Just The Wei I Am

After some looking around, I have identified my dream guitar.

The Fender Standard Stratocaster HSS, sometimes known as the Fat Strat. The unique thing about this (compared with other Strats) is the humbucker bridge pickup. Strats usually have 3 single-coils, but this one has 1 humbucker and 2 single-coils, hence H-S-S. This setup makes this guitar very versatile, and able to play many different styles. I like versatile things.

Oh, of course there are better guitars, but those would really be out of reach within the near future. This one is not cheap either, but the cheapest in its class, and offers good value for money. Next time, when I can afford it, maybe an Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster....

For the longest time, I've been thinking about the issue of what is my ministry. My inclination is towards creative ministry, having served in MM at various levels, from designing CG bookmarks to video production for church services. I've recently signed up with the Photography Ministry as well, hoping to put to use whatever talent I have in this area, along with my 2nd-hand Powershot G5 + gear. I'm eager to serve because I want to make sure I use whatever talents God has given me. Besides MM and Photography, both of which are within the Media branch of WAM, I'm also interested in pursuing music. It has been a longtime dream to learn to play the electric guitar. It has also been a dream to one day serve as a guitarist in the music team. To that end I intend to buy my first electric guitar, self-teach, and maybe take lessons, within this year.

On the other hand, there is the pastoral side of things. I am a member in a Caregroup. We are a fairly large group with a new and busy CL. I am supportive but beyond that, honestly, I do not like leading (at any level), taking care of people (i.e. follow up and shepherding), evangelising, etc. I love to support and help people though. I play guitar. I give good feedback and suggestions. I help out a lot in events. But you see, I like the doing things part. I don't like the "spiritual" part. I was challenged to be a shepherd. I turned it down. I was invited to attend CLC1. I was reluctant.

A long time ago, while attending the HopeSem course The Life and Teachings of Christ, we did a brief study on the 12 disciples. I identified the most with Andrew, whose role was significant but low-profile and backend. I won't want to be like Peter, who was on the frontline. Yin San affirmed the Andrew part, and also told me that that doesn't mean I close the door on Peter-like ministry. One and a half years on, I was still confused.

In any case, I signed up for CLC1 after all (not so reluctantly in the end). This course is for Core Team members. Alan was the speaker for the introductory lesson. He said that as members, we serve, but it is only when we serve as a core team member that we are - in Ps Ben's words - "in the furnace of ministry". Only then do we really feel the heat of the battle. The next thing Alan said struck me. He said that after this point (being a core team member), some will go on the leadership track, while some remain at core team level, and go on to specialised ministry. Yes, regardless whatever, at least core team.I think it wasn't a main point or anything, but it seemed like a light went on in my head.

Creative and pastoral ministry are not mutually exclusive after all. I've been reluctant to serve in any form of pastoral ministry only because I'm unwilling to commit and be inconvenienced. All the while disguising this as an apparent struggle and confusion. It's true that my talents are more in the creative, and I am still inclined that way. I still believe Hanhui when he told me years ago that I will be a Levite. I will minister in the Lord's House. But I will also be in the field, and take care of his sheep. At least core team, and be in the furnace of ministry.

Thank you Lord, for being good to me (Florence pointed out when I shared the above, "God is so good to you!") Help me to have a bigger heart for people, for you. Give me courage to face challenges, and help me to increasingly love pastoral ministry. Keep reminding me Lord, that it is not about what I want to do, but what you want me to do. I will not worship the work of the Lord, but the Lord of the work. Continue to help me find my way through life.

Recently Steven asked me if I would want to produce a video. 'Produce' as in, manage the project, plan, schedule, lead a team. I considered for a few seconds. I actually prefer to be cameraman or video editor. I've never produced before. Only time that came close was long ago for the 'Regrets' video, but I was more of director/cameraman/videoeditor (Hanlong produced). I said yes I would like to try, and Steven said ok he will keep me in mind for producer for future projects. Well, I want to try new things, grow, learn, stretch myself, and rise up, in the creative side of things too.

Rose Bud

Digital cameras - both video and still - are unable to produce the look of 35mm images. The most noticable difference is that digital images tend to be sharper. The sharpness is good and appreciated. But part of the reason why digital images are so sharp all over the frame is due to a large depth of field (DOF), i.e. objects within a large range of distances from the camera appear to be in focus. This large DOF is the result of the small CCDs in the cameras. CCDs are the "negatives" of digital cameras. Light is focused on the CCD (just like it falls on the negative of a film camera) after passing through the lens. I'll skip the math and physics, but suffice to say that the smaller size of CCDs result in the larger DOF.

But what if I want that film look? The blurry backgrounds? Bokeh - the out-of-focus regions of the image - is useful for drawing the viewer's attention to the subject. The common way is to zoom in. Another way is to use expensive prime lenes with larger apertures. Zooming in works, but what if I want that elusive film look at wider angles?

In striving for excellence, we want to make better and better video productions for the church. Professional-looking videos depend on many other factors, this film look is just one of them. But I'm interested to find out how we can achieve the shallow DOF using the cameras that we have. The ultimate goal is a solution that is cost-effective, reliable and high-quality.

The Internet provided a wealth of information from video enthusiasts who have, collectively, done extensive work over the last 4 years. Learning from them, I intend to construct a 35mm Adaptor that meets the criteria above. In the meantime, before I can get my hands on any of the high-quality components needed, I decided to make a crude prototype using things I can find around the house. This is mainly to satisfy my own curiosity and also as a proof-of-concept, showing that the principles of this solution works and will work well.

I found an old EOS zoom lens, 2 close-up filters, and a can of stale Pringles.

Read on to see what I did with them!