Oscar Statuette

<Nikon D700, ISO 200, F/8, 1/250sec>

In time for 84th academy awards on Sunday. 
Can't see it? 
Look harder.
Oh. There was no manipulation with the photo other than white balance change.


Credit goes to Ed H. for discovering humanly figure first and then my mom who specifically mentioned Oscar.

How I got into photography

<Photograph by Eddie Adams. February 1st 1968 in Saigon>

<Nikon D700, ISO4000, F/4.5, 1/60sec>

A number of people has asked me. "What got you into photography?" 


Two photos above can basically sum it up.


Top one is probably recognized by tens of millions of people if not more. An iconic image which arguably fueled the anti vietnam-war movement in the states. I saw this photo when I was in high school. I was browsing through some coffee table book on photojournalism, which consisted of lots of images that I had never experienced before. Most of them were on the brutal reality around the world. Out of all those images, this one struck me the most. There was really no judgement on the photo at that time. It was just a pure shock to the brain and such intense stimulus never went away and stayed in my subconscious.


Second one is my dad's camera. I still remember how excited he was when he first got it more than two decades ago. Due to his busy work, he never got to really use it much. Years after he passed away, I took the camera out and started playing with it to see if I can learn how to use it. But drawback of film camera is you can't see what you take right away and by the time they are developed, you kinda forget what the setting was. And I was brave (and stupid) enough to use it at my sister's graduation and nothing came out. So my journey started. Bought my first dslr, took a class, and never stopped taking picture since. This camera is not working at the moment but I want to get it fixed one day start taking films again.

New Year Resolution

<Nikon D80, ISO1000, F/1.4, 1/40sec>

One of my new year resolutions for 2012 is to stop smoking until 8/31/2012. When I mentioned this to a few of my friends, most of the responses was it was the weirdest resolution they've heard. 


I started smoking since I was in 3rd year in middle school in Korea. Holy S... That's 21 years ago. Still remember the first inhale very clearly. One evening after school, walking down a back alley, offered by a friend, trying to man up, I was acting as if I had done it many times before. Without releasing any into the air, I actually inhaled all of it. Well, I ended up puking quietly later that evening. Why quietly? Didn't want my parents to find out.


Since then, I was never a heavy smoker. Sporadically I even stopped smoking for a prolonged period as long as 3 years. But throughout all these years, I never committed to quitting for good. I will rather take a break from it here and there. As much as I whine when I go hiking at mission peak, I still very much enjoy smoking.


So what's my solution? In 2011, I stopped smoking from Jan to Jun. This year it's from Jan to Aug. Next year Jan to Oct. In 2014, it will be from Jan to Dec. Then hopefully it will be perpetual from there. Another reason why the world can't end this year. =P


For all the ones out there going cold turkey, I admire your determination and support you 100%. Good luck to everyone and myself!

Communication

<Nikon N90S Kodak 400 ISO B&W film>

How satisfied are you with your communication with other people?
Do you feel all your message is conveyed to others @ 100%?


Often feel that what I am trying to mean doesn't get interpreted in the same way in spoken words.
And at first I thought it was because English isn't my mother language or because I haven't pushed myself enough to master the language. 


Call me old fashioned but I definitely believe that written words can be more trustworthy than spoken words. However, I have learned that sometimes a simple gesture or a body language can convey the message much clearer and faster than spoken or written words.


Or even a photograph sometimes can be a better way of all.


We are all living in the world of flood. Flood of information every second. And as a recipient, please be patient and try to really listen to what they are trying to say before you dismiss them as noise. Such a skill - a skill to be able to hear people out patiently - will become scarce sooner or later and will need to be taught in classes. How to listen to others 101.  Sad but true I believe.

Finiteness

<Nikon D80>

"Because we do not know when we are going to die, we get to think of life as an inexhaustible well and yet everything happens only a certain number of times, and a very small number really. How many times will you remember a certain afternoon of your childhood? An afternoon that is so deeply a part of your being that you cannot conceive of your life without it? Perhaps 4 .... 5 times more. Perhaps not even that.
How many times will you watch the full moon rise ...... Perhaps twenty and yet it all seems limitless."


- Brandon Lee

Technological Charity

<Nikon n90s, Kodak 400 ISO B&W film>

How did we let others know that we are running late before there was a cell phone?
How did we get anywhere before there was a navigation?
How did we present ideas before there was a computer and MS powerpoint?
How did we pay all the bills before there was internet?
How did people call the servers at a crowded restaurant before there was a bell on the table? Wait, this is only in LA or Korea.


Within a span of 35 years, the technological advancement has been extremely drastic and we often forget that in day to day life.


Hey, you can now donate using your credit card even if you don't have any cash.


Picture was taken at Valley Fair a couple years ago during Christmas season.

Companion

<Nikon D80, ISO100, F/3.5, 1/2000sec>

Sometimes in life, you just want someone to sit next to you looking at the same direction, not caring for the fishing, not caring to talk, not caring about the cold weather.


Shot was taken at San Gregorio Beach in January 2011