Having a state-of-the-art high-end DSLR and L-lenses does not make a good photographer. Reading through the camera manual and knowing all the functions of it do not make a good photographer (it's basic). Knowing what lens to use and its limitation/usefulness does not make a good photographer (it's experience). Knowing the difference between raw and jpg images do not make a good photographer (it's again basic). Carrying your cameras and shooting all the time does not make a good photographer (it's practice). What is it to make a good photographer then?

Today I visited an photo album and was totally touched. I have read photo books, national geographic magazines, and visited professional photographer websites, but was never so touched. This photographer's gear?

• Nikon D40 (the cheapest Nikon DSLR)
  
• Nikkor 18-55mm ($100 kit lens)
• Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 (not Nikkor or Canon L as many religiously believe)
• Sigma 10-20mm (a lens I hate for its chromatic aberration, and not Nikkor or Canon)

His works are not photos. It is art. It's art that you forget about the technical details of the shots. You even appreciate some technical flaws as that elevate the level of the art! You can feel his love for the lands he visited. His works is truly mind-blowing. You will understand what genius is when you see one. I am glad I am able to admire the talented works. Shall I say:

Today's a nice day :-)

I was laughed at last Saturday.

Several friends came over last Saturday. Looking at my TV, one of them commented: "your TV should have been sent to the tech museum for display!!" #$%&*@# Hey, it isn't that old! At least it is a CRT flat screen. not the one bulking out. Well, as you might have already guessed, I don't watch TV much. This happenstance also reminded me a while back another friend suggested me to buy new sofa and new furnitures because they were 4 year old already and I needed something more grown-up.

Am I out of date? Hmm....

This morning on the way to work, I saw a teenager with his skateboard standing right by the road, or perhaps on the slowest lane. He is a typical teenager with messy hair, ear plug hanging, funky clothes, low-hanging trousers, and of course the fancy skateboard. You must wonder why I was paying attention to a teenager on the street. Well, it could be that he was too close to the road. Or it could be his wonder eyes and hesitating motion. So I followed where his eyes looked and there it was, a wild goose standing in the middle of the road looking confused. This teenager was waving his skateboard wildly trying to get the goose out of its frozen state of mind. He was also signaling upcoming drivers to avoid this confused goose. Looking from the rear mirror, the goose finally shook itself up and flew away. The teenager continued his journey to school or whatever with the cool skateboard.

Suddenly tears in my eyes... Am I getting old to get touched so easily? Perhaps. If I were ever a Buddha, I would come the earth just for that: a seemly wild kid with a caring heart. That moment of glimpse is worth living for.