Pacfic Grove

Pacific Grove

Pacific Grove is one of those little towns that most people overlook on their way to Monterey or Carmel.  Nestled in between both of those two towns, it remains a little more peaceful and untouched.  This particular digital photo I took back in early 2003 on a warm afternoon.  I was just beginning to understand composition and how to properly frame an image but still had a long way to go.  In hindsight, this picture is a little too bland for my taste now.  Though I like the boat and the action on the rock, I prefer a lot more of the mundane in the photography these days.  Stuff that is easy to miss and overlook.  Something that makes you stare and think about the image being conveyed.  The more I get into photography, the harder it is to take a shot.  Who knew things would end up like this.

How I Began

Pigeon Point

Though I had been shooting photography for about a year with the Nikon N65.  It wasn’t till I got my first digital camera, the Sony DSC F707, did I really begin to understand the relationships between iso speeds, shutter speed, and aperture.

I initially shot color negative film only because it was really easy to get developed at a local color lab, however, by the time I got the results back, I had always forgotton what my settings were on the camera.  In hindsight, as recommended by experienced users, its always best to keep a pen and pad with you when you’re out shooting so that one can understand the ins and outs of the cameras functionality.

Once I did start shooting digital, the first thing I did was leave work a little early and headed out across Highway 84 towards Highway 1.  The image below is one of the first images I took with my Sony camera.  It was taken around November of 2001 at Pigeon Point Lighthouse, a place where I have come back numerous times to film over the years.

West Cliff Drive – Santa Cruz

West Cliff Drive

West Cliff Drive is a gorgeous drive in the city of Santa Cruz.  Located just north of the Boardwalk, it is roughly a 4 mile roundtrip trail highlighted by the beautiful sunsets and cliffs. 

The shot above was taken around late 2004 probably in November or December.

I used to come to West Cliff at least once a month a few years ago.  Time was spent either reading, walking, taking pictures, and sometimes even taking a nap before the long drive back home.  But my most memorable moment was last year, when I chose this location to propose to my wife.  I had thought long and hard about places where I’d want to propose to when I found the right one.  For me, a special person requires a special moment, one that each of them will always remember.  For me, this image will always remind me of the beauty of the world, and my beautiful wife who has my heart.

Details: Mamiya 645 Fuji Velvia

Yosemite

Glacier Point

Yosemite happens to be one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited in my life.  From the first time I visited this place when I was a wee child, to my adult years, this place remains indescribeable.  A visual masterpiece that makes you wonder if God could have made it any more magical.  I joke with my wife sometimes that when I die, I’d want to have my ashes spread on the Merced River.

The following photo was taken in June 2006 with my brother, his wife, and my cousin from Toronto.

Details:  Canon 20D 50mm f/1.4 lens

Parallel Worlds, HyperSpace, and Physics of the Impossible

Michio Kaku has just released his latest scientific venture into the Physics of the Impossible where he tackles the future of space travel, traveling faster than the speed of sound, and the possibility of going back in time.

Having read his other books, HyperSpace and Parallel Worlds, I’ll be hitting the bookstore this weekend and pick up a copy.