Woman in Masjid Negara grounds

A Muslim lady in red walks through the grounds of Masjid Negara in Kuala Lumpur during the fasting month of Ramadan. This Thursday is Hari Raya Aidilfitri, marking the end of the month-long fasting with generous feasting.

An Abstract Mind - A Guest Post with Leovi

I don't remember the exact moment I first discovered Leovi's blog. I think it was when I was going through an abstract photography fever of my own and I googled "abstract photography" to find out some more ideas.

Leovi is one talented guy who posts his fantastic work at his abstract photography blog, and I'm delighted that he's accepted the invitation to share some of his work on my blog today. His is one of the blogs I go to visit every single day. These are not return visits, they are visits simply because I love his work and seeing what he has come up with.

So let me introduce you to Leovi, he'll fill you in on some interesting stuff on how he became a master abstract photographer, and share some special images of an Asian flavour which he has intriguingly created . . . . .

"First I want to thank you Duncan for your hospitality and invitation to post on your blog. I want to pay tribute to Malaysia with these pictures.

Hantu Air (Espiritu del Agua - Water Spirit)1

As a child I wanted to be a footballer and collected the trading cards of players.  I knew all their names and statistics. 

After I had learned them all, I invented a new game. The game was to look at the border around the edge and try to guess the name of the player according to the tones of the sky in the photo. There were over 400 cards in my collection (at the time the photography was analogue).  I found that not even one of the skies was the same. I spent days trying to guess the names by just looking at a piece of heaven. I think subconsciously that learning how to see the difference in the colour helped me a lot.

Hantu Air (Espiritu del Agua - Water Spirit)2

As a teenager I loved playing with a flashlight, projecting light onto the ceiling. I would cover the light beam partially with my fingers and create light, shadow and movement. At the same time I was listening to music and trying to create music-related images. With Sierra symphonic or progressive rock ie: Pink Floid, Yes, Camel, Genesis... the rate of movement and form was more leisurely. If I listened to hard rock ie: Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Ramones ... The speed of the images increased. 

Hantu Air (Espiritu del Agua - Water Spirit)3

With this experience, I created abstract images that were very suggestive. They woke up my imagination. Since I didn't know English, I created images and stories not related to the subject of songs. This didn't happen when I used Spanish songs.  I felt closed and it did not work.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Later, I started adding layers of painting and drawing.  I would gradually increase the intensity of an area (I was listening to the music of Alan Parsons, Mike Oldfield, Tangerine Dream ....). Listening to music helped me feel the change of color tones according to the intensity of light. For me this was just fun. But at one point I wanted to make representational work. I tried painting, but I wasn't trained in ​​painting and it was a disaster.

Hari Wesak

Eventually after purchasing a SLR camera I discovered that my imagery was based on light and the only way of painting with light was through photography. Simultaneously, I had a passion for the paintings of Van Gogh and his freedom working with colour. Thus, I began my adventures with art and the documentation of my early works in 1987. My art studies are minimal. I haven't been in many competitions or contests, since they ask for a Curriculum Vitae.

Thaipusam 1

The biggest challenge in the beginning was technical. It took a while for me to find the right type of film and lighting for my needs. At the time we only had analogue and my resources were very limited. I could not afford to have a laboratory, so I got used to creating the image before shooting. I learned to enjoy creating the scene before shooting, and I think that influenced my creativity and my photography.  I have a way of working and an approach to the art sessions. Each time I take the camera is a challenge.

Thaipusam 2

My dream is to have my style recognized when it is viewed by others. I have and want a personal style. Light inspires me.  The light in a restaurant, at a friend’s house, walking in the street ... This makes it easy for me to make photographs. It is also easy for me to disconnect and go some place else in my mind.

Thaipusam 3

The privilege of seeing and feeling things, capturing a moment in time. I see more beauty than is represented. I think that happens to everyone. But capturing that moment is very exciting and unique. The inspiration comes first, and then the question of how to represent them, often I am not successful. Ultimately, I try to capture a moment in time."

Thank you Leovi, that was a really interesting post on your early life and interests, and how you became what you are today! I think it's safe to say that your style is clearly recognized as Leovi's! Great stuff!

Don't miss out on a visit to 

Leovi's Abstract Photography Blog. 

You will not be disappointed!

What was your favourite image?

   

The Eve of Hari Raya in Kuantan

This was a night to be celebrated in the Muslim world. On 9th September 2010, the one-month fast, known as Ramadan, came to an end. Muslims had been faithfully arising at all sorts of early hours while most of the rest of us were still in dreamland, to prepare and eat a very early breakfast. Because as soon as the Sun comes up, fasting begins!

It was a nightmare eating out during the month of Ramadan. Around 7:20pm, when prayers sounded out from mosques around Kuantan, marking the end of the day's fast, droves of people filled KFC, McDonalds and most eateries in town to appease the building hunger in their stomachs. Even ordering fast food on the phone proves to be difficult, as the lines are all busy.

On the eve of Hari Raya there were hoards of people down near the Kuantan town field pouring through the night market there in search of any food or other items to buy. Others filtered into the Pahang State Mosque to offer up their devotions to Allah after a month of denying themselves the physical pleasures of food during daylight hours.

The one-month celebration of Hari Raya is now mid-way through. We have been to a couple of homes of our friends to join them in their feasts. Such open houses are popular in Malaysia where all are invited to enter and eat food with the hosts. (Thank you to Karimah and Syarina for serving us such delicious food!)

The Pahang State Mosque

A water feature on Jalan Mahkota, Kuantan

A busy Jalan Mahkota in Kuantan

The Kuantan skyline from the Tanjong Lumpur bridge. The Kuantan waterfront glows in orange lights on the left, the Pahang State Mosque is partly visible behind buildings on the right, while three old boats lie at dock on the Pahang River in the foreground.

Cars zoom towards Kuantan town from the Tanjong Lumpur bridge