Aquarium, 9/20/15

I really wanted to see how my 50mm 1.2 lens would fare at the aquarium. I understand the lighting in the aquarium has to be low to emulate the ocean.  Since fish will not pose for you, I actually had to put my setting on continuous mode.

The following 3 are a sequence of this little one as I tried to track him/her.

Humuhumunukunukuapua`a is our state fish - it is a reef triggerfish. I think this is the most elusive fish to photograph. It moves so quickly and turns on a dime!!!

Was it a challenge? Yes, despite having a very nice lens: low light, moving objects.  Did I enjoy the aquarium? Yes, fish have beautiful colors and markings.

Okinawan Festival, 9/5-6/15

Yay, Labor Day weekend means Okinawan Festival. This is their 33rd one.

Sometimes, I single out a dancer - it was her shadow that caught my eye.

I am glad she did not jump any higher, she would have been out of my camera's frame.

My "press pass tag" allowed me to go on stage. Cliff Kimura was instrumental in involving Eyes of Hawaii (EOH) to photograph with passes. We gave our photos to Shari Tamashiro.

The gentleman across the way with the glasses is their instructor.

Each group put out their 200% and it was so much fun to see them.

Hokulani has her own Facebook page. We all wish we could have a fan blowing on us. It was super hot and humid.

Before the bon dance - this little one was such a trooper, you will see another photo of him.

I hope Diamond Head gave you a hint where the venue was - which was at Kapiolani Park.

Back for more. I came again on Sunday. Erick and I have not photographed together for such a long time - thanks Erick for picking me up both days.

This dog/dragon was so entertaining, I enjoyed his skit.

This was just a sampling of the entertainment. Erick and I came in the afternoon; some of my EOH friends were there all day. Due to the heat, they were exhausted to say the least.

Practice 8/7/15, Nagaoka Fireworks, 8/15/15

I came to Magic Island on Friday, 8/7/15 to practice photographing fireworks. Each Friday for about 10 minutes fireworks are displayed by the Rainbow Tower of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. I knew I needed practice.

Couple of pix before the fireworks.

I tried different settings, I really wanted detail so I chose a very small aperture, ISO 100, and bulb setting.

Nagaoka Fireworks, 8/15/15
These fireworks are really incredible. Our Eyes of Hawaii member Jennifer Chung, with the National Park Service made arrangements to have us photograph the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of peace with Japan from Arizona Memorial Park visitor center. Our photos will be given to Pearl Harbor for their use.

Prior to the event at 8:00 pm.. we set up our gear at 4:30 and position our cameras. We were told that the fireworks will be seen above the trees furtherest right. The coordinators also wanted us to include the Mighty Mo and the Arizona Memorial. So far so good.

Oops, turns out it was even more to the right by the bridges. 

Reposition my camera.

The rest were taken from that vantage point but were cropped to show more of the fireworks.

It was fun and exciting. Thanks to Jennifer Chung, Casey Sctott, Ric Noyle with photo tips and the fun gang of Eyes of Hawaii.
Lol, the next day I was pooped.