In the mood for an Angel City

 

 

new toys new ideas new beginning

Lately Pixmation and I have been getting some little toys with our cameras. It turned out there are lots of things we can explore on photography. Both of us have done some little experiment in our apt., by cutting a white paper board to make a reflecting tool to divert the flash light to get more lighting effect. Then we also got some diffuser to try. So later on I got more color diffuser to test on. The below left one is without diffuser. The right one is with diffuser. So the color is more even and it's like what I see. The bottom photo shows how it works. BTW, I just bought a Canon 50mm F1.4 lens. Very good and it's almost twice better than the 50mm F1.8. One penny one product. At last, I would like to speak loud on Pixmation's creative ideas on this recent photo taking at http://onesnaponeday.blogspot.com/ Now that I found his graphic design and his years of creative experience are applying on his photos. Really thousand pages shortened into one page. Again it told the difference of professional studying (pixmation) and lazy studying (me). 有讀書同無讀書的分別 :) Time for me to read the manual of 550D and some photography books given by my friend and now staying in dust.

In the Box vs. In the Sky

1. X2 has its theme on boxes. So they call it "in the box" on the switch of the light of the box at the pool (below photo 3). 2. When iPod had its video function in 2004, I finally got mine and engraved it with my theme "in the sea, in the sky, in the sun". In the Sea has been my internet nickname back to the AOL online in the mid. 90's if Pixmation still remembered that, since Pixmation is the first one I know who went on internet in the late 80's and then we chatted on AOL in the mid. 90's. Later on, I expanded a little bit on my theme.

3. ok, this is "in the box" by the pool. 4. on the outside of "in the box".

5. box in the pool. 6. box in the ceiling.

7. box in the bath. 8. box in the entrance.

9. box in the restaurant. 10. box gives way to the tree.

11. but they need some round stuff. This is the rest rooms for the girls and boys. 12. boxes in the big pool.

Testing Tamron 28-300mm lens

When I first bought my 400D, I also got a Tamron 28-300mm lens as recommended by the shop salesman when I told that I often use zooming. However, this heavy lens requires a higher battery power which I didn't realise until I bought my 550D. This Tamron lens has made me practise more on holding a camera firm still as it's not in the Image Stabilizer age. While we are in the digital age and can rely on it most of the time, we may still need to preserve or practise some of our skills.

*the above photo was taken when there was no wind that the pool has a full reflection of the 3 box lounging area. The below photo shows how it looks like in day time but it's on Panasonic FT1.

Invitation to Pixmation's first trial of Canon Rebel T2i

May I invite you to view some of the photos taken by my best friend in LA pixmation in the below link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/pixmation/ShootingAroundTheHouseWithNewCamera08212010?feat=directlink#

See how the composition of photos is. Contrast of the background and also the gradual color/shadow/light on the photo. Angle of the view and the expression of the object. :)

Short haul new business class Taipei-HK, Cathay Pacific

Before launching the "fish bone" new business class, CX has once launched another short haul business on its 330 fleet. However, attention has been paid to their "fish bone" business class. On my way back from Taipei to HK, I got an upgrade to try this one - lucky that 2 out of 3 sectors, I got upgraded.

1. the seating. 2. Though the flight is just one hour something, still a proper business class meal was served.

3. Nicely warm panini. 4. Turkey salad to go with the season's holiday.

5. For sure a Christmas cake was to complete the meal. 6. This one is pretty nice - beef/veggie with steamed rice.

7. the whole meal. 8. a black coffee.

The key to service, the way to your mind, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, Thailand

When checking on the photos of the orchid I took, I found out the below photos:

1. MO BKK really made my sister and Jason fall in a spoiled love. See how they know Jason wants his everlasting towel on the mini-pillow and how they put this one in the middle of the bed to catch the attention of Mr. Jason (yes, that's how he was called by all the staff of MO BKK). This is the little thing but a big big meaning to Mr. Jason and all of us.

2. Again, Mr. Jason's personal tooth brush is placed very outstanding on the left - why? It's easy within his reach on the table. So thoughtful. Also noticed is those tiny things being placed evenly - so tidy! Once in a lifetime, MO BKK is a must for you to experience the simple but meaningful "living". That's the luxury thing in mind.