A Race Day At The Perak Turf Club, Ipoh, Perak.

   Taiping, the former capital of the Silver State of Perak, was the oldest town in Malaysia. The site of the first horse racing event was held here in 1886. In 1926, with the rapid growth of Ipoh, the club was re sited here. The Perak Turf Club (PTC) can be considered as the cradle of Malaysian horse racing.

   The old premises was demolished in 1964 rebuilt in 1967. A team of Australian architects designed the present grandstand and the club was declared open by His Royal Highness, The Sultan of Perak in 1971.

  The unique and majestic twin tower of the club overlooks the winning post. With Gunung Korbu, the highest peak of Main Range, as its background, it is a great attraction for photographers.

   The PTC also houses the Perak Equestrian Club, which is the indisputable leader in equestrian sport in the state of Perak




Field staff members were scanned for hidden handphones and other communication gadgets.

Weighing in of jockeys.

Horses were being led out just before the race.

Just before entering the starting gates. The main building and its tower could be seen in the background.

Out shot the horses and their riders.

Fighting for the lead.

At the home turn.

Hitting the straight.

Almost there.





Link: http://www.perakturfclub.my/about_history.php

BATIK-- (HISTORY AND MAKING).

Batik -- Defination.

Batik is an ancient art form where fabrics are repeatedly inpragnated with molten wax designs and dipped in dye of different colours. The wax are then boiled to remove the wax, leaving the finished products.

Batik -- History.

This ancient tecnique of wax resist dyeing on fabric already existed in many areas in Asia long ago. In the 4th century BCE, Egytian mummies were wrapped with cloths soaked in wax and scratched with sharp tools to produce designs. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) of China, this technique was in practised too. In India and Japan too can be found that this practice existed during the Nara period (645-794 CE). Even in Africa the Yoruba Tribe of Nigeria and the Soninke and Wolaf of Senegals practised it too.

Its introduction to Java, Indonesia from India and Sri Lanka was during the 6th and 7th centuries. Regions like the Joraja, Flores, Halmahera and Papua too have a traditions of batik making. From Java, this art of batik making spread to the east coast states of Malaysia. To these days, this traditional art form of cloth dyeing is still widely practise in Kelantan, Trengganu and Pahang.

Batik -- Production Tecniques.

a. Canting (tjantingan tulis).




A canting is used to apply molten wax
on to the design. Places covered with
wax will not be dyed.




Different dyes are either brushed on
the fabrics or the fabrics soaked
 in tubs of dyes.



Soda salt is being sprinkle onto the dye
 and fabric to make the dye hold better
 to the cloth.

The design is drawn and then molten wax is applied on it using a canting (metal pen tool filled with hot wax). Colour dyes are then applied on the cloth. This process is done repeatedly until the desired result is achieved.        

The fabrics are soaked in tubs.

The fabrics are boiled
 to remove the wax.

b. Cap (block printing).

This process involves metal (soldered tin or copper) blocks with designs. These blocks are dipped in hot wax and hand stamped onto the fabrics. Coloured dyes are then applied over the fabrics. Later the wax are removed by boiling and the finished batik is the result.

c. Silk sceening (screen printing).

The fabric being
prepared for printing.

Screen printing.



The printed fabrics are then
hung up to dry, then to be
 waxed and dyed.

 This method is mostly used for mass production of batik for commercial use. The design is screen printed on and wax is applied to selected areas and then the fabrics are dyed to produce the desired product.

Kota Baru Central Market (Pasar Siti Khadijah).



The Kota Baru Central Market
 (Pasar Siti Khadijah).



The Kota Baru Central Market is located almost in the center of Kota Baru. The octagonal interior design of this building makes it unique and stands out.

A Malay woman sitting
 among her colourful greens.

Another characteristic of this market is very apparent when one walks in. Here, the majority of the stalls are manned by women. With many of them in colourful traditional Malay dresses sitting among the equally colourful vegetables and other wares, which really is a feast for the eyes. No wonder this place is a "must shoot" destination for photographers.

Doing business
 is very relaxing here.

The center floor covered by a translucent canopy, is mainly occupy by the fresh vegetables, fruits and other food.

Just at the fringe are the red and white meat vendors at one end and the fruits, cakes and pastries at another. The variety of cakes and other traditonal food sold here is a representation of the Malay pastry food culture too.



The infamous kapak kecil of kapak siam.

http://busuk.org/ping/view/144360

 


A lady slicing the lekor
 (A type of crackers made from fish paste).



The variety of rice grains sold here are plentiful.



Plenty of chicken for sale too.




Mouth watering pastries,
cakes and delicacies.





 At the main entrance, are located a few stalls selling traditional Malay trinkets and weapons of all shapes and sizes. Among the most well known (a must for Malay Royalty Ceremony) is the Keris. Here one can find the small axe (Kapak Kecil) too. Tales of silent assasinations with these tiny axe usually sent chills down my spine when I was a young kid.

THE MINOLTA MIRROR.

The Minolta Mirror was the Minolta Camera Company's annual magazine. It was first published in 1975. A soft cover glossy magazine that provided insights into the company's products, past and present photography greats and their works.

The magazine was conceived by Richard Bryant, a Minolta employee in Osaka. Richard retired in 1994, and the magazine ended its run, with the last issue published in 1993.

Through out the years, I have collected most of the issues (1978-1993). Still missing from my collection are the 1975, 76 and 77 issues. (I would be very grateful if anyone of you can present or sell me these issues).

Below, I would like to list out the various issues that I have.

1978 MINOLTA MIRROR.

1978 issue. Minolta's 50th Anniversary Issue.

A word from the editor.

Content page.

1979 MINOLTA MIRROR.

1979 issue.






A word from the editor.







Content page.










1980 MINOLTA MIRROR.



1980 issue.






A word from the editor.

Content page.










1981 MINOLTA MIRROR.




1981 issue.








A word from the editor.








Content page.









1982 MINOLTA MIRROR.

1982 Issue.






A word from the editor.






Content page.










1983 MINOLTA MIRROR.




1983 issue.






A word from the editor.







Content page.










1984 MINOLTA MIRROR.



1984 issue.







A word from the editor.







Content page.










1985 MINOLTA MIRROR.




1985 issue.







A word from the editor.







Content page.




 







1986 MINOLTA MIRROR.




1986 issue.







A word from the editor.







Content page.











1987 MINOLTA MIRROR.




1987 issue.







A word from the editor.







Content page.











1988 MINOLTA MIRROR.





1988 issue.







A word from the editor.







Content page.










1989 MINOLTA MIRROR.




1989 issue.







A word from the editor.







Content page.











1990 MINOLTA MIRROR.



1990 issue.












A word from the editor.












Content page.












My photograph of a bee eater was featured in this issue of MM.


















1991 MINOLTA MIRROR.





1991 issue.












A word from the editor.












Content page.


















1992 MINOLTA MIRROR.




1992 issue.












A word from the editor.












Content page.



















1993 MINOLTA MIRROR.





1993 issue (Final Issue).












A word from the editor.












Content page.