Ranan Samanya Photography
fashion runways, portraits & personal branding, environment, and documentary photography
John and Effy – a dream come true under the pipe organ
Everybody was very exited the moment John announced the news. Those who know him know exactly that the time is ripe, and everybody was very eager to know who the lucky woman was. I believe similar situation was also found by those close to Effy. John and Effy chose white and green as their wedding colours, and I just loved the combination. The wedding itself was done in a heritage 1925 built church in Bandung – the GPIB Bethel church. The garden reception in the evening was phenomenally set-up.
And as the tunes originally by John Secada and Rebecca Holden filled the air, we all believe they are now filled with joy, no more tears or sorrow….
…Come with me, and we will fly together
to a place, where we can love forever
Take my hand, and we will see tomorrow
only joy, and no more tears or sorrow…
Here are snippets of the wonderful occasion. Thank you John and Effy for allowing me to capture your lovely moments!
Up close with hibiscus
Getting the dark-red stigmas and yellow anthers of this hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) on its stem proved to be difficult due to the constant breeze of wind. So I plucked one flower bud, kept it overnight in a candle holder with small amour of water, and when it bloomed the next morning I brought it to my backyard. Not only it is more steady, I can also easily manoeuvre my camera and the position of the flower. Hmmm… I should have added more fill light to enhance the yellow colour… maybe next time.
Thank you for visiting this page and have a blessed Sunday!
laundry pegs for my Calliandra
There are times when laundry pegs are not used for laundry, but as tools to get where I want with my photos.
This Calliandra haematocephala was full of flowers, but the tree is in my front garden where other big trees are, and shooting at 5pm didn’t get the light that I wanted. So I plucked a flower and brought it to my backyard, where more light was still available.
I took two of my laundry pegs, and hung the flower onto my wife’s pencil cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli). We can always use 1 peg, but by using 2 pegs we can control the position easier. I then chose one corner of my green wall as the background and took the shot.
That’s how I spent my sunday afternoon. I hope you have had a lovely sunday as well. Thank you for dropping by and see you around!
the colourful skink of Bintan Resorts
A stroll within the small forested area near Bintan Resorts’ mangrove jetty yielded this unexpected beautiful many-lined sun skink. Surprisingly it did not run when I was closing in. It was enjoying the morning sun, and was not bothered by me. As a matter of fact I was the one struggling with the many mosquito bites while trying to be quiet and take a good focus.
For those who have not meet a skink before, it is part of the huge lizard family. This particular species, Eutropis multifasciata, also locally known as kadal kebun or bengkarung biasa. We can easily determine a skink by the absence of a pronounced neck and a rather fat belly (compared to a lizard).
Thank you for stopping by and have a great week!
Re-entering macro-photography
Around 20 years ago I stopped taking macro, but I have not forgotten the sheer joy of it. I guess now I am re-entering this diminutive world again. My first entry is, unfortunately, an unidentified insect that looks like a butterfly/moth, but cannot be one as it doesn’t have antenna. So what is this 1 cm long cutie that is found in abundance on any Jamaican cherry (Muntingia calabura) trees here… a member of the Hemiptera? Any insight will be appreciated!
Hong Kong: the resilience
Not so very long ago, I was talking with Gianni, my Italian friend who is living in Jakarta, about the remarkably strong will of survival of the grassroots. And the term resilience was spelled out, without doubt.
Walking throughout the streets of Hong Kong reminded me of our conversation. Resilient is also very pronounced here. Be it the street performers; the cleaners, those selling fake electronics; or that talking guy trying to get you to an Indian restaurant nearby. From Mong Kok to Victoria Harbour and Victoria Peak, to the small lanes in between the skyscrapers in the luxurious Times Square and Central where the not-so-hygienic-but-cheap food and clothing can be found. I am sure in other countries there are similar people who are just too stubborn to give up, and continue living. And man how I envy these guys!
And without knowing, suddenly I’m hearing Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger singing in my mind…
Risin’ up back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance now I’m back on my feet
Just a man and his will to survive
So many times, it happens too fast
You trade your passion for glory
Don’t lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive….
Hong Kong: the skyscrapers
Imagine this. You have never been to Hong Kong (nor New York). When you arrived at the Hong Kong airport, you spent the first hour inside underground, hopping from one train to another. You alight in Mong Kok station, Kowloon, and went up to the surface. And !!BAM!! you were suddenly surrounded by humongous skyscrapers, huge billboard lights in glittering colours, and a massive crowd.
Overwhelmed. That’s how I felt. And immediately all the scenes from those Hong Kong mafia and gang warfare movies came alive. And I fell in love with the scenes at my first sight. I stared in awe to the colours, the reflections, the shapes of those rounded building corners, and those window-styled air-condition protruding from old buildings. I spent a few nights walking the streets around Times Square and Mong Kok area capturing the scenery with my 10-22mm wide angle lens, which is a perfect companion for these subjects. All shots except the first two are composite of three frames (-2 to +2 stop) with 2 stops interval. All frames were taken handheld. Here they are.
Lidia, Ralph, and Nadine: the greatest love of all
Last December, as photographer for their solemnation, I witnessed how Lidia and Ralph took care of their daughter Nadine with all her rather defiant mood. Through my lens, during the pre-wedding session and the ceremony, I saw their patience, and love for Nadine. Allow me to share with you all some of their best captured affections —and Nadine’s expressions, below.
Thank you for stopping by, have a wonderful Valentine and a greeaat weekend ahead.
Ranan Samanya Photography 
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