azim.zainudin photography™

photo documentary – welcoming spring with colors

azim.zainudin — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 21:08:15 +0000

Hey guyz! im very sorry for the late update from india. its been more than a month already since i came back from india.
this time i wanna share the story about holi festival.
people in india and other countries with large hindu populations celebrated Holi, the Festival of Colors. Holi is celebrated as a welcoming of spring, and a celebration of the triumph of good over evil. what that translates to in action is an enthusiastic dropping of inhibitions, as people chase each other and playfully splash colorful paint, powder and water on each other. people also attend bonfires to commemorate the story of Prahlada, a hindu figure and devout follower of lord vishnu who prevailed over his father and the demoness holika with the power of his devotion.

After about 2 years collecting all info about this superb culture celebration, finally i manage to capture it with my camera. im not gonna tell all the details, let the pictures tell the story. hoho. we did spend about 4 days in mathura n vrindavan area to get the exact info about this event. i might say that this event is one of the toughest coverage ever. u got to be prepared. seriously well prepared… not only your gears but mind and body also. we traveled to the most remote place in india so that we can get the most original event, no tourist, only just a few traveler and some local photographer.

all the shots above are originally from my camera, just a lil bit of cropping and leveling.if u do like the story, pls do share it with ur frens and family. i love to share my picture to all… as this is the way im expressing my self to the things that i love to do… and i will continue to do it so as long as i got money and time to travel. the more u travel, the more u will learn and the more u will appreciate ur life. trust me on this one… till next time! =)

regards,

azimzainudin, india march 2012

photo documentary – kushti wrestlers

azim.zainudin — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 22:25:59 +0000

Kusti is India’s traditional wrestling on soil. This ancient sport used to hold great importance in Indian societies of the past, its popularity over the recent years however, has dwindled tremendously.

At present Kusti is only practiced in a handful of pockets around India. Even in these places the future of the sport is uncertain. The government constantly pressures traditional Kusti schools to abandon ways of the past, embrace international wrestling standards and win medals at the Olympics.

Kushti is India’s traditional wrestling on soil. This ancient sport used to hold great importance in Indian societies of the past, its popularity over the recent years however, has dwindled tremendously. At present Kushti is only practiced in a handful of pockets around India. Even in these places the future of the sport is uncertain. The government constantly pressures traditional Kushti schools to abandon ways of the past, embrace international wrestling standards and win medals at the Olympics.
A practitioner of this sport is referred to as a Pehlwan, or a Pahalwan, same to our Malaysia hero that we called ‘Pahlawan’. while teachers are known as Ustad or Guru. The undefeated champions of the country will hold the title Rustam-i-Hind, meaning “the Rostam of India”.

In Kushti, physical training is meant to build strength and develop muscle bulk and flexibility. Exercises that employ the wrestler’s own bodyweight include the ’surya namaskara, shirshsan and the dand, which also found in Yoga, as well as the bethak.

In New Delhi, this Kushti wrestlers continue the rigorous schedule of waking up at early morning six times a week and practicing more than 6 hours every day in the morning and evening. They live together in one small room near the arena and their only belongings are a blanket, and a few items of clothes. They have been compared to holy men because of their dedication to this sport.

regards, bob.

photo documentary – ari muyang

azim.zainudin — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 17:45:24 +0000

It’s astounding how much of the Malaysian culture is hidden from the public eye. Although I used to travel a lot outside malaysia, this is my 1st time to

experienced my own local indigenous culture by mah meri tribe. mah meri tribe are one of the tribe that used to live in Carey Island, situated about 140km

from kuala lumpur. Carey Island is a large palm oil estate that is owned and operated by the Malaysian palm oil conglomerate Golden Hope Plantation. If you

were hoping by the name that Carey Island was a white sanded beach with miles upon miles of clear blue waters, then you’d be sadly mistaken.=)

The main appeal of Carey Island is the indigenous tribe, the Mah Meri. This small tribe has managed to sustain its existence for almost a century. While the

world around it grows with skyscrapers and shopping malls, the Mah Meri has kept its unique traditions of wood carvings and self sustainable living off the

land. Though not adverse to changes, the Mah Meri are well versed in local Bahasa Malaysia and some of them can even speak English.

every year, mah meri tribe celebrates ‘Ari Muyang’, a unique celebration for them giving thanks to the spirits for all the good things that had been bestowed

upon the villagers. On this special day, they will have a ritual ceremony where a shaman uses rice powder based solutions, mixed with flowers and leaves to

mark the foreheads and forearms. After the ritual caremony, some of them will perform a traditional dance called ‘main Jo-oh’. the dance will be accompanied

by a ritual traditional songs and music perfomed by the older generation of the tribe using bamboo, viola, drum and guitar.

It’s astounding how much of the Malaysian culture is hidden from the public eye. Although I used to travel a lot outside malaysia, this is my 1st time to experienced my own local indigenous culture by Mah Meri tribe. Mah Meri tribe are one of the tribe that used to live in Carey Island, situated about 140km from Kuala Lumpur. Carey Island is a large palm oil estate that is owned and operated by the Malaysian palm oil conglomerate Golden Hope Plantation. If you were hoping by the name that Carey Island was a white sanded beach with miles upon miles of clear blue waters, then you’d be sadly mistaken. =)

The main appeal of Carey Island is the indigenous tribe, the Mah Meri. This small tribe has managed to sustain its existence for almost a century. While the world around it grows with skyscrapers and shopping malls, the Mah Meri has kept its unique traditions of wood carvings and self sustainable living off the land. Though not adverse to changes, the Mah Meri are well versed in local Bahasa Malaysia and some of them can even speak English.

Every year, Mah Meri tribe celebrates ‘Ari Muyang’, a unique celebration for them giving thanks to the spirits for all the good things that had been bestowed upon the villagers. On this special day, they will have a ritual ceremony where a shaman uses rice powder based solutions, mixed with flowers and leaves to mark the foreheads and forearms. After the ritual ceremony, some of them will perform a traditional dance called ‘main Jo-oh’. the dance will be accompanied

by a ritual traditional songs and music perfomed by the older generation of the tribe using bamboo, viola, drum and guitar.

next week we will be close for a month. a new road less traveled journey will begin.
wish us the best of luck.

regards, azim.zainudin

amirul + raudha @ thewarehouse kl

azim.zainudin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:25:29 +0000

a big thanks to the warehouse kl for the opportunity.
this post-wed shoot suppose to be done in a month right after their reception.
but due to the pack schedule of me and bonzer, we could not set a proper time for the shoot.
at last, its january now… finally we are able to finished it! =D
the overall story and idea coming from me. its time for some art + ol skool + a bit of politics kind of thing.

hope u guyz like it. and spread the love yaw!

love and peace,
azimzainudin 2012

the best of 2011

azim.zainudin — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:29:39 +0000

at last, 2011 will end soon… its been a tough one for me. =/
a lot of things happened, but that’s life… its been a wonderful journey since i started travel in 2008.
3 years i have spend, a lot of money involved, and a lot of time have been sacrificed also.
insyaAllah i will keep continue doing this, after all this is what i love to do… =)
being on the road, meeting a lot people, learning about their culture and lifestyle.

these are some of my favorite from 2011 collection. =)
every picture have their own story, either its a moment, portrait or just a plain landscape picture.
hoping for a better year. 2012, please be nice to me.
maybe the last year before settle down? im not so sure. =)

all of these photos are from

- jakarta & bandung indonesia
- koh li pe island thailand
- hong kong
- macau
- bidong island malaysia
- tioman island malaysia
- penang malaysia
- cambodia
- fraser hill malaysia
- hatyai thailand
- north & south island new zealand

regards, azimzainudin.2011

dr. rahman + dr. arlene

azim.zainudin — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:20:27 +0000

there u go! a quick update from our latest destination wedding. this time i present to u guyz… rahman n arlene.
both nikah n reception was took place in likas, sabah.

we had a wonderful time shooting their reception… with all the nice setting and plus the traditional dance from sabah.
can wait to see the video made by mimi!

they choose nexus karambunai as their quick honeymoon… i must say the place is beautiful!!
and its near to kota kinabalu.
the white sandy beach, big waves… we couldnt asked for more.
here are some of the photos, assisted by rashidin omar.

i always love borneo. the chill town of kota kinabalu…
the chicken wings, their cool guesthouse, n not to forget the beaches.
looking foward for another trip, next year! =)
regards, azim.zainudin.

sharifuddin + ain

azim.zainudin — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:26:19 +0000

a sneak peek from their reception event which was took place at taman rimba kiara TTDI
covered by me, hanif azman & farid mazlan.
although it was raining most of the time, but we all had so much fun!
simple yet awesome event!

im off to the pacific ocean today. taking a quick break for 15days!
will be back for more!

regards, azim.zainudin.

mazby + dr. nafisah

azim.zainudin — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:16:55 +0000

i always love melaka!
not just because it is my father’s hometown, but it is a very nice place to chill. there’s a lot of good food, with all the historical place to visit too!
the 1st reception was took place in merlimau and 2nd reception in mitc.
its time for mazby n nafisah. assisted by hanif azman, we both have so much fun shooting their events.
here are some of the shots from the 2nd reception.

more update coming up soon.
btw i already make come changes to the layout of this website. hope u guyz like it as i do! =)

regards,
azim.zainudin

asnan + nazihah | engagement

azim.zainudin — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 10:28:28 +0000

me and asnan used to play basketball together back in our study years. =)
he is one super talented and skillful guy. hoho.
now he’s working in sabah. this event took place at melaka. what a lovely setup!
photos by our senior photographer, fairuz ismail.
looking foward to cover for their reception next year in april.

so much work need to settle lately.
i need a long break! =D

regards, azim.zainudin.

faiz + diana

azim.zainudin — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 21:07:27 +0000

the event took place at a lovely town of sungai petani, kedah. north part of malaysia.
hey its my 1st time there! =)
faiz aka silu used to be my course mate back in utp. he is also one of the very important person that brought me into this photography world. with his lovely sony alpha, we used travel a lot especially in perak, taking photos together and have so much fun. not to forget, we also both are arsenal die hard fan! heee =D

now its already time for him to settle down. congrats for both of u!
regards, azimzainudin