Top 20 Photos of 2013 - #16

#16

The KL Tower with quite a different foreground. I snapped this photo whilst visiting the National Mosque (Masjid Negara) in Kuala Lumpur. I had planned to go inside and admire the interior of the mosque but unfortunately the queue was lengthy and moving slow and time was not so free. So instead I walked around the grounds and took some photos of the exterior and surroundings. (One of these shots became my favourite of the whole year, but more on that later!) Whilst standing in the upper courtyard, I caught a glimpse of the KL Tower behind the hedges and trees. Back home I cropped the photo to bring more of a focus onto the man-made and the natural - the tower and the trees. While Malaysia continues to grow and become more advanced, I sincerely hope that it retains nature and allows the greenery to flourish.

Top 20 Photos of 2013 - #17

#17

Taken through a hotel window, this is a night scene of the town of Kuantan. The night lights make it appear that the streets are on fire, or that some pile of lava has flowed down from an eruption close by. All this imaginary commotion goes on beneath a full moon. The space between the moon and the land emphasizes both and provides a nice contrast. Technically, I had to first focus on the land and then alter the composition by moving the camera up to include the moon. For me, this is a very pleasing outcome!

Top 20 Photos of 2013 - #18

#18

This dainty butterfly was perched on a fragile branch at the Butterfly Park in Kuala Lumpur. It remained still while I pointed my lens and zoomed in. Other butterflies were fluttering around through the air. The luscious, blurred, green background provided the perfect wallpaper. A number of times this day, I had zoomed and focused, only for the specimen to flap its wings and be off as my finger was on the button. There will be more from the Butterfly Park later in my Top 20.

Top 20 Photos of 2013 - #19

#19

At a long-term science exhibition in Kuantan, I snapped this photo. Intrigued by the rows of lights emanating from the centre of this box, I crouched down, and keeping as steady as possible, lined up my camera to fit in the centre of these red and yellow blobs of light. In addition to being able to see the photographer and his equipment in the shot (a rare sight), the effect was that this magical camera can snap illustrious pictures, as characterised by the spread of lights seemingly flowing from the camera lens.

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.