Sturtevant Falls

We went on a hike into a canyon the other day and came upon Sturtevant Falls. It was beautiful and it is a great hike. I highly recommend it. It's only about a ten minute drive from downtown Pasadena. The trail itself was a little under 4 miles roundtrip. There are longer trails as well. Click on the link below for more information.
http://www.modernhiker.com/2008/02/17/hiking-santa-anita-canyon/

My First Model

The other day, I looked outside and saw this squirrel who wanted to model for me. It was the perfect opportunity to practice my photography again! It was also pretty funny how long he stayed. These pictures are the best of the bunch. Let me know what you think!

Boston Reviews

Mike's Pastry is a delicious italian bakery in the North End of Boston.  One of my favorite spots to visit.  I highly recommend the chocolate chip cannoli.  It is the best I have ever had.  The marzipan is also excellent.  The last picture is of a building in Faneuil Hall Market Place, also known as Quincy Market.  It is located in downtown Boston and has lots of fun shops, restaurants and bars.  If you are in the mood for chinese food at a restaurant that then turns into a bar with dancing and scorpion bowls to share then I recommend the Hong Kong.

"Make Way For Ducklings"

I don't usually post book reviews, but I just love this one!  It is a children's book called "Make Way For Ducklings" by Robert McCloskey. This book was first published in 1941 and describes how a family of Mallard ducks grows up in Boston's Public Gardens.  It has actually become Massachusetts State Children's Book.  Growing up in MA I always loved going to the Public Gardens and visiting the ducklings.  While I was in Boston last week, I visited them again!  For more information, check out this link: 

http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/massachusetts/book.html

Photos from Boston

I know that I have not posted new photographs for a long time, but it has been a very busy month!  I moved to a new city and also went on a vacation to one of my favorite cities (if not my number one favorite) in this county.  Boston is beautiful, and now that the Big Dig is over, it is even more beautiful.  Check out my pictures!

A Curious Turtle

Stowe Lake

I took these pictures up by Stowe Lake on a sunny day.

Macro Photography

I am just starting to learn about macro photography and thought I would try to take some close-ups of my Beverly K engagement ring.  I am getting married in May!!  I also thought I would post some information about macro photography that I found to be helpful.  Who would have thought that close-ups would be called "macro"?...it is kind of confusing.  I want to get some macro lenses or filters that may help get a better shot.  Does anyone have any suggestions about what to get?  See the link below for a good macro site.

http://photo.net/learn/macro

A Walk in the Park

My sister and I went for a walk in the Golden Gate Park yesterday and found some beautiful flowers. Although it is only the beginning of February, I would say spring is on the way! Check out my attempt at macro photography (close-up) shots of flowers. I actually think some of them came out pretty well!

Conservatory of flowers

Shutter: 1/400

Aperture: f/ 29

Focal Length: 32mm

ISO: 800
Shutter: 1/640

Aperture: f/22

Focal Length: 18mm

ISO: 800

Shutter: 1/200

Aperture: f/ 22

Focal Length: 18mm

ISO: 800

I went for a walk in the park today and was able to take some pretty nice pictures of the Conservatory of Flowers.  I included the EXIF information.  The last one is a bit overexposed, but thought I would put it on there for reference.  I think my favorite is the top one. Let me know which one you like the best and why.

Battery Bluffs

I took these pictures on a recent hike around the Battery Bluffs.  It was a great hike, I definitely recommend it.

Night Windmill: Before and After

This windmill is located where the GGP meets Ocean Beach.  I tried to take a night shot of it, but as you can see the original came out a bit dark.  I lightened it up in Photoshop and it looks a little bit better.  It is still somewhat grainy.  I need to get back out there and try it with a lower film speed.

Malibu

We went to Malibu to check out the beaches, and they were beautiful! I have posted some photos of our trip. I was experimenting with taking shots of the sun. I think the sky around the sun looks pretty cool, but am not sure if they look too dark otherwise.

Beach Shots

I took these shots at Ocean Beach the other night and feel like they came out pretty well. I included the EXIF information for those of you who are interested. The colors have been adjusted a bit in PhotoShop. Just as an update to the previously posted photos: I figured out that the grainy shots may have occurred because the ISO speed was set at 1600, which was way too fast!

Top Shot:

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel XS

Shutter: 1/60

Aperture: f/5.0

Focal Length: 39mm

ISO: 400

Bottom Shot:

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel XS

Shutter: 1/60

Aperture: f/5.0

Focal Length: 18mm

ISO: 400

I am still in the process of learning what all of that means, and how to change them to get the desired shot. It is a lot of fun though, and although confusing at times, I am very excited to get back out there and try again.

Photoshop

This was my first attempt at photoshop. I wanted to bring out the colors a little bit more and lighten up the photo. I think it still looks a little bit grainy, but it is getting better. I also added the picture of San Xavier, which I tried to adjust in Photoshop. I changed it to black and white and adjusted the contrast. Compare it to the originals which I posted previously and let me know which one you like better.

Nigh-time photography trials

After years of using a "Point and Shoot", I finally got a dSLR! I decided on a Canon EOS Rebel XS and love it so far. I went out tonight for my first attempt at night-time photography. It was a lot of fun, but definitely a lot of experimentation. These three shots are of a statue that is located between the De Young Museum and the newly re-opened Academy of Sciences in the Golden Gate Park. In the second picture you can see the moon and a star or planet in the back ground. They all came out a little bit blurry, or grainy. I think it may have been easier if I used a tripod. Let me know what you think!

Happy Holidays!

Here is a photo I took with my old 35 mm camera.  I think I took this about 2 years ago.

A Look Back Continued

I found a few more photographs that I thought I would share. The first one is of a flower that I thought looked particularly beautiful against the green and brown of the leaves and roots. That one was also taken at Muir Woods, north of San Francisco. The second picture was taken when my dog Rex was a puppy. He looked so quiet and peaceful sleeping there, and also the light looked so nice, that I thought I would take this picture. Lastly, the photo at the bottom was taken overlooking the Pacific Ocean from the Marin Headlands. You can see people gazing out at the ocean on the right. I thought it was a nice shot, what do you think?

A Look Back Over the Year

I was going through old photographs that I took over the year and thought it might be fun to post a few that I found. This one is from Muir Woods, north of San Francisco.  We went hiking here in April of 2008. I love this twisted tree.  I do wish that I used the light a bit better and took a better shot.  I guess I will just have to go back!  Check back for more photos that I have taken throughout this year.  

Shots of Fall Continued

Here are some more shots that I took a few years ago during October.  The one below is from the Arboretum in Boston.  The one above is from a road in northern Vermont.  I'm not sure how I feel about either of them. They could have come out a bit better.  I think I would like the top one if it were brighter and the bottom if it were a bit more in focus.  Let me know if you have any suggestions!