Pulling an all-nighter, setting up the shopping mall venue, the show has successfully been launch and started!  Anyone in the area please go and visit!

Preparation Video

Behind The Scenes

Enjoy!

TL

Date:  11th-16th Jan 2013, daily from 10am-10pmVenue:  Ocean Terminal Main Concourse, Harbour City, Hong Kong

For those who will be in Hong Kong, please drop by to enjoy the work for some local photographers!  Hope to see you there!

TL

According to some studies, the tourists will be spending most of their money during the middle of the Golden Week (i.e. yesterday and today).  I have to agree that I see a lot more of them on the streets, more people queuing outside the shops, more of them sitting on the streets, more hand baggage being pulled around.

The mini project below was taken a few years ago during Cantonese Opera Day in Hong Kong, each photo captured different emotions, just by looking at the subjects’ eyes.  Try to come up with mini project topics of your own and go shoot it!

I have always been trying to improve my photography skills, and I have reached a wall where I don’t seem to be able to further push my skills.  I showed my portfolio to my instructors in OUHK, and all of them gave me very similar advice, break the rules.

All of them thinks that my technical skills are pretty much up to scratch, what can add the “x-factor” to my work is to break all the rules I have learnt, the composition rules, the white balance, the shutter speed/aperture size, the focus….  Stop being “correct” and let things happen.

This is my current challenge for myself, be wrong and shoot freely.  The above shot was actually taken before my challenge, yet I guess it is a good start for myself.  These types of shots only make up 0.1% of my portfolio, but I will try to shoot like this more.  Somehow the above shot looks very interesting, something very unlike my usual works, yet gives a great feel to it.  Wish me luck as I try to break my boundaries, and take my shooting to another level.

TL

One of the techniques I like to use is simplify.  This idea was further consolidated during my OUHK class, “Photography Lighting Techniques”.  The teacher introduced the idea of noise, not the unwanted colours and spots when you shoot at high ISOs, but the unwanted and distracting objects in your frame.  They will make your photo concept “fuzzy”, which is worse than a fuzzy image (out of focus).

Anyway, the above photo was another evidence for my love for simplification.  The hippo was yawning, with a quarter of its body out of the water.  The photo was so simply construed, that all the attention will be focused on the hippo alone.  Then the slight reflection of the grass on the side of the pool gives some context of the location.

Less is more, it applies to photography.  Think clearly about what you want to show before pressing the shutter button, and make “clear” and “sharp” images; remember its the concept that counts before the quality of the photo!

TL

Another piece of assignment for the lighting techniques course for OUHK.  The flash was aimed at the white wall behind the cup.  I also placed two black clothes on both sides of the glass to get more accented outlines.

I admit that I am more of a natural light photographer I tend to minimize the use of flash.  For me this course really encouraged me to shoot more with my flash guns (in this case one Canon 580 EXII was used), and experiment on different lighting techniques at home, a more systematic approach towards fill flash, gobos, reflectors, diffusers etc.

TL

I am currently on the Lighting Techniques course with OUHK, and the above is part of my first assignment, a photo trying to show the freshness of an organic matter.  I chose strawberries as my subject, not only because of its attractive red and green colour combination, but also that I can eat them afterwards….

For this assignment I had to take two photos, one under natural light and another with artificial lighting.  The above was shot with an off-camera flash on the left hand side, some water dripping onto the strawberry surface to get the splash effect.  It took me around 50 shots to get the splash right, yet the result was pretty satisfying.

Enjoy!

TL

之前講到Digital and Photo Literacy 嗰堂令我對攝影o既態度改變左。其中一個原因就是因為一條好簡單嘅問題，”點解要影相？”

記得初頭入第一部DSLR 嗰陣時，因為唔駛菲林，見嘢就不斷影；同埋成日用大光圈長焦距，只要拍到前清後矇嘅效果就已經好開心。

過左一段時間之後，花花草草，移動中嘅單車汽車，model，海傍，中環夜景都影左唔少，慢慢就失去新靈感，覺得香港影來影去都係咁。不過之後開始左幫啲朋友影pre-wedding 同wedding day，咁又搵番一種由挑戰帶來既靈感。

近排上 OU 嘅堂時被問到影相為乜，細心一諗發覺最好feel 嘅相就係可以表達故事嗰啲。譬如話影pre－wedding同wedding，除左靚之外仲要表達到幸福嘅感覺；新人嘅故事，影海傍就係表達香港嘅繁華之類之類。個課程裡面嘅功課就係想不斷深化呢個概念，譬如要同學用五幅相講一個完整嘅故事，或者用相表達七宗罪。。。聽起來好像好簡單，但係其實都幾有挑戰性。

所以如果大家覺得影相已經影到爛咗，搵唔到題材嘅話，咁就係時候可以嘗試下係出街影相之前set定D topic或者故事先，好有可能會有意想不到嘅收穫呢。

TL

其實報名o個陣時都唔知會學D乜，剩係聽d同學講話d功課好難做，心情有d忐忑。不過上完之後覺得報名呢個決定絕對無錯, 得著好多，眼界大開。

簡單來講，一直學攝影都係啲技術上嘅野：例如點樣操作同善用唔同嘅器材，其實呢啲係好有用嘅基本工；不過上完之後令我對攝影觀念唔同左，明白多左:

1. 影相為乜？
2. 點去拆解一幅相（想表達d乜，有乜意境…)
3. 點用唔同手法／技考去表達故事(storytelling)
4. 認識著名攝影師 ／藝術家

對攝影有濃厚興趣者，我絕對推薦呢個course！詳細內容就賣個關子先…等我遲d有多d時間再講。

TL

The students in front of the London Eye and the Thames

Hiya everyone! We have just completed our London Study Tour. What a whirlwind! From dashing up the 530 steps of St. Paul’s Cathedral to taking apart Benedick’s soliloquy from Much Ado About Nothing at our Shakespeare’s Globe Workshop, everyday was packed with learning and fun. Please check out our new blog updates and photos on the London Study Tour 2011 page to see what our trip was like! There will be a few more posts to come as students write about their feelings on coming home.

Congratulations on finishing another semester! We hope it was fun and fruitful for all of you.

Thanks again for taking our courses this semester. Hopefully we can see you in the coming semester as well. Before you drift off into summer laziness, check out our list of Autumn 2011 ECLP courses to see if any tickle your fancy. All of our courses are designed to teach you more about American or British culture, the topic of the course, and English language. They are open to students from all majors, in all levels of study. All courses are conducted in English and students are expected to communicate with the instructors and each other in English. Please e-mail us if you have any questions about these courses. Thanks!

1)      ENGL A131F Introduction to English Fiction 英語小說導論

**Blended-learning Mode**

Credits: 5

Level: Foundation

This course aims to introduce methods of reading, understanding and appreciating literary works from the genre of fiction. Students will study various forms of fiction by great masters such as Henry James, William Faulkner, Virginia Woolf and Doris Lessing.

2)      ENGL A102F Classic American Films經典美國電影

Credits: 5

Level: Foundation

This course introduces students to American film art and culture through the study of great films. Through the course, students gain knowledge regarding the basic elements in Film Art and the relationship between film and culture

3)      ENGL A104F World Englishes and Cultures世界英語及文化

Credits: 5

Level: Foundation

This course introduces students to the different diversities of English and examines the linguistic and cultural development of the English language around the world. Its teaching materials include short stories, films and videos.

4)      ENGL A105 Hong Kong Literature in English 英語香港文學

Credits: 5

Level: Foundation

This course introduces students to English literary works written by Hong Kong writers. Discussion will be made regarding the relationship between language and identity. The trends of localization and globalization will also be examined.

5)      ENGL A107F Children’s Literature in English            英語兒童文學

Credits: 5

Level: Foundation

This course aims to examine methods of reading, understanding and appreciating masterpieces in Children’s Literature through the perspectives of children and intellectuals. The influence of Children’s Literature upon culture will also be evaluated. Works from Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, Lewis Carroll and Roald Dahl will be studied.

6)      ENGL A108F English and Popular Song Lyrics 英語流行歌歌詞

Credits: 5

Level: Foundation

This course aims to introduce students to the development of English-language popular music. The influence of popular music on formation and expression of identity and pop music as a form of social commentary will be explored. Some of the featuring topics include the rise of rock and roll, women in popular music, hip hop and minority cultures in pop music.

ECLP Courses (January 2012) – Subject to Change

ENGL A102F Classic American Films 經典美國電影

ENGL A103F British and American Short Stories 英美短篇小說

ENGL A104F World Englishes and Cultures 世界英語及文化

ENGLA106F English in Media and Pop Culture 英語傳媒及文化

ENGL A203F Hitchcock Films 希治閣電影

ENGLA204F Modern British and American Drama 現代英美戲劇

ENGL A231F English Literature in the Modern World 現代世界英語文學**New**Blended-learning**

(May 9,2011) Vivian: Hurray!! I can’t believe that I finished all exams and my summer holiday eventually comes! Good morning everyone. What’s an enjoyable day, I’m free now! Finally, I can prepare my trip. Finally, I can write a post. Finally, I can enjoy my sports,music and online games. (This is my life, I cannot live without any of them.)

After the first pre-departure meeting, I’m really looking forward to going London. As you’re so nice and friendly and passionate, we will have a great time in London, I’m sure!  Hey, what you’re excited about? For me, I can’t wait to meet Prince Harry, Harry Potter and Emma Watson. Perhaps, I suddenly fall in love with Prince _ _ _  and then I will hold a great wedding party as similar as Kate’s one.(Oh..I’m sick of you Vivian!!!..Please stop daydreaming.) I’m sorry@@@ Actually,I’m contacting with my friends those who live in England, and I hope they can spare time with me.  Moreover, I am looking up some websites about London.

Now I am going to out for changing money.(the pound is falling.)
I’m really grateful that Linda and Chase prepared a lot for us, and of course our sponsor. Thank you so much!!!!

P.S. I’m sorry for my poor English.I hope it will be improved after the trip!!

Some exciting news for you: The 2011 London Study Tour page is now up and running! We’ll be in London from May 20th to 28th this year, but posts will be starting this weekend. Please check the page often for updates from students and staff. It’s your chance to get the inside scoop on how we’re prepping and playing before and during our trip. We’ll post some reflections after the trip as well.

Next week, you’ll be able to meet our fabulous personalities as we publish little tidbits of trivia on all the travelers. Happy reading!

Our last story, The New Three Pigs written by Benjamin L, is a clever critique on the Hong Kong housing market. Using the familiar structure of the Three Little Pigs and a narrative style influenced by Desperate Housewives, the author tells us of the trials and triumphs  of owning a home in “City H.”

Our second of three original short stories from the autumn 2010 term HK Lit class has now been posted!

This week’s story is by Cherry C. Called, “Home, Sweet Home?”, the story focuses on domestic violence in Hong Kong.  With skillful imagery and a powerful ending, Cherry explores how domestic violence has permeated every facet of Hong Kong society – perhaps even your neighbors down the hall.

We are pleased to publish three of our favorite original short stories from the ENGLA 105F class, Hong Kong Literature. This class, offered during the autumn term of 2010, allowed students to study writings in English about, by, and for Hong Kong people. After reading excerpts from noted Hong Kong writers, including Xu Xi, Andrew Parkin, and Agnes Lam, and the novel One For My Baby by Tony Parsons, our students were challenged to write their own 1,000-word original short story.

Their assignment had only one parameter: It had to have some tie to Hong Kong.  The students received instruction on how to build a narrative structure, write with imagery, and provide meaningful feedback through peer editing. The stories went through multiple edits and the works that appear here are published in their original form, without any extra teacher edits.

We will be publishing one story a week for the next two Mondays (Feb. 21 and 28) so check back soon for the next exciting story!

This week’s story is called “Fortune Dealer” by Jojo W. It opens on Valentine’s Day and features the despondent Ariel, who has just discovered her boyfriend Matthew has been cheating on her. Ariel will do anything to get him back, and a mysterious fortune dealer, Ah Mui, just might be the solution.

The entire program was conducted in Cantonese so I didn’t quite know when things were coming up– or, since the schedule of performers kept changing, when I was coming up. Luckily my selective hearing kicked in when one of the MC’s said “hou yit” which means very hot, as in we’re about to go to the islands of Hawaii hot, and realized that I had about 10 seconds to move out of my seat and get ready. I performed “the seaweed song” and the movements are meant to paint a picture of the ocean, waves, sand and seaweed. I made sure to dress conservatively enough since the venue was work related, and I also bought fresh flowers and strung a lei of orchids the night before

Here are some clips from the event:

The banquet afterwards was also very delicious, including me one of my favorite desserts: hei zhi ma tong yuen in osmanthus syrup. Think eyeball-sized glutinous rice ball filled with sweet black sesame paste, sitting in a sweet mildly peachy flavoured syrup. I love osmanthus… the balls are good by themselves, but the syrup really does it.

When I got home, I still had a bright yellow gerber daisy in my hair and the old security guard commented.
“I just went to a party for the university celebrating the end of the semester, and performed Hawaiian dance.”

(something in Canto) apparently, my security guard thinks it’s okay if he responds in Cantonese when I speak in Mandarin. This is now a.. uh… challenge, and involves lots of “我不明白了“ (= Um, I don’t get it). But it eventually works.

“No… we danced and sang etc. first, then ate a banquet meal. I liked the Tong Yuen.”

(something in Canto… I think he said you can buy them at the store and there are all kinds of flavors. Then he said that black sesame is really good for you hair.)

And you know, even though my complexion is dying from all this oily Chinese food that I’ve been eating at various gatherings, my hair has never been softer… even though I blow-dry it every morning (after getting it cut short).