The world has became like this

Phones in their hands, eyes transfixed on the screen of any sizes. Thumbs moving up and down, endless screen scrolling. Constantly liking pictures on Instagram, Facebook and Tumblr. Peeking into others' lives through Snapchat. Mouths shut up, words now cut short and conveniently expressed through the clicking of the thumbs on the phones, unfortunately accompanied with a lack of sincerity. People' real emotions are now channelled into yellow emojis. Making phone calls now mean virtual meet ups. Stupid rants flood up social media. Lame videos are just lame. Facetiming or Skyping one another on the move just means more bills to pay. Taking stupid photos and videos of other people's mistakes / actions and posting to Stomp, etc only make people a worst, silly, complaining bunch and poor victims become embarrassed as a result. Phone cameras now make everyone a photographer but with no proper standard. Google Maps make people lazier, only fetching them to right places and faster but not making them lose their way and actually slowing them down, being Dora the Explorer while finding the right places. Looking at phones every night before bedtime colour under the eyes of people black, only making people late the next day. Reading online articles replace the feeling of holding real books and having the ability to flip page after page. Buying ebooks make bookworms forget the real meaning of free libraries and the smell of pages is no longer one of the many reasons of paying a bookstore or library a visit.

In a few words, phones make the world a much lazier and quieter world.

Yet, I'm guilty for being one among the people always on the phones.

3 / 365

2016 is finally here.

The end of the year means a moment of reflection. All kind of flashbacks of all kind of happenings in 2015. I know today is already on the 3rd day out of 365 days. It took me a long while to think of where I should begin.

2015 is truly a year of gratefulness. It was a year I took up many offers to work as an events photographer. So far, I have done seven paid events, including one major event consisting of one female minister, Grace Fu and many female MPs from around the nation, one paid photoshoot and two free-of-charge events and one free-of-charge photoshoot. So much to be thankful. Firstly to the sponsor for spreading the word about my works. Secondly to my school for giving me four events to shoot and I was being paid! Soon, my works have been spreading through word of mouth. I still have one upcoming couple photoshoot on 10th Jan and I am definitely looking forward! Taking a couple photoshoot is my first so I have no reason not to be nervous.

I got to admit that the most recent event was the toughest, second to World Water Day event. I still remembered the shock that engulfed me when I asked the person in charge if there was another photographer. I was told that I was to man the two back-to-back events all by myself. I had never handled anything major before! And it was the first time I used the Nikon Speedlight SB-900. I had never got time to familiarise myself with it, especially its movements. All thanks to God for this golden opportunity to test my familiarity with my camera settings and to realise how powerful the external flash was. I am so elated that they really liked my photos.

The start of 2016 is the day I return to school, going through the hell of it once again. This time, it is just the very last semester of my whole 3-years course leading up to getting a diploma. The start on my self proposal. The battle of stress and assignments. The roll-coaster of mood swings. Countless sleepless nights. The indecisiveness trying to win over. Checking on my time management all over again. The real test of self trust and courage to do something different for my graduation project. The drive in me being once again tested. All I hope is that through the last five months to the end of the course that I will emerge a better person in terms of photography, thinking and processing as an artist and a photographer.

2016 also means that I am graduating in May. I only have five months more. The thought of graduation makes me feel that I am going to miss Lasalle very much. I know I will miss it once I start working. Speaking of working, I hope to be able to find work right after graduation. Finding a job in Singapore is already tough, let alone be a free lance photographer. I am nervous. But I know God will handle it. I have an expanding portfolio ready to show anytime. I am ready to take in any type of photography offers during school period and after graduation.

So here's to a more awesome 2016, filled with new opportunities to expand my career.

You probably are not aware that I have set up a website - www.isabellesigns.wix.com/thecaptured-moments. Go take a look! And email me if you need a photographer. I will be happy to work with you!

Wanderlust

Instagram is one of my favourite social media where I get a chance to peek into other parts of the world.

I have followed a lot of instagramers from other countries (more than Singapore IGers, I think) because I really like how it looks outside Singapore. It is vast. It is eye catchy. The trees, benches, shophouses, houses, less flats, sea, beaches, flowers, wooden tables and chairs, cups, floors, walls, sunlight, golden hour, fashion, street, colours and even people, just EVERYTHING differ according to the respected countries.

Looking at their photos doesn't give me enough satisfaction except learn how they photograph and edit. They make me wonder so much whether their photos are true or it could be deceiving. Is it the real beauty out there? Because every photo comes out so nice! Well composed, well edited and all.

It makes me WANT to go all out there and experience it myself. Indeed, there are SO many things and places I want to visit. And to photograph them and people, and name them memories. I don't want to keep dreaming about it. I'm just so tired of dreaming and not experiencing it at all. I am tired of hearing from my papa that he promises to bring us overseas. Not Malaysia please. I'm still holding his word about flying to Germany since young!!!!

I get envious when my friends get to experience "flying". I get even more envious when they post gorgeous photos or showcase short video clips. The food looks amazing! I still remember myself enjoying so much in Shanghai. I swear it was an awesome experience and one of my favourites! The thrill of getting lost, the thrill of people not recognising me at all, the thrill of learning their cultures, the thrill of exploring food, even the thrill of riding the coach, the thrill of just walking around streets feeling as free as a bird. Simply put, the taste of freedom is found when travelling.

I remember crying a dozen of buckets at the airport when my mummy flew with her group of friends to Perth. It was the first trip with her friends. Indeed, their friendship was put to test. The unfamiliar feeling of having her away for a while after so so long. The jealous feeling of her enjoying new things. The feeling of worry when she told me she was planning a day of solo travelling in Perth. I almost fainted upon her announcement. But I admire her courage to do it, even in an unfamiliar country, even when my papa discouraged her to do so. Then 2nd trip, mummy agreed to go with them to BKK. Oh my heart crumpled into pieces. I told her I want to be the one travelling with her next time, not these ladies.

I just wanna be a real adventurer. Issy the Explorer with my camera instead of Dora the Explorer with the monkey.

I always believe that travelling helps make a person a better one. In my case, I learnt how to eat omelettes in Batam. I learnt to overcome my fear of height, and to continue eating omelettes and to appreciate watermelons more in Shanghai.

Like · Reply · 2 mins · Edited

Isabelle Lim I cannot wait to see what the future travels will teach me.

Changes

Taken from Internet

Recently, Starbucks at Eastpoint is back to business with a brand new look. I still like the original look the best. Though small, it was the cosiest place in Eastpoint. The place where my family time was mostly spent in early years.

Papa would order a cup of coffee there every morning before Hans and Grasso were built. I would also accompany him to Starbucks to learn basic English. He always believed that having a strong foundation of English is a must. Although I have sipped his coffee when I was young, I never really liked it. I did not know how to appreciate traditional coffee. He also spent some quality time at Starbucks meeting old and new friends over coffee.

When I heard that Starbucks was going under some changes, I was upset. It meant no more comfortable chairs where I loved to sit. And our favourite table was located perfectly with half the share of sunlight streaming from the glass and artificial light. The second change was not as cosy as before. Papa also stopped frequenting Starbucks, and had moved to Hans. Then moved to Grasso. Just when Grasso decided to stop business, Toastbox is then located at newly renovated Eastpoint. Perfect timing!

Looking at the brand new Eastpoint and not being able to recognise it after more than a year of waiting, I am not so satisfied with the choices of stores the construction workers or whoever is in charge of stores made. I felt that they are merely trying to squeeze in as many stores as they could with the new expansion size. The stores seem to target more on older shoppers rather than young shoppers. There are more food outlets than fashion outlets. I feel that KFC does not necessarily be so big! What shocks me the most is that KFC now has a small cafe, rarely seen elsewhere thus, eating up extra space which is more worth investing in Starbucks. But I do not see much business going there. See how Starbucks is being squeezed in the end. Poor Starbucks! However, the seats are now more inviting, phew!

But what to complain when there is Starbucks?? (; Because I cannot live without it.

There is always something holding you back

During today's drawing lesson, I did something that I have never done before and it is for my art project. Something I never reveal to anyone yet I'm exposing it through art. I am not sure if I am doing the right thing. Actually I am excited yet nervous to see the process that is just starting to unfold. So, art, I say, is an interesting yet scary subject. Art has a grey area as well.

In conclusion, I really take my hat off to many amazing and courageous artists who take big steps to convey their messages through art performances, sculptures, films, usage of materials, drawings, paintings of self portraits. 

Yes, the theme for drawing project is to depict the self portrait of me.
#selfieonmyown #gettingsmartandcreative #diditonmyown #selftimer #goodlucktome

Thought #1

Typing with sleepy pair of eyes... My nose has acted up again. A thought came.

Every time I read two favourite blogs, there is in me a stir of jealousy at how they craft their words out of their minds. One's a young, blossoming singer and a song-writer and another one, an artist who likes writing some poems. They both have excellent usage of descriptions to convey their thoughts that ensure smooth reading. However, I am not sure if the latter likes singing as a hobby. So I came to a conclusion that I am not even sure if it is logical. Those who like singing as a hobby or for their careers, have an ability of putting words together beautifully be it songs or just daily diaries (i.e blogs). Almost like reading literature.

Recently, a few of my adult friends commented on my writing either through reading my Facebook posts or my blog that I am a gifted writer. I think "gifted" is too much a compliment given that I still doubt my writing skill. I have stopped borrowing storybooks ever since I entered ITE. However, I still read online news and sometimes from an ebook app on my phone. I was even told I write too long. Yes, I'm still training myself to write short yet sweet paragraphs. I usually can write considerably good paragraphs if it has a strong connection between the photos I took and myself. Take my recent photo blog post "Farewell" as an example. I am not good with vocabulary or coming up with photo captions so I always write my personal reflection about them. It's such a joy crafting what I want to express in words relating to my photos. I know they are not necessarily accompanied with captions for they speak thousands of words. But it's my way of expressing myself and to be understood by others.

I must thank Grey Matters module I learnt in year 1 for it taught me to dig deeply and to know more about myself. It allowed me to have a journal that I was asked to write freely about my inner thoughts. Photos taught me so much and discovering more about myself and how I bring out my photography skill to the public eyes. 

P.S I miss Grey Matters so much ):