One of the nicest things about Kinokuniya – the Japanese bookstore chain – in Singapore is the store’s Privilege Card membership.
Now, books aren’t very cheap in Singapore as a rule (though they’re still cheaper than what I saw in Australia). Typically books sold on Amazon will cost about 2.9 times their USD prices, taking into account currency conversion too. I’ve ordered cartloads of books from Amazon direct and also via Vpost before over the years, and the savings can be quite a bit though I’ve had the bad luck of getting expensive books shipped here to Singapore in a little less than pristine condition.
Kinokuniya now has been offering over the last few years periodic 20% discounts for membership card holders for a small annual subscription fee, but if you’re a frequent book purchaser, the savings are substantial and easily outstrip the fee. The items still aren’t as cheap as ordering from Amazon, but you get them immediately and there’s no nervous anticipation of books arriving dented either.
In any case, IDP Education started its two day Further Studies in Australia fair today at Orchard Hotel, and I was invited to network with the Australian Universities early this morning prior to the event being opened to the public. When the networking segment was over, Ling and I headed to Kinokuniya where I picked up a few photographic books. I’d already made a list of items I wanted (specific titles on HDR, macro, landscape, and finally wedding photography) but in the end found only the HDR book I wanted, and also picked up a second choice title on Wildlife Photography.
More notes to come on them once I’ve finished reading.
wa u changed layout. i prefe old one neh…
btw, HDR is interesting… i’ve always wanted to try it but too lazy… u need a programme to combine the pics? or use photoshop? i read that u can use something called photomatrix… travel photography… i gotta borrow that from u =P
I’ve got the Photomatix software, both stand-alone and PS plug-in versions, but I’ve too yet to try HDR. The results I see on the internet are absolutely stunning. Alas, I still need to buy an adequate tripod.