Orange & Blue Buds

The "storms" in Southern California passed last night. Rain and gusting winds were replaced by deep blue skies and sparkling sunlight. This sparse yet vibrant tree caught my eye. The orange blossoms popped against the blue background. Wispy clouds (seen above) blanketed the coast and a fluffy ceiling of dense clouds gathered inland today.

Gateway Cliffs

Thick humid air fogged up the lens as our ship ventured through the straits of Ha Long Bay. The image above was captured as we passed through a natural gate with sheer cliffs on either side. This landscape was extraordinary for a foreigner. Imagine the difficulties of living on the waterline of the cliffs. Notice the structures in the bottom left of this photograph. Numerous businesses operate throughout the bay, including a bank. It is easy to take necessities, and luxuries, for granted in the United States. Groceries are simple to obtain at the store, fresh water connections are in most homes, and electricity is plentiful. Most people give little thought to the supply chain and logistics of the services we consume. However, the supply chain on Ha Long Bay must be intricate for goods unobtainable from the sea beneath. I cannot imagine the complexities of procuring every foodstuff, generating electricity, and living without plumbing. This is one of many reasons why I feel extremely lucky!

A4 A3

Gritty black and white images are becoming more pleasing to me. I still love beautifully saturated compositions, but black and white photographs are enticing with their details. Notice the creeping clovers moving their way in between the two junction boxes at the top and bottom. The set of boxes pictured above proved to be an excellent composition highlighting the underbelly of perfection (e.g.: manicured lawns, pruned roses, and overhanging queen palm trees) in suburbia.

Terra-cotta Fountain

The December evening the above image was captured was the epitome of a winter in San Diego. As my neighbor's relatives talked about the temperature in negative degrees back home, the "California Cool" weather was perfect for my buddy and me to step outside and stroll through Balboa Park. The lighting was a little mushy throughout the day, but when evening rolled around, the pink pastels painted the sky above Balboa Park. The leading lines of the terra-cotta tiles draw the eye towards the fountain and the pink background. A slow shutter speed was necessary to properly expose the scene, intensify the pastel clouds, and blur the fountain.

Pastel Flight

The warm summer air intermixed with the cool off-shore breeze. The setting sun cast a warm glow upon the sandstone bluffs at the ocean's edge. Paragliders took flight high above the silky sandy beach below. Kites whipped in the wind. Children peered skyward towards the whipping sails gliding through the salty air. Another wonderful day spent on the California coast.

Country Clapboard

Simple contrasting colors and intersecting lines.

Graceland Wedding

The pastel sunset perfectly accentuated the picturesque chapel. Although the sun set before the husband and wife said "I do," they rode off into the next best thing, the glittering lights of Las Vegas.

Evening Tree (Canon S90)

Bridesmaid Bow

This weekend was spent at a wedding celebration. The long drive to the ceremony was worth experiencing the bride's glowing energy that permeated the event. Flower girls' giggles, strewn rose petals, and raucous ring bearers' banter all added warmth to the intimate ceremony. Before the lovely couple's nuptials were finalized, the bride and groom made it onto a 90-foot screen at the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas, Nevada.