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Where art thou?

2005-01-29T09:53:00.000-08:00

This photo is taken on a hiking trip very high up in the Santa Cruz mountain.
She would not let me photograph her but when she sat down at this bench resting, I got a candid shot of her looking far away as if she is waiting for "someone".
"Where art thou?" means "Where are you?" in fancy Old English, I feel the times marks on the bench and the fact that she looks like waiting makes me want to use that language to emphasize the length of time, maybe it is not a properway to deliver the message but I just feel like it.
Surprisingly, this photo is very popular in a law office in Vietnam. I got a message saying they use it as the desktop background wallpaper.

Uvas park waterfall II

2005-01-25T10:56:00.001-08:00

I can not remember the last time I went hiking but last Sunday I went hiking with extra 5 lbs of camera equipments on my back. Last time when I came to Uvas park to photograph, I did not do any hiking at all so I have no idea how the trail would be like. Anyway, it was a 3 hours of joy hiking and I even took some photos there too.
I have never photograph with the directing of someone else so this time it is an interesting experience. I went hiking with N. and I did not expect that she would be directing me too.
"Anh Nhan, xuong day chup ne" (Nhan, come down here to shoot), "Anh Nhan, bang qua ben kia chup kia" (Nhan, cross over there to shoot), "Anh Nhan, dua em cam dum cho" (Nhan, let me hold that for you)... well I guess this photo is a collaborate work of my photographing and her directing.
N., a friend of mine saw the photo and told me that it is much better than the ones I went shoot before by myself. Mathematically taking out the factors, that means that you did a good job directing. And he makes me promise to tell you that too.

My Dad

2005-01-18T23:59:00.000-08:00

Today is my dad's birthday and I want to find something to post for him. After all, he is the start of all my addiction to visual art and design. It can not be flower, bird, scenary, lake, sky... And there is no way I can travel back time and space to shoot Che Guevara, Proust, Uncle Ho, Lenin... for him. I finally pick this photo of him I shot on a family trip to Tijuana, Mexico. I am not very fond of portrait mainly because I am not good at it. I think controling the skin tone is one of the hardest technique to master, not to mention having to do it as candid.
If you look closely in his sunglasses, you can also see me there. I did not realize at the time that the reflection of the scene behind me would be so clear on his glasses.
Happy Birthday, Dad !!!

Uvas park waterfall

2005-01-17T23:23:00.000-08:00

Since I was little, I always wanted to be able to take photos that show these soft creamy water that I often saw on these huge colorful posters. I looked at those photos thinking that only a great photographer can take photos like that.
Last week a cute girl made a comment saying that she only likes to see waterfall photos. I guess it is explainable knowing she also loves hiking. After that I found myself in Uvas park searching for waterfall to photograph. So I hope she is happy now to see this photo and many others I have e-mailed her and will e-mail her more.
For the technical folks, long exposure is cool. The technique must be invented by an absent minded photographer who forget to close the shutter for more than 2 seconds (joking ofcourse).

Wild Flower

2005-01-16T09:19:00.001-08:00

Here comes another macro flower. I never thought that I would photography so many flowers but I suddenly realize I do. I have to find something else to shoot.

Flower shop

2005-01-15T23:59:00.000-08:00

This flower shop is in the middle of downtown San Jose.
The architecture is interesting because of the leaf shape with curves, lines and corners. I look at the photo and finally figure out why it looks so sad... there is no human in that Winter afternoon.
Someone ask me if I post photo depends on my mood of the day as people do with journal. I guess not, this photo is sad but I am not feeling down now.

Reflection

2005-01-14T18:23:00.000-08:00

Downtown San Jose is growing fast the last few years. I was walking downtown and caught this interesting scene. If you pay attention to the reflection, it belongs to the old buildings accross the street. The reflection on the new glass building coincidentally matches the old building behind that new building.
These old historical buildings are gradually invaded by newer buildings as downtown San Jose grows.

Support

2005-01-13T23:53:00.000-08:00

It is amazing how human can figure out how to use logs, nuts and bolts to support a young tree. I guess when I pass by this tree, somehow i wish that in life, we all get some sort of support, even mentally support from people around us. This tree is a happy one, it has all the strong support of all the logs around it. Strange to say I envy this tree so I won't say it.

Last green leaf of Winter

2005-01-13T01:50:00.000-08:00

On very cloudy day, I was sitting in a Starbucks coffeeshop in San Pedro Square downtown San Jose when I found this leaf. It was the last green leaf on the tree outside of the coffeeshop and the weather was very cold and wet. We can still be the rain drops from 3 days of rain on the leaf.
It is a very said moment and I made the attempt to capture it to show you.
For the technical people, you see that creamy looking background there ... that is what the pro call "bokeh" of a good lens. That is a pro term I picked up from the photography group I hang out with.

Empty plaza

2005-01-12T13:59:00.000-08:00

After a few days of heavy storm, the city of San Jose seems to have a break from the rain. I found myself wonder alone again in the empty plaza. Downtown seems to be wet, cold and empty. Here and there few people rush out trying to enjoy what is left of a Sunday afternoon. Others try to catch the last BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) to head home, spend the last part of a weekend with their family.

White Purple Pansies

2005-01-10T11:37:00.000-08:00

I found myself wandered downtown San Jose alone and capture the things that I can use to say "...here is what you see in San Jose...". This shot is not one of them since you can find pansies almost everywhere.
Anyway, I found out that Saturday was the birthday of someone I just knew from this Viet Social Group... so this is dedicated for her even though I have not really known her. Happy belated Birthday !!!

Bay bridge in a Winter night

2005-01-08T06:23:00.000-08:00

I took this shot at Bay bridge in a cold Winter night. It was a cold that night and I was standing there looking at the warm color of the lights on Bay Bridge and the nice reflections on the water flowing under the bridge.

Yellow Rose in my garden

2004-12-27T21:38:00.000-08:00

Today is an interesting day at work. Someone "whispered" something to me and it somewhat changed the way I thought of her all along.
I remembered telling her that things don't seem to be what they appear to be. Deep down inside, I know I told myself that she doesn't seem to be the person she appears to be... interesting.
If she sees this rose, it is my way of saying that I hope things will get better from here. My best of luck to you, cheer up.

Crane in downtown San Jose

2004-12-26T23:59:00.000-08:00

I took this shot downtown San Jose when I was trying to find a unique angle for the challenge in which the composition has to emphasize the power of a titled angle.
I ended up not using this photo for the challenge because I don't think it is powerful enough. However, the red crane breaking through the blue sky still makes me think.

Sexy photographer Santa

2004-12-24T13:27:00.000-08:00

Well if you think that photographers are non-sexy, or even ugly people hiding behind the camera lens... think again. hahaha
And this is also in line with other Santa photos I posted from Santarchy 2004.
Merry Christmas !!!

"Color" Santa

2004-12-23T23:59:00.000-08:00

I took this shot at the same Santarchy 2004 in San Francisco.
In the spirit of Christmas, I decided to post some Santas' photos. Even the frame is green to emphasize the red-green color of the Holiday.

New brushes

2004-12-22T23:59:00.001-08:00

This shot is taken at home when I try out my new Canon 24-70 mm F2.8 L lens.
I am quite happy with the lens and the solid feel of it.

Santarchy 2004 in San Francisco

2004-12-21T23:59:00.000-08:00

This photo is also taken in San Francisco during the Santarchy in San Francisco.
It was quite an event because the whole area was so red, so many Santa Claus at the same place. A closer look will reveal some interesting Santa characters.
I decided to not do any cropping so it can be a event shot on the street in which perfection is not the objective. If you have never been to an event like this, I suggest you find the chance to go.

Almaden Lake

2004-12-20T11:59:00.000-08:00

I took this shot at Almaden Lake as a lens demonstration for a friend in Boulder, Colorado. I bought the Canon 17-40mm F4 L and he wanted to know if it is a solid and sharp lens to buy. Funny thing is, we spend an average of 5-10 minute every day telling each other what Canon lens to buy ... and non of us get any commision from Canon.
Now I look at it and realize how blue the sky is and how all that blue reflects on the water. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Another Santa character at Santarchy 2004

2004-12-19T23:59:00.000-08:00

It is getting very close to Christmas and I can feel in everywhere, on the way to work, at work, on the way home, at the shopping center ...
As it is getting closer and closer to Christmas day, I will try to post some photos that helps waking up the spirit of the Holiday in your. And the real reason is I shoot many photos at the Santarchy in San Francisco and it make no sense posted them after Christmas.
This Santa character is very friendly, he poses for me to shoot. And the Canon 17-40mm F4 L lens is very sharp and fast.

Flower under the Winter sun

2004-12-18T23:59:00.000-08:00

Everyone is out for Christmas shopping and so I took my brother's camera out to the front door and play with it. Under the bay window, the flower bed is dying in the cold of Winter. In the sun light, it is one of the 2 - 3 flowers left in the bush.
I have no idea what flower it is, I just feel the power of life behind it.

Take off

2004-12-17T23:42:00.000-08:00

My friend show me her new photos she took in Santa Cruz. She is a photographer and those photos are for her business website.
One of her photo is a nice black and white bird photo. As soon as I saw the photo, it reminds me of a photo I took in Santa Cruz.

San Francisco Santarchy 2004

2004-12-16T23:59:00.000-08:00

I found this "the Grinch" Santa Claus in the crowd of Santa Claus characters in San Francisco Santarchy 2004.
To find out what Santarchy is about, please visit www.santarchy.com . I am not a member of that but I happen to be around when they march the street of San Francisco.
It is very close to Xmas, I will be posting some Xmas photos in the next few days to bring out the Holiday spirit in all of us.
P.S. A friend of mine in Austin told me today that I should call-out that the character here in this photo is "the Grinch", so to make him happy ... I edited the words here

Beautiful dove

2004-12-15T23:59:00.000-08:00

Tonite, I called my little friend in Los Angeles again to see if I can find any suggestion for what to post. She went on and on about the description for the photo I had posted the night before, yet she still claims :"... it is so funny ... but I don't know why ..."
Anyway, during the trip to the San Francisco Museum or Arts I photographed a few doves but I don't want to post them all at once. And since it's been a while since I posted bird, I asked her if she likes to look at another bird and she seems to be OK with it. Even though as usual, it is hard to know if she really likes it or just doesn't want to hurt my feelings.
If this photo reminds you of "Resting dove" then it is because it is on the same trip, different bird.

New rose after the rain

2004-12-14T23:26:00.000-08:00

Tonite, I called my little friend in Los Angeles and she is not happy. She told me :" ... the past few days, I felt like the sky is full of dark clouds ... except when I am too busy studying to think of it ... "
To make it short, I found this vigorous young rose in my garden after the heavy rain the night before. You see, it is not only surviving the heavy rain, it seems to be growing strong and promises to be a beautiful rose in the garden. I hope you understand what I am trying to say.
For the rest of us... this is hand-held with the Canon 70-200 f4 L lens and the small moving target is not making it easier. I had to hold my breath to photograph it.
On the full size photo, the drops of water on the rose are so clear and sharp that I was blown away with the quality of the lens.
The frame is sort of cheezy but I thought since this is for my little friend, I might just add something a little girlish.

Santa of Santarchy 2004

2004-12-13T23:59:00.000-08:00

I found this Santa Claus on the side of the street in Union Square during Santarchy 2004.
To understand what Santarchy is, please visit www.santarchy.com . I am not a member of that but I happen to be around when they march the street of San Francisco.
Among other wild and active Santas, this Santa seems to be very shy and quiet. And that uniqueness caught my eyes as I walked by. Her mysterious smile makes me wonder if she knew I photographed her or if she was just smiling at the crowd of Santa Claus marching the street.

Lonely leaf

2004-12-12T23:59:00.000-08:00

It is interesting that when I was preparing this photo to post on the web, it reminds me of the other photos I posted before in the series of "Lonely ...", and so I name it Lonely Leaf.
The secret about this photo is that when I took it, it was a little bit out of focus, little out of focus but noticable. However, I decided to work on this photo to try out my newly learned technique of sharpening. Anyone who likes to sharpen a photo should definitely give Michael Soo's sharpening tool a try. Alternatively, this high-pass technique that I use is not that bad.
P.S.1 I am not trying to advertise for Michael, just give reference to useful stuff.
P.S.2 I worked on this Sunday but ended up holding the post til later so I just put in the correct time for record keeping purposes.

Night over Bay Bridge

2004-12-11T23:59:00.000-08:00

This is for the guys in Michael Soo's group.
Saturday November 6th 2004, I went out to shoot the sunrise with this group at Fort Point, San Francisco. I made the first attempt to shoot a series for panorama.
After I told them that I try to shoot so that the photo can be barely touch the edge of the next one, they showed me how it should be done.
This is the second attempt at panorama and I think it is a little better than the first. It is a combination of 4 photos and yes they are each overlapping each other 1/3, just as you told me. Enjoy !!!

Rose and Vase

2004-12-10T23:59:00.000-08:00

My little friend in Los Angeles called again and this time she said that she loves the rose photo I took in the kitchen. She keeps saying :" I like it... "
Well, Thi here is a shot of a different rose with a vase. The stale rose contrasts highly with the vase with a shape like a blossomed beauty.
I like the shadow on the counter even though some might think I should wash the shadow completely.

Napa through a bay window

2004-12-09T23:59:00.000-08:00

I took this photo through a bay window of the tourist information center at one of the winery in the middle of the rolling hills of Napa valley.
I win a photo contest at work with this photo and it is on the company calendar for May 2005. Needless to say my calendar will be May for every month of the year next year ... hahaha. Eventually, I may get sick of it and change to something else but for now, that is my plan.

Indian American pot

2004-12-08T23:59:00.000-08:00

One morning after the heavy storm, I woke up and about to take a shower when my dad says :"Check out the backyard, there are a few things to photograph"
And among a pile of green leaves from the neighbor's tree falling down after the rain, I found this pot on the ground. My parents brought it with them from Salt Lake city, Utah when they come over.

Winery in Helen

2004-12-07T23:59:00.000-08:00

This photo is taken on the Napa trip. This winery is actually in Helen.
Helen is the next area up North from Napa. From what can tell, Napa Valley has more rolling hill wineries versus Helen with more flat-land wineries.
This old winery castle caught my eye with a little last sun light before dusk.
With this photo, I also try a new type of frame that looks like wood frame.

Rose at nightfall

2004-12-05T23:44:00.000-08:00

Today, I took this shot in the kitchen. This is the first time I shoot with the present of my parents and so it is quite interesting for all of us because they finally see what I do with all the equipments I paid for. And I have a chance to shoot with the familiar smell from mom's cooking and dad's quiet support.
My mom keeps going around and asks me :" ... show it to me, show it to me ... why don't you shoot it when it was fresh ... ". So I decided to dedicate this shot to her.
Noone should be asking why ... but in case you wonder. I am sure we are all guilty of creating interesting things for lovers (yours or others), clients and heroes... but have you created anything for your parents? Maybe you do and I envy you, may be you don't and hopefully it is not too late. Well I may have done something for them, but I can not remember photographing anything dedicating to them. And it is so coincident that my mom's name is Rose in Vietnamese (Ho^`ng). I think this rose is beautiful even when it is no longer fresh.
Almost everything about this photo is bad: bad Photoshop work to remove the background; bad setup that causing the reflection of light on the sterm to be much lighter than if it is a real black background, bad composition that leave the object very much in the center ignoring the rule of third... but who is gonna be so forgiving to a person's work than mom and dad. My mom looks at it as a real work of art, not because she has no taste but because it is HER SON's work. I am not dedicating this photo to her because it is a bad photo, I do that because it is HER SON's work and to me it is shooting around them that is fun.
Therefore, this is for her... and for this many words on 1 photo, I think I love my mom even though I may not know it and may not act like it.
All the sudden, I remember an ode to my mom that my brother wrote a few years back and never present it to her... well, this will be the second.

Bixby Creek bridge

2004-12-04T23:59:00.000-08:00

This bridge is amazing. Just to list a few things about it:
1. It is over 100 years old and still is still holding up strong. I heard that in South America, the similar effect was attempt and the ocean waves quickly washed away the bridge that stands in between the ocean and the mountain.
2. It is one of the most photograph highway/locations in California.
I am not trying to compete with many many photographers but the scene is truly breath-taking. I can not resist but to take a photograph.
For those who never saw it, enjoy it.

Mexican Dance

2004-12-03T23:59:00.000-08:00

Mariachi Festival is one of the most colorful annually event in Mexican culture.
I went to this event in 2004 and got some nice shots.
This particular photo is probably not perfectly cropped... well they danced so fast, I have a small window of time to react.
However, the communication between the dancers that I feel like I captured here makes me very happy with it. I hope you like it too.

Rose in my garden

2004-12-02T23:59:00.000-08:00

Last night, my dear little friend from Los Angeles called again and told me
"... anh Nhan, you don't post any photo of flowers... humm the tangerines, but it is not a flower ..."
Well, Thi this is what I came up with.
I would much rather photograph a tulip field than roses. However, I have not found a tulip garden in San Jose.
Therefore, if anyone knows anywhere near the Bay area that I can photograph tulip, please let me know.
The last time I shoot a tulip field was on my business trip to Seatle in the middle of Tulip Fest. I was shooting with a Canon film camera.
Too bad I have no idea where those photos are to scan them... so for now enjoy my rose.

Painter's palette

2004-12-01T23:59:00.000-08:00

I took this on a photo trip to a winery in Napa Valley.
The colors was the effect of light and color on to canvas with parallel stripes of glass.
It is a brilliant work and amazingly when I shoot this photo, I did not quite expected that it turns out like this. No matter what I hope you enjoy it.

Flying kite

2004-11-30T23:34:00.000-08:00

I took this shot for an interesting contest and the challenge is to photograph at a tilted angle.
This colorful kite was on a pole that goes straight up in the air.

Stairway to heaven ...

2004-11-29T21:24:00.000-08:00

After a few days being interrupted by some technical difficulties, I am now back online.
I took this photo on a trip to Pacifica beach with my friends.

Lonely swing at Poetry vineyard in Napa Valley

2004-11-23T23:04:00.000-08:00

I was looking at Lonely Bench today and realize that I also have another photo I took in Napa of an empty swing.
So here I present to you lonely swing.

Two become One

2004-11-22T23:16:00.000-08:00

My cousin called tonight and asked me for some love/relationship advises.
What I told him would not be of interest to you or myself so here is how I see it.
This shot was taken at my friend's wedding at an off-camera moment when they were not "on stage".
I could give the photo a glamous look but then I thought since this is a candid shot of what their true love is without setting up for the camera, I would deliver it as-is.

Beautiful California tangerine

2004-11-21T22:19:00.000-08:00

I have a very interesting opportunity to spend some time with my family at my relatives' get-together in San Jose, California.
When I saw this beautiful tangerine fruits in the back yard, as usual I could not resist to take a photograph.
This is the first time I use the Canon 300D and I am impressed.

Sky view from the airplane

2004-11-20T22:56:00.000-08:00

This sky view is taken from the airplane on the way back from my business trip in Hartford, Connecticut.
It is ashamed that was too busy on this business trip that I actually have no photo of Hartford, Connecticut.
In this photo, I try to use the window to make a nice natural frame.

Sunset over San Jose

2004-11-19T22:58:00.000-08:00

I always wanted to go to the beach to catch a photo of sunset... Well until then, this is the sunset in San Jose.
It is almost impossible to see the sunset going down in San Jose. After 15 minutes chasing the pink clouds, I settle for this sunset.

Happiness' Messenger

2004-11-18T22:00:00.000-08:00

My brother is coming home and somehow I remember he once wrote a ode to an old man selling roses on the dusty side of the road to lovers. Similarly, I caught this woman on the sidewalk of Tijuana.
They both have alot in common, not only the exhaustion that shows the sign of time but the fact that they bring happiness to people silently.

Rusty Old Chain in Fort Point, San Francisco

2004-11-17T23:59:00.000-08:00

On the same trip that I took the sunrise photos in San Francisco, I found this rusty chain in Fort Point.
It gives me a sense of absolute power and then again the rusty color is very attractive.

Resting Dove in November 2004

2004-11-16T23:44:00.000-08:00

I like the black frame very much so you guys are gonna have to bare with another black frame.
Alot of my friends like the flying seagull shot, however, they wonder why I have to shoot a bird from behind.
So, here is a dove I found resting on the grass in the SAn Francisco Palace of Fine Arts.

A Corner of Salt Lake City, Utah

2004-11-15T23:08:00.000-08:00

I was at Murray Park in Salt Lake City, Utah around mid July, 2004.
I walked by this fence and somehow the contrast of the vivid yellow wild flowers
and the color of the old fence caught my eyes.
What would I do differently? Well I would change the setting to get more sharpness of the green grass on the bottom.
This time I also like to try black frame instead of white frame.
I always think that black and yellow makes the photo more elegant and bring the photo forward.
Let's see how you all like it.

Flying away seagull in Santa Cruz

2004-11-14T23:21:00.000-08:00

Friday I was in the office talking to a friend about how slow and bad focus his lens is.
I went so far as saying that if he uses it to photograph a bird, the only thing in the photo will be the bird's "butt".
Well, I went home trying to pick a photo for my photoblog and see this shot where I shot the seagull from behind... hahaha.
I remember I made people laugh when I chased the seagull with a Canon 10D and the big white lens ( for those non-photog out there, the Canon 10D is not a gun)
I have 2 versions of this shot, both my dad and a new photog friend like this one so I just post it.

Lonely bench at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco

2004-11-13T05:33:00.000-08:00

A dear little friend in Los Angeles told me last night
"... I want trees, lots of tall trees... I want leaves and they must be on the trees... I love the path with tall trees along the way, it is so lovely... ".
So, Thi, here is what I come up with.
I capture this when I was wandering around the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. Somehow, I feel the loneliness of this bench on an old path with big old trees and Autumn falling leaves.

Y Lan in "ao dai" at White & Blue concert

2004-11-12T01:00:00.000-08:00

I showed a friend at work my photo blog today and he complimented the Vietnamese traditional "ao dai" (long dress).
Since he likes to see the photo of the full dress I promise him I will load a photo the next day.
This photo was taken with the Canon EOS 10D at ISO 1600. My post processing workflow includes a little noise reduction.
Now, allow me to present to you Y Lan with traditional "ao dai" at White & Blue concert in San Jose, California last October 6th 2004.

Y Lan at White & Blue concert

2004-11-11T04:35:00.000-08:00

To change the atmostphere a little bit, I decided to post something else rather than a landscape photo.
This shot is not new, it was photograph at "White & Blue" concert last October 10th 2004.
I am very pleased with the performance of ISO 1600 even though I have to do some noise filtering.
The singer is one of the top Vietnamese singer in the US.
I hope you enjoy it.

Sunrise over the city of San Francisco November 2004

2004-11-10T03:03:00.000-08:00

And here is a different view of the sunrise on the same Saturday November 6th 2004.
I guess I will try to upload one photo a day instead of trying to photograph 1 photo a day. I do not like to photograph for the sake of posting.
Here it is...

Sunrise over thick fog in San Francisco November 2004

2004-11-09T02:26:00.000-08:00

Here is another sunrise photo from Saturday November 6th 2004.
It is like a little fire at the horizon.

Golden Gate Bridge view from Fort Point

2004-11-08T16:52:00.000-08:00

I finally have time to post process another photo I took on Saturday November 6th 2004.
The process seems to come slowly but I rather take time to play with the photo.
There will be make photos about this bridge from Fort Point so I can't think of a name that I won't end up reuse for another photo.
Enough said... here is the photo...

Sunrise in the San Francisco bay November 2004

2004-11-07T23:56:00.000-08:00

Saturday November 6th 2004.
I wake up at 5:00 AM in the morning (yes you read it right, ... in the morning) so I can get together with a group of photographers in the Bay Area at Fort Point to capture the sunrise in San Francisco.
It is quite an interesting experience for me as this is my first time photographing with this group for a few reasons.
There are 2 first things I experiment in the photo bellow that I photographed that day.
The first experiment is the creation of the panorama photo. For those who don't know, it is a technique of stitching several photos into one.
The second experiment is the use of the Photoshop action from Mike Brewer to create the photo frame with the copyright on the bottom. The frame is simple and it does not over power the photo.
So many words ... here is the photo...