Alone

Alone, originally uploaded by IvanoMak.

Please see it LARGE.

Mr. Mischief

Mr. Mischief, originally uploaded by IvanoMak.

A Couple of Tips

-- One of the more popular looks today is an image with a texture and I've tried it myself on an image you are seeing below. The texture is added in post processing to create a more artistic, dreamy feel to a picture. What amazes me is that there are people out there who are trying to sell a set of textures for hundreds of dollars, and believe it or not, there are people who pay such a ridiculous amount. Why? First, you can go shoot a bunch of textures yourself. Simply find some walls and shoot them. Second, if you are too lazy, you can find free textures in high resolution by searching Creative Commons licensed textures on Flickr. As long as they are not used commercially, you are fine. Take a look at what's available by clicking on this link.

-- If you are living near or planning on visiting San Francisco, make sure you spend a couple of hours at the exhibit of photographs by Annie Leibowitz. She's probably the most famous portrait photographer, and her work is jaw dropping. Here is the link to the exhibit, and a good article about her. I have not seen the exhibit myself yet, but will as soon as I get a free afternoon.

Dreams of Peace

Dreams of Peace, originally uploaded by IvanoMak.

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” - Budda

The Flock of Boats

Please see the LARGE version.

Morning Light Over Monterey Bay

Morning Light Over Monterey Bay, originally uploaded by IvanoMak.

Please see it LARGE for best view.

The best time to photograph harbors is in the morning before crowds begin to file in and boats begin to move all over the place. In addition, water is also cooperative (you're actually looking at Pacific Ocean).

To get this shot, I had to wake up at 4-30am and drive for over an hour. What complicated things was that this beautiful pink light only lasted about 10 minutes, so I had to run with my gear to the spot in Monterey Fisherman's Wharf, where this image was taken. Either way, it was a beautiful show in the skies to start off my weekend, and I'm glad I captured a memory.

The Swing in Paradise

The Swing in Paradise, originally uploaded by IvanoMak.

Please see it LARGE.

I did not get to try of what it's like to chill in a swing like this, but I must say that it is by far the best location for a swing I have ever encountered in my life.

Sitting in my cube looking at spreadsheets I am sometimes haunted by this image. Maybe someday I will retire, and spend the last days of my life in a place like this in this kind of swing.

I took this image on the same morning as several other images I posted earlier that were taken at the best backyard I have ever encountered, and the swing is on property belonging to the neighbors.