Our entries for the IPA Street Photography Contest 2011

Some words of introduction: Invisible Photographer Asia (IPA) has been a very active platform for photojournalism and street photography, particularly in Asia, since 2010. IPA Street Photography Contest 2011 is organized to celebrate its one year anniversary, with the special prize of a LEICA M2 Rangefinder Camera with a Nokton 35mm F/1.4 Lens. The winner takes all.

Each may submit up to 3 entries and the photo must be taken in Asia within the last 12 months.

And here are ours. Can't wait to see other entries and the winning photo... ;)

Entry Title: "Precious Moment"

Photo Caption: I saw this scene composed mainly with red and white, as in the Singapore flag, while wandering around in the center area of Singapore. Couple of elements that all come together: the red car, red windows and white wall, then two men also in red, one was helping the other to raise a Singapore flag. Little surprise from the street, I guess so.

Photographer’s name: Minh Nghia Le 

Camera or equipment used: Canon 5D Mark II + EF 50mm f1.8 II


Entry Title: "Ponder Upon"
Photo Caption: Taken at Orchard Road, Singapore. Which store would you prefer?
Country in Asia where the photo was taken: Singapore
Photographer’s name: Minh Nghia Le
Camera or equipment used: Canon A710


Entry Title: "A Painter"
Photo Caption: Art needs not be glamorous or extraordinary. It can be normal people and ordinary things in our everyday life. This photo was taken of a shop owner cleaning his windows like a painter with his canvas.
Country in Asia where the photo was taken: Singapore
Photographer’s name: Minh Nghia Le
Camera or equipment used: Canon 5D Mark II + EF 50mm f1.8 II


Entry Title: Bon Appetit
Photo Caption: This photo is taken in Amoy St, one of the most popular street food center in Singapore. Located near the business districts, the place is usually crowded during lunchtime on weekdays. I was there on a public holiday, and caught this conversation in silence.
Country in Asia where the photo was taken: Singapore
Photographer’s name: Mai Phuong Duong
Camera or equipment used: Canon A710



Entry Title: Balloon ride of hopes
Photo Caption: This photo was taken on the afternoon of the Lunar New Year's Eve in Vietnam. Most of the shops were already closed as people rushing home for family dinner to welcome the new year. However, there was still this man selling balloons on the street and many other hawkers (who carry goods for sale on the streets) trying to make their living.
Country in Asia where the photo was taken: Vietnam
Photographer’s name: Mai Phuong Duong
Camera or equipment used: Canon 5D Mark II/ EF 17-40mm f4 L

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Some thoughts on a Saturday morning

(5DII Monochrome 1600, Zuiko 35mm f2.8, in Street Photography group)

I've been busy with other stuffs since early of this year. Less and less time with photography, especially with the post-processing of our pictures. Many shots, even in 2009, are still in the archived folders. That's the main reason why I decide to shoot in film recently (not so convincing right? :D). It has been good so far, but quite costly due to cost of buying and developing film.

Last week I tried to set the 5D Mark II to Monochrome (BnW) mode, push a contrast level from 5 to 7, and just shoot with it. It is quite surprising that the BW tonality I got from the OM Zuiko lens and recently the Sigma 50mm f1.4, is quite pleasing. Sometime it is just too clean in ISO 400 for a BnW look (named it 5DII Monochrome 400 if you don't mind), I prefer the 5DII Monochrome 1600 or even 6400.

This morning I do a short test with the Sigma. Shoot some portraits of Phuong for 15'. Blog for 20'. Here I'm done and gonna work on "other stuffs" again...

One more thing: since we move our Wedding thingy to a more official blog (http://a2nh-wedding.blogspot.com), I can now write freely anything related to photography here, yay :D

These two are my absolutely favorites...

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