Eyes of the Tiger

Canon 5D Mark II, 100mm 2.8L set to f/ 3.5 for 1/350 sec at  ISO 100.

Zoo visits are some of the best times for me.  Tons of animals to shoot (with a camera) and no threat of getting eaten.  I would frame this picture to put over the bed if the wife would let me.  Not on the wall near the bed, but literally, as a larger than life print on the ceiling over my bed.  I think she'll come around...

Down from the top

Canon 5D Mark II, 15mm Fisheye.  A little 'merge into panoramic' in Photoshop.  A little touch up in Lightroom.

Along our way down from my favorite stairs.  Or maybe this was on our way up...

Where Have I Been...?

96 feet below the surface of the ocean just outside of Waikiki, there is a sunken ship, called the Sea Tiger.  

Canon G10, with Photoshop mods for added contrast.

My Canon G10 is still holding strong.  The lens is showing fatigue as it has a few scratches and the lens cover doors are failing.  I see this battle damage as proof that I photograph close to the action.

Canon G10, with Photoshop for added clarity.

This is the shout out to all my followers requesting more.  I've got a video coming with dive footage and closeups of the turtle.  Also, pictures from the Stairway to Heaven...

Sea Turtles

Canon G10 ISO 80, 1/500 sec at f/3.5.

 Saw this turtle off of the coast of Hawaii' Kai, near Koko Craters.  Those that don't know, Koko Craters is a turtle cleaning station.  Meaning, turtles come here to have the indigenous fish clean their shells.  It's a pretty good bet that  you'll see a turtle or two while your down here.  

Canon G10, ISO 80, 1/500 sec at f/3.5.

Here's my favorite shot of the day.  My friend Don pictured here on his second dive in Oahu.  Perfect weather, great visibility, and a short boat ride made this a really good dive.  Thanks Aaron's Dive Shop!

Happy [belated] Fourth!

Camera Stuff: Canon Rebel XTi with 70-300mm.  1/250 sec at f/7.1 at 75mm ISO 100.

A quick snap shot from the local 4th of July Parade in Kailua.  This classic car was in 'zero emission' mode for the parade.  (aka it was being pushed)  That's me in the middle enjoying the simple pleasure that this green vehicle from the '50s is also green in color. 

Camera stuff: Canon Rebel XTi w/ 70-300mm.  f/7.1 at 75mm for 1/250 sec, ISO 100.  

Paradox

Camera Stuff: Canon 5D Mark II 17-40mm at 17mm at f/ 4.0 for 1/250 sec, ISO 100.  Minor corrections in Lightroom 3.

Got hooked up with a ride around Oahu.  Only cost gas money...

Camera Stuff: Canon 5D Mark II 100mm at f/ 4.0 for 1/125 sec, ISO 100.  Minor corrections in Lightroom 3.

On this portion of the flight we didn't have time for a second pass and due to a miscommunication, I had the wrong lens on to capture this waterfall.  Therefore I had to shoot with the 100mm.  It was an intense moment that made me realize several things.  I need a second body with a wide angle and I need a better zoom that can really get "me in there".  But I won't be able to afford those if I keep paying for gas...

I don't post enough

There isn't enough time in the day.  There isn't enough time to post another blog entry.  There isn't enough time to go surfing after work.  There just isn't enough time.  This picture reminds me to slow down and realize that a single moment is all we need to enjoy it.  And there is always enough time for a moment.  

Camera Stuff: Canon G10 at f/4.0 for 1/1600, ISO 80.  

Pun Intended

I got new tires.  They are exceptional at what they do.  I thank them for propelling me into adventures out there and awaiting.

This weekend

Canon G10, set to 6.1mm, for f/4.0, ISO 80, 1/100 sec.

Canon G10, set to 6.1mm for 1/125 sec at f/4.0, ISO 80.

So there we were.  Diving at the north shore.  Nothing really special this outing except this little guy.  I could make all sorts of turtle jokes here, but I want to remain dignified.  In this moment, it was calm and relaxing, like watching something way older than me handle his day just like he normally would if I weren't here.  Just like he has for many years before.  

Additional camera stuff: I used an underwater housing for these shots, really extends the lifetime of a non-underwater camera.  Also, I was using the fully automatic settings as cruising around under the massive surge that was happening that day while trying to change camera settings can be a bit bothersome.  Therefore, full auto was engaged.  Cheers!

About those names...

A weekend away.  A weekend away with family.  A weekend away with friends.  It was a good weekend.  Given the circumstances, it was a very good weekend.  These shots below were taken over the weekend at assorted gardens.  

Pinky
Canon 5D Mark II, 50mm 1.2L at f/2.5 for 1/750 sec at ISO 100.  

I'm starting to see in a different way again.  Or at least, I'm trying to view the world in a different way again.  With "Pinky", I imagine a wedding invitation, or party note.  Perhaps just a friendly print for someone.  Regardless of the celebration type, the space below is for the "celebration remarks".

Urple (Because it's better this way)
Canon 5D Mark II, 100mm 2.8L for 1/500 sec at f/4.0, ISO 100.

In this image, I imagine a set of rings balanced within the flower to highlight the color and the delicacy.  Of course the peddle would crumble under the weight, but it would cool.

Vortex
Canon 5D Mark II, 100mm 2.8L, f/4.0 for 1/350 sec, ISO 100

If you're looking at this picture and you're thinking, "I should tell my brother about this blog so he can visit it and see all the cool stuff this guy is doing".  You are correct, you should.  Or if you're a wedding photographer and you think, "This guy is good at the details, we should bring him along sometime and see what he can do".  You are correct also, you should.

Overexposed
Canon 5D Mark II, 100mm 2.8L, f/3.5, for 1/20sec, ISO 400.

It's not a blog without a link to another blog.  Whereas this blog might give me the credit of starting something, I must say I was only a spark amidst kindle.  Had it not been for me, the kindle would have found another spark.  Therefore, this one is for all the kindle out there.  Your spark will come, and it will be hot!  No pun intended, but seriously be careful, it can be hard to control.  Cheers!

On a trip

I'm on a family trip to Southern California and I'm currently shacked up with my dad's college roommate.  After hearing some of his college stories, I don't feel so bad for some of the shenanigans I pulled while in college.  

Outside of his house, there were these small flowers.  I'm far from turning down flower pictures, especially when getting up early for the morning light is rewarded by only having to go right outside the front door.  Perfect.  

Simple
Canon 5D Mark II, 100mm 2.8L at f/4.0 for 1/125 at ISO 400.

This orchid was sitting next to a perfectly lit window with the softest of light.  This was even closer to my sleeping arrangements than the previous flower.  Double Perfect.

Whitey
Canon 5D Mark II, 100mm 2.8L at f/4.0 for 1/90 at ISO 400.

 This final orchid takes the cake as the coolest pic today.  Only because it was the closest and it had color.  I like white and monotone shots, but I live for color.  It's what this world is about, "do you know what I'm saying?"  That last quote goes out to a young entrepreneur who also deals with the pretty flowers.  JTCashstack knows who I mean.  

The Better Half
Canon 5D Mark II, 100mm 2.8L at f/3.5 for 1/90 at ISO 400.

Camera Stuff: Canon 5D Mark II with 100mm 2.8L.  The more I use this camera lens combo, the more I feel it's a needed accessory for travel.  Besides, its the details that matter and how can you capture the details without a macro?

What would you name your files?

This is a picture of fruit.  As you might learn from reading the rest of the blog, this was the first file I renamed during an export session.  The name stuck.  A trickle down effect really.  

Camera Stuff: Canon 5D Mark II, 100mm 2.8L for 1/90 sec at f/4.0

This is not a picture of fruit.  Rather a simple sampling of orchids.  

Camera Stuff: Canon 5D Mark II, 100mm 2.8L at 100mm for 1/90sec at f/4.0

Both of these pictures were taken within a parking garage on a Thursday evening.  

Looking...

Looking for the Package Project.  Last seen here.  If found, please read the included directions and return it safely to someone on the list.

Beach Trees

Went for a walk on the beach.  A beach rated with the best 10 beaches in Hawaii.  A not a single beach shot to show for it.  But the trees were amazing.  What did I learn from this?  The best things are not always what someone else has pointed out.  But rather, the items you discover for yourself.  

Canon 5D Mark II 50mm 1.2 set to 1/750 at f/1.8, ISO 100.  Lightroom 3.3 mods.

Canon 5D Mark II 50mm 1.2 set to 1/1500 at f/1.8, ISO 100.  Lightroom 3.3 mods.

Canon 5D Mark II 50mm 1.2 set to 1/45 at f/3.5, ISO 250. Lightroom 3.3 mods.

Canon 5D Mark II 50mm 1.2 set to 1/125 at f/4.0, ISO 100.  Lightroom 3.3 mods.

For the Wall

In a short walk before class the other day, I found myself looking around absorbing the natural diffused light that was all around at this particular part of Honolulu. It was very exceptional. 

A rose by any other name is still a rose.  This is not a rose.  But I still think it's pretty...

These are not roses either.  But these are my new desktops.

Camera Stuff: Canon 5d Mark II, 50mm, f/4.0 for 1/45, ISO 200.

Package Project, Part 3

At it's third location.

This is the Package Project.  Pictured here at it's 3rd location.  So far, this little case of goodies has seen the tops of two kitchen tables and one office floor.  At least thats what I can tell from the pictures that have been sent back at this time.  I know these two in Texas with their little two have been having a good time.  Can't wait to see their contribution to this awesomeness.

Camera Stuff: I think it was taken with a Sony camera...

Quick and Dirty

This post is a step away from the usual.  Many of you might know my hidden attraction to recursiveness, for those of you who don't, GOTO previous link.

It was earlier when I was shopping for updated some new threads for my already hip wardrobe when I saw this.  This shirt made my day as it referenced a comment made by a friend of mine here.

By this point, if you haven't figured out the joke, please click here.

Port 2 for the Package Project

It has landed at it's second port!  It seems to me that most of the elements are still there.  The box even looks like it's in good condition.  Still on the west coast, and in the hands of some good friends.  I first met him on a street corner near a bee hive.  I met her a few years later.  Not so much a street corner but every bit as much a good bee-utiful! Ha!

Thanks again everyone for keeping this going.  One more stop and it's a threesome!  Then it's going to be hot!

We went to the beach

He's got my back.

 I usually post pictures I've taken on this blog and then comment on their coolness factor.  But during our recent walk down on Kailua beach, my wife took the camera for a moment.  Pictured above is my little buddy living life one moment at a time.

Adventure awaits...

Pictured here, we are looking into the horizon.  I would say we were looking into the sunset, but the sun setting behind us gives too much away.

Could I have taken these pictures?  I would like to hope so.  But thanks to my wife, I was able to be apart of this moment in a way that copyrights can't match.  This was a great moment.  And it was all thanks to my family.

Camera Stuff: Canon 5D Mark II, 50mm 1.2L, set to awesome moment capturing.

The First Step

The first step on a great journey...  I feel like it should be next to a garden gnome or something...

By the way, did you know wikipedia has an article on garden gnomes?

Camera Stuff: Pic provided by Rob.  

All 20

Got all 20

I taught him this trick...

Camera Stuff: Canon 5D Mark II, 50mm at 2.5 for 1/90 sec, ISO 400.

Recursive

Before there was photoshop...

Recursive: a recursive function; a recursive procedure.
In a sentence, this definition is recursive.

Originally I posted this blog post. Which has been updated with a new link to the blog that set off another idea.  This idea being to get my friends to setup a workout blog. And since I've heard back from Mike of bobbiandmike.com saying it's okay to link to their site, I've linked to their site.  So, this has been a lesson in recursion.

Sunday

Like many weekends, it starts with a sort of plan.  This weekend was no different.  We had planned to meet some friends in the local stadium parking lot to do some proper football game tailgating.  We knew we wouldn't be able to stay long as we were attempting to go between Eli's naps.  Knowing this, Leah (my smooch-e-kins) made these Super Radical Sandwiches pictured below.

Super Radical Sandwich!

 Can't go to a tailgate empty handed so I made cookies.  Not just any cookies, but rather chocolate chip and Reese's Pieces cookies with names of All-Stars written on them.  It is of course an All Star game right?

[Pay no attention to the spelling errores.]

All Star Cookies

 Once we all loaded up, we headed out.  Since this was the only pro-football game to be had in this state every season, traffic was horrible.  But, thanks to timing, Eli slept the entire way.  The entire 1.5 hours.  On a regular day it would have taken over 19 minutes to get to the stadium. Once we arrived, we quickly made our way to our seats. This proved to be a chore as no one in this party knew where they were going.  At. All.

The Tickets

Our View from our free seats.

This entire weekend started as a party with friends, but it ended with just us.  Just us, alone in a stadium, thanks to our friends.  

[Shout out to Ouida for making this day awesome for us!]

Camera Stuff: All images were taken with the Canon 5d Mark II.  The last shot was with a 15mm fisheye, the others were taken with the 100mm 2.8L.  

The Hope

And so begins the Package Project.

I'm shipping one pelican case filled with a HD video camera, a picture camera and a hard drive off to my friends.  

The hope is that it makes it through all my friends and back to me with actual footage of their families.  A sort of "hey, how ya' doing?" chain letter of the new world.  

I've also included a logbook for written notes of it's arrival, grid coordinate and whatever other wisdom might be so inclined to input.  The Magic cards are for my nerd friends.  All of them.  They are for using, not for selling on ebay.

I will be tracking the package regularly as I keep in touch with everyone.  It's first journey will begin next week after I capture some videos and pictures of my family.  Standby for some awesomeness.

Continuing the Evolution

Continued the Evolution today.  The pain in my legs grows as I try to recover from the family walk on top of the Cross Fit workout.  Along the way, I stopped to find some details in our everyday community.  

Gears

In finding those details, I've began to experiment with black & white. A step into the dark...?  Definitely not a step away from the light...  So it must be a darklight.  Yup, this pictures displays true darklight. 

Dese Two Berds

If you don't believe me, Dese Two Berds will.

One for All...

True Gentlemen

In these last few days, many changes have happened.  These are not New Years Resolutions, but rather, evolutions into a greater something.  That something is bigger than myself.  That something is defined as those who drive and inspire me.  They are the 'All' this 'One' is 'For'.  

First, my family.  My 5 month old son barely released a whimper when he got 2 shots today.  A big man for 17 pounds.  I challenge anyone to his same feat.  My wife, for having the ability to make a Paula Deen desert better.  Seriously, she did this while doing everything else she does that makes my life so great.

Also first are my friends.  For helping me out with these crazy ideas that I have.  "Let's do an online blog where we post our workouts to keep each other motivated!"  Thanks to another blog, which has inspired me to get a workout blog setup.  It's also caused a brainstorm of sorts where the damage is yet to be realized.  More on this to come.  

This 'One' thanks you 'All'.  

Cheers!

Not a Stairway to Heaven

Those who know me best, know when I am telling the truth.  They also know that I am a terrible liar.  And this is not the Stairway to Heaven.  Nor are these the droids you are looking for. Rather it's a stairway to an old abandoned radio tower at the top of a very steep and overgrown mountainside.

In this first image, taken by my best friend, you see me resting behind a bush to gain shelter from the fine mist that is falling.  It's soaking us through and through.  With all of our camera gear in our back packs, we're attempting to stay as dry as possible.  It didn't last long...

Moving Up

The incline surpassed 45 degrees for a majority of the hike.  As you can see in this picture, a majority of the hike were we either entering or leaving the clouds.  It was nearly silent and motionless in this part of the hike.  

Moving Down

 This might be the best depiction of the steep terrain we encounter.  Also note the width of the ladder.  If you wanted to pass someone, you had to "step outside".

The Intensity of the Angle

 Thought I would include a high contrast version of the pulley system used at the top of the hill to bring up supplies to the radio tower.  As you can tell, from it being in black and white, it hasn't been used in a while.

Pulley System at Top

 On the way down, it started clearing up again.  If you follow the scene from the bottom left of the image, you'll see how steep the stairs get.  And how rapidly they drop off.

Finally Clearing Up

Camera Stuff: Canon G10 and a waterproof Casio.  Both were backup cameras as the primaries were safely tucked away to be protected from the constant mist.