09-02-10
photo documentary – saigon motorcycles madness!
There are five million people in Saigon – and three million motorcycles. Almost no one walks or rides a bicycle anymore. Of course they are a few but it is very in a small count. the people have become motorcycle dependent, motorcycle bound. It’s impossible to separate them from their cycles. They go nowhere without them… and they ride them anywhere and everywhere.
Although they were traffic lights, still… under normal conditions no one stops at intersections in Saigon or anywhere else in Vietnam. Everyone just keeps rolling at a steady pace. They expect other drivers to read their intent, and to speed up, slow down, weave or dodge in order to avoid smacking into them. Timing is routinely split-second.
Motorcycles surge through the streets like massive schools of fish swimming in a river too small and too shallow to carry them all. their drivers weave like barrel-racers through an oncoming tide of traffic, up a one way street or into an oncoming lane. They sail nonchalantly through intersections, directly across the flow of traffic, stopping only when confronted by a much bigger vehicle. Seriously this is insane!!!
They ride up over onto the sidewalk, dodging and threatening pedestrians in equal measure, and with equal insouciance. They careen down narrow alleys crowded with people,with street sellers balancing bamboo poles or pushing large carts, with people drinking tea or beer, cleaning vegetables, cooking meals, doing dishes, and with children playing.
Motorcycle drivers come in all ages – some no more than children. They may be cautious and careful, or free-wheeling and reckless. Some are focused on what they’re doing, watching the road ahead, trying to anticipate what the other guy is about to do. But many seem to be paying almost no attention at all… they talking on their cell phone, looking for an address or yelling to a friend across the road. lol.
As my 4 days visit to saigon, i was totally amazed with this scenario! then i decided to documented this as part of my photo documentary project. This project is one of my ongoing long term project. maybe some of u have no idea what it is all about. Come to Saigon and experience yourself on the road. I already give a try to ride a scooter owned by one of local friends, but i failed! i cant stand any longer than 10minutes, especially when entering the junction and intersection. Dammit! haha.
Maybe all of the pictures above still not enough show how crazy the motorcycles in Saigon. I will try my best next time, need to get photos from different angle especially from the top!
regrads,
azimzainudin – saigon april 2010
05-03-10
next!
alhamdulillah. the deal has been confirmed.
will be in perth for another assignment.
hope everything will go smooth as planned.
im off for a week. perth here i come!!!
regards, azim.zainudin.
04-22-10
photo documentary – Life behind the great Angkor
Located between rice paddies and flanking the Siem Reap River, the small provincial capital of Siem Reap serves as the gateway to the millennium old temple ruins of the Khmer Empire, Angkor Wat. Been a tourist destination for over 100 years, the town is actually the result of a conglomeration of several small villages built around several pagodas and subsequently united under the French and Siem Reap’s architecture reflects their influence.
Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Stretching over some 400 km2, including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations.
The population of Cambodia today is about 10 million. About 10% are in Siem Reap. 90-95 percent of the people are Khmer ethnic. The remaining 5-10 percent include Chinese-Khmers, Khmer Islam or Chams, ethnic hill-tribe people, known as the Khmer Loeu, and Vietnamese.
Siem Reap is not just about the templs of Angkor. The beauty of the temples is unquestionable. As my journey this time i decided to documented about Khmer people. Although there are millions of tourist coming from all over the world, they still have their own unique life… life behind the great Angkor.
Shom, 28 years old have been living here at Bayon since he was born. He became a monk and help the lead monk, (picture of an old monk) 83 yrs old, to take care of the temple in Bayon area. Locals from all over Cambodia come to them because they provide traditional medicine to the patients.
This 2 young Khmer girls always wanted to go to school, but their family cannot afford it. Everyday they will help their parents to run the business selling Cambodian home made clothing to the tourist in Bayon area.
A group of young beautiful Khmer girls working as a full time traditional model in Angkor Wat. If the tourist want to take pictures with them, they will charged a small fee.
Garbage collector at the top of Angkor Wat. The poor life makes them do everything to get money to survive. Can u imagine how much they earn in 1 day, but still they are happy with their life…
The old market in Siem Reap always busy all day long. U can find a lot of things here, from the unique traditional Cambodian food to the high quality of home made jewelry.
Major of locals in countryside of Cambodia used to be in paddy production. In april, normally locals in Siem Reap will look for other things to do. Many of them will go fishing as the big famous Ton Le Sap is not far away from here. Some of them will do the fruit plantation. I manage to found a small community that still can plant the paddy although it is in the dry season. The source of water is very limited in this season but still, they got to do something for a living.
regards,
azim.zainudin.
03-25-10
Zee Avi live in KL
1st of all. dont ask how i manage to capture these photo because if u went to the event, guest are not allowed to bring any pro cameras / dslr. just normal compact camera. im not sure why, a friend of mine told that it is normal thing that they do if the event are organized by big company and international level.
i rarely shoot concert like this, but lately i love to shoot this kind of event because i can play with all the available light. i always train myself to shoot in low light. for me this is the best way u can improve ur photography skills, u need to think, wait and study the environment so that u can a good shot. =)
the event was held in kl life center, same place as hujan concert ‘mencari konklusi’. altough the event took place in the same venue, the lighting this time was more difficult than before.
zee looks very cute. with her new hair style, she managed to make the crowd go crazy with her superb voice. so do i! =)
she looks so happy and she did cried that night (last picture). maybe because it is her 1st ever performance in malaysia, her home. correct me if im wrong bout the fact. heee.
this time i choose to go with black and white as u can see above. the picture looks more dramatic and lively. sorry bout the angle… very limited…full house beb!
a friend of mine manage to record the whole event. if u guyz want it u can email me on facebook and i will send it to u. sharing is caring rite? heee.
hope u guyz like it. till next time.
regards,
azim.zainudin
03-11-10
photo documentary – Bajau Laut
Bajau Laut people are known also as the sea gypsy people.
normally associated with the island people of the Pacific, especially in the southern Philippines area and other smaller islands. In Malaysia, you can find them in most of the island in semporna, sabah.
These people have lived in the ocean on their make-shift ‘house boat’. According to locals there, only in recent years that they have made settlements into the coastal area, with their houses built on stilts. The big ocean is still their main source of living – fishing, collecting clams and mussels, and even pearl farming.
Normally, for the man of bajau laut of mabul, they use to go fishing at night and sleep in their ‘house boat’ during the day. Their unique lepa boat resembles the modern-day’s catamaran vessels, with two adjoining legs for added stability when roughing the wild Pacific ocean. They use a special ‘fish gun’ and powerful torch light to catch fish. While during the day, women and children of bajau laut will go fishing and sell it to the locals of mabul island.
Some said that original people of bajau laut cannot live in any land. They still want to stay in their house-boat.
I manage to capture a lot of portraiture and their daily activities. All of the pictures are taken at the mabul island and omadal island. This is some of the pictures from my collection from thousand of pictures.
I gain a lot of new info in my backpack trip to mabul island this time. If u guyz got time, i recommend u to visit mabul island. The crystal clear water, beautiful blue sky,white sandy beaches and superb underwater life will make u fall in love with mabul island. Not just that, it is also nearby to the new seven wonders of the world… u know what i mean rite, of course the sipadan! heaven for divers from all over the world, and not to forget nearby to the most beautiful and famous kapalai!
regards,
azim.zainudin
11-16-09
photo documentary – jonker street malacca
If you are looking at a list of “must-go” places in Melaka, you will find that Jonker Street will always be at the top of the list. It is also a highly recommended place for those who would like to discover Melaka in an interesting and interactive way. If you are planning to spend an hour there before hopping to another major attraction, think twice as it is not an ordinary “street” – one can spend a whole day there just to check out the attractive shops along the street.
Located at Jalan Hang Jebat, this street is also known as Jonker Walk. At an easily accessible location, some people might perceive it as nothing more than a straight and narrow street. However, once you stepped into the entrance of the street, you will be amazed by what you see in each and every distinct shop. Along the street, you can find shops selling unique antique, wood-craved statues, interior and household products, fashionable clothes, colourful accessories and various souvenirs.
source from malaysiavacationguide.com
regards, khamen.
10-30-09
photo documentary – panggilan haji
dah lama xbuat documentari…
kali ni aku n syuk berkesempatan utk mempraktiskan diri merakamkan pemergian jemaah haji malaysia 2009 yg akan berangkat ke Tanah Suci Mekkah.
aku xpenah pn tau yg sistem jemaah haji berkumpul dah lain..
para jemaah akan berkumpul dulu kt bangunan tabung haji…kt sini dieorg akan naik bus terus di eskort ke airport….so kt sini adalah pitstop terakhir mereka jumpa ngn keluarga dan sedara mara sblm berangkat…
if benda ni dah lama buat…so aku la yg ketinggalan zaman…haha…
but its a good thing…
daripada masing2 pergi airport sendiri…smpi sesat2 n bersesak2 ngn org2 lain kt airport tu…
so sistem ni sgt2 la bagus! hohoho…
semoga para jemaah haji tahun ni selamat pergi n balik…xkira yg dari malaysia, n diseluruh pelusuk dunia…selamat menunaikan kewajipan.
InsyaAllah…
ni juga adalah satu daripada wishlist aku…nk anta mak abah pegi sana…amin~!
regards, azim zainudin.
**byk lg wedding entry yg xsempat utk di update…stay tune!
