Posts Tagged TDEX

The End of Photography

Sat, Jul 17th, 2010  |   Events, Talks, Featured No Comments

Here is the presentation that I gave recently at TDEX on 10 and 11 July at the Queen Sirikit Convention Center in Bangkok (See…this is proof that I did more than just overeat while I was in Thailand!).

The 26.5-minute talk is entitled “The End of Photography”, and it’s a summary of my views on the implications of the switch to digital technology for photographers and other content creators.

To be clear…I’m not referring to pixel-counting, the pros/ cons of CF cards vs. SD cards, which computer to use, which processing software to use, or any other technical issue.

The primary point I’m trying to convey is that the switch from analogue to digital has far-reaching implications for all photographers, most of which we’ve collectively only begun to explore and appreciate.

I believe that the issues I set out are fundamentally reshaping the way we can (and should) conceive, plan and execute creative endeavours.

There’s one thing you’ll have to bear with if you watch/ listen to the presentation.

The plan was to have a video camera record the talk, so I could splice in some video footage to liven up the presentation video and also to highlight the occasions when I was pointing things out on my presentation slides.

As it turned out, the video camera wasn’t actually on when I gave the talk, so there are some “slow” sections during the presentation, when there’s no visual action to go along with my rambling, just a static slide.

Hopefully the content of my talk will prove so compelling and spell-binding that you won’t even notice.

In case you’re interested, I put the presentation together in Keynote (part of Apple’s iWork suite), recorded the audio with a Zoom H4n hooked up to a Sennheiser EW 122-P lavalier microphone via a sound board at the venue.

After the talk, I synced the timing of the slides with the audio track by using Keynote’s built-in Record function, and then used Final Cut Studio (specifically Final Cut Pro and Soundtrack Pro) to edit the audio.

Using Soundtrack Pro made a noticeable difference in audio quality, as the presentation environment was “challenging”, i.e., open area with lots of competing ambient noise, echo, random people walking by, etc.

Eric’s Adoring Fan Club

Mon, Jul 12th, 2010  |   Events, Talks, Funny Stuff, People 12 Comments

Eric and I gave two talks each at the Thai Travel and Dive Expo in Bangkok this weekend.

Here’s a snapshot of Eric showing a photo he took of flamboyant cuttlefish while we were in Lembeh back in March, using the Inon wide-angle macro lens:


Eric Cheng speaking at TDEX 2010

Both of us are accustomed to public speaking, so for the most part, things went smoothly…nothing unexpected or out of the ordinary…except, of course, for a spontaneous gathering of a gaggle of giggling girls expressing undying adoration for young Mr. Cheng (no doubt related to his adroit handling of the aforementioned phallic lens):


Eric enthusiastically explaining his mastery of all things long

Being the consummate professional that he is, Eric took things in stride (note the dopey expression on his face, visible even from behind), even deigning to pose for a group photo with his doey-eyed fan club after he had finished expounding on f-stops and lens angles:


Eric trying not to show how pleased he was with the situation

Despite relishing the attention lavished upon him, young Eric did appear somewhat uncomfortable at times, particularly during the photo session…when he was careful to keep his hands in his lap, lest he inadvertently infringe upon the modesty of one of the innocent young lasses around him:

It is, however, a sad fact of life that all good things must come to an end. The captivated co-eds soon lost interest in my friend, leaving him alone, staring into the distance with a forlorn, pensive expression:


Eric, after being abandoned by his harem

Actually, I was with Eric for the rest of the afternoon, but he seemed rudely disinterested in any attention I attempted to lavish upon him.

Go figure.

Khun Nat

Sat, Jul 10th, 2010  |   Events, Talks, People 4 Comments

I’m in Bangkok now, for the Thailand Travel and Dive Expo, which was postponed from the originally planned dates in May this year.

Visiting Thailand is always lots of fun.

Today…while not preoccupied eating/ digesting far too much food…I walked around saying hello to friends, including my fellow photographer Nat Sumanatemeya.

Nat Sumanatemeya

Khun Nat is well-known in Thailand, and he’s a terrific guy to boot. If you visit TDEX this weekend, be sure to check out the gallery of his images and DSLR video footage on display just before you enter the exhibition hall!

TDEX Talks

Sun, May 17th, 2009  |   Events, Talks 4 Comments

Today is the final day of TDEX. I’m coming down with a sore throat, perhaps from talking too much, or perhaps from continually being in air-conditioned environments over the past few days…I guess I’m more accustomed to tropical beaches at this point in life.

I did two talks yesterday, one on basic photography stuff for beginners, and the second on lighting. Actually, the second talk was more of a demo.

talk at tdex

With a lot of help from Aey and Mean, the show organisers, Canon, and a whole bunch of other people…I rigged up a Canon 5D Mark II to a large-screen TV and demonstrated how to take photos using natural and artificial light…just like you would underwater.

With no practice/ rehearsal, I was certainly relieved when everything worked properly!

My friend Khun Ake dropped by the show to translate for me (actually, it seemed like he was there more to make fun of me in Thai than to interpret), which was a big help and a lot of fun.

After my talks, Gunther gave a great intro into the capabilities and basic functions of Aperture. I picked up a few tips, which will no doubt streamline my workflow going forward.

If you’re around and missed yesterday, I’ll be doing two more talks this afternoon, at 14:00 and 15:30, across from the Canon booth, in the main hallway, and Gunther’s talk is at 16:15.

TDEX

Fri, May 15th, 2009  |   Events, Talks 4 Comments

It’s the second day of TDEX, but just the first full day for me. I got into Bangkok yesterday and went to the show for a few hours, but left a bit early to grab dinner and crash (though actually, I ended up staying up ’til pretty late answering emails and such).

I’m about to head out with a bunch of friends to a place that specialises in awesome pad thai, something I really need, as I basically haven’t eaten since breakfast. It’s a local restaurant that I’d have no hope of finding myself…and let’s just say that the pad thai is frickin’ awesome.

Anyway, here’s a snapshot from today…Mean looking at a portfolio of Gunther’s amazing photos from his recent trip to India…on Gunther’s iPhone. Some of the images are online here. I encourage you to take a look.

Gunther is an Apple certified instructor for Aperture, and he’s here to do a couple of talks about the software. I managed to grab him for breakfast today and fire off a bunch of questions, and I’ll probably do the same tomorrow.

mean and gunther