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Omega

Yes, it's a picture of a cat. My default when venturing anywhere more interesting for the POTD isn't possible.

I did not go anywhere or do anything of interest today, so instead, I practiced portraiture with my ever-willing and photogenic subject, Omega. The light really captured his brown tones nicely. Most of the time, his dark chestnut brown fur just appears almost black. The lighting is a halogen work light diffused with a hanging white sheet. A wrinkled one, clearly.

Who has time to iron sheets?

I'm still getting used to the D7000, which I've noticed has a slight tendency to sometimes underexpose photos, especially from how they appear on the on-camera LCD, and particularly with indoor lighting. I'm experimenting with some specific features to see how this can be adjusted.

Tomorrow will bring tennis in the evening. Now to finish this epigenetics paper...

Sunset Clapper Hat

Diamond Head Sunset

Here's the quintessential view found in Waikīkī, O‘ahu, of Diamond Head Crater a few minutes after sunset. The air was slightly voggy today contributing to the warm, pastel colors this evening.

Sunset Anne

Here's another capture today I really liked. Anne's blouse complements the sunset colors nicely. She was actually laughing at me as I was leaning way back into the sand to get more of the sky in the shot.

Chasing Sunsets

I wasn't the only one out there capturing the sunset on Duke Kahanamoku Beach. It really was a gorgeous sunset that pictures could not possibly do justice.

We got some coffee after catching the sunset at the beach. Anne is very adept at making origami balloons, which she fashioned out of her receipt this time. I love the way the date is showing on the front.

Bokeh Balloon

Despite O‘ahu's beautiful sunset scenery, my favorite capture of the day is Joe making a creepy face while thanking Anne for the "Danish clapper hat" he received as a Christmas present.

Yes, you read right, a clapper hat.

It has what can only be described as puppet hands attached to the front of a baseball cap with little pull strings to make them "clap" together.

Creepy Face

What interesting lives we lead when a clapper hat is given as a gift.

Beach, Dinner, & Driving Range

Of All Places
Galaxy Note 3 rear camera

Alright, I officially missed my first, and hopefully last day, thanks to a 24-hour bug of some kind. (I still took pictures, but I just didn't post anything.) Part of the purpose of this blog is to not be so hard on myself, so instead of feel bad about it, I will just accept it and move on.

Today was a very fun-packed day. Went to the beach for the first time in I don't know how long and had fun playing with the functions on my new Galaxy Note 3.

The coolest feature by far is the new strangely named "Drama Mode," which is essentially just multiple exposures made easy. On a phone. It's ridiculously fun to play with.

Jump!
Galaxy Note 3 rear camera, Drama Mode

As we were leaving the beach, I spotted this very out of place sunflower just chilling next to an ironwood tree. There are sunflower fields on the North Shore, but to see a sunflower in Waikīkī is just odd.

How Did I Get Here?
Galaxy Note 3 rear camera

After a lovely dinner at Kimukatsu with some awesome friends, we all went to the driving range. It was their respective first and second time having gone to the range, but they both did very well for their first time.

Today also marked the first day I actually performed well with my driver! I was consistently hitting straight drives between 150–200 yards. It was such an amazing feeling, that my practice was finally starting to pay off, that suddenly, something just clicked on and made sense.

Definitely what keeps you coming back for more.

Tomorrow: Sandy's and research meet-up.

Golden Waikīkī

Oh my goodness, a post in the actual date of the photo I've taken! It's amazing! I've done it!

Illusions of Perfection
50mm @ f/16, 1/125, ISO 200, LR5 post.

Here's the Ala Wai Harbor, home of the Waikīkī Yacht Club. Beautiful at first glance, and like most harbors, is certainly quite pretty and serene during sunsets and golden hours like this.

In the bottom right corner, however, notice a construction area. This is quite near the site where a man fell into the water shortly after the infamous sewage spill of 2006. After multiple amputations he unfortunately ended up expiring from septic shock courtesy of multiple flesh-eating bacterias.

Ever since, this spot and directly across the harbor have been kind of "blocked off" by what just looks like makeshift construction areas. They're currently constructing a condominium in the empty lot next to the harbor, and I just wonder what this area will look like once it's completed. The Ala Wai Canal empties directly into the harbor and still remains very contaminated to this day, nearly eight years later.

They keep dumping sewage in the water every now and then as a quick-fix for infrastructure failures, so, you know, it's like a thing here.

It's an unavoidable black spot on the recent history of Honolulu, and on the entire history of the Waikīkī Yacht Club. Yet, no one seems to be interested in actually addressing the problem of the contaminated canal water, despite its continual recreational usage.

Being a resident of Waikīkī, I just wonder if our city and county will ever get it together enough to get the canal cleaned once and for all. Of all the technological feats that have been accomplished in the past few decades, I can't imagine that de-polluting a contaminated canal is high up on the list of difficulty. Complex and requiring intricate logistics, sure. Impossible? Definitely not.

Nothing is ever as perfect as it seems, and the yacht clubs are not always better on the other side. Good to remember.

Great clouds today, though. They poured rain on me the moment I decided to head for the bus in true Hawaiʻi fashion. Love it!

Subjects Gone Wild

I give some major props to macro photographers tonight, man. After several failed attempts to capture a shot of the eyeball belonging to my helpful, cheerful subject (read: obliged, exasperated husband who kept moving), I took a picture of some still objects instead.

The eye's tiny movements make it nearly impossible to shoot an non-blurred picture of it without the combination of a fast shot and enough rather bright lights, the latter of which I don't have. The larger movements made by the person, of course, can be somewhat controlled for, though it seems itchy feelings always become top of mind as soon as one is asked to "be still" or "don't move!"

Leather
50mm @ f/1.8, 1/30, ISO 1000

This Photo of the Day (POTD) ended up being a leather bracelet propped against a phone case. I diffused an incandescent lamp with a white sheet, and had my subject-turned-assistant hold up a gold reflector for some contrast lighting. I am pleased with the color result, and I like the added texture of the phone case.

This really makes me want to get that lanai cleaned up for a studio. Proper lighting... mmm, that will be fun.

Free

Looking
35mm @ f/1.8, 1/500, ISO 400. LR5 Post, desaturation.

I feel I am constantly running one day behind, trying to catch back up. Perhaps if I was not such a "night owl," I would actually post my Photo of the Day on the day it belongs to.

No judgments!

Today was spent in the company of lovely friends, both at home and out on the Makiki Valley Loop Trail(s), where the above picture was captured. I love the light falling through the canopy of the forest in the background, with the last, undamaged bloom fighting for its view.

The evening was spent catching up with an old friend, making roast beef, talking about life, and just enjoying life for what it is.

I may have been having a slight bit too much fun with my photos, though in some respects, that does indicate a successful attempt at enjoying life.

Tomorr—er, later today, I must review and finalize some important school work.

Even over the break, the student's duty never ceases.

After this little bout of schoolwork hanging around, I'll be 100% freed to enjoy the rest of my break without anything hanging over my head, as it were.

That's about as much as one can wish for these days: not have anything hanging over one's head.

Light. Free. 

Happy.

Extension

Two
Nikkor 50mm @ f/2.2, 1/80, ISO 100, 7mm extension tube

Extension tubes. That's a whole different kind of fun.

Getting really close up. Physically.

Clipped a few flowers down on the street near our house to test them out. Got two types of gardenia, and some type of pink flowers (pictured above).

I really like the flowing abstract lines on this shot, like the space between the two flowers is a curved pathway.

Pathway to where?

Got a lot more practicing and experimenting to do with the extension tubes. I was using the 50mm 1.8G, but I'm curious to see how the other lenses work with the tubes. We shall see...

Hit up the driving range this evening for the second time this week! Good fun, though not really a photo op.

Speaking of photo ops, tomorrow I will be hiking around the intertwining trails atop Tantalus, so some forested goodness is sure to come.

Lazy Day

Catnap
11mm @ f/2.8, 2 sec @ ISO 100

Well, this pretty much sums up the day.

Like Omega and Bubbles here, I did not leave the house today, and instead took a couple of naps.

Unlike these two sleepy cats, however, I made some excellent roast beef and vegetables for dinner, and red kidney beans and rice for tomorrow. I reorganized and cleaned the kitchen, tended to my Sims (yes, Sims are my guilty pleasure), and made an attempt to use my extension tubes.

I took some really close up shots of the text on a Japanese cookie box.

Tomorrow, I'll actually procure some kind of subject to use properly with a tripod and some lighting.

Until then, I think it's back to sleep for me.

Just looking at that picture makes me a little sleepy.

One for the 7th, One for the 8th

Peace
Jan 7, 2014 - 50mm @ f/1.8, 1/6, ISO 400

Oh no, I didn't post a picture yesterday! The whole system is breaking down!

I don't think so.

This picture was taken yesterday while playing with laser lights. (I still TOOK a picture, I just fell asleep before I could post it.)

Yesterday was a very lazy day of slumber interrupted by watching a 6:25pm showing American Hustle. 

(For those Hawai‘i dwellers: Did you know Regal Dole Cannery does super cheap tickets on Tuesdays? A regular movie is only $6.00 and an IMAX showing is like $12.50 or something. Totally awesome!)

An overall good movie, it was a bit slower paced than expected, but solid performances from all the lead actors. 

Its slow pace contributed to my falling asleep abruptly upon returning home. For shame, for shame.

Bougainvillea
Jan 8, 2014 - 11mm @ f/10, 1/10, ISO 100

This is a bougainvillea plant in front of my condo.

Today I received a set of extension tubes I ordered on Amazon, so I'm excited to play with those.

I think I might have to buy a bouquet of flowers just to experiment with the extension tubes.

I think my next photography purchase will have to be some type of studio lighting setup. I want to turn our enclosed lanai into a little art studio for myself. Move my piano out there, store all my camera equipment, and setup a tiny photo studio in one corner for practicing with strobist lighting.

2014 is the year of remodeling this apartment, after all.

Let's make that studio happen this month. Currently the lanai is a storage space for random items like boxes. 

Totally making this happen. Yes...

Day Moon

Day Moon over Kalakaua Avenue
50mm @ f/7.1, 1/500, ISO 400

I'm always a fan of a daytime moonrise. I was walking home down Kalakaua Avenue looking at the light play through the leaves of this tree, when I noticed the moon just peeking out the top of it. 

Had a nice breakfast at Longhi's this morning, good ole Eggs Benedict. Had the crabcake Benedict this time, and have to say that I was not impressed. The crabcake alone was good, but the texture of a crabcake on toasted French bread with a poached egg and Hollandaise sauce was not a pleasant one. The lobster Benedict there is much, much better.

Overall it was a relaxing day, especially for a Monday. No complaints there!

African Grey, Family Day

African Grey
Nikkor 50mm 1.8D - Nikon D7000
f/1.8, 1/60, ISO 400

Here's a shot of an African Grey Parrot in the Mililani Hale Pet Store. It was quite talkative, responding back to every word you said to it. Being young, it just squawked, but as it was already sold, I am sure it will soon be taught to speak words.

Today was a lovely day spent with family, eating lunch, a little coffee and croissant, playing piano, and a delicious ramen dinner. These moments are special, sharing happiness with the people that matter most and mean the most in our lives.

Family
Nikkor 50mm 1.8D - Nikon D7000
f/2.8, 1/40, ISO 640

I'd say today was filled with beauty all around. My doctor told me to have more fun for the sake of having fun, and I have to say that I've never enjoyed a doctor's advice as much as this.

Enjoying life, who would have thought?

Cactus Flower
Nikkor 50mm 1.8D - Nikon D7000
f/1.8, 1/1600, ISO 400

Kuli‘ou‘ou Ridge Trail

View of Rabbit Island from Summit - Kuli‘ou‘ou Ridge Trail
11mm @ f/22, ISO 2000

The Kuli‘ou‘ou Ridge Trail is no "walk in the park" when you've been rather sedentary in the year following breaking your tibial plateau, let me tell you. Major props to my trailmates today, who kept me from feeling like a lamer every time I had to stop because of my knee. Thanks guys!

The views are worth it. Worth every last stair. Every. One. (See all photos here.)

It was a pretty clear day for us, so we could see out to Maui, and clearly see Rabbit Island, Koko Head, and the back of Diamond Head from just below and on the summit. We've been getting a bit of rain the past couple months, so all of the mentioned mountains and craters were covered in lush greenery, a treat for this time of year.

Moss - Kuli‘ou‘ou Ridge Trail
16mm @ f/2.8, ISO 2000

This is my favorite shot of the day, despite the wicked island views. It reminds me how nature is a constant creator and destroyer, and that endless scenes of beauty are always on display at every stage of this cycle.

We are all stuck in the endless cycle of creation and destruction. How can we choose to make it beautiful?

Tomorrow will be spent with family, going out to see my grandmother and mother. Fun!

Makapu‘u Lighthouse Trail

Unknown Structure off the Trail. 11mm @ f/7.1, 1/200 sec, ISO 200. Nikon D7000 & Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8.

Today was a good day spent with good friends, good views, and good food. Went up the Makapu‘u Lighthouse Trail in the morning under beautiful scattered clouds and with pleasant breezes. Perfect conditions for what would otherwise be a grueling, scorching, hot mess. See more of the trail here.

The evening ended with a lovely dinner party, with delicious beef stew, red wine, a clown-decorated ice cream cake, and of course, excellent company.

Tomorrow will be spent in an all day hike on the Kuliouou Ridge Trail, one I've been on before many years ago, when I was in a much better state of physical fitness. We'll see how I fare on the many switchbacks ascending the 2,000 foot climb.

At least I'll be able to take a few camera shooting breaks here and there.

I've really been enjoying the captures this Tokina 11–16mm f/2.8 has been getting, but I am tempted to take my trusty Nikkor 35mm 1.8G for tomorrow's adventures. I don't want to carry anything that I won't use, but I feel that I might want some of those ultra-wide views up at the top.

Decisions, decisions.

D7000 Arrives, Hiking Days Ahead

Storm over Ala Moana Boulevard.
Tokina 11-16mm AT-X Pro. 11mm @ f/5.6, 1/8 sec, ISO 6400.
Nikon D7000. LR5 post.

Today ended with an abrupt thunderstorm in Waikīkī that ceased as quickly as it began.  For the ten or so minutes it came down, it was pretty intense, with "rain flying in sideways" à la Forrest Gump.  Rain flew up onto the lens, causing a little blur.

I received the Nikon D7000 I won on eBay today, along with the Tokina 11–16mm AT-X Pro ultra-wide angle lens I ordered.  Right off the bat, I was impressed with how heavy both these pieces of equipment are, and I felt I have a lot to learn.

How exciting.  I get to read a manual.

It's the first time I've felt excited about photography in a long time.

Went out to Gyukaku with friends, a triple couple date.  It was a lot of fun, and much sake was enjoyed.

It's nice to be around other people.  Happy people.

It makes me feel happy.

The next few days should present many photo opportunities.  A hike up the Makapu‘u Lighthouse Trail, then a dinner party to top off the evening.  Saturday will be a hike up the Kuliouou Ridge Trail.

Hopefully my legs will not give out.

Or my arms from supporting the massive weight of the D7000.

Number One

Omega Eyes. Nikkor 50mm 1.8D @ f/13, 1/30 sec, ISO 400, D40x.

Today is the first day of this Photo 365.  January 1, 2014.  It's Omega, being generally cute. 

I've been wanting to do these two things for quite some time: (re)start a blog, and do a daily photo for a year.

What better time than now?

Knowing myself, I have to make some commitments to myself about this blog, to get the most satisfaction from it.

(1) Within reason, don't hold back.  The point is to say what you want to say, not what you think you should say.

(2) Do not ruminate on your words.  Get them down, get them out, get over them.  It's a new motto!

(3) Do not be afraid to share.  It is true that the most damaging force in life is fear.  Just fear. It matters not the source of the fear.

(4) There is absolutely no reason to be self-critical.  This is an important one, as my tendency to be self-critical is so pervasive, that even the thought of not being self-critical causes me to cringe.  Obviously, I need to work on this.

I think if I can hold myself to these four things, that I can make this a pretty enjoyable experience for myself, and maybe whoever is bored enough to read these things.

Crap, that was self-critical already, wasn't it?