Top 10 Photos of 2015

It is always great looking back over the photos of the year. So many memories and so much fun. 2015 was the year in which I ditched my DSLR during our England trip, and opted for the easier-to-use-and-carry handphone and ipad. In December, as usual, the auto focus on my DSLR decided to stop working again, so I am using my Canon entirely in manual focus mode. It has been a challenge and I am still learning how to make use of all the features and functions on the camera.

Following are my Top 10 photos of 2015:

#10

I love this photo of these small white flowers lying upside down on the ground with their stalks standing up straight in the air. They arrived in this position after a heavy downpour detached them from their plant

#9

My daughters loved their new dresses from their English grandma so we went out to the park for a photo shoot. Here they pose perfectly atop a slide complete with umbrella to provide some relief from the scorching sun. Natural light is always my preferred condition to shoot in

#8

Posing for a photo in front of the all-white Masjid Abdullah in Pekan, Pahang. 

#7

Visited this stunning mosque in Pekan

#6

A night view of the Petronas Twin Towers in KL surrounded by residential condominiums. I like that there is a gentleman visible in a unit mid-way up the photo

#5

The London England temple on a cold autumn afternoon. Yellowing leaves decorate the surroundings and provide a natural frame for this beautiful scene. This was taken with my Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime handphone

#4

This image became one of my most popular facebook profile pictures of the year. This was originally in video format, whereupon I took this screenshot. I was doing an experiment putting ten mentos mints into a bottle of coca cola!

#3

The top 3 photos are of my highly photogenic and beautiful sister Florina. This one was captured at Citadines ApartHotel in Kuching while we were on a family holiday. On just my 2nd attempt I managed to get this shot of her hair flicking the water in a spiral motion

#2

I swear she should be gracing magazine covers with shots like this! Taken poolside at Citadines ApartHotel, Kuching, Florina effortlessly models swimwear with poise and a smile.
Note: I edited out a child swimming in the background

#1

My favourite photo of 2015 was taken near the start of the year and features the modelling of Florina at a recreation ground in Kuantan. Here she posed under a slide inside this cylindrical space with weathered green paint on the walls. Just love this photo!

Kuantan City Mall - April 2015 (part 4)

The plot of land where Kuantan City Mall will be built

It looks like the construction of Kuantan City Mall can now begin properly. The mound of rubble to the right of the picture (above) is where the old mosque once stood. Now it is gone, work can start. The mosque has been replaced with a brand new one which is just out of picture.

West side of the plot of land designated for Kuantan City Mall

Looking across to the east and north sections of the plot of land designated for Kuantan City Mall

Top 20 Photos of 2013 - #1

#1

So this is my favourite photo of 2013. Welcome to the outer courtyard of Masjid Negara (National Mosque) in KL. Notice the intricate Arabic characters on the wall to the right, the almost flat pointed roof of the mosque, and the distinctively Islamic patterns on the wall and ground. What I love the most is the Muslim woman in traditional baju kurung and tudung, purposefully striding across the grounds.

Thank you for following my countdown of my 20 favourite photos of 2013. I'll be posting my annual Top 10 photos soon.

Top 20 Photos of 2013 - #20

For the next 20 days I'll be counting down my top 20 photos of 2013. For those who have signed up for this blog hop, do visit the other bloggers on the list each day and leave your feedback.

To everyone, I hope you enjoy these photos as I relive some great images and stories of the past year. Photography is a key element of *The Kuantan Blog* and a passion of mine. 

At the end of the blog hop I'll make a post dedicated to my Top 10 photos of 2013, as I have done in the past with:

Top 10 Photos of 2012

Top 10 Photos of 2011

Top 10 Photos of 2010

#20

I took this photo of the interestingly shaped water fountain which sits in the lower courtyard of the National Mosque (Masjid Negara) in Kuala Lumpur. Foreign tourists enjoy visiting this house of worship and there are long queues to get in as only a certain number are permitted at various time intervals. Special robes which cover the body are mandatory for those who are wearing inappropriate apparel to enter a mosque.

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.

Pahang State Mosque, Kuantan

The Pahang State Mosque in Kuantan is the centrepiece of Kuantan town.

Located in the heart of the town beside the post office and opposite Kuantan old town, it is the Islamic centre of worship in Kuantan.

Many years ago I visited the Pahang State Mosque, hoping to be able to go inside. Not only did I mange to go inside, but I had a guide who showed me around, and he allowed me to take pictures too. He didn't speak any English though, so I attempted to ask him questions using my shaky Bahasa Melayu. Overall it was unsuccessful!

The beautiful minarets at the Pahang State Mosque, Kuantan

Entrance to the Pahang State Mosque, Kuantan

My guide took me up one of these minarets, a very tight spiral staircase, but the view from the top was beautiful.

Spectacular view of the marvellous domes of the Pahang State Mosque, Kuantan, as the storm clouds began gathering. This was taken from midway up a minaret.

Being inside the Pahang State Mosque is a beautiful experience. It is quiet and peaceful, but above all, the artwork and design of this lovely edifice is inspiring.

Beautiful stained-glass window

Prayer hall in Pahang State Mosque, Kuantan

I can clearly see seven distinct 'levels' in the structure of the Pahang State Mosque, including the small domes, large dome and minarets. I wonder if this has any symbolic significance to Muslims?

The mosque is a beautiful sight!

And here it is in all its beauty at night! 

Incidentally this image was my favourite of the year 2010. See my top ten favourite pictures of 2010 here

KUANTAN BLOG TOUR: Join me at Taman Gelora next . . .