Without them my life would be bereft of joy and laughter.
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All posts for the month May, 2008
National Geographic Magazine has awarded its second annual US$50,000 photography grant to Jonas Bendiksen, to support his work on global urbanization. Bendiksen proposed to document the population explosion in Chongqing, a city in western China that is considered the fastest growing metropolis in the world.
Jonas Bendiksen, a very talented photojournalist, is a member of Magnum Photos and a recipient of multiple awards for his outstanding photographic and photojournalism works. Among others are Freedom of Expression Foundation fellowship, second place in the Daily Life Stories category for World Press Photo, the 2003 Infinity Award from the International Center of Photography, and first prize in the Pictures of the Year International competition.
However I believe the ultimate award in recognition of his outstanding works must be this National Geographic grant. It is arguably the biggest grant ever given by any NGO for the photography project.
Congatulations to Jonas Bendiksen.
Take a look at Jonas Bendiksen’s impressive portfolio that won him the grant. Do also enjoy his portfolio at Magnum Photos the photo agency that he represents and read some information about Jonas Bendiksen here.
Last year National Geographic Magazine awarded the grant worth the same amount to Eugene Richards. Take a peek at his winning portfolio here.
Congratulations to my brother-in-law Wan Ahmad Zaheed and his wife Norhanna Zuhairah on the arrival of their twin sons, Wan Muhammad Nazheef and Wan Muhammad Nazheem on 3 April 2008.
Although the birth was much earlier than expected, alhamdulillah the twins were perfectly fine and so was the mother. My wife and I only had the opportunity to visit our twin nephews when they were already 3 weeks old as they are in Kota Bharu while we are in Kuala Lumpur. By the way Norhanna is my wife’s little sister.
Getting a newborn baby is already a great joy for any married couple while getting twin babies I am sure must be a double joy for Norhanna and Zaheed.
To Zaheed and Norhanna, we are doubly happy for you!
Wan Muhammad Nazheef and Wan Muhammad Nazheem
Wan Muhammad Nazheef
Wan Muhammad Nazheem
My wife, Nina is overjoyed having twin nephews.
Norhanna Zuhairah with one of her twin sons.
Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah (Siti Khadijah Central Market) in Kota Bharu is arguably the most oft-photographed market in Malaysia. Perhaps it is because of its unique architecture. The market is housed in a 3-storey, octagonal building which has translucent dome roof with its spiderweb-look frame.
This allows sunlight to penetrate and illuminate the central area on the ground floor where the wet market is located. And this is also where the familiar scene of the market activities are normally captured by photographers, professionals and amateurs alike, thanks to the ambient light that provides interesting and even lighting on the pretty large area.
Kelantan other than Terengganu is famous for its enterprising ladies. Most of the traders in any market in Kelantan are ladies and at Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah it is no exception. Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah was formerly known as Pasar Besar Buluh Kubu. It was Tuan Guru Dato’ Hj Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat the Kelantan Mentri Besar (chief minister) who aptly changed its name to Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah after he took over the Kelantan State Government in 1990. Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah was named after the first wife of The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Siti Khadijah (r.a) who was a very successful businesswoman herself. It was also a mark of recognition to the enterprising Kelantanese ladies who occupy most of the stalls and shops at the central market.
I have intended to photograph the market for quite some time before but I didn’t get around to doing it whenever I went to Kota Bharu until 2 weeks ago when I managed to spare some time to capture the interesting market scene. However because I went on Friday which was a weekend in Kelantan the activities were less busy than usual and some traders closed their stalls.
Nevertheless I was happy I managed to bag several decent photos that I am able to share with you here for your viewing pleasure. Hope you enjoy viewing it!
Inside – wet market located on the ground floor.
Outside the market complex
Outside the market complex
For bigger picture please check out my photo blog thanks to Monotone newly introduced by wordpress.com.
Penang still maintains it charm and uniqueness when I paid her a brief visit recently. I also found the people there very friendly and helpful. Hope the new state government will spare no effort in improving its cleanliness and preserve its title as Pearl of the Orient. I am pleased to share some snapshots of Penang here for your viewing pleasure.
Smoky KOMTAR?
KOMTAR used to enjoy the status of The Tallest Building in Malaysia before The Petronas Twin Towers came along.
Rows of pre-war shophouses with KOMTAR as the brackground.
A lady cook at work.
Door with abundant Peranakan decoration.
Ubiquitous pre-war shophouses that have become one of prominent identities of Penang.
A street performer at Gurney Drive.
