The Falls

Continuing on my vacation, I we stopped at Idaho Falls, which really turned out to be a spillway, but that is besides the point. What I was really excited about was taking shots of flowing water. What I learned that works best in this situation is to use a narrow aperture lens with a longer shutter speed (~1 second) to make the water look absolutely magical. Something you do not need nor would want is a tripod; its bulky and takes longer to set up the shot. Instead use your surroundings, in this case, I used a rock. Just keep the camera still and your shot will be fantastic.
-Simply Complicated

The Middle

Now I am in Utah visiting family and having tons of fun hanging out with them. Too bad it was cold and raining; something I did not expect, but we made the best of it. In the afternoon, we all went for a hike to Cecret Lake. The lake water was mostly glassy and when some went across the lake, I used my 200mm telephoto lens to shoot family. What I liked most about these pictures was how clear the reflection was in the water. True, today's pick has some ripples in it, but I felt it gave my product much more character.
-Simply Complicated

The First Leave

Today, I left home for school today, which makes me sad, but it is for the better. Unfortunately, I did not get many pictures, but I did manage to get some photos (that I could not work with). So, a tip that I have to restate: shutter speeds. Make sure you can do the fastest shutter speed you can work with, otherwise your product will not work.
-Simply Complicated

The Continued Goodbyes

Today was my last full day in California before I head off for school. I spent the entire day packing and shopping/hanging out with family. I did not entirely focus on my photography efforts, but I did manage to get some shot in. One medium I like to have fun with in the post-shot is black and white. Black and white allows the photographer to use a lot of contrast on the subject, causing a more dramatic effect. If you notice in my past black and white days, the same effect is given on the people, giving the subject more emotion, greatly enhancing your images.
-Simply Complicated

The Surfing Safari

I went to Newport Beach with my sister today, due to the fact that I will be departing from California soon. Hoping the wind would pick up, she went surfing as I took pictures of the surfers (I'm not a good surfer, plus I'd rather kitesurf). For my shots, I used my 200mm telephoto lens and cropped the unwanted waste, a 3.5 f-stop and 1/2500 second exposure. The images turned out well enough, but it really sucked when I found a fantastic image that was out of focus and unable to be worked with. But, that sort of thing does happen in the world of photography, just remember to have more great images to take the unfortunate fantastic photo's place.
-Simply Complicated

The Found

Today I found my wallet! Actually, it was my sister who found it and it took her about two seconds to find it. So this one is for you sis! Note on portraits: When shooting portraits, most photographers prefer a wide aperture so just the subject is in focus while everything else is blurred, and I agree with that. My preference on the matter is to have the person(s) being shot in a natural position, so what I mean by that is a more natural position is by having a comfortable and casual pose, your subject gives off the same feelings towards the audience, making everyone very satisfied.
-Simply Complicated

The Bizzy

I have been extremely busy today, I am still loaded with work but running helps manage it all. I have a beehive  in my backyard and those things are more busy than I am, then again some would argue that doesn't really say much. One thought about shooting insects using your macro lens: work out some compromise with the insects ( especially bees when your camera is blocking the entrance to their hive). What I mean, in order to keeps the bees from stinging you need to be focused before you approach, use a tripod and set it a position that you tilt out of the way and go back to the same spot, set a time slot that keeps the bees calm but still be able to get your work done. It is complicated, but the results will be phenomenal.
-Simply Complicated

The Organizing

I leave for school in about a week! I have so much to do, so many things to find (including my wallet!) I do not know what I am to do! I did however found time to go for a run even though I have a mess of a room to shuffle through. Today's photo exemplifies my stress, at least it is for a good cause.
-Simply Complicated

The Time of Month

Most women do no look forward to their "time of the month", I on the other hand look forward to my "time of the month", the time when the moon become full. The reason I enjoy this time is due to being able to take great night shots, but also due to the fact that I like to go for a bike ride at night and turn off my bike light once I hit a trail. One thing that you do need to watch out for is grain in a night shot!
-Simply Complicated

The Post-Reunion

Sometimes photograhpy can be a hit and miss subject, often it really is a learn as you go thing. Today, I experienced both.

On the drive back from San Louis Obisbo, I missed many photo opportunities, most being very old and weathered barns that would look awesome if I had the right angle, but I simply got distracted and missed almost all opportunities for those shots. Other shots I got, I had the shutter speed too slow, thus causing the image to be sightly blurred. So the kitesurfers I shot passing through Malibu turned out to be blurred. I have learned two very important things today that any photographer should go by: first; when shooting while driving, use your largest aperture lens so you can set the shutter speed to the highest it can go, that way there is very little of a chance of blur, especially if overall your subject is moving at 90 miles per hour!(~60:driving + ~30: kiter). And second, always be ready to take your shot at the drop of a hat. Everything else: pray to God you can fix it in Photoshop!

-Simply Complicated

The Reunion

Well today was the big day. It was the reunion that caused this entire trip. I took many pictures, mostly because I wanted to, but also my mom really wanted pictures from this event. There was a lot of family I had not known and I would not mind getting to know them better either. In the least, I still got a significant amount of people shots, and I got to know family along the way.
-Simply Complicated

The Pre-Renunion

Most of my family and I drove up to San Louis Obisbo today where we met with my grandma and and also a great uncle whom I have never met before. Most of us talked and caught up with eachother; I on the otherhand was mostly silent and took pictures. Was kind of not being very social, but then again I was not really the topic of conversation, nor did I wish to be. Anyway, this relative we met up with seemed really nice and did not seem to mind that I was taking pictures as we talked. Overall, today was pleasant, and I made this new relative today's picture! Tomorrow is the whole "renunion" the only problem is, I have never  met any of these people. Oh well, as long as they do not mind I'm taking pictures of them, all will be good. Until tomorrow.

-Simply Complicated

The Basil

I don't know why, but I have become obsessed with taking images of plants. Well, that and I was not able to take my camera with me on my road bike day trip to San Diego. Yes, I rode my bike to San Diego, it wasn't a big deal, but I more of did it with my sister Jennifer who wanted to do the trip before I went off to school. It was fun and we met some really cool people too! But in the end we had spaghetti at home with the family with one of my favorite food spices: basil! So I had a fun day which ended well with a mouthwatering meal, fun family and prodigious pictures!
-Simply Complicated

The Flower

There are dying flowers in my backyard and I felt that it be crucial to make those flowers my photo of the day. Once you see them, I think you will understand why.
-Simply Complicated

The Speed

Sometimes any photographer can get a good shot by just holding down the shutter and getting a bunch of shots. But that artist has to have some image in mind and a way to get that image. Today I did just that. One mental photograph I have had in my mind is a photo of speeding down a road with the other cars in focus while everything else has a blurred effect.
-Simply Complicated

The Riding

I love photos that have a flow to it! They are like jazz and you never know if it will go well or not. I feel this double long exposure turned out well if I do say so myself. On a different note; I got a computer for school, but it is a windows machine. So I have a question for all you readers out there: how can I transfer all of my photos with their edits to a windows program such as lightroom? I am leaving that for discussion, but please let me know ASAP! I leave for school in T-minus 15 days.
-Simply Complicated

The Resting

Sunday is the day of rest, or so the Bible claims. So that's what I did, I am feeling much better than I have been feeling from the past few days, or it could be because it's my dia del dulce, but I've heard it both ways. My sister and I were watching television together as I was cleaning my lenses and camera of salf residue and I was taking sample pictures when she started to hide from the camera. One thing anyone should know about me and photography: the more you don't want me to take a picture a you, the more compelled I feel to get a picture of you just to mess with you. Anyway, I just so happened to like my sister's attempt to hide from the camera.
-Simply Complicated

The Mood

Today I was being really moody and mean towards my family. I really needed to spend some alone time to reflect, but they would rather have me clean. I eventually got some alone time and am starting to feel a little better. My birds helped me out a little when I wasn't fully there. So today's picture is devoted towards one of my birds, Lucky.
-Simply Complicated

The Clear

Today was simply an unpacking day on a few levels. I know I sound vague, but then again I am felling slightly off the tracks. I think that I need to take some time to reflect before I proceed with things. But in the meantime I am also going to bide time by getting ready for the upcoming school year.
-Simply Complicated

The Quick Vacation

I just got back from Catalina Island today and I would have to say that I am beat. There was a lot of things to do and I took as many pictures that I could possibly take, and after I tallied everything up, I took about 2,000 pictures! The hardest part about being able to take that many was riding six and a half miles into town to steal power to charge my battery. I also had to conserve my camera battery as best as I could, and it all worked out. Now, shuffling though all the images to pick the best picture for each day, that was hard, but I managed. I hope that you enjoy my picks.
-Simply Complicated

The Pre-Complicated

Tomorrow I embark on a trip to Catalina Island where I will be camping with other youth in my church. The reason I say this will be complicated is that I will have to make a five mile mountain bike ride to get into town where I will have to charge my camera. However there is bound to be great content in my photos, so that should suffice, but it does bother me that I will not be able to update my blog until I get back. I suppose that I will live though.
-Simply Complicated

The Melodrama

After work, my family and I went to see the melodrama at the All American Melodrama Theatre in Long Beach. The show, Home School Musical, was very entertaining and the actors gave very excellent performances, and some were very good singers. Anyway, after the show, simply had to take shots off the boardwalk, so basically most were scenery shots.
-Simply Complicated

The Hunt

Today I have been hunting for a computer for school, because the computer I was planning on getting did not work out. I am still unsure as to what to do, I know that I want a mac, but unfortunately I may have to settle for a Windows netbook. If anyone out there has no need for a mac and want to sell (or give) it to me, please let me know.
-Simply Complicated

The Blur

Today seemed like a blur. I got wiped out at work, I have been trying to figure out what to do about a computer for school, and beyond that my good friend has left to Utah for his mission. I am just entirely glad I made it through it all. Today's picture resembles how my mind feels.
-Simply Complicated

The Not Quite Gone

Tomorrow, one of my best friends ever is leaving for his mission. I have been trying my best to hang out with him as much as possible, but I think that no matter how much you are with the ones you cherish, you will almost never feel as though you have had enough time with them. Today was the last time we will have hung out, the next time we see each other will be in about three years. Good luck Jacob, I will see you then.
-Simply Complicated

The Old

Today we went to the Natural History Museum in L.A. for the free day, and I would have to say, never before would I have minded simply paying to go to a museum just to avoid bumping into people wherever you go. On the other hand, I was able to take pictures of random people without them looking twice. So this was my favorite picture from the museum:

-Simply Complicated

The Solution

Hooray! I am no longer being a creeper, now I am just being resourceful. Yesterday, like I previously posted, I was sitting outside of somebody's house stealing their wifi, but now I am using the 3G off of my uncle's phone. Anyway, today we went to the beach and it was freezing! The weather was not anything that we expected, but at least I distracted myself of being cold by taking pictures.
-Simply Complicated

The Beginning of the Complicated

Howdy all! This may sound weird, but I am writing this post in my sister's car as we are creeping around my grandma's neighborhood stealing wifi. Anyway, I will be here until Tuesday night which will be simply complicated to say the least, but that is just how it is. Today's picture is of my cousin. Enjoy!
-Simply Complicated