the cathedral III

Canon 5D ISO800 1/200s f8 50mm

How much weight we can carry before our end of time?

The Cathedral II

Canon 5D ISO800 1/250s f8 50mm

I redirected all the arcs to point to the lower left, creating the balancing feeling. Picture was severely underexposed and I had to compensate for almost a stop. The ceiling is stunningly beautiful. If you ever stop in Oakland, please check out the church's architecture. Beautifully designed, and fits right in the central district area.

The Cathedral

The photo on the official website did not do justice in portraying how beautiful the architecture is.

http://www.christthelightcathedral.org/

Canon 5D ISO800 1/250s f8 50mm

Hosokawa Banner

Canon 5D ISO100 1/400 f5.6 50mm

Twilight

Steel and Bubbles

Canon 5D 50mm 1/1000s f5.6 ISO800

A Colorful Old Building

On my way to the beach today.

San Francisco MOMA

Canon IXUS 40 5.8mm (38mm equivalent) 1/800s f5.6

There is something at work here. The lines, the dots and the shadows work in perfect harmony with each other. Whether it's serendipity or my skills were at par, I made use of the golden lines and cut across the frame using the roof and the lines.

My all time favorite on my point and shoot. I imagine if I was using my DSLR I would not have been able to make this photo. My lens would not have been wide enough.

Lion at the Gate

British Museum

I particularly liked how the leading lines centered the viewer to the building and the sculpture. Another classical placement of the subject at 1/3.

Guarding at the Gate

I never took formal training in arts. When I was the kid I always dreaded Tuesdays when the arts teacher announced her new weekly torture. I never succeeded in the trade and I lack the passion in the paints.

This is one of the best pictures I took when I was young. The blue evening cast works very well with the warm lights inside the building, and I somehow got the wizardry's blessing and framed the stature nicely with the backdrop. It's amazing.

Oh and by the way, happy new year. I would continue to show some of my favorites in following days.

This is one of the most photographed subjects in the world. The problem to an average artist is how could someone make a better picture out of it? The best answer I have ever heard is: "yes, that place has been photographed, but not by me."

Torii, Meji Shrine

Arcs and Statue

Venetian, Macau

Canon 5D 50mm f4 1/100sec ISO1000

Hallway and Doors

Canon 5D 50mm f11 1/400sec ISO800

I am trying to keep up with posting, here is an unprocessed jpeg straight from camera on default settings.

I especially like the color combinations here.

Steel Flower

Enhanced saturation for color contrast between yellow/orange and blue/cyan. Curve adjusted to enhance the white bars. Shot on escalator.

Canon 5d 50mm ISO 400 f5.6 1/100 sec

Hallway and Light

This was previsualised at deep DOF with light at end of the hallway. I really like the suggested movements in the frame.

Where is the Achilles' heel?

This was shot a long time ago in China. It was early in a chilly morning. What I liked about this picture is its perspective, and the color contrast between red and cyan. I believe I could have made a better one, if I had used a polarizer to tame the reflections and to create a blue sky background. Alternatively I could have come at different hours to find a better light on the building.

One can always find interesting things around and make good pictures of them. A few examples:

A train station.

The ceiling of a shopping mall. (a gorgeous abstract, fantastic texture on the lamp, good framing, a beautiful picture by my friend)

A tree near the parking lot.

The bottom line is that one should keep saying yes to situations and avoid saying no. In other words, maintain the positive attitude in accepting the environment, and in being creative to connect with the environment. Avoid saying no to yourself. For example, even if you were stuck in a parking lot or the time was around noon and the light was harsh, do not take them as excuses and avoid taking pictures. Because once you say no, that is when you stop being creative and kill the process.

PS. Marc I hope you like this picture. Thanks for visiting the city.

Quality of light enhances most photos. This was shot at dusk hours, probably half an hour after sunset. The polarized, warm sunlight, the clouds and the cool, blue sky form spectacular colors. I also like the simplicity here, and the powerful lines of the wall.

BA London Eye, originally uploaded by eddypoon.

I frequently return to this picture in its collection. Looking back I am probably attracted by the powerful arc, the concentric lines and the shady overcast, which looks a bit creepy.

PS I recommend an article recently published on the Luminous Landscape on Photography as a Framing Art. Wonderful read.