recondensation

photos, videos, music, whatever inspires me ( > random post!)

[nationalpost-blog]

[tonywchen-blog]

nationalpost:

War photographers’ last battle zone Award-winning photographer Chris Hondros was killed shortly after taking this dramatic picture Wednesday of a rebel fighting house-to-house in the besieged town of Misurata. Tim Hetherington, an Oscar-nominated film director and war photographer, was also killed when they were hit by mortar fire in Tripoli Street, the main thoroughfare and focus of fighting in the city. The photographers were following rebels who had forced soldiers loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi into houses in Tripoli Street. When the soldiers refused to surrender, the rebels went house to house, setting fires and shooting.

Not really into war zone journalism in general, but I must salute the 2 photographers for their work, passion, and commitment. RIP.

[tonywchen-blog]

I really like how the burger wrapper at Hero Burger is printed with information on how you may join their social network. It's really about building the relationship with the customers. Now let's see which place will put QR code on their bag/wrapper/container/cup first (while offering free-wifi in the store!)

[kirillzubovsky]

[tonywchen-blog]

impls:

This looks amazing!

[tonywchen-blog]

A very strange tune but extremely catchy. I want to say it's very Asian-influenced, but I can't quite pinpoint the origins. Perhaps Japan? It would match the song title, and the "whoa whoa whoa" after each chorus reminds me of a group of Japanese in traditional Japanese costume performing at traditional Japanese festivals.

[tonywchen-blog]

I'm not a pet person. I don't get people's craze over their pets, nor do I see myself ever having a pet. But if I do ever have a pet, it will have to be a Shiba Inu. CUTE OVERLOAD!

[tonywchen-blog]

Well, it's a start. 1/365.

[tonywchen-blog]

I was taking a break from my study when I stumbled cross this website - "365 Project". This website helps its users document a year of their lives day by day.

I decided to check out some albums, and I was blown away.

---

I was blown away by the photos. Some of the photos were great on their own. Some of the photos might not seem special by themselves, but when you string them together, you see a piece of someone's else's interesting life.

I was blown away by what people see in their lives. So many different varieties, so many things happening.

I was blown away by their equipment. Some of these users have only a very basic camera - a basic DSLR with a basic kit lens, or even point and shoot.

Yet here I am making excuses for myself.

Do I not have the skill? Hell no. A lot of people have complimented the school event photos I've taken.

Do I not have interesting lives? Hell no. I am located in a big city and studying in a faculty with the most active students you can find.

Do I not have the equipment? Hell no. I probably spent 10 times more for my setup than some of these guys.

--

It used to be different. I got into photography, bought a camera, and set out to capture my university life. I did, for a while. But as I got more equipment, the less motivation I got. My Flickr hasn't been updated for 5 months. I've stopped carrying my camera to social gatherings. I've stopped taking photos at school. I've stopped carrying my camera around. 

How ironic that they invented dust removal for DSLRs, yet my camera is only getting more dust.

[tonywchen-blog]

Casey Abrams performing Nature Boy by Nat King Cole - despite that his "mentors", will.i.am and Jimmy Iovine, suggested that he went with something that will "make him win". They are totally talking about doing something that's on the Top 40. Seriously, this is what's wrong with pop music - knock-off artists and big corporations making everyone sound the same instead of re-inventing something new

I am so glad Casey went with his choice, that he did something that's him. Not my favourite performance of his, but it showed that he's truly all about the music, not the money or fame.

[tonywchen-blog]

I should be focusing on writing my thesis, but I can't wait to share this song "Whatever the Music" (管它什麼音樂) by Mavis Fan from Taiwan. A rare gem - the song, the music video, and the artist.

In a music scene that's blatantly filled with slow, unoriginal ballads, this energetic, danceable, rock tune, with a hint of jazz, encourages people to enjoy and dance to music whenever, wherever.

The song even comes with a viral, hipster-influenced music video, featuring different groups of people moving to a rather viral dance choreography, at different landmarks in Taiwan. All of these are almost unheard of Taiwan. If the song were in English I wouldn't be surprised the video gets 100 times more views.

The landmarks in the music video features anywhere from major public transit stations to night markets. If anyone were to ask me what's fun in Taiwan, I would not hesitate to show this video.

[tonywchen-blog]

Oh that rocking Shiina Ringo, how I missed you.

I have been in the land of mellower music - pop, dance, jazz - in the past few month, but this song totally brought me back to 11 years ago when I got addicted to Shiina Ringo. That sheer energy, with her raw voice clashed with the screeching instruments.

I've never gone through the entire music video until yesterday actually, but look at the blend of innocence and creepiness, contrasted with the powerful tune. More reason to love Shiina Ringo!

[tonywchen-blog]

I never really liked American Idol, but I've been following performances by Casey Abrams from this season (Season 10) of American Idol. I think he is at least 10 times as enthusiatic and talented as any of the winners I have heard so far. There is true showmanship in him, as evidenced by the passion, sexiness, class, and skills in this cover of "I Put A Spell On You".

[tonywchen-blog]

I think I should go back to the thick-frame look again (Taken with instagram)

[tonywchen-blog]

Simple, creative, eye-catching, and effective. Great use of a rather uninteresting building too.

[tonywchen-blog]

Discovered Jersey Boys and the Four Seasons from Skule Nite 1T1.  I've been spending this entire afternoon listening to their songs on Youtube, and this is my favourite two at the moment.

Funny how I've always hated it when my dad played oldies songs while driving, but I've slowly grown to love these songs lately...

[tonywchen-blog]

Sweet adventure of a guy who found a film canister in a park in Brooklyn, developed the films, posted the photos online, to finally find the owner. Here is the part 1 of the video, and you can find part 2 and part 3 following the links on the Youtube page of the video.

[tonywchen-blog]

Before the Ting Tings, the duo actually formed another band called Dear Eskiimo with a third member. The band was very short-lived and not-well-known, and they only released an EP with four songs, only three of wich I managed to find on Youtube - and even the versions in the Youtube videos are different from the EP. Nevertheless, here is one of their songs, Jack and Jill. Very interesting story and very catchy tune. Too bad the EP is almost impossible to find. I only managed to find after hours of searching, and I'm pretty sure I lost the link to the site.

[tonywchen-blog]

It's really great to see photojournalism that is not about wars or politics