photographer - Grant Corban Photography Sdn Bhd

17 January 2024

Annual Report Trophy and Award Photography

This is an ongoing project we are working on at present for an upcoming annual report. We are shooting on location and are bringing a full lighting set up and backgrounds on site. Being a photographer for trophies and awards has quite different challenges than photographing people. While there may be a lot more control over lighting, the reflections and transparency of the crystal and glass pose their own challenges. One of these is making sure the lettering is readable. White lettering on a white back ground poses the question of how white should the background be. If it’s too white then the advertising agency will have great difficulty in cutting the images out for later placement. Make it too dark and the clear glass awards will look dirty.

One of the images below, the blue one, took well over an hour to light properly due to its rounded base and sloping top. The writing on this award is immensely more legible in our photo than it is on the actual award!

Camera: Mamiya Phase One P30+. At one stage I was keen on getting a Nikon D800 due to its similar resolution to digital medium format cameras and comparatively affordable pricing, however viewing images side by side of these two cameras I would have to say there is no comparison. If you can go medium format and make money from your images, get one.

16 January 2024

Jay and Shireen’s Wedding at Puspanita Hall in Putrajaya

Portraiture by the lake: Fuji X-E1 with the XF18-55mm F2.8-4 lens shot at 1/125sec, F4.5, ISO200.

Jay and Shireen’s wedding was held at the Puspanita Hall in Putrajaya. The Christian ceremony was a small and intimate ceremony performed in the foyer atrium of the main hall. The dinner was simply huge. Puspanita hall can seat some serious numbers.

This wedding was shot using the Nikon D3 and the Fuji X-Pro1 and X-E1 cameras. The images below all came from the Fuji X-E1. We like it’s lightness and it seems to be a nicely responsive camera.

Ring shot. Fuji X-E1 with the XF18-55mm F2.8-4 lens shot at 1/125sec, F5.6, ISO200.

A tighter ring shot. Fuji X-E1 with the XF18-55mm F2.8-4 lens shot at 1/125sec, F5.6, ISO200.

The ring cushion. Fuji X-E1 with Leica 50mm attached via adapter. ISO200. Other exif data not recorded.

Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125sec, F2.0, ISO200.

Quick enough focusing for the walk in. Fuji X-E1 with the XF18-55mm F2.8-4 lens shot at 1/125sec, F5.0, ISO800.

Another walk in shot. Fuji X-E1 with the XF18-55mm F2.8-4 lens shot at 1/125sec, F4.5, ISO800.

Candids require closer contact: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125sec, F1.8, ISO200.

Ring exchange. An essential photo: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125sec, F1.8, ISO200.

Ring exchange part 2: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125sec, F2.0, ISO200.

Cheeky candid: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/160sec, F2.0, ISO200.

Another essential – the kiss shot: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/160sec, F2.0, ISO200.

Close up of the flowers: Fuji X-E1 with the XF18-55mm F2.8-4 lens shot at 1/60sec, F4.5, ISO800.

Main Table Decor: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125 sec, F1.4, ISO200.

Candid portrait: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125 sec, F1.6, ISO200.

Family photo: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125 sec, F1.8, ISO200.

Wedding cake: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125 sec, F1.8, ISO200.

Table detail close up: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125 sec, F2.2, ISO200.

Narrow depth of field during the walk in: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125 sec, F1.6, ISO200.

Quick grab portrait: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/60 sec, F1.4, ISO200.

Candid of the groom during the speeches: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125 sec, F1.8, ISO200.

Photo ops are every where: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125 sec, F1.4, ISO200.

She was dancing around gaily. Fast focusing nailed it: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125 sec, F1.4, ISO200.

Good night: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/80 sec, F1.8, ISO200.

13 January 2024

Langkawi and Pangkor Laut Beach and Resort Weddings

Beach and Resort Weddings in Pangkor Laut and Langkawi, Datai and Four Seasons

Welcome, you will find links and photos to several of the weddings we have covered at beaches and resorts here. Enjoy your browsing experience and for even more beach and resort weddings click on the following links at the bottom of this page.

Dac and Wai Pin ~ Wedding Photography at the Westin Langkawi

Adrienne and Blairs Wedding at the Four Seasons Langkawi

Chris and Joyce’s Wedding at the Four Seasons

Liz and Lucas – Wedding at the Four Seasons Langkawi

David and Nicki â€“ Wedding at the Datai Langkawi

Jonathan and Sonia â€“ Wedding at the Four Seasons Langkawi

Dominic and Lauren â€“ Wedding at the Four Seasons Langkawi

Reg and Lisa â€“ Wedding at the Four Seasons LangkawiÂ

Vanessa and Christopher â€“ Four Seasons Langkawi

13 January 2024

Birthday and Anniversary Photography

grant corban photography birthday party dinner port dixon

I have had some enquiries whether I shoot birthdays as a photographer. Yes I do! I shoot birthdays for newborns, full moons, 5th birthdays, 30th, 40th, 65th and 80th birthdays as well as anniversaries. As many of these shoots are for children, VIPs and others who wish to keep their birthday celebrations discreet and private, I do not post these on-line.

Please contact me for details.

One of the recommendations I have for birthdays:

“I hired Grant to shoot the photographs for my Father’s 70th birthday party at the Ritz-Carlton in Kuala Lumpur, February 2011. Grant even went the extra mile to make himself available to attend our food-tasting dinner a month earlier, such that he could familiarise himself with our main family members and to personally discuss my father’s requests and expectations of the photography. At the event, Grant was punctual, professional, and personable. He shot the event in accordance with our instructions and focused on the birthday-boy whilst still capturing shots of everybody in attendance, including all the family members and VIP’s. Throughout the night, despite being the only Caucasian at the event, Grant was discrete and blended in so as to not be a distraction. In the end, he delivered a skilful combination of both candid and posed shots, filled with happiness and the masterfully captured emotions of the moment. Both soft-copies and hard-copies of the photographs were delivered by Grant in a timely manner, without any fuss about photo-rights (which some other professional photographers make an issue off). As such, I would highly recommend Grant’s services, and look forward to using his services again, sooner rather than later.” ~ Lester Seow

12 January 2024

Ryan and Rebecca’s Wedding at St Thomas Church and the Hyatt Regency, Kuantan

Ryan and Rebecca's Kuantun Wedding at St Thomas and the Hyatt

Rebecca asked me to be her wedding photographer back in May this year. Like many of my out station brides the first time we met was the night before the wedding when we checked into our hotel. After that it was off to the rehearsal at St Thomas Church in the middle of Kuantan town. Rebecca’s family were most welcoming when we met them there and we went through the rehearsal with them.

The next morning we kicked the actual wedding day off with family photos at their new house before heading down to St Thomas Church. After a sweet intimate service and a really tasty lunch at the church (roast lamb is ALWAYS a winner!!!) we headed back to the Hyatt Regency on the beach front for portraits.

As is usual for us portraits were done on the actual day. It was VERY hot and as the middle of the day is usually not conducive due to the harsh shadows the sun gives, we looked for window light. As you can see from the photo above this worked great. The beautiful photo featuring the beach and sea behind the lovely couple was tricky. Three flashes were used, two on full power, whilst the other one was held way out behind them to give some separation to the image. It was a long way down so good job we didn’t drop that light!

Dinner was obviously fun, as you can see from the photography below. At the end of the wedding banquet we finished as we started, with a family group photo, albeit much bigger.

Cameras used were my trusty Nikon D3 and the new Canon 5DmkIII. Every time I look at my beat up D3 camera thinking it’s time to replace it I just need to look at how great the photos it produces to bring me back to earth . The top photo is with the D3.

Prospective brides often ask me how many images we shoot on the day so I will try to remember to include the number in future posts. For this wedding there were 801 photos in total.