Wishing You All Happy New Year!!!

Happy new year to everyone who visits my website!!! Wishing you all the happiness, good health and good future in the year 2011!!!

Experimental Macro Shots

I feel so bad that this website is not as updated as i wanted it to be. Holidays are going on and i am too busy with some other things that's why i was not able to experiment to shoot some nice things that i can post it here. But today i am glad that i was able to take some snaps of things that is commonly used by professional photographers, such as these pretzels, chocolate hershey's drops and colored pencils. I am glad that i took some good shots today and it sure feels so good. I just hope that i will learn more things about photography... I am dying to learn studio photography and i hope to be good at it and will be the one to take studio shots of my kids instead so i don't have to pay studio portraits of my kiddos hihi :) Anyway, here are the shots i got earlier....

I Can See You Mommy!

The kids gets easily bored inside the house during the winter, that's why i always have to find something to make them happy even though we're just staying inside the house. My oldest one likes to go outside a lot and even if it's snowing so hard, he still love to play outside better than to keep warm inside the house. He was playing his dump truck the other day after he got off from school and he probably felt cold for staying at the backyard too long and decided to come inside and asked me to make him hot chocolate for him.

After all that, he found his bubble bottle and asked me if he can play it inside the house. He asked me because i already told him that he can only play the bubbles outside. But since it's cold outside, so i just let him play, and thought of taking some snaps as he was playing with it. I was able to take some good snaps and this picture below is one of the best snaps that i got. He said, "I can see you Mommy!" when i took this photo.

No More Surprise, It's Already Unwrapped!

So i finally got a new lens but it wasn't the lens that hubby were supposed to buy, but it's the better one so i am happy and thanked my santa for giving it to me so early, yepey! Anyway, so there will be no unwrapping present for me anymore this coming Christmas for i already unwrapped it last night, lol! I should've waited until Christmas day comes and use the new lens but oh well, what's the surprise since i already knew it. So i did not waste time and tried my new lens with my kids and tried it as well to this image below. It came out good and i am happy that i have another additional lens for my camera.

Snowcapped Mountain View

It snowed the whole night last night and again, our place is now buried in snow. All the roofs are white and so as the ground. After i took my son to his school i stopped by to a place where i can see the snowcapped mountain and took some snaps of it. And when we got here in the house we did not come in the house right away, i let my little one enjoyed the snow for a little bit. This photo was taken after i took my son to his school, this is the way coming back to our house.

Grand Canyon's Tall Tower

This is Arizona' South Rim Grand Canyon's Tower. I know that most of you might already recognized this place for this is one popular place where the tourists usually go. I never did get the chance to take some good shots of this tower before our previous visits, but now i am so glad that i got some nice shots of this very tall tower. We actually went up to the very top and my kids got scared and felt so cold so we decided to come down and ate our lunch that we brought. Isn't it so beautiful tower, is it? One of the most amazing creation that i can never get tired to look at it.

Myself Inside the Gold Bulb

Christmas is fast approaching and my boys are both excited to open up their presents under the tree already. Speaking of Christmas tree, we put up ours already by the way right after we came home from our trip. Our Christmas tree last year was a mess so this year, i decided to just put things on my own with the help of my family by handing things to me. I thought that red and gold ornaments are beautiful together. So that's our theme for this year. After i got finished putting all the ornaments and the lights, i took some shots of it and took some close up pictures of myself inside the gold bulb. Before i had my camera, i have been wishing to capture some nice picture of me inside the bulbs hanging on the tree and finally now that i got my camera, i did it and it turned out perfect! I was using my macro lens on these pictures.

Utah/Arizona Border

Another beautiful scenery we passed as we traveled along Utah and Arizona border was the border itself. Too bad i was not able to capture the poster of "Welcome Arizona". The car was running just a little under the speed limit when i took this. I am glad that i took this picture at last, i have been trying to take some snaps of this poster before using my point and shoot camera but all the captured images i got was all blurry, so erased all of them. Now that i got the DSLR, i am so happy that i got a remembrance of this place finally. This is located in Southern Utah, right by northern Arizona.

Champagne In The Snow

Did i hear someone asked me to put this bottle of champagne in the ice bucket instead? lol! Anyway, i was playing my camera yesterday and was looking for some subject that i can shoot. And i happen to see this bottle of champagne in our pantry and thought it's a good subject to have and put it in the thick snow in our backyard. This what the snow comes in handy, we don't need an ice bucket for it to get cold. Instead, we'll just bring this drink outside and stuck it in the snow so it will be useful. lol! It's so neat, isn't it?

Southern Utah Scenic View

The picture above was one of the shots i got during our Arizona trip. It was fun to keep on shooting while my husband was driving. I get to focus those beautiful scenery and take some few snaps of them. I have tons of photos to share but some of them are pretty much the same though. Anyway, i got this shot by southern Utah as we head home. The place is so amazing! I can't even capture all those beautiful spots and just kept them in my memory instead.

Glen Dam In Page, Arizona

One of the place we went to was the Glen Dam in Page Arizona. We actually been there few times but never get to see what's inside. And this last trip we had, we finally went inside the Dam building and learned a lot of things. It was amazing how the people in the year 1957 created the dam with perseverance. It took them eight years to build that Dam and now people are benefiting it using the electricity in the whole Arizona state. We walked through the bridge of the Dam and took some snaps. These photo below was taken as we are about to go back to our car and about to leave. The beehive formation hill and the bridge on top of the Dam.

Breath Taking Sunset

The long trip has finally ended. We came home last night safe and sound. The kids were sleeping when we arrived home. We are supposed to stop by to many more beautiful nature scenic views but the whole day wasn't enough just the travel alone. So we just decided to head home when it got dark. This photo below that i shared was taken at the summit area in southern utah. The elevation to this place is over 8000 feet above sea level.

The little one started to fuss when we were on top of this place, it's probably because his ears are starting to have bubbles and keep on popping that bothers him so much. After i gave him his bottle he settled down. I was so amazed by the beauty of the nature of all the places we've been to, and this is just one of the capture i have that is just so beautiful and breath taking! And this is a SOOC (Straight out of camera) image, not enhanced by photoshop, i only added the watermarks and that's it.

Snow On The Pot

Finally we got a good snow that's sticking on the ground. The kids and Daddy enjoyed their play outside earlier while the snow was still pouring so hard. Right now, the snow stopped but for sure in a little bit later, the snow will come back and pour again. We are expecting more snow as it is obviously winter is here already and the temperature is just too much to handle. Anyway, i took some snaps of snowfall and my boys of course which i will share them later. But this is the one i like the most, the snow on the pot.

Macro Lens Lid

It has been a week now since i last updated this photography website of mine. I have tons of pictures to share but most of them are my kiddos's. Never did get the chance to shoot a nicer picture that i can share here that will make you smile or maybe will make you tell me i did a good job on it. Well, for now, this is the only one i can share to you. This was taken the other night when i was playing with my little one trying to wear him out so we both can go to bed. I was dead tired then but since the little one was still up, i could not go to bed yet. So for me to keep myself up, i played my camera for a little bit and this is what i came up to.

Fall Bloomed Flowers

These photos above were taken a week ago before the weather got too cold. I was able to enjoy the not so chilly temperature outside being with my two kids as we walked through the cemetery park. We were about to leave the place when i saw these beautiful photos. I thought that there will be no more flowers that'll bloom in fall season because the plants will feel the cold season and will be getting ready for the winter. But i was so surprised when i saw these gorgeous flowers still blooming like it's springtime. Well, November this year is not as cold as last year. Cold season kind of came late this year so that's probably why there are still some flowers blooming in the garden.

Dirty Hair Brush

These photos i shared above was taken earlier. I just barely finished my chores and decided to play my camera. So i saw my hair brush laying by the desk beside me. I practiced shooting to get some good angles but i guess no luck, i am not as good as other professional photographers that captures good images in no time, no sweat. I will get there, i know, i just need more time and patience to get the right angle i would like to hit. So for now since i am not as you call others "EXPERT" yet, this is the only i can share with you.

Stolen Shot

This photo above was a stolen shot by my husband. I just barely had my shower and rested by the floor in our bedroom and had a conversation with him. I put my camera in our bed because i used it earlier before i had my shower. Hubby hardly touches my camera, he like to take photos but he said that he's rather not to mess up the settings of it so i won't get upset. He is a very good husband, i love him more for thinking of me so much, he cares about me so much.

Anyway, as i was just brushing my hair through my fingers, i did not know that he was on top of our bed and ready to push the shutter button of my camera. He told me to look at the mirror, so i did. As you can see, i was brushing my hair but it looks like i was pulling my hair (as what my younger brother thought i did). Never thought hubby could take such a good portrait like what he just did. I so love the result, it looks so calm and expressive image!

Photography Can Be Frustrating Or Can Be Exciting

There were a lot of times that i get frustrated in Photography and there were times that it makes me excited as well. Frustrating whenever i see impressive and very excellent images taken by other photographers using not as latest as my camera. While i have a very nice camera but are not able to take those very stunning shots. I know i am just barely embracing this hobby and i am already comparing myself to those photographers that's been taking photos for years and years. I am not envy though, for i know i will learn eventually what they have been doing, in perfect time i will, i just need more time. Tweaking the settings of the camera, as what the speaker in the class i attended before said that, it's just all about skills.

Some photographers likes to enhance their photographs using photoshop. I myself is one lazy person when it comes to editing images. For i am so dumb doing all that kind of stuff plus i have no patience doing it. I only put watermarks on my photos but no more enhancement beyond that. My photographs are almost straight out of camera shots, no enhancements or whatsoever. I admire those photographs that are enhanced but i am more impressed of the Straight out of camera images.

This image below was taken not too long ago. I was practicing tweaking the settings of my camera and learned a little more about it. I am just glad that there are some photographers that are kind enough to share their knowledge about photography. Thanks to youtube too, they were able to upload their tutorials, from basic to advanced... So here's what i came up after practicing for a little bit. Looks like my potato is scared in this photo, but no, he just barely got up from an afternoon nap and wanted me to pick him up. I was doing something else and because he is a bossy baby, he cried and screamed and did not stop until i finally picked him up.

Addition To My Wish List

Hubby asked me yesterday how is my laptop going. I told him honestly that my computer is almost giving up because of my little potato. Whenever he gets the chance to grab my computer, he messes it up and it makes its condition even worse. It still works though, it's just don't work like it used to anymore.

Anyway, aside from computer, i also am wishing that i will be able to get another lens for my camera. I want the basic one that is great for portrait and for travel. A friend of mine told me that i should get the 50 mm lens for it is just perfect for what i want. I have two lenses already, but i want the daily kind lens and this one below is what exactly i am looking for. It's not that expensive that's why i am planning to get this next month as Christmas present for myself, i will save my little income from blogging. I guess time to buy for a remembrance again from my own savings eh? lol!

Memorable Place For Us

This is the place where my uncle took us with my ex-fiance' who is now my husband. That was over 6 years ago when i first met him, he went to Philippines just to see me and get to know more about me. I never knew that he already brought an engagement ring to propose a marriage to me. This place is a very memorable one, we had our misunderstandings and reconciliation afterwards. A lot of things that plays in my mind every time i see this picture. So, when we last visited this place, i took the chance to take a picture of it for i don't have a remembrance when we were there first time.

This is Dumaluan Beach resort by the way, located in Visayas part of Philippines, Panglao Bohol, middle south. A very beautiful beach resort that you won't regret visiting it. The white fine sand is just so inviting for the tourist to enjoy it. Even if you don't know how to swim or you are not a fan of beach, i tell you, once you see this beach, you will fall in love right away and would love to stay as long as you want (during your vacation). I told hubby that when we go back to Philippines sometime, we will go back there again and enjoy what the beautiful nature can offer.

Pine Tree Fruit Or Is It?

Whenever winter comes, i really can't go outside that much for it is too cold for me to stay outside. So that only means that i cannot take pictures as much as i would like to due to the cold temperature outside. But the bush outside in our backyard caught my attention this time, i never did pay attention to this bush not until i got my camera and was looking for something to take photos. For me, it looks like fruits of a pine tree, or is it?

Halloween Costumes

When we got to the park where the early trick or treating was being held, they were already starting. The costume contest was starting, in fact they were calling the winners already. My family and i sat down behind the crowd and this is what i saw in front of me, a clown and a military kid. I was gonna asked them to turn so i can take a picture of them but i decided not to ask instead because i don't know these kids, the parents might be unhappy if they see me taking pictures of their kids without asking permission from them. So i settled with this picture, it's cute though that i still can tell what are they, so obvious though, a clown and a military kid lol!

I Heart These Two!

I must admit that i am getting hooked up in my Photography hobby. I cannot stop myself anymore, i love to keep on clicking the buttons and experimenting on my photographs. I've got two lenses already, one is 18-200 mm and the other one is prime macro lens 60 mm. Hubby was gonna get the 105 macro lens but then he told me that since i am just starting with my hobby, he might as well get me the small one first, then he will get the big one later on.

I have been browsing the store where hubby bought my camera and found some good lenses that it got me interested to get. I guess this time, i have to save my own money so i can purchase them. I am already imagining and getting so excited for these two lenses i have been eyeing. I love the both lens because it has different features on how it works. The other one is wide angle and the other one focuses just mainly the subject you wanted to shoot. Oh lenses, you are making me crazy, lol! In time soon, you two will be mine, haha (evil laugh)!

Floating Flower

This is one of my favorite as my macro photograph. One of my fellow blogger and a friend in flickr account made a new group called "SOOC SUNDAY" which i believe it is not active anymore (i hope it will get active again), and this was my third entry if i am not mistaken. It's all about flower i think and this is what i came up to. I was so happy that some of my fellow flickr friends liked this perspective, a floating flower on the orange water (i dropped some food coloring in it).

Black And White Photographs

I have never done Black and White Photography before. But since someone showed me a link that is all about photography and saw all the beautiful black and white photographs they have in there, it made me think that black and white photography is not bad at all. So i tried some of my photographs of my little one using the photoshop editor. I was all surprised with the outcome, it's not so bad at all, in fact, there are some photos of his that it's much better than black white rather than colored. Take a look at these shots i had in colored before but i made it into black and white. For me, they are just beautiful, especially it is my son who's in the photographs, lol! So tell me honestly, do you see what i see too? I hope so.

Baby Woodpecker

I saw this bird trying to peck the tree last March i think. It was still winter and the temperature was freezing cold. I was just still learning to use my camera and still is learning until now. I got so fascinated with this bird that hanging on the tree like there is magnet in his claws or something. I am a nature lover, i love taking pictures of things around me especially this kind of view, isn't it so beautiful? I hope i still can find a bird sometime so i can take some snaps of it and learn more how to take pictures of a bird.

I Sure Can Dare!

It is very unusual that we are now in the middle of October but then it is not snowing yet. Usually by the end of September when it starts to snow here in Utah. Right now we are still having not so cold weather, in fact i still can wear short sleeves shirt or sometimes wear sleeveless. I somewhat miss the snow though but on the other hand, scared of the freezing temperature as well. I am thinking that the snow is coming late this year because we had a late summer this year too.

This photo below was taken a year ago using my point and shoot camera. This was my entry in flickr and thought i would share it here. Can you dare to be barefooted stepping on the cold freezing snow? I sure did! This is my feet, i am not lying! lol!

B-U-T-T-E-R-F-L-Y

One thing i love most in Photography is, i can freeze everything and make the picture as the remembrance. I am keeping all my photographs in a CD so to view them again and again and maybe print some of them if i want to. This photo above was taken at my grandmother's yard. Same as the previous entry i posted below. It was Sunday morning and went for a photo walk and saw this very beautiful butterfly that is trying to fly away from me. But i was so patient enough and waited for him to be still. I was so glad i finally got him in a good angle. That's one of Philippines pride, beautiful butterflies are all over the place. You can see every corner of the country different colors and different sizes of butterflies. But for now, this is all i can share to you.

Camouflage

It is so funny that my one year old potato can only say "Ti" to this creature instead of "TIKI" which means lizard by the way. Back in Philippines this small reptile comes out every afternoon in my mother's wall or ceilings soon as the light comes on. They are fascinated with the flourescent lights because bugs are fascinated to it as well. They eat bugs that's why light is their favorite place to hunt their prey. But this photo below, it was taken during the day. I was at my grandmother's yard when i saw this lizard trying to hide by blending his color to the bark of the tree. It blend so well doesn't it? You can hardly notice this thing but i did! It sure did a great job hiding there so no one or no predator can harm him.

Perfect Place For My Potato

You probably heard me already ranting how handful my little one is. He cannot just keep still. He's got to be on the move or else he will scream so loud with the highest pitch i ever heard in my life. I must say he is not a brat though, because i don't tolerate everything he does, i put him in the crib every time he gets cranky and starts to throw a fit on me.

Anyway, i found a good way of how to get rid some of his energy. Every after i take his big brother to his school, i take my little one to the park, taking advantage of the cold sunny day while the snow is not here yet. He enjoys walking at the park and i just let him to his heart's content. That way, he'll be able to use some of his energy and i can also take the chance to take some snaps of him. We both enjoys it and it isn't so stressful to me when we're at the park because he can do whatever he wants which is more on walking, unless he picks up something and puts in his mouth.

These photos below, i took them yesterday. I am already fascinated to the beauty of this park even before i had my DSLR camera. But now that i got my camera, i was able to take some snaps of this beauty i am talking about, finally! The place is just as relaxing as spa, cool to the eyes and very inviting venue for parties. Although parents should be more watchful with the little ones though because they might run towards the pond. But there is also a playground over there where kids are more safe and will enjoy to play with some other kids.

Freezing The Moment

Like as usual, he is been my model since he was born. His big brother is now too aloof from my camera. I guess he got tired of the flashes and hearing the clicks. Well, this time, we went to the park nearby to big brother's school. It was a very quiet park, there's hardly kids in there when we came. So we were able to enjoy the park all by ourselves. My little one was able to roam around the big green park while i was following him trying to get a good angle shot.

I have tons of good capture though, but these photos below are my favorites. I always cherish every moment i have to this boy since he will be my last baby and there will be no more baby next. You might not know yet but i am done with babies, i am fixed. So to freeze the time while he is still a baby, camera is my witness and companion.