Merdeka Day

Independance Day fireworks, Putrajaya, Malaysia. Shooting fireworks is always a trial and error process, but generally, the trick is to open the shutter for only a few seconds and not to have TOO many bursts, otherwise it'll all be a bright mess.
Nikon D70, AF Nikkor 28-105mm

Karate kids

Meanwhile, the kids are having a bit of fun on the stage. Nikon D70, AF-S Nikkor 12-14mm DX ED

Post Roast

After the burning, the roast pigs are divided amongst the attendees.
Nikon D70, AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm DX ED

Fire!

Within a few seconds, it's all in flames.
Nikon D70, AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm DX ED

Burn, baby burn!

The crowd really gets into it with the burning.
Nikon D70, AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm DX ED

Round and round they go

The crowds making rounds before the burning of the effigies.
Nikon D70, AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm DX ED

Preparation

Preparation for the burning of the effigies.
Nikon D70, AF-S Nikkoor 12-24mm DX ED

Conference

Priests preparing for the burning of the effigies on Hungry Ghosts Festival night.
Nikon D70, AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm DX ED

Lord of the Underworld

The Lord of the Underworld, I presume. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Nikon D70, AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm f/4 DX ED

Dragon incense

Giant incense sticks burning. This shot was taken with slow sync flash. Nikon D70, AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm f/4 DX ED

Offerings and incense

Closeup of incense burner and offerings.
Nikon D70, AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm f/4 DX ED

For the Underworld stables

Paper horses, destined to be 'sent' to the underworld for the stables of the dead. Nikon D70, AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm f/4 DX ED

Burning spirals

Incense spirals. Hungry Ghosts Festival 2005.
Nikon D70, AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm f/4 DX ED

Red Turtles

A classic nonya-style dessert called "ang-koo", which is directly translated as "red turtle". No it's not made of turtle -- it's got a sweet bean filling. Here used as an offering to the dead during the lead up to the Hungry Ghosts Festival. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Nikon D70, AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm f/4 DX ED

Putrajaya Bridge

Putrajaya in the haze -- other people run into their houses when it's hazy, I see photo opportunities and run outside! Because of the great difference between the bright and dark areas, I shot three exposures and merged them -- one for the bridge, another for the water and the last for the rocks. Each exposure had about 1EV difference. I then overlaid each picture on top of the other in Photoshop and then carefully erased the parts that I didn't want.
Nikon D70, AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm f/4

Red and Blue

In the temple. I was struck by the strong colour and contrast between the blue joss stick pot and the red background. Notice I managed to position the shot so that the two figurines in the background are just peeking out between the joss sticks
Nikon D70, AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm f/4

The finger

Sheng Cai doing something cheeky to the poor guardian Fu dog on the front of the temple.
Nikon D70 AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8

Lanterns

Nikon D70, AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8

Backlit Roof

Dragon carp facing sun, backlit. Nikon D70, Af Micro Nikkor 60mm f/2.8

Roof detail

Nikon D70, AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8

Temple walls

Temple detail. Not quite a temple -- it's actually a chinese association's building. Click to see the larger picture with quite fascinating detail.
Nikon D70, AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8

Bottles

Kickapoo bottles. The real joy juice!
Nikon D70, AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm f/4

Bottle graveyard

These bottles have been sitting here at the bottling plant for as long as I can remember. There're even RC Cola bottles!
Nikon D70, AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm f/4

Gary

Hey it's Gary the 8TV guy at Marche, the Curve.
Nikon D70, AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8

Dancing cleaner

A cleaner at The Curve. Was struck by the colour and waited till somebody equally interesting passed by. This guy gamely posed for me.
Nikon D70, AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8