Charlie ChaoPhotos

Photos

Moments from life and travels.
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  • I always bid farewell to a city by going to the peak on the last day and taking photos of the cityscape. Travelling Tokyo and Japan was such a fascinating experience that I would definitely do it again!<br><small>May 23, 2019 • Ricoh GRIII 20s f8 ISO100</small>
  • Two fishermen float on shallow water as sunbeams pierce through the delicate fabrics of clouds at the horizon. This was taken at Lake Chūzenji in Nikko, Japan.<br><small>May 22, 2019 • Ricoh GRII 1/400s f8 ISO100</small>
  • The majestic vermillion floating torii gate at Miyajima Island at night.<br><small>May 18, 2019 • Ricoh GRIII 30s f5.6 ISO100</small>
  • Hundreds of dimly-lit hanging lanterns set the mood in this holy place at Daishō-in on Miyajima Island.<br><small>May 18, 2019 • Ricoh GRIII 1/30s f3.5 ISO1250</small>
  • Ms. Kamata and her assistant at their workshop, where they produce unique dolls and mobiles out of cocoon. Their shop, Mayumura, could be found around Arashiyama District in Kyoto.<br><small>May 16, 2019 • Ricoh GRIII 1/60s f5.6 ISO800</small>
  • A cluster of torii gates donated by locals for good luck at Fushimi Inari-taisha in Kyoto.<br><small>May 16, 2019 • Ricoh GRIII 1/400s f5.6 ISO200</small>
  • A calm Kamo river at night from Shijō bridge in Kyoto.<br><small>May 15, 2019 • Ricoh GRIII 4s f5.6 ISO200</small>
  • Caught a rare glimpse of Mt. Fuji in its entirety after a storm. I was in complete awe of its sheer scale and beauty. Taken in front of Lake Kawaguchi.<br><small>May 12, 2019 • Ricoh GRIII 30s f8 ISO200</small>
  • Thought I had missed the sunrise while hiking up a cloudy Mount Faber in the morning. Luckily, I found this view with a tree that perfectly frames the sun rising in the backdrop of downtown Singapore.<br><small>May 1, 2019 • iPhone X</small>
  • I was super impressed with the design and scale of Gardens by the Bay. Everything was so well curated and maintained. This magnificent waterfall was a delight to see when entering the Cloud Forest conservatory in Singapore.<br><small>Apr 30, 2019 • iPhone X</small>
  • Rushed to the waterfront early morning to catch the sun rising from Marina Bay, Singapore.<br><small>Apr 30, 2019 • iPhone X</small>
  • Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Singapore.<br><small>Apr 29, 2019 • iPhone X</small>
  • One of the most intense light ray I've ever experienced was at the Batu Caves in Malaysia. No wonder this natural beauty is a site of strong spirituality!<br><small>Apr 25, 2019 • iPhone X</small>
  • Tea plantations as far as the eyes can see in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia.<br><small>Apr 23, 2019 • iPhone X</small>
  • Found a nice place to relax by a quiet beach in Koh Tao, Thailand.<br><small>Apr 4, 2019 • iPhone X</small>
  • A beautiful sunset from Koh Tao, Thailand, where I learned to scuba dive.<br><small>Apr 10, 2019 • iPhone X</small>
  • Experiencing Angkor Wat for the first time was amazing. I absolutely admired the Khmer architecture and the rigorous restoration work that made this place a memorable sanctum of spirituality.<br><small>Mar 31, 2019 • iPhone X</small>
  • Walking on a boardwalk somewhere in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.<br><small>Mar 25, 2019 • Sony a6500 30mm 1/1250s f3.2 ISO100</small>
  • Merchants on a boat at the Cai Rang floating market in Vietnam. It was interesting to learn that vendors would put items on the pole to market what they sell.<br><small>Mar 25, 2019 • Sony a6500 30mm 1/1000s f4.5 ISO100</small>
  • Worshippers exiting the Holy See temple in southern Vietnam. Caodaism is a religion that is a fusion of Buddhism, Confuciasm and Taoism. It was interesting to learn about a faith with shared values from distinct world influences.<br><small>Mar 23, 2019 • Sony a6500 30mm 1/2000s f4 ISO100</small>
  • The railway street in Hanoi, Vietnam was fascinating to walk on, with many hip stores operating alongside the active track. In first-world countries, this would be a no-no. But here, it's business as usual.<br><small>Mar 16, 2019 • Sony a6500 30mm 1/60s f5.6 ISO1600</small>
  • I was attracted to the intense light coming from a neighbour across the ricefield in Sa Pa, Vietnam. It was like staring into the heart of the dwelling — a beacon in the dead of the night.<br><small>Mar 13, 2019 • Sony a6500 30mm 20s f5.6 ISO400</small>
  • One of many interesting vantage points of the terraced ricefields of Sa Pa, Vietnam. I had a chance to learn more about the people who lived in this marvelous and fertile place while doing the multi-day trek.<br><small>Mar 13, 2019 • Sony a6500 30mm 1/500s f5.6 ISO100</small>
  • The tranquil karst and ricefield landscape of Ninh Binh from Hang Mua viewpoint in Vietnam. This place was a personal favourite of mine in the country because of how free it felt while biking around this peaceful town.<br><small>Mar 8, 2019 • Sony a6500 30mm 1/125s f7.1 ISO200</small>
  • Captured this one because I was curious about what was out there in the night while at a ricefield homestay in Tam Coc, Vietnam. Seeing the surrounding with my camera made me less afraid of the dark.<br><small>Mar 7, 2019 • Sony a6500 30mm 30s f5.6 ISO100</small>
  • A beautiful mountainous sunrise landscape seen from Mt. Ogasawara platform at Alishan, Taiwan.<br><small>Feb 16, 2019 • Sony a6500 30mm 1/250s f8 ISO100</small>
  • The sunset at Goamei Wetland near Taichung, Taiwan was one of my favourites during my trip in Asia. The windmills were perfectly positioned for a shot, but one must also brave the constant wind while on the boardwalks.<br><small>Feb 13, 2019 • Sony a6500 30mm 1/250s f7.1 ISO100</small>
  • A memorable moment when my mother and I were nearly stranded in Yehliu, Taiwan. Luckily we got on a bus to Taipei before the nearby storm arrived.<br><small>Feb 7, 2019 • Sony a6500 30mm 1/8s f7.1 ISO3200</small>
  • Birds chilling on Forte Monte in Macau.<br><small>Feb 1, 2019 • Sony a6500 30mm 1/320s f5.6 ISO100</small>
  • I severely underestimated the hike to Lantau Peak, but the breathtaking view was well worth it.<br><small>Jan 31, 2019 • Sony a6500 30mm 1/500s f7.1 ISO100</small>
  • Hong Kong's famed skyline from Victoria Peak.<br><small>Jan 29, 2019 • Sony a6500 12mm 1/10s f2.8 ISO800</small>
  • A scene from one of my favourite running trails in Taiwan that goes alongside Tamsui River.<br><small>Jan 25, 2019 • Sony a6500 30mm 1/400s f7.1 ISO100</small>
  • Soldiers performing the last changing of guards for the day at National Revolutionary Martyrs's Shrine in Taipei, Taiwan.<br><small>Jan 8, 2019 • Sony a6500 30mm 1/50s f3.5 ISO100</small>
  • Rain of sparks falling from the sky against explosions in the distant. Taken during the July 4th fireworks from Gas Works Park in Seattle.<br><small>Jul 4, 2018 • Sony a6500 30mm 4s f11 ISO100</small>
  • Skyline of Seattle, taken from Dr. Jose P Rizal Bridge.<br><small>May 19, 2018 • Sony a6500 30mm 8s f8 ISO100</small>
  • A picturesque sunset at Deer Lake, Burnaby.<br><small>Dec 9, 2017 • iPhone X</small>
  • Captured this on a foggy night in Burnaby. I was fascinated with how the mist lined up perfectly along Kingsway road.<br><small>Sep 9, 2017 • Fujifilm X-T20 18mm 1/40s f4 ISO6400</small>
  • View from Manhattan Bridge of Brooklyn Bridge and Financial District in New York City. It was interesting to see the underbelly of the bridge revealed on the water through long exposure.<br><small>Jul 1, 2017 • Nikon D5100 15mm 15s f7.1 ISO100</small>