iPhone 4S

I finally upgraded my iPhone 3G last week and now have the new iPhone 4S.

Overall there is no comparison, the new phone is just that much faster in every regard.

Here I take a look at the new 8 megapixel camera.  This new camera is far better than one should expect from a phone camera.  Without getting too deep into the technical aspects (you can go to the apple site for that) I will say that the entire sensor and chip set is "state of the art" and designed for this phone.  

All of the snap shots below were taken with no flash, using only available light, with no editing at all.  Not much thought went into taking these pictures, just decent composition and a relatively steady hand.

The second  image of the wine bottles below was shot using HDR (High Dynamic Range). HDR merges three separate exposures to give you a picture with more detail in the highlights and shadows.  It's as simple to use as touching the screen and you can't even tell the camera took three exposures, it's that fast.

So, have a look at my first few pictures with my new iPhone 4S.  I think that you will agree that they're not too bad.

One of my favorite paintings from my grandfather

Using HDR

B & W Sunset

We always think in color when it comes to sunsets.  The beautiful warm glow of the setting sun and the strong shadows that fall.  

But what about black and white at sunset?  The two pictures below are the same shot, but have a totally different feeling.  You can clearly see the surfer near the middle in each shot.  The sun glows around him in the top photo giving the image a sense of warmth.  In the B&W image, while the sun still shines on him, the feeling is much cooler more like a winter's evening.

Which shot do you prefer?  Really depends on the feeling you want to covey to your viewer.  I prefer the way the light reflects off the water in the B&W image.  I also like the cool nostalgic mood of the B&W.

Next time you take a sunset photo convert it to B&W and see how the mood changes.  

9/11

"We are hard pressed on every side. yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair."

2 CORINTHIANS 4: 8

What a perfect statement describing our nation after September 11, 2001!  It seems as though it was written specifically for our nation after the tragic events of 9/11.  

Would you believe that this was written about 2000 years ago by the apostle Paul?  It's true!  Paul wrote this for the people of Corinth, (The Corinthians) a city close to Athens in Greece.

I have the honor of creating the Sunday programs for our Church CCFC (Cornerstone Christian fellowship of Corona).  The picture below is the cover of this week's program, it's a picture we took of a flag in Laguna Beach.

Our Pastor's message this week,  2 Corinthians 4: 8-18, is so fitting for the events of our day, that I had to share it with you!  The title of Pastor Rolly's message is "WHY WE PRAY"

With all the turmoil our world and nation is going through right now has there ever been a better time to Pray?  The biggest mistake our nation can make is to loose faith in God.  

Our Founding Fathers had it right by describing us as "ONE NATION UNDER GOD"

It's up to us to keep it that way!

Ben & Paige

Ben & Paige are a wonderful young couple that just got engaged to be married.

We had such a great time with them at the Mission Inn in Riverside!

Here is a series of photos of the couple in love..... 

Ben & Paige, we can't wait to shoot your Wedding!

Vinyl & Film

I've been shooting some film lately, and was reminded of the amazing qualities film has.  That special feeling of the images, like they're organic, textural in a way.  Don't get me wrong, digital is great, but film does have a magic quality all its own.

This brings me to the old Vinyl Records!  It's been a long time since I spent any amount of time listening to any of my records.  Well, today that all changed when I spend a few good hours with my wife Mary Ann, spinning the old Vinyl.

I have an "all analog" audio system upstairs and today I opened some of those LP's boxes (long play) records and began reminiscing with all that great music from the late 70's to early 80's.  Then I realized something...that amazing sound!  The more I listened to the music the more it drew me in!  

There is a special quality that an all analog system has that digital just can't capture.  Digital sounds good, but just like film, there is an "organic" realistic sound.  Sure you may get the occasional crackle and pop, and you have to flip the record over after about 20 min, but that's all part of the magic.  

With film, there's no viewfinder on the back of the camera and you have to put a new roll in after only 36 shots, but just like vinyl it's all part of the magic!

Technology is wonderful.  But let's not forget how amazing some of the old school stuff really was, no, Is Great!

Linzi

Here are a few sample photos of one of our most recent Graduation sessions.

This beautiful young lady is Linzi.  She will be graduating from one of our California State Universities in just a few weeks!

Congratulations Linzi on this HUGE accomplishment!

Class of 2011

We had an awesome time photographing Lev and Luke on Sunday!  

Two wonderful young people with an amazing future ahead of them.

Take a look at this sample of photos of Lev and Luke.  They are both not only smart and fun to be around,  but they also have great personalities that will serve them well in their bright futures! 

Class of 2011

Palawan, Philippines

We had an amazing time in Palawan.  It's hard to describe just how beautiful this place is.  Hopefully these pictures will give you some  idea.

Our first night in Palawan.  We were invited to the major's dinner party because Mary Ann's Cousin Ike plays for the band!  Very Cool!

Palawan is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region. Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, and it is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of jurisdiction. The islands of Palawan stretch from Mindoro in the northeast to Borneo in the southwest. It lies between the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea. The province is named after its largest island, Palawan Island, measuring 450 kilometres (280 mi) long, and 50 kilometres (31 mi) wide.^[3][4]

View from the front of our room

This is the place to stay when in Palawan!

With family at the Crocodile Farm

Meet my six year old friend!

Entrance to seafront restaurant Badja

Purely by coincidence, we each had napkins that matched our shirts!  What are the odds?

Incredible food!

Scene from a Palawan market store

He was a bit shy!

They loved the camera!

They made those sling-shots themselves.

View of our boat #41.

Mary Ann being helped on the boat.

20 min boat ride to the Underground River.

Monkeys ?

30 seconds later...the first monkey I have ever seen in the wild!

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 km north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. It features a limestone karst mountain landscape with an 8.2 km. navigable underground river. A distinguishing feature of the river is that it winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea. It includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers. The lower portion of the river is subject to tidal influences. The underground river is reputed to be the world's longest. At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water's edge. Monkeys, large monitor lizards, and squirrels find their niche on the beach near the cave.

Entrance to the Underground River.  The Underground River may be one of the official 7 natural wonders of the world soon!  Voting is going on right now.

Proof we got on the boat!

Very strange rock formations throughout the cave

On our way back out

Our Boat Man.  He rows this boat 8 hours a day!

Pictures don't do justice to the beauty of this place!

My beautiful Wife!

Future site of our vacation home.

We walked about 100 feet through water.  I almost slipped and fell had it not been for a 95 pound guide girl that saved me!

Star Fish were everywhere on Snake Island!

Water temp was about 80 degrees on Snake Island.

There are no snakes on Snake Island.  It gets its name for the shape of the shoreline.  Seen from above, the Island looks like a snake.

One of four different color Star Fish we saw that day.

Our Hut on the Island

Very peaceful place.

I hope you enjoyed these pictures of Palawan.