Insert Fish Parts ONLY!

I was hanging out at Redondo Beach Pier last May when this pelican decided to plop down and rest for a bit on this stand. It was too funny that I had to take a photo!

Happy Independence Day!

"Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation and freedom in all just pursuits." -Thomas Jefferson

Happy Independence Day from Japan!

Greenery

I haven't been to Showa Kinen Park since the cherry blossoms in April, and I am amazed with how beautiful and different it looks every season. This was my first time that I was able to enjoy the beautiful park in serenity.



I was walking along, and this structure of bondage caught my eye. It seems ironic to have it located in a place where people act carefree and open.

Photo of the Day

I'm trying to practice manual mode more than just setting it on auto when I take pictures of my little one. Here he is at 12 weeks.

Picnic at the Park

Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa is one of my favorite places to go because it's different experience every time I go there. There is so many different types of flowers and plants, so it looks different every season. I heard it was a great place to go and picnic underneath the cherry blossoms, so I did just that this past weekend.

Cherry Blossoms

I was battling a sore throat for a week before it turned into a cold, and I thought I was going through the different stages of it--that sore throat of doom, then the neverending runny nose, followed by the I-can't-breathe-where's-the-Vick's?, and finally, I'm able to release all this pent up green mucous inside me. Except after awhile, it was just the blocked nasal passages and clear mucous. I couldn't understand it. I was starting to feel better, but I still couldn't breathe and I lost my voice. Every time I would describe my symptoms to people, they would say I probably have allergies. Explaining that there's something about Japan where people who have never had allergies seem to get it bad here. Preposterous. I never had allergies before, so I couldn't have allergies, and I couldn't be like those other people. Perhaps I'm just coming down with another cold or just in the eye of this one. I even tested the allergy theory by walking underneath the cherry blossoms by the river, and I could breathe without any problems. Well, apparently I was wrong. I saw a doctor, and he confirmed that I had multi-symtoms of a cold and allergies. We just don't know what I'm allergic to. Now thinking back, I guess my body did start reacting once the cherry blossoms started coming in bloom two weeks ago, and now that they're beauty is fading away, I'm starting to feel better. I still don't think it's the cherry blossoms, though, and I don't have the time to walk up to every plant to figure it out.

With the on and off rain that's visited us and my sickness, I haven't been in the mood to take photos. However, my friends' beautiful photos of the cherry blossoms inspired me to go out there before it was too late (and I was able to test the allergy theory). How could I not? Especially since it's my first cherry blossom season in Japan.

I drove down to the Tama River in Fussa, and, luckily, found a trail lined with cherry blossoms.




I just can't believe that they only last a few weeks. I'm glad I got to take a few shots of them!

First Attempt at Film Noir

At my last class, we practiced taking film noir photography. This was difficult for me because I had so much lighting choices that I didn't know which one to use or not use to get the dramatic effect I was trying to convey with Nazareth. She looks great, but I think I need more practice with the lighting for this style.

Aero Club

My homework assignment was to take pictures of the Aero Club, and I'm glad it was! I have never been there, and I found everything from the planes to a hole in the wall (literally) interesting.

Framing

After we worked with fluorescent lighting at the baby shower, we walked outside to the garden and learned how to use white reflective boards to take outdoor portraits. More importantly, I learned the importance of framing subjects.

My partner, Hillary, has such a fun personality, so it was great taking photos of her!

Found an opportunity to frame someone else, so I took this picture. Too bad there's a white board behind Juan!

A Baby Shower

My second photojournalism class had two sessions: a baby shower and outdoor portraits. Despite the fact that I love special events and want to improve my picture taking skills, I found this rather difficult. My teacher shared an acronym with us that we're suppose to use in our photography: DMOP (Detail, Medium, Overall personality, and Portrait). Perhaps it's because I didn't think the venue gave a "baby shower feel," I am uncomfortable photographing strangers, and I couldn't get a great portrait of honoree. It's great practice, though!

It was held at the Spectrum Lounge, and this is a reflection of the party from the bar mirror.

I tried to get an "overall" photo of the party. This is the best shot I got with the participants looking lively.

OK, I cheated on this photo. As I mentioned earlier, I didn't get a great picture of her. I removed the red eye, slightly sharpened it, and cropped the photo for her portrait.

Can't forget about the details!

First Photojournalism Class

My hubby gave me an awesome Christmas gift--a Nikon D90 camera. Prior to Connor's arrival and his deployment, I thought I wouldn't have time to learn how to use it. However, I changed my mind after my hubby left for deployment so that I could improve my picture taking skills so we can have great photos of the kids...and just better photos in general. I signed up for a photojournalism class, and I am absolutely glad I did.

Just the first class was extremely beneficial! I've always used the auto mode and just pointed and shot at objects and people, but we're only supposed to use manual settings, create a story with every photo, and no software program touch ups. Before this class, I didn't know that you could take pictures in the dark, and they can turn out like there was enough light in the room. We walked over to the nearby unlit chapel and started taking pictures of it. It feels so good to be learning how to use my camera. Finally.