel everytime I drop by the KLPac and Sentul Park area, what more after a refreshing downpour on a peaceful evening.
I hold a dear place in my heart for the heritage area of Jonker Street and its surrounding neighbourhood. This collection of beautifully preserved houses and its fading trades are a marvel for the lenses no matter how many times I come here. It's my first urban heritage playground outside of Kuala Lumpur, and has been the backdrop of a few prewedding portraits that I have done in recent years.
OTHERS • SEP 2015 Without doing anything, Aunt Susie's decades old place in Ampang Jaya is in trend again. Those vintage furnitures and fixtures and flooring look like they're ready for some good old reminiscing times.
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