Black and Whites, 10/3/13

Every Thursday - starting from Sept. 5 til Dec. 19 excluding Oct. 10 and Nov. 28, I am in a photography class from 6-8pm. Linda and I are taking a class from Scott Kubo at Linekona where the Honolulu Museum of Art (Art Academy) holds their classes.

We are learning to take black and whites as we learn more about lighting and the fact that color can be a distraction. We are also focusing on line, form and texture.

The following 2 were pictures I had taken in color but converted them into black and white using Adobe Lightroom.

This past Thursday, Oct. 3, Scott set up some still life with lighting to create shadows. Admittedly this first picture I underexposed but I like how the metal of the water kettle reflected the light.

 I also had to get close to the objects.

I learned that if you set your lens to a large aperture (the opening) it can blur the background even if the items are close to each other. Aperture 2.8, 1.4, 1. Photography numbers are confusing - the larger the number the smaller the aperture and vice versa.

Our next assignment is Perspective. 

Birthday-8/22, Derek/Milton-9/2

I will not hide the fact that I am now 60 years old. Yikes. But for the Chinese - this is a good year.

As most know there are 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac - starting with Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. There are also 5 elements - so each 12 years is another element. After completing the 5 elements which makes 60 years - the cycle begins again. Each element also has a Yin and Yang.

I am the Snake and my element cycle goes like this:

Birth:Yin/Water, 12 years old:Yin/Wood, 24 years: Yin/Fire, 36 years:Yin/Earth, 48 years:Yin/Metal

60 years: Yin Water, etc. 

I got this info from: Wikipedia: Chinese zodiac

The yang is the white side with the black dot. The yin is the black side with the white dot. Feel free to research this - it will be too lengthy to be included here.

Yay, my day started with a birthday wish from my son in San Francisco.

At work, although I mentioned I do not need a cake, my co-workers made this minion carrot cake cupcake. So cute, love it!!!

 After work, Linda treated me to this "coffee monster" dessert. Yum!!!

 Then dinner at Nicos with my other son-Mike, Gary and Dennis.

 Yes, they had to get me candles to remind me of this special year. Thanks.

Days later, my friends Ruth, Donna and Dennis treated me to dinner at Little Village Noodle House.
Ruth made these cupcakes from scratch. It was certainly a treat. So ono (so delicious). Thanks again, Ruth.

 Sept. 2: Milton, Derek and I went to Lanikai for a sunrise shoot.

Milton got this picture as I was trying to take low angle shots. Thanks for the picture.

 Then off to Sandy Beach...

Final destination: Koko Head Botanical Garden. They are known for their plumerias.

Milton and Derek that was fun! Must go out again.

Shippo-yaki (Japanese Cloisonne), 8/3,4,10,11/13

I have seen Linda's shippo-yaki and I am impressed. I saved her piece for the end.

(Instructor) Sensei comes from Japan and was here for 2 weekends. So the last 2 weekends, I was in class from 10-4 both Saturdays and Sundays.

Day 1…

Before doing shippo-yaki, us beginners did enameling. Enameling is applying finely grounded color glass onto prepared metal and then firing it in the kiln. The enamel could not be applied on too thick or too thin and too wet or too dry. We could choose 4  copper pieces and here are my finished pieces.

Day 2...
Shippo-yaki, we prepared a 2"x2" copper piece. It was a challenge to come up with a design since we had to use flat silver wire and glue it onto the piece. The wire kept falling down, uggh. So my homework for the following weekend was to glue all my wire shapes.

This side view shows that the wire was touching the surface - important to prevent the colors from mixing with each other.

Day 3…

Enamel applied but only half way.

After the first baking

 More color added, after second baking the colors got darker

I had to add more enamel until it came up to the top edge of the silver wires. The colors I added were a little different - to mute the original colors. However, I am not sure if I should have done that. 

Day 4…
I now had to use a file to smooth out the enamel. My classmates were laughing as the sound of my filing sounded like a machine.

 Whew, here was my final piece.

Drum roll, I present to you Linda's piece. Although she has more experience than me - she is probably one of the few students who enjoys the wiring.  Good thing,  don't you think this is outstanding?

She too worked at smoothing out her piece.

Will I continue this? Yes, I will take another class. Sensei comes twice a year. I prepared a 4"x4" copper piece and have 6 months to come up with a design and glue all the silver wire.  Thanks again Linda for introducing me to this.

Fireworks and Bon Dance, 8/2 and 8/3/13

I had a fun weekend making pictures. 

Friday, August 2 - Fireworks from Magic Island with Gary and Linda.

Using my tripod- MeFoto A1350, I practiced a slow shutter speed to get this effect of smooth water. This was taken around 7:15 pm.

I have to admit - it is hard to take pictures of fireworks. If fireworks are taken too quickly they are specks of color and if taken too long they are over exposed. Whew, at least I got these although I wish I had done better.

Saturday, I enjoyed going to a Bon Dance. This festival is to remember those who have passed away.  The musicians are on  a "yagura" which is a high wooden scaffold which the dancers dance around. Depending on the music - sometimes the dance goes clockwise and vice versa.

I used the monopod of the MeFoto tripod. Milton S. thanks for informing me about this terrific tripod.

I think the light on the lady's face could have come from someone's flash. 

 As you can see, the drummers were below the yagura.

Before leaving, Erick and I had to have shave ice. Their shave ice was shaved so fine and the flavors were delicious - I had dreamsicle and strawberry cream.

Laser Light Show, 7/3/13

Jason "DJ Atom" invited me to his gig for this volunteer teen dance. I had no idea how spectacular his laser/animation show would be. However, I knew that I wanted to take pictures and videos of this event. Let the show begin...

Voila, DJ Atom...

Check out the size of the gym and his set up.

The haze machine enhances the colorful laser beams.

These teens were treated to the animation and star lasers which were in sync with the music.

These laser beams surprised Jason as I angled my camera to get this and the first shot.

Please enjoy some snippets of the 3 hours of nonstop music that the 200 teens enjoyed. Just click on the link.

Laser Show