It was very difficult to get my hands on one of these... After 3 failed attempts at queueing up at the store, I gave in to the folks looking to make a quick buck on craigs. I figured a $80 mark up on the 64Gb model was justifiable. =) Thanks to Yun, B, CK, SF and S who contributed for the gift.

As with most photographers, the golden question I kept asking was: is the iPad useful for photography? If so which model should I get? I am sure there are many sites that offer advice on the matter but here is my take on it.

It is fun, it is beautiful, it is a good reflector for still photography! Jokes aside, I can see how the iPad can replace a laptop when you are on the job. It can store photographs, edit photographs, (the right software is coming out soon), upload photographs as well as display photographs very well. The games available for it are very very fun too. Get it, the computer is really personal and portable now.

It seemed to be ages ago when I first heard Chiddy Bang's 'The Opposite of Adults' (sampling 'Kids' from MGMT). Their sound is amazing and I highly recommend their debut album, The Swelly Express.

There was a listing on craigs looking for a photographer for a free live music event some time ago and I figured I'll do it just to gain more experience at concert photography. But little did I know, that the free event was organized by Chegg.com and guess what? Chiddy Bang was the headlining act! I guess the icing on the cake was that Dev who did 'Bass Down Low' and was sampled for 'Like A G6' was warming up the crowd.

It was a BLAST! Dev got the crowd pumping and Chiddy Bang literally shook the house. I swear I thought the venue was going to collapse (It was on the 2nd floor of a relatively old building). Chiddy is an amazing free-stylist. They got the crowd to suggest eclectic words for Chiddy to rhyme. I do have the video recording of that as well as the crowd partying. I just need some time to process that. Anyway, check them out! You won't be disappointed.

Crowd getting ready for Dev

Dev performing 'Like a G6'

Chiddy taking the mic

Xaphoon Jones getting suggestions on words for Chiddy to rhyme as he free-style

One of the perks of being in America especially San Francisco is that you get to meet a myriad of people. Fortunately, they too need photographs and that's where I come in. While some photographic requests are so sketchy (think catalogs for adult actors/masseuse) that even I had to think twice, there was one that I knew I had to jump on.

It was weeks before valentines day that the ad appeared on craigs, seeking a photographer for a boudoir style shoot with a little twist -- incorporating perhaps some fetish toys. Understandably, the photographs are going to be a gift for someone special.

To be honest, I was slightly worried that I couldn't deliver since I haven't had experience. Yet at the same time, it was exciting to be shooting a theme that few people could have and want to. We spent many days corresponding over emails, trying to nail the specifics and logistics for the shoot. Eventually, it was decided that it would be taken at my apartment. I guess that was better for me, since I wouldn't have to transport all my gear, and I could get the lighting and set in order in advance.

She photographed beautifully. I might have made it a little too romantic, but I guess it was fitting for the occasion.