Melaka is just 2 hours away from Kuala Lumpur and many people from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur will head towards this historical town when there is a longer weekend or holidays. It is probably the most convenient and cheaper place to go. What more, the food there is delicious. On early January, I was tasked to do some work in Melaka, so as usual, I grab the opportunity to take a holiday, I brought my friend Kenny with me. Instead of using the normal route, via the North-South Highway, we decided to take the old road. It was a much more scenic journey and you get to stop by for some typical 'kampung' food.

This is the old road, you get to past thru various plantations like this one, an oil palm plantation. The road from the bottom left corner just brings you towards somewhere far and towards the sky. It would be a dull photo if the palm trees were not on both sides.

It's a small path with huge palm oil trees. It gives the impression of hugeness and the path seems to lead to wilderness.

What sort of photos would you take in Melaka? Yes, the standard Studhys building, A Famosa and other usual places. As photo enthusiast, I always look for different angles and sometimes you just have to look for the minor details that people usually don't see.

Here's the famous clock tower taken from a window in the Youth Museum. This photo gives an overall view of the area.	This photo is a closer view of the clock tower with the fountain on the foreground.
This is a closeup of the clock tower. The trees on the left and right adds colour and made a frame for this photo.	This is quite an unusual angle but with the window frame and the door, it made the photo more interesting, more so with the contrasting colours..
This photo of Christ Church is taken from a side angle. Usually it will be taken from the front view. The two long blurred leaves at the conner gave it a natural frame.

Taking night shots is interesting and challenging. On your first attempt, you may not get it right but don't give up. Keep in mind your meter readings and experiment with different exposure and shutter speed. A tripod is definitely needed to get good sharp photographs. If a tripod does not exist, I suggest you be innovative, find something where you can put your camera on or somewhere where you can lean on so that your hand will be more stable.

If you are observant, you will notice this beautiful classic fountain next to the clock tower. Take it from the right angle and you get the fountain, the water and the church building. This is done at night.	This photograph taken at dawn, shows the bright blue dark skies. I think it would be interesting if we use a flash at slow speed to brighten the building and yet have the skies
You see many of such photos but it is taken in daylight. Go over at night and it feels different.	This shot was taken by using the camera's light reading of the background and then force the flash so that the person is well exposed.

Don't just look at the famous & prominent, look around and look at the details. You never know what you will find. Something extract or simple things which we overlook.

Interesting, the ruins of a building which was recently found.	The usual photo of A Famosa.
Look at A Famosa closely and you will see some interesting stone carvings..	Instead of taking the subject on eye level, this photograph was taken from a very low angle.

On St Paul's Hill, there is this building which does not have a roof over it. There are many 'tablets', this is a closeup of one.	This antique building with it's unique windows and walls.
Another interesting object found on top of the front wall.	Using a long lens, gives you less depth of field that causes the background to be blur. The photo would have a different feel if the background was sharp (ie. using a wide angle lense)

If you think you are good looking and you want some good shots of yourself, perhaps you can come along with me on my next outing. I don't mind a 'free' model! Anyway, more shots of closeups which most of you may not have noticed.

This is an antique fire engine brand name. You can find this just above the Studhys. The size of this fire engine is about the size of our van.	If you go up the Studhys main stairways, there are actual holes in the walls, big enough to fit an adult. What is it for, I'm not sure but it sure made an interesting shot of my friend Kenny.
I doubt many would have noticed these words inscribe on the fountain. Yes, the fountain that sits just next to the clock tower. The next time you go to Melaka, look closer at this fountain.	The area near the fountain is a very busy area and there some beautiful flowers around it. The top photo is a candid shot of three persons 'day dreaming' with the flowers blurred out. The bottom shot is the opposite, the focus is on the flowers and the people at the background is blurred.

Well, I've come to the end of my outing to Melaka. I would love to go again and perhaps this time find something else which is unique and interesting.

Till my next outing, happy shooting!