Wednesday 11 November 2020

23. Advices For Young People. How to acquire digital photography skills.


ADVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE - HOW TO MAKE E-GREETING CARDS.

 
It is good to acquire digital photography skills, as in this example. 

I went to Hub Spoke Cafe on a Sunday morning. The sky was overcast. I saw around 2 butterflies in this small patch of flower plot in Terminal 2, Changi Airport. Singapore is urbanised and seeing a stationary yellow butterfly at eye level with bright 10 am sunlight on it is a rare opportunity.  Most yellow butterflies I see in Singapore, seldom stop fluttering. I always carry my camera with me as such occasions happen suddenly.  

Seeing one in good health (no tattered wings, colours vibrant, not dirtied by wear and tear) and sipping nectar, at eye level, under bright morning sunlight, is a rare sighting. 


The dark clouds parted and the sun rays shone on this bougainvilla flowers, directing me to this beautiful butterfly.  I took 3 shots from around 15 feet away. It flew off as I approached it.

Original photo, not photoshopped. Square format
Sunlight rays shone on butterfly at around 10 am
Focused on the eye, Handheld.

"P" mode
, Image stabilisation, single point focus, autofocus
Canon DSLR EOS 90D,  18-200 mm EFS lens


I crop photo 16:9
No photoshopping in this image as the lighting was excellent





A photo from the internet. Be aware of copyright or trademark infringement. 

 
I used Photoshop 2021. "Select and Mask".  Click "Subject". 
Save as .PNG file (transparent background).
I use "File" --- "Place Embed" above .PNG file into the 16:9 file.  See the file below:





In conclusion, the "P" Mode permits you to take most photos without the need to use the "M" mode and to set ISO, Aperture Priority, as the subject butterfly may not stay still anytime. 

Focus on the eye and shoot. This is the only photo that does not need any Photoshopping as almost all photos need to adjust contrast etc.  

The smartphone is not able to focus on the eyes as compared to the "single point" "high continuous speed" setting of the DSLR camera. Hence, your smartphone is unlikely to get a sharp butterfly photo.



Another tip.
Use Photoshop 2021. "Filter"---"Neural filter". You can get a different image as follows:





Hard work and lots of practice are needed to succeed in any field. If you have any queries, do let me know.


 
MORE BUTTERFLY PHOTOS FOR SALE AT:

https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2020/11/3428-photos-of-butterflies.html

Saturday 17 October 2020

22. Advices For Young People Series started in 2010.


INTRODUCTION

In 2010, I created the series "Advices For Young People", using an image with text. An example is as follows:





Image taken in Australia




I am not a coach on working life. Therefore, it is difficult to write more articles in this series as such advices can be unwelcome as I am not "in the same situation".


Young people have different lifestyles and priorities in life. For example, the following tattooed visitors in Patong Beach, Thailand will not be keen on a desk job or permanent employment.




Original image of young people in a beach in Thailand





In 2022, I re-start writing in this blog. Older articles had been confined to veterinary interns. See the links at:

http://www.toapayohvets.com/2018Advices_Young_People.htm

http://www.toapayohvets.com/2019Advices_Young_People.htm (this webpage)


Thursday 6 August 2020

21. Be a Proactive, Value-Adding Employee



ADVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.  Be A Proactive, Value-Adding Employee

Dr Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow)   6 Aug 2020 chat with Stephanie Cara Ng 

Dear Stefanie,

42 years ago, the founder of Chew’s Agriculture, now producing 500,000 eggs daily, consulted me as his hens were laying fewer eggs. The eggs were misshapen, soft-shelled and had watery yolk. I was his extension vet from the AVS (ex-AVA, ex-PPD).

His layers suffered from a viral outbreak called Egg Drop Syndrome 76 (EDS 76). “A commercial vaccine has been available for 2 years and used in Europe,” I spoke to the Vaccine Lab vet. “Why do you not approve its importation?” “It needs to be proven to be efficacious in Singapore,” he replied. His colleague had confirmed the presence of the EDS 76 virus from blood tests. How could I help the farmer and the hens? 

“Should I use the vaccine illegally?” the sun burnt congenial farmer consulted me. He was losing his pants. “Mr Chew,” I said. “Would you mind doing a vaccine trial?” 50% of the vaccinated layers in one house laid normal eggs but not the other half. Mr Chew was joyful and so was I.
  
I hope this story and our various chats on office relationships would motivate you, as an employee, to devote every minute of your short stay in Toa Payoh Vets to acquire in-depth veterinary knowledge. Not just assisting the vets and be an observer. Be a proactive, value-adding employee. Do research and record real-life cases for discussion. 

In this way, your veterinary studies in Australia in 2021 will come “alive” to you and so will James Herriot’s novels about his clients and farmers.







Saturday 11 July 2020

20. Great service is the best referral

Sunday 12 Jul 2020

Yesterday, my Audi A3 car had a rolling sound when I drove it out for a dinner appointment. The right back tyre was flat. The next morning, being a Sunday, I phoned Audi's 24Hr Assist for more than 5 times over an hour. No reply and no message. That was not good for Audi to list such a service and waste the customer's time.

The sales lady who sold the car had given me this contact, but the contractor could not be bothered even to have a voice message or to answer phone calls. A few of the petrol station's tyre shops were closed too!

Internet search. I found Auto Rescue Kakis-  tel 8117 7505 and got my tyre repaired within the hour for $80. We had a chat about his tattoos and his mask.  He took the trouble to show me where he bought his cyclist masks! I would refer him to others.

Great service is the best referral.








  

Tuesday 3 December 2019

19. Relationships: A nosy query


Dec 4, 2019. A nosy query




In interactions, relationships may be a topic for communication. Some Caucasians do not like being asked personal questions. You  cannot be talking about the weather all the time, especially during a tour of 10 days. Being single, you may be asked about your past. 

It is up to you to reply with a laugh or be very upset and stressed regarding the invasion of your privacy. The nursing sister in my group tour chose the first route and we all had a good laughter together. We enjoyed our tour in the Greater Caucasus.

The nursing sister was sporting in answering my nosy query about her past. She was a great communicator. 



--------------------------------
Great Caucasus Tour
A congenial group of travellers. No quarrelling or complaints. 

Tuesday 18 December 2018

18. Health care. Correct shoes are needed for limping people over 30 years old








Went to a podiatrist some 4 weeks ago. I had bought a thin insole from Arch Angel. The podiatrist examined me and put a pad to elevate the medial part of the heel. The thin insole was not good as it began to flatten out (said to last 6 weeks instead of 2 years unlike the good ones). So, my left ankle and left side of the calf msucle and left foot became painful again.

Both the podiatrist and the shoe seller did not tell me that the thin insole is not good as it flattens out with wear. It has no substance inside.

On Dec 18, 2018, I saw the shoe seller again. This time he told me that the insole had flattened out and moved inside the shoe. Hence, imbalance of my walk leading to pain. A better quality higher insole was recommended.