A Travel Blog - One photographer's journey with the Canon EOS 5 Series DSLR Cameras and Lenses

The Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur is a six tiered Chinese Temple opened in 1987 built to pay homage to the Chinese sea goddess, Mazu.  This syncretic temple with elements of Buddhism, Taoism and Confinucism is a grandiose structure and represents a successful combination of modern architectural techniques and authentic traditional design featuring imposing pillars, spectacular roofs, ornate carvings and intricate embellishments.

The red lanterns are only lighted once a year, for a period of two weeks.  It is lighted during the eve of the Lunar Chinese New Year until "chap goh mei" or the 15th night and last night of the new year.  With it's splendor and the fantastic red colours of the lanterns contrasting against the cobalt blue skies during twilight, it is a must visit location for tourist and photographers alike. 


The prayer hall houses 3 altars, each with a sculpture of one deity or goddess. As one enters the prayer hall, the altar on the right is dedicated to Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. Tian Hou is in the centre while Shui Wei Sheng Niang (the Goddess of the Waterfront) is at the left. In the middle of the hall and between the altars are two pairs of Kau Cim oracles that can be used by visitors. 
In addition to her altar in the prayer hall, there is also a smaller statue of Guan Yin to the right of the hall, set amongst rocks and falling water. Here one can kneel and receive a blessing of water from the statue. Outside the temple at the entrance to the grounds, there is a larger statue, similarly set amongst rocks and falling water.


Other features include a Chinese Medicinal Herbs Garden, a Wishing Well as well as a Tortoise Pond.  Finally there is a large statue of the goddess opposite the temple, along with a collection of other large statues that include representations of the twelve animals of Chinese astrology.


EOS 5DS R / Lens EF17-40mm f/4L USM

Unlike other countries in the world (Australia and NZ for example), Malaysians come alive after dark.  It could be due to the weather where people prefer to stay indoors until sundown or perhaps it could be due to the working hours in Malaysia where most Malaysians work until late evening.  Malaysians also prefer to eat out rather than to cook after work.


Whatever the reason, empty streets during daytime will be transformed into a place with myriads of colours during dusk.  Two perfect examples of nightlife in Malaysia can be seen in the images above.


The top image shows a typical street scene at Petaling Street, more commonly known as the Chinatown of Malaysia.  Typically, the "makan place" or eating shops at Chinatown would only open after dark.  These eating stalls are not open during the day.  Locals and tourist alike would all congregate to this particular street of Chinatown to sample Malaysia's best Hakka and Cantonese dishes.  These stalls are open till late everyday, which makes me believe that Malaysians do not sleep at all. 


The bottom image shows the hawker activities during the month of Ramadhan or the Muslim fasting month.  During this one month period, all type of stalls selling thousand and one things would commence business at the Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman area in the center of Kuala Lumpur.  All types of foodstuff, clothing, cakes and accessories can be found at this bazaar during this period.  This image was shot from the rooftop of Campbell Complex, a shopping mall overlooking the bazaar.


First Image: EOS 5D Mk II / Lens EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM


Second Image: EOS 5D Mk II / Lens EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

Before arriving to this location, I had pre-visualized an image which I had wanted to frame the Main Temple of Thean Hou against the lanterns on the ceiling of one of the two pagodas situated across the main temple.


However, this type of composition was easier imagined than executed.  To get this precise framing composition and ensuring that the top lanterns and pagoda on the left do not overlap the main temple, the camera and tripod had to be perched precariously on the roof of the pagoda from where I was standing from.  As I was not able climb over the roof, I was composing and adjusting the camera settings and viewpoints by leaning over the staircase railings.  It took me a good one hour just to set-up the tripod position just to ensure the tripod do not slip and fall during the exposure.  I would have wanted to have more of the top lanterns visible in the frame, but there was no way for me to include more than that without risking the tripod toppling over to the ground below.


This is perhaps my most famous image to date.  No sooner had I uploaded this image to my 500px account, it was "flicked" (flicked means that the image was stolen and used without my permission) and used in not less than 15 other websites all over the world.  Some of these can be seen in the link below:


http://wowola.ga/uncategorized/20-cities-decorated-for-the-holiday-which-turned-into-a-fairy-tale/


https://genial.guru/admiracion-lugares/20-ciudades-de-cuentos-de-hadas-en-ano-nuevo-106205/


http://caglas.rs/fotografije-najljepse-okicenih-gradova-sveta-za-novu-godinu/


I have titled this image as "The Framing of the Temple".  However, these websites had retitled this image as "The Red Dragon".  I have used this title ever since.


EOS 5D Mk II / Lens EF17-40mm f/4.0 L USM

The lanterns at the Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur is only lighted once a year during the Lunar Chinese New Year for a period of two weeks.  There is only a two weeks window to shoot this spectacular light-show.  The lanterns will be lighted for the whole duration of the Chinese New Festival until the 15th day of the New Year, more popularly known as "Chap Goh Mei".  People from near and far, regardless of religion, will congregate to this temple in the evenings just to witness the lighting of the lanterns. 


This viewpoint and location is very popular among photographers - the red lanterns will contrast magnificently against the cobalt blue skies during the blue hours of twilight.  There is only one viewpoint to shoot this image, at the very center of the temple courtyard on the fourth floor of the temple.  To ensure perfect symmetry, the tripod will need to be placed at the very center of the courtyard.  Thankfully, the markings on the floor can be used as positional guides to ensure a center placement.  To obtain the contrasting red lanterns against the blue skies, the camera must be positioned at a low angle, tilted upwards using a wide-angle lens.  The symmetrical element of the composition cannot be achieved at any other camera / tripod positioning.  Due to the huge crowds every evenings, you will need to arrive early to reserve your tripod space.  A very clear and calm day is also essential to get the perfect shot.  If the winds are too strong, the lanterns will be swaying during the exposure.  As a result of this, the lanterns will be less than sharp in the final image.


There is nothing much you can do to ensure that the crowds do not walk across your camera during the exposure.  In this image, I had welcomed the people walking across the frame when making this exposure.  The slow shutter speed used had provided some motion blur to the human elements of this shot which in my opinion had added more drama than an otherwise static shot.


EOS 5D Mk II / Lens EF17-40mm f/4.0 L USM

The Colours of Malaysia or Citrawarna Celebrations at Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur.


EOS 5D Mk II / EF24-70mm f/2.8L USM / Speedlite 550 EX

Putrajaya had organized the Putrajaya International Fireworks Competition on an intermittent basis since year 2008.  However, the last competition was held way back in 2014 - no other world class fireworks event was organized since then.  Until the next event, I can say that this shot may never ever be repeated again.


EOS 5D Mk II / Lens EF24-70mm f/2.8L USM