Taiwan in Fisheye 2014 - Part I - Jiu Fen

余(魚)眼看臺灣 2014 - 第一部曲 - 九份

Taiwan in Fisheye 2014 - Part I - Jiu Fen


這是我們第一次寫旅遊文章,而且還是中文和英文都有喔!全部照片都是以Canon 7D + Rokina 8mm Fisheye lens所拍攝的。之所以為叫作"余"眼是因為我們的Cedric大哥姓余,也是他第一次來台灣觀光,所以 Cedric 用魚眼鏡頭拍下余眼看見的台灣!

獻給我們在台灣以及溫哥華的家人與朋友們!

For our friends and family in Taiwan and Vancouver, this will be our first post written in both Chinese and English from different perspectives. The mandarin title includes a play on the word "fisheye"; Cedric's last name is "Yu", which sounds like the Mandarin word for Fish (pronounced "yu"). It is Cedric's first time in Taiwan so we thought it's an appropriate title. All shot on Canon 7D + Rokina 8mm Fisheye cine-lens. Enjoy!


九份一個有著金礦文化以及許多歷史的山頭小鎮,看著美麗的海景、迷人的老街、好幾部電影的場景、吃著九份特產,這裡是個不管外國人還是台灣人都要來參觀的地方。

If you're in Taipei, chances are that you would be recommended to go to Jiufen. It was once a desolate town after the gold rush, and its low rent and unique environment attracted many local artists. Over the last few decades, some movies popularized Jiufen, and it is once again bustling with activity. We were told however, since businesses have taken over the area without showing support for the local art and cultural community, artists are slowly leaving the place.

我們走離開了許多觀光客的人群,往人煙較稀少的地方閒晃,看到了許多不一樣的老房與新房。 走走停停地看著風景吹著冷風,不停地拍照。來到了地圖上其中的一小景點-頌德公園。 有一隻狗狗出現,看著我們走過來,跳起來打聲"招呼"後,隨後跟著我們踏上腳步往頌德公園的階梯。這個奇妙的公園基本上就是一堆階梯,有著爬不完的木頭石子路。而這隻像似"保鑣"的狗,很"盡責"地帶我們爬上山,因為牠有四隻腳爬的比我們快,但卻會很神奇地走到一定的距離停下來確定我們有跟上。不知是否要帶我們去挖寶,看風景,還是其實是要帶我去被詛咒的地方?不過一切都不得而知,因為我們爬了不知有多久一直看不到終點,最後掉頭下山。這次很有靈性的狗狗也跟著我們下山,只是到半路的時候他就不等我們休息,最後就溜了。

Leaving the town and venturing up the hills, we found ourselves a guide. Our volunteer was a dog with a collar ringed with union jacks. It went ahead of us, stopping every now and then to check back on us before scurrying up the steps. We theorized that it is peeing periodically so it doesn't get lost. After we followed it for more than half an hour up a relatively steep hill in hopes of it leading us to some treasure or awesome lookout (and hopefully not somewhere haunted), we gave up and made our way back down. To our surprise, the dog followed us back down. It abandoned us after we stopped to catch our breath at a gazebo midway to town.

這裡是九份的第五號(應該是)坑口!早早就被當地人給封了起來,聽說是因為有小孩子會不知危險跑進去玩。其實坑洞,礦坑這種地方是很危險的,除了迷路以外,還有可能掉下裡頭早期挖的洞,是很可怕的。也因為地層下陷,坑口也變得只有小孩子身高般地高。

This is Number 5 tunnel. We were told it's locked up to prevent people from falling into one of the many random deep shafts. Young people liked to go in the cool (and sometimes chilly) tunnels during the summer to hide from the heat. 

步行回到老街的途中,眼尖的我看到一座不起眼的建築物,上面寫著-九份金礦博物館。我們兩個猶豫了半天,最後才決定賭看看,就買個門票(NT $100)進去看看。別看他不起眼的外表,我們推薦你有機會去九份,就進去看看吧!

We chanced upon this little gem as the sun was setting. For just NT$100, you can enjoy a tour of a family's own private gold-mining museum. We highly recommend it. 

這是一家有三代挖金歷史的家庭所經營的金礦博物館,館長會很熱情地解說歷史和有趣的學問!看這這位博物館大哥很細心地教我們九份獨特的金礦歷史,以及台灣特有的掏金術。 他掏起來看起來似簡單,是吧?

Our guide was the son of one of the early gold prospectors, and he had committed himself to preserving the family trade and collection of relics. You will get to hear, see, and try with your own hands the unique techniques of gold mining/panning of this particular family, quite different from western/Japanese methods. Some equipment are so intricately designed and weighted that they can only be made by master carpenters, who have passed on without disciples. It is a pity such arts can be so easily lost to us. 

但是當我們兩個實際自己嘗試時,我只有一個感想-錢難賺,金難掏啊! 我們兩個搖了半天,怎樣就是看不到金子。

We were told that if we sifted gold out from the rocks and dust, we would get to keep it. Alas, it was a lot harder than it looked and we left empty handed. 

據說這裡是當年宮崎俊取靈感的地方,後來他創作出"千里千尋"(別名:神隱少女)這部動畫片,也是在他的作品裡我個人最愛之一。 你看,那有沒有像電影裡面湯婆婆的湯屋?

Jiufen is said to have served as an inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away. The tunnels and lanterns that lit up the town at night do remind us of the film.

夜黑了,家家戶戶的燈火都亮了。 九份是個白天與晚上都很美的地方。

As the stores began to close for the night, we bought some snacks and hurried to line up for a bus home. 

Amy + Robin | Wedding Highlight | Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver

Amy and Robin are high school sweet hearts who have been through many years together, hand in hand, tears and smiles. It's one of those things that I really admire. We are so happy to be a part of their intimate wedding at the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver Downtown, beautiful wedding decorated with their theme colours - royal blue, with lots of personal touches such as personalized ribbons and gorgeous wedding cake by Kien and Sweets, and their well-planned games and decorations. 

It was also our first time working with Helena and Jessie from Elysium Events "officially", such a pleasure to work with those two fabulous ladies. 

Amy and I worked together at a small kiosk in Coquitlam Centre many many years ago, we clicked really fast and had so much to chat with whether on the phone or at work. We both love reading comics and had so much to talk about our boyfriends. It's not easy to find good friends once we're out of school, I was fortunate enough to have met Amy and so grateful to have this friend though we lost contact for several years. It was a little disappointing that I couldn't photograph her wedding (the popular date - Sep 7th of 2013!) but at least I got to photograph her engagement session. Thank you for the support and love. We wish you and Robin all the best in the future years. =)

Amazing people who created magic <3

Videographer - Modern Romance Productions
Photographer - Albert Law Photography
Make-up - Lily Lin
Hair - Angela Liu
Florist - Garden Party Flowers
DJ - DJ Mikxter
Decor - Lavish Design Group
Wedding Cake - Kien and Sweets
Macaron Favors - Thierry Chocolate Patisserie
Photobooth - ImageCube
Day-of-Coordinator: Elysium Events

Yna + Yohei | Stanley Park Pavilion | DIY Wedding

Yna + Yohei | Stanley Park Pavilion | DIY Wedding

It's finally here. Yna and Yohei's wedding photos and video!! This was one of the weddings we waited for a long time. A wedding full of our own friends, a wedding with most DIY and tears, a wedding that is most special to us. Yna and Yohei have been very supportive friends ever since Modern Romance launched in 2010. It has been a long journey for us and we are very grateful to have them by our side with so much love and support.

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Karen + Victor | Autumn Engagement Session | Teasers

Vancouver is famous for its beautiful scenery all year around.  We Vancouverites are very lucky to have such beautiful autumn colours to be found everywhere at this time of the year. Karen and Victor wanted a fall/autumn theme engagement session, we waited and waited till the leaves start to turn into the nice yellowish orange colours.

Here are some teasers from the engagement session we had at Gastown and Stanley Park today. Beautiful foggy day without rain and with fun adorable couple = can't ask for more! Enjoy =)

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Ultimate Shootout Vancouver 5 | USV5 Video

Vancouver's Positive Photography Community

Another film by Modern Romance. Since it's a "shootout", we wanted to create a little video of a shootout... with cameras and with a little bit or humor of course. Dan and Jordan with no doubts were the best candidates for the job! Dan known as the hat lover, happened to have a cowboy hat with him that day! Jordan being the "groom" model in his nice suits and all, it was the best combination for the "cowboy vs agent" action!

We had the pleasure to work with great vendors and sponsors including Film 2 Frame Studios, Garden Party Flowers, Anita Lee Makeup + Hair, Blurb Books, Lowepro, Zin Frames, Vancity Bride Blog, and Vancity Wedding Directory, And not to mention this successful event was hosted by our fellow friends from Stone Photo, Butter Studios, and Pure White Studios.

Be sure to watch till the very end of the video to see more actions, credits, and... you'll see!

 

here's our master mind behind all the actions and the infamous helmet camera... home made!

here's our master mind behind all the actions and the infamous helmet camera... home made!

Nancy + Josh | Victoria Hatley Castle Fairytale | Wedding Highlight

We are proud to present this gorgeous, gorgeous wedding video of Nancy + Josh's wedding at Hatley Castle in Victoria BC. It's one wedding of every little girl's dream. 

Wedding Highlight 2013

Wedding Highlight 2013

 

Amazing vendors create amazing experience and memories

Carmen + Ivar | Canuck Themed Wedding | Same-day-edit

We love our couples and we are grateful for every one of them that chose us to capture an important part of their life. Carmen and Ivar are two special people to us. The first time we met Carmen was back in 2011 at Hiu + Paul's wedding at Swan-E-Set, she was Hiu's maid of honor. Almost exactly a year later, Carmen contacted us with a good news of hers - she was engaged! We can't tell you how much we get excited every time we hear from our couples' friends, family members, especially their bridesmaids/groomsmen! It's always exciting knowing that we get to see our couple at the wedding, maybe with a baby, too!

The first time meeting with Carmen and Ivar was like catching up and chatting with friends. Later when we found out that Ivar is a lawyer, Cedric and I got a little excited. For those that didn't know, Cedric and I got into a motocycle accident last year and we were seeking for a great lawyer to help us deal with the case. It was totally meant to be! Eventually and not surprisingly, we decided to have Ivar to be our super hero lawyer to fight for us! It's a funny relationship when we become our client's client!

For those Canuck fans, this might be something you want to watch! We have seen many themed weddings but never shot a Canucks themed wedding! Carmen and Ivar went above and beyond with their idea and all the DIY details from table cards, ceremony programme, cupcakes, and all the Canuck colours everywhere! We even did a mini same-day-edit for their grand entrance introduction in Canucks game style, of course! One of the best parts is having their MC for the voice-over, definitely a pro without any rehearsals! Check below to see the same-day-entrance video!

Videographer - Modern Romance Productions
Photographer - Charlie's Photography
Florist - Fannie's Wedding and Events
Decor - Divine Décor
Make-up Artist - Tina Wu Makeup
Dy - DJ Paul the Wall
Photo Booth - Blue Monkey Photobooth
Wedding Cupcakes - Original Cupcakes

Linda + Wylen | Hart House Wedding | Same-Day-Edit

"We're a pretty fun couple!"

That's our impression of Linda and Wylen when we first met them. They've been very supportive, fun, and easy-going to work with. We feel like work a bunch of friends along the way, especially when we had already met some of Linda's bridesmaids and guests from Jenny + Andy's wedding the week before theirs.  They really showed us how much fun they are! From the planning, details such as handmade photo booth props, saying yes to our Slow-Mo Booth, super hyper entrance at the reception, to crazy actions on the dance floor. We enjoyed every moment of the wedding and loved every detail they did for the decor, favors, Linda's red + yellow Vietnamese dress, colorful candy bar, and everything else was all in yellow!

My favourite part of their ceremony was when the officiant, Jordan, talks about how Linda thought Wylen was bossy when she first joined the volleyball club at SFU. And the following shot of Wylen rolling his eyes was funny. I giggle everytime it gets to that part. They both have very cute and expressive faces throughout the ceremony, another part I find really cute was when Linda did a pouty face at Wylen at the ceremony. 

We had the pleasure working with Andrew from Luminessence Photography and his second shooter Amish. It's always joyful and easy when working with friendly professional photographers. And we finally got to work with Cynthia, one of our favourite cake designers! It's too bad that the cake cutting isn't in this SDE but be sure to check out Andrew's photos of her cake! Absolutely, clean, elegant, and beautiful! The handmade cake topper is super adorable! Totally fits Linda + Wylen's Love Birds theme <3

Enough said! Let's watch the SDE!


Ceremony - Hart House
Reception - Radisson Hotel Richmond
Portrait Session - Granville Island & Jericho Beach
Photographer - Luminessence Photography
Videographer - Modern Romance Productions
Theme - Color Yellow and Love Birds
Limo - Modern Limousine
Officiant - Jordan Bateman
Wedding Cake - Cynthia's Custom Cakes