On November 19th, 2025, as part of the syllabus, I took my entire Centex Lundu class out for a real-world photography session. This was an opportunity to step beyond the campus and apply the skills we’ve learned over the past 2–3 weeks in a practical setting. We’d spent enough time practicing on campus — now it was time to venture into the world and capture real-life moments.
Local Vendor Selling Durians at Pasar Sematan
Our First Subject
The first person we encountered was a kind aunty who proudly told us that her children also graduated from Centex Lundu. She was more than happy to help out as our model subject for the day. By the way, all the durians in the area had already been reserved, and I was told that I’d need to place an order if I wanted to get any fresh ones.
Durian Supplier Offloading Stock in Pasar Sematan
The Journey to Sematan Town
Located just 38 minutes away from Lundu Centex, the small town of Sematan offered a wonderful backdrop for our session. Our first stop was a row of shops selling fresh food and fruits, including deep-fried bananas, whole deep-fried crabs, durians, and langsat. The vendors were all very welcoming, eager to help us out, and even posed for some photos with my students. The durian vendor, although busy, was kind enough to let us take a few photos before he delivered the already-ordered durians to his customers.
Local Aunty Posing for a Photo After Grocery Shopping
Capturing the Locals: Faces of Sematan
As we made our way through the area, I saw a lady riding her motorcycle with groceries. She appeared to be a regular customer at one of the shops, but was initially hesitant about being photographed. However, after explaining that I was from Lundu Centex with my photography class, she reluctantly agreed to let me take her photo — giving me a small, but sweet, smile.
Motorcyclist Posing for a Photo in Sematan
People Over Landscapes
I personally enjoy photographing people’s faces rather than landscapes, so when an uncle on his motorcycle approached and asked what I was shooting, I asked if I could take his photo as well. I didn’t want to intrude on his privacy, so I didn’t ask him to remove his mask. Although the lighting wasn’t ideal (facing the bright sun), I like how this photo turned out.
Worker Posing Before Offloading Stock at Sematan Shop
A Day in the Life: Sematan Workers
Not long after, a lorry arrived at a nearby shop, and the workers began offloading stock. I asked one of the workers if I could take some portrait photos of him while he was working, and he kindly agreed, though a bit shy at first. The other workers were less enthusiastic, with one being very vocal about not wanting his photo taken. We, of course, respected his wishes and did not photograph him.
Hero Shot of a Local Motorcyclist in Sematan
Hero Shot
Another rider arrived shortly after, and while his wife wasn’t too keen on being photographed, I managed to get a low-angle ‘hero shot’ of him on his motorcycle while he waited for his wife to finish her shopping. The bright sun caused him to squint slightly, but he wasn’t bothered by me taking his picture.
Workers Painting the Faded Grounds Near Sematan Beach
The Final Shot of the Day
The last photo of the day that I loved was of two workers painting over old, faded markings on the ground. Despite the hot sun and the strong smell of glue and paint, they worked diligently. I couldn’t help but capture the hard work and dedication in this moment.
Interested in Photography? Join My Class at Centex Lundu!
If you enjoyed these photos and want to learn how to capture real-life moments like these, why not join my photography class at Centex Lundu? I offer hands-on learning experiences where you’ll get to explore field photography and develop your skills in real-world settings, just like we did in Sematan.
In addition to my regular classes, I also offer tailor-made courses for both private sectors and government sectors, ensuring that the content is customized to meet your specific needs. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced learner, I can design a course that fits your requirements.
I also conduct private sessions for outings, portraits, or any personal photography needs. Whether you’re looking to improve your photography skills practically, our classes can be arranged to fit your schedule.
If you’re passionate about photography and want to take your skills to the next level, feel free to contact me for more information or to sign up for my upcoming courses. I’d love to help you start your photography journey!