Cactus Garden at Kapiolani Community College, 10/27/13

What do you get with 3 guys and 2 gals? Fun. Although we went on our own around the garden Mr. Moriso Teraoka created - we had fun laughing when we did meet up.

Just a portion of the Garden.

Mr. Teraoka's invitation is so creative. 

Here is what he does with their poems - it is a "po.e.tree". Many people have written poems that now the poems are grouped by countries, states as well as islands.

Here are 2 versions of this picture- black/white and color. Not sure which one is better.

Here is link to another post I did: Kapiolani Community Garden, Cactus Garden, 11/12/11
I have a picture of Mr. Teraoka with my friends as well as the birds. I heard Mr. Teraoka does not come on Sundays, therefore we did not see him this time.

Milton S., Derek, Roger, Linda and myself look forward to our next outing in November. Where?

Perspective and Boo/Benji's Adventures, 10/26/13

In my previous post/blog, I mentioned that I am taking a photo class with Linda. Scott Kubo's assignment for us was to take pictures from different perspectives. The first batch are mine.

The above picture was actually taken from the back of this tree. The opening can't be more than 18 inches.

These are Linda's.

Our next assignment, I feel is even more challenging. Choose a color and depict it.

Linda is very creative and extremely talented - I got permission to share the adventures of Boo and Benji.

 This was actually Boo and Bobby.

I thought this was cool.

 I was wrong... LOOK at this one, it's even more cool!

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.