Master Low in July 2017

Published on Author Yean Wei Ong

Master Vernon Low visited Perth recently and provided personal instruction to senior-ranked First Tae Kwon Do members preparing for their black belt gradings. Master Low spent considerable time examining each member’s kicking techniques, then teaching and adjusting them to strike with more precision, power, and balance. On this occasion, I was shooting with my 70–200… Continue reading Master Low in July 2017

July 2017 action

Published on Author Yean Wei Ong

Selected First Tae Kwon Do Western Australian senior students underwent an intensive training session recently as they continued to prepare for their black belt grading examinations. It was a cold day, but all managed to demonstrate the determination and skills they have been developing over several years of martial art training. I was shooting with… Continue reading July 2017 action

June 2017 action

Published on Author Yean Wei Ong

Master Vernon Low visited Perth recently to conduct the winter grading examination for members of First Tae Kwon Do Western Australia. Apart from the many candidates for testing in the coloured belt ranks, there were two candidates for Junior Black Belt rank, and both undertook their examinations successfully. Breaking, or destruction, is a key part… Continue reading June 2017 action

May 2017 action

Published on Author Yean Wei Ong

Earlier this month, Master Vernon Low was in Perth to teach senior students and black belt members. Master Low spends considerable time and effort on his students, analysing their Tae Kwon Do techniques and going over improvements in detail. In the photographs below, he goes through side kick breaking with two senior students preparing for… Continue reading May 2017 action

March 2017 action

Published on Author Yean Wei Ong

Stormy weather and temporary problems with hall lighting did not get in the way of First Tae Kwon Do Western Australia’s recent grading examination. With only limited time available to shoot, I still managed to capture some action. Bearing in mind that these are not posed scenes, I was pleased with the composition of the… Continue reading March 2017 action

February 2017 action

Published on Author Yean Wei Ong

First Tae Kwon Do held a special grading examination in Perth recently, with one candidate undergoing the test for 1st Dan black belt. Following a rigorous programme of breaking, sparring, patterns, and self-defence techniques, she was promoted by Master Vernon Low. For the photographs above, I shot with my Nikon D700 and Nikkor 70–200 mm f/2.8… Continue reading February 2017 action

January 2017 action

Published on Author Yean Wei Ong

Summer in Perth continues to be hot and dry, but First Tae Kwon Do black belt members were outside briefly for training, following an indoor training session. As always under such strong sunlight, keeping white clothing in good balance with everything else was a challenge. One clear benefit, though, is very short exposure durations—thousandths of a… Continue reading January 2017 action

December 2016 action

Published on Author Yean Wei Ong

Earlier this month, First Tae Kwon Do held its last grading examination for the year in Perth. Below are some photographs from the 1st Dan grading (for Junior Black Belt members to be promoted to 1st Dan black belt) and the senior coloured belt (Kup) grading. 1st Kup candidates for 1st Dan were tested earlier… Continue reading December 2016 action

October 2016 action

Published on Author Yean Wei Ong

Master Vernon Low was in Perth recently to teach senior First Tae Kwon Do students about breaking, which forms part of the school’s curriculum for black belt candidates. He began by addressing the group and speaking in detail about the principles and key aspects of the physical execution of breaking techniques. Master Low then looked at… Continue reading October 2016 action

July 2016 action

Published on Author Yean Wei Ong

First Tae Kwon Do black belt members undertook some training outdoors earlier this month. Although the sky was somewhat overcast, there was still a tremendous amount of light available, compared to shooting inside a gymnasium. Capturing peak action wasn’t too difficult with the fast exposure durations, and image quality was inherently much better than usual… Continue reading July 2016 action