Farewell to Year 2014 - Make it New Again

It is the end of the year, I planned to go over all the photos that I have taken throughout the year, categorize them and post some of my favorites. However, two weeks were spent to help my daughter with their move and the newborn's arrival; More than a week to get myself barely off chiropractor’s visits; Another week of sneezing and coughing. It was a bumpy holiday for me and I hope to get back to my routine soon.

I browsed the photos I took in the last two years and looked at them with my fresh eyes. Then, I either re-did post processing or I added a bit of drama to them, for my own entertainment and hope for you, too.  Dramatic is not my style, but for the sake of changes, I go for it sometimes.

Scream

My library tells me that flower is still my number one favorite among all the categories. Some of the pictures have been posted in the past, but they did not look the same as I posted today. 

To me, the fun of post processing is not only to bring the creativity to a different level. I can also cater the look according to the current state of my mind. Most of the time, I like everything understated, subdued and dreamy, but every once a while, I want them to be bold, colorful and dramatic.

It is only through photography that we get to have the fun to play. Whatever you want and however you like it to be.

Chill

Cheer

Just one more example of pushing it to the next notch. The small twig was down to its life end and frozen solid. The day was chilly and gloomy. It was the reality, but why not boost the spirit and make the ice shine?  When the background 'appears' snowing, the foreground is suddenly highlighted and focused. How wonderful our life will be if we can always get a little boost from somewhere and make us a bright day when we need it?

I like to take candid pictures of little children. No posing, No cheesy smiles, No staging. In old days, camera is a luxury and that makes a studio family portrait a significant event. It should not be the case any more nowadays when digital camera can do so much for you.  However, I see people are still longing for studio shots, I believe, it is a desire for perfection. Light is pre-set, attire is mindfully arranged and that intentional smile of a second...

Absolutely Candid

To me, nothing is as precious as the innocence and purity of a child. The binocular was in the right direction, but her eyes were closed. I laughed and laughed whenever I came back to view this photo.

Just Found

I took my own pictures for a self-portrait project two years ago, but I have never noticed that I actually have this one in my library. It was the first time when I tried to use an external flash. I wanted the background to be black, but it turned out to be navy. I did not do any post processing in Lightroom or Photoshop. Light seems to be just right except that there is no depth from portrait photography point of view. I should place the light in a different location and have it come through in an angle to cast some shadow on my face now I am thinking about it. I am posting it to set myself a benchmark to further improve.

Needle Point

Take a tack sharp photo. I have heard this over and over, but most of the time, I was either too much in a hurry or I was looking for that dreamy look. I tend to like shallow depth of field even for flowers. How did I snap this one at Butchart Garden with all petals this sharp, I had no idea. Patience came to me at that moment, I guess.

Princess in the Dream

Water drops adorn the tulip like crystals decorate the satin dress of the princess. How I always like that blurry background !   If not for the background, this star won't pop in the foreground. People tend to applause the one in the spotlight, but I appreciate more those in the dimmed background.

Poppy Floats

Love to shoot poppies from all angles. The straight front view of the flowers is dramatic, but the curves and shapes of the side views seem to attract me more. A bit of painterly look makes them less realistic and more dreamy as I prefer, at this moment.

I like to take sharp pictures, but I won't give up dreaming. And, I am still learning how to manipulate my paint brush. Hopefully my inspiration will kick in whenever I need it in the coming year.

I wish you ALL an outstanding holiday, a promising new beginning, and a New Year flowing with bliss, hope and joy.

Merry Christmas !!!

Wish you the best holiday season. Thank you for reading my blogs.

Enjoy Your Family

It Is a Quiet Night

It is holiday season. I shall be shooting Christmas Lights and I intended to.  However, by the time when most of the lights were out, I was not available for two weeks. Two days ago, I finally had my freedom back. I had all my gears packed (including stocking cap and glove) and headed out for Christmas Lights hunt. 

After one hour scouting, I stationed my tripod and was ready to fire my first shot, I felt the mist blown on my face. I thought it was the extreme cold chill, but no, the mist turned to drops, from small to large. It rained and heavily after ALL THAT.

Eugene rain usually does not persist and I expected it to go away, but it only got heavier and heavier. I just got my camera damped last month and spent a good $250 price tag to clean it. I took risks no more. So I packed up and went home.

After years of putting up Christmas trees and hanging ornaments, I am doing it faster and faster each year by eliminating the numbers of ornaments. In fact I have given away most of my ornaments and only kept a few favorites. Christmas Lights are designed for short lives. They are easily burnt out, and we only replaced a few.  Our Christmas tree is dimmer and dimmer. I tried to shoot a few ornaments, but it was just not working.

I looked at the Angel that I bought from a Macy’s sale many years ago and thought how I have never taken a picture of her.  It seemed to me that she was whispering, “how about me?” She is made of pure white porcelain with simple gold trims. I liked it for its simplicity and elegance. She is there all year around, but I have not really taken a close look at her when she is lit in the evenings. Now I do, I feel she is really a source of a peaceful night. She has been faithfully there playing the tune of Silent Night，but my mind was always somewhere else.

I turned around and found this white Christmas tree. I like the warm tone and its serenity. Sitting at the corner of the house by the window, it sheds light to host a nice resting and reading area. The reflection seems to represent the year has almost passed and will be soon left behind. And the well-lit one is just ready to launch its first step, in two weeks.  

This year of 2014 seems to pass so quickly that I am not sure if I have accomplished much. I cannot believe that I have been writing my blogs for two years and that has become one of my routines. I wish that the new year is as bright and promising as it looks, and I will be able to have my little dream and wish fulfilled here and there.

An old candle holder that I have kept for decades. The design is that Japanese paper mache with real leaves embedded inside. My Asian origin prompts me to like traditional Asian arts and this is one of them.  I purposely shot this in a dark room. The dark and solemn tone better portrait an old tradition and old culture. It illustrates deep root and aged history. It is simple and yet packed with ambiance.

Italian Friendship – Vacation at IL Borghetto

Il Borghetto

Three months have passed since we were in Italy, but the wonderful experience we had at Villa Il Borghetto is still in my mind. It makes me smile whenever I thought about the beautiful settings and the amicable people there who own and manage the property. 

Simona, Chris, Richardo, Steve

On our arrival at the first night, we met an American couple from Indiana, Larry and Carol, who were on their 9^th visit to the villa ! They have now made it their annual trip to come back here. How much chance would you want to visit the same place year after after? The question was answered after we had our one week stay here. I came to understand where the temptation comes from.

Prior to this trip, I have been in Italy at least half dozen times, but all of my previous trips were arranged by travel agents. This is the first time that we were aiming for a self-tour, an adventure.  Regardless how well we have planned, we missed calculating the time needed between arrival at the airport and the villa out in the countryside.  Garmin rocks in many countries, but it often appears confused in the remote country locations. We arrived very late and missed the check-in deadline; however, we still received a warm welcome from Ricardo and Simona. Richardo helped us with our luggage and Simona handed us the key instantly that we were able to settle in the apartment without any hassles.

Nicola

After 22 hours, we could simply drop our bags in the room and walk into a nice and cozy dining room for our first glass of authentic Chianti wine. A gourmet 4-course dinner was served with true Italian hospitality.

Sandra

Nicola brought us a 4-page wine list and give us an introduction of different types of Italian wines. Whenever a dish is served, Cesar would explain to us the ingredients and spices used. Steve loves to try varieties of wines. When he found out that Sandra is the wine connoisseur, he has been getting her advice for our dinner wine choices. We consumed one bottle a night for five nights, but we were told it was nothing in comparison with the intake by other people.

We were in a foreign country and in a rental, but we felt like at home and chatted with family and friends. We were not dining at a regular restaurant, instead, we enjoyed a home-made and authentic Italian cooking right at the villa. We either dined inside the restaurant with tasteful decorations or outside in a large gazebo area with candle lights and a sky full of stars.

Amazing enough, the main chef in the kitchen is the mother of Richardo and Sandra. I love almost everything come out of her kitchen. In fact, I have since learned to use plum sauce on sliced pork, various sauces on different pasta and easy dessert with lots of flavors.

At the villa, the pace is easy, peaceful and relaxed. Every morning we were welcome with a pre-dawn fog hovering over the vineyard. Layers of hues change as sun rises. It is surreal and heavenly.

The moment when the sun hits the horizon, I couldn't usually wait to rush to this spot to observe the majestic nature scene. You can pick up a morning read and sit on the balcony or you can open all your windows to suck in the freshest air.  For me, I ran down to the lower level in the wide open space to set up my tripod awaiting for sunrise.

The view is fantastic from all angles. Often times I lost my choice of focal point because there are so many beautiful subjects right in front of you and for you only. The villa was fully occupied and yet it was so quiet that you think you have the whole place for yourself. I cannot count how many times I have run down these stairs and wandered into the vineyard to get my shoes wet and to smell the sweet aroma of fresh grapes.

As daylight gradually took over the whole place, the main entry of the villa comes to sight. I would climb up to the upper level where the swimming pool is and overlook the place. Beyond the building, there is the typical Tuscany scene, rolling hills and vineyards. And, I love when they are overshadowed by morning fog.

I tried not to shoot anything when the sun was up high. So here came my quiet time. I had a cup of Italian coffee to sip and my laptop to work on the photos. And, I could easily locate a spot to lounge myself in without any interruptions.

Either it is a recliner along the poolside looking out the vineyard and mountains in distance or simply a table and few chairs on a casual corner. You are guaranteed to enjoy to your contentment.

This is a lovely vacation spot with home comfort and ease. You are far away from city and not too far away from reality. You are surrounded by beautiful nature, but not far away from civilization.

You run into friends from other parts of the world and enjoy little chit-chat to broaden your world view in an informal pace. Friends who choose to come to the same place have obviously liked something in common and the conversational harmony is a pleasure.  And, I cannot tell you how nice Richardo, Simona, Nicola and Sandra are.  Whenever you need them, they are there and they make you feel like you are part of their family...

Now you know why I miss this place so much. We surely hope to come back soon.

P.S. Something is going on with the layout. I simply could not get everything aligned... more skills               that I need to have.       

Il Borghetto
info@ilborghettotuscanholidays.com
  

One Day Tour in San Francisco

When I lived in bay area, I often dragged about going to San Francisco. Traffic heading north on the freeways and in the streets are both horrible. In the 6 years time, I may only go through the city 5 times. Have never driven through Golden Gate Bridge by myself; Have never taken a picture of the bridge. Have always adored the architecture of Palace of the Fine Arts Theater, but I only appreciated it from distance. Painted Ladies are one of the tourist spots, but there are so beautiful Victoria houses in San Francisco. 

When they were all readily available, I had all the reasons not to take a close look at this world-famed city. But photography has changed my mind after 20 years. More so than Seattle, it is one place where there are endless photography opportunities: architecture, landscape, street, close-ups and even wildlife is quite different from Northwest. 

These chatty and noisy guys are common in California, but not in Oregon.  They are talkative and their behavior makes you ponder the sophistication of their brains. You would think that they are better companions than dogs and cats because they talk back to you, but not many people have them as pets because they are very high maintenance as I found out. It still amazes me how they are created to mimic human language.

Lombard Street is famous for its steep brick street with eight tight turns for vehicles. People live in this street have already had lots of practice, but not the tourists like us.  Driving up and down needs extra precaution. There are cars parked in front of all the houses and there is perpetual traffic flow. The only place where I can take a picture is one street down, but then, the electric wires are in the way.  This street needs an aerial view and our bird buddies have the advantage that we don't have. Looking into their eyes, I think this is exactly what they are chatting about.

Then, checking out the elevation difference between where you are standing and where the end of the street, the water front, is.

Anyone else would have a better bridge shot than mine.  It is just like SpaceNeedle in Seattle. Everyone is shooting it, so am I. There are 5 recommended locations to shoot this bridge from different angles. Sunrise light does not last long and I only tried one of them.  The bridge in Astoria is my first attempt to shoot a bridge and this is the second one. There have been too many good shots taken by countless photographers. I am posting one because Golden Gate Bridge is the most renown landmark in San Francisco.

In the past I did not pay much attention to Painted Ladies. Standing in front of them, I was not too impressed by them.  But after the photos were loaded, I found the colors of the houses are really quite beautiful and the architecture details are very classy. Blue sky and modern buildings are the backdrop while the foreground green grass and trees give a natural touch and balance. As a whole, the colors are stunning. I am glad that I take the picture, not just walk by.

When I got to  Palace of Fine Arts Theater, the sun was up high, but I had to shoot something. Honestly, I was a bit overwhelmed shooting in this place. I felt that I could use a whole day, but I had only 1-1/2 hours. The architecture is utterly beautiful and sophisticated. I was attracted to the large formats and also many intricate details. Too many subjects to shoot but too little time to spend. I know I will surely want to come back and spend more time here.

I used my wide angle lens for this one and the one below. The monster and majestic structure make me feel incapable, but I gave it a shot anyway.

At this point, I am not sure if I am standing on the ground of San Francisco or in the courtyard of Cesar's Place (I meant the one in ancient Rome, not the one in Las Vegas)...

And, there are two pairs of Swans on the pond. They are so elegant and so beautiful. I must have taken 20 or 30 shots of them. As close as 5 feet, I could not make his black eye stand out next to the black patch on his beak. Swans and Peacocks must be God's favorite. He certainly spent more time creating them. 

Just a quick browse, I am liking San Francisco more.  If not for anything else, I will definitely come back here for photography. Remember Tony Benette's "I left my heart in San Francisco"? Oh, mine, that golden voice.

I left my heart in San Francisco
High on a hill, it calls to me
To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars
The morning fog may chill the air, I don't care

My love waits there in San Francisco
Above the blue and windy sea
When I come home to you, San Francisco
Your golden sun will shine for me