Browse Category: photos

It’s growing on me.

beakatude. Get yours at bighugelabs.com/flickr

Alright, Flickr is starting to grow on me. It definitely won’t replace ofoto for my albums and printing but I’m using it as my photo gallery and a way to share my photos with the rest of the world. DSC_3022.jpgI’ve learned a lot about photography through the comments people make on my photos (good and bad). It definitely takes a thick skin to post your photos into public pools. Some people are brutally honest but most give really good constructive criticism in the form of crop suggestions and how to improve my composition. I’ve also realized that some photos that I think are nice are not necessarily as appreciated by others. I guess it’s all a learning process.

By the way, my new lens is so much fun. It’s great for portraits and indoor photos. It’s also really small and light so it’s been much easier to take the camera around with me. The dog has been very patient with me since it probably seems like that stupid camera is in his eye all the time. I guess the best thing about this lens, for him, is that he isn’t blinded by the flash anymore.

What now?!

I just got a call from the Irvine Fine Arts Center and they cancelled my darkroom class!! I emailed my instructor from last semester (who was going to teach this class too) and he said that there weren’t enough people registered so they had to cancel it. Boooo…so now what?! I guess I’ll just have to wait for my fisheye to arrive and shoot more photos with the Holga. I’m going to need a whole suitcase for all my camera gear when I fly to Vail. The 1.8 should be perfect for our nighttime outings!!

2 for the price of 1

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For Christmas, Jes said that I could get a new lens for my camera.  Well, I’ve been pining over two particular lenses for over a year and now it’s time to decide on which one.  Over the weekend, I finally made my decision and ordered (through Amazon) the 50mm f/1.4 for $269.  I decided on that one  because it was the cheaper of the two (other being a Macro lens that was at least $389).  Unfortunately it was on backorder and their estimated date of delivery was mid-Feb!

So this afternoon, I went to Samy’s Camera looking for a used lens – hoping it would make it cheaper.  Instead, I ended up bringing home a brand new 50mm f/1.8 for only $129!  I basically saved myself $140 for a lens that is almost as good.  To reward myself, I went home and ordered the fisheye adaptor that I that I also had my eye on.  What’s cool about it is that it attaches to my Holga AND my new 50mm!!  Yay!  Just to give you some perspective, the real fisheye lens (10.5mm f/2.8) that I would have bought costs about $600.  This adaptor that is made in Japan and made of glass (versus plastic) is only $85!  What a deal!  So, for the price of the original lens that I ordered, I ended up with two and still some money left over to buy some 120 film.  Awesome.

I also signed up for my darkroom class today.  It starts this Thursday and I can’t wait to process the B&W 120 that I used in the Holga.  Photochemicals, here I come!

Christmas Recap

DSC_2482.jpgIt’s the day after Christmas and my Winter Break is only beginning. I don’t have much planned for the next two weeks and it’s a great feeling. I’m hoping to get one trip to the mountains once this break but it’s not looking good with Jes’ broken wheel. I’m just happy to have our flights to Vail booked. We’re going in February for a long weekend and meeting up with Brother and his friends. It should be sweet.

So far, the break has been nice. I got to see all my friends on Saturday at the party. I also tried out a couple lenses that I rented from Samy’s (50mm/f1.4 and 60mm Macro). I’m trying to decide on which lens to buy (my Christmas present from Jesse) but I’m leaning towards buying both. Muhahaha….

Last night we had Christmas Dinner with Jes’ family in South Pasadena. We ate steak and tamales and decorated gingerbread cookies. Afterwards we stopped at the Magical House to see my mom since she had just returned from her month-long trip to Thailand. We also dropped off my dad’s present and my mom gave me the Thai spices and curry that she brought back for me.

Here are some photos of this year’s Christmas.

It’s a Crappy Non-Crappy Gift Exchange

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Last night we had our 7th Annual Christmas Party and Gift Exchange. It was so fun to see everyone again. With the exception of weddings, it’s rare to see this many people together all at once. This year, we catered the food, which saved a lot of time and energy. A special thanks to Holly and Roy for helping with the set-up and prep. The booze was flowing and the bottle of Jim Beam was killed off in the first two hours by Dr. Thilan himself. The night was not without a shotgun round in the patio as well. Unfortunately, all the alcohol that was consumed did not numb the pain of crotch punches or a sprained ankle.

Of course, the “highlight” of the party is the gift exchange. In an attempt at having people go home with a gift that we actually wanted, the theme of this year’s gift exchange was “Non-Crappy Gifts”. Well, some still brought a crappy gift, one brought a gift that doesn’t suck but blows, and some brought a gift they thought was not crappy but was still crappy. We also added a new rule of having the person who brought the most-stolen gift getting one last steal. Unlike other years, we didn’t have any baaaaaar seeeeeets or Starbucks paraphenelia. Instead, there were boardgames, a really big candle holder, an Atari Flashback, iPod+Nike device, a wine dispenser that wizzes, Airzookas, and a “Beaver Cuts”. *sigh* Some said that they needed a little more direction in the selection of their gift and some said that we should just exchange gift cards or cash next year. Maybe it’s time to have a re-gift exchange. Feel free to submit requests.

Enjoy the photos! Merry Christmas and Happy 2007!!

just like old times

redrock

Last night before we flew home from Vegas, Kev took us to Red Rock Canyon for the scenic 13-mile drive. The sun was setting and it was really cold (about 31 degrees). I managed to capture a couple photos while we were there. Surprisingly, the sky had just enough light to make the trip worth while. Unfortunately, I haven’t outgrown one of my worst physical weaknesses. After taking a couple shots of the sunset and horizon, I turned back towards the car, slipped, tripped, and fell on the asphalt. Luckily, I had the camera well protected like a football and it didn’t even touch the ground. Alas, my knee didn’t fare as well. I landed on my left knee and also caught myself with my right hand. Back in the car, not only was my ego a little bruised but so was my knee. I noticed a couple black spots on my jeans and thought it was just dirt. Turns out it was blood. Yep, it was just like when I was in grade school…falling on asphalt, skinning my left knee, and scratching up my right palm. The only thing I didn’t get was the wind knocked out of me. Ever had that happen from falling flat on the floor? Well, it sucks. I guess there are somethings you just can’t outgrow no matter how hard you try.

Oh yeah, here are the photos from our weekend.