Fly Fishing Bass. Coleman Ponds

I love taking photos, but I also like....wait.....Fishing!

My dad first took me fishing when I was a wee little boy. I remember my dad waking the family up at 3 in the morning, pile us up in the car and head over to Saltin Sea for a day of fishing. We would also go to different lakes, but one thing I knew was that I was hooked. We fished many different types of fish, but when I reached the age of adulthood there was one thing that drew me to fishing with a passion.
Fly fishing. To see these men out there alone and with nature, just a rod and fly lures. No live bait, no scents. It was just them against Mother Nature. Well, maybe talking about fly fishing gets me too excited. I wanted to do that, so I got a fly rod and found some ponds in San Jose to practice. =)

2011 Desiree & John

Another great couple married this year! This time I'm the best man! Even though I didn't get to shoot my friends wedding, I was proud and thankful to be in it.

The wedding was in San Jose on this beautiful day. One thing I was also happy to do was to set up a photo booth per request from the bride, Desiree. There are a lot of things you don't expect to see at weddings, but when you have something that the guests can work themselves and instantly get a print. Something just comes out from within. Every shot was in between goofy and happy. A lot of photos came out of that booth, but here's the best ones put into a quick montage. Enjoy!

*Update* - So I finally got the photos done from the Desiree & John's rehearsal wedding. I didn't shoot these photos, but they are my settings =)   Thanks Frally! Good Job!

2011 Sweetest Thing

Congratulations to Kylin and Brian Chang! The couple tied the knot today @ the SF City Hall. I gladly accepted Brian's offer to capture this moment for them.

I've only been to City Hall once before and it was just inside the entrance. I never thought there was such detail and artistry inside. Now I see why a lot of the couples being wed that day came here. The lighting wasn't too challenging since it was lightly lit throughout; the use of a speedlite with cyber syncs was all I needed. My VALS (voice-activated light stand) did a great job! Thanks Kerry! Final photos were posted with some HDR for the background and little foreground. I used 24-70mm all day.

BBQ Block Party with Jazz slipped in

I first shot for the Brewing Co. last year at one of their monthly gigs at Velma's in South San Francisco.

the Brewing Co. is the elitists of jazz music in the bay area.
"SFJazz Summerfest is a seires of free, outdoor summer concerts. This concert features Clifford Brown III & The Brewing Co.

Led by the acclaimed young trumpeter Clifford Brown III, grandson of jazz trumpet legend Clifford Brown, The Brewing Co. is firmly rooted in the post-bop jazz of the 50’s and 60’s with branches reaching to today’s soul-jazz and nu-jazz movements. Don’t miss this intoxicating band that defines the concept of “cool and smooth.” - SFFUNCHEAP.COM

Clifford Brown (trumpet), Collin Williams (Bass), Rick Rivera (Drums), Randy Craig (Keys), Oscar Pangilinan (Sax)
http://www.reverbnation.com/thebrewingco







not having time to shoot sucks so bad, but when i get invited to take some shots for live music you can count me in.



there was bbq roasted pork and beer!

sometimes we go about using and expecting certain things from the tools we use. for example, my dslr which i use to take photos. i like the quality i get and i like the technical control when i use it. then take the holga. film toy camera with plastic build, light leaks and vignetting included. only two apertures to choose from and your choice of 100th sec speed or bulb mode.
i always say the best photo is taken depending on the eye behind the camera. your equipment shouldn't always imply the quality of photos you take. with knowledge of what your camera can do and what it's capable of, you can take some of the best photos with any camera. film or digital. keeping that in mind i discovered the camera app. if you have a smartphone then you know well there's almost an app for a certain image related or video related content.
i stumbled upon this after receiving my new phone an HTC Inspire 4G. on sale for $20 dolla yo! yes great deal. other than the battery going quick from too much online use, this phone has met my expectations. yes it's my first smartphone and no this isn't a review on it. so going back to the camera app. i downloaded it and just beamed with joy after viewing the numerous camera effects you can make. it was like getting two flavors at BiRite Creamery! you got the effects of film cameras but the ease and use of the digital camera. don't like the way it looked, try and take it again! but like any camera, lose the moment and never see it again. lol









i just couldn't believe how fun these images were. i couldn't stop taking them

Galleri Signing, Alexis Texas in the yay!!

today is our signing event! finally! we usually have an event once a year, but 2010 came with a few hardships and no signing events.

this year is different, Alexis Texas joined us for our event! sponsored by Elegant Angel

the day started with usual preparation. decorating, making room for attendees and setting the lighting. i used elinchrom quadra a-head with 39cm octabox. i also had a 580ex2 with 20inch softbox for some additional photos.

 when Alexis first walked in, i do say she surprised me. she was a very taller beautiful blonde than i expected. she's a very humble girl with cheerful attitude. she was very easy to get along with, just like one of the "guys" but so much hotter. the signing went through without no problems and we had dinner with Alexis at Chili's! girl can eat yo! loved that!



 


 



All I can say is "Daaaaammn!" Okay I finally finished going through some of the videos I took for our signing event with Alexis Texas. Enjoy!

2011 Jenna, Seconds Please

so today i got another chance to work with Jenna! we got her into one of her sweater dresses. using the front of the store we were able to make some great shots.

the challenge was background. i shot her inside the store last weekend, so i went with utilizing the great outdoors. great as in pallets, dumpsters, delivery trucks, and storage sheds. i tried a few shots here and there, with not too bad results. i tried to stay at shallow DOF mostly to keep her as a subject. =)



 

2011 Jenna M

Jenna Mason my coworker/buddy did some modeling for me. Jenna started modeling at the young age of 16. not only is she a model, but a ballerina! so if i wanted, i could ask her to do some pretty physical stuff. i decided to keep it simple and sweet. she's a cutie, and i think i got away with some nice shots.50mm 1.4, ambient light580ex II 430ex II

  

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Squaw Squaw Squaw!!

Squaw Valley! we came, we rode, we didn't conquer BUT we had a great time. here's another video with me and friends snowboarding. mostly me, everybody kept going different ways on the mountain. my first time at Squaw Valley! yay! awesome resort. i definitely want to come here again

2011 First Ride Northstar

hit up the slopes today with Steve! it was his first time on a snowboard, so i got to play instructor for the day








very nice day at Northstar. sun was out and the snow was great!